The need for 50+ HP TMs.............

    Re: Do we really need 50+ Hp Truckmounts?
Posted By Kenneth Harris on 6/18/2001 at 4:56 PM
Duane: In regard to the 400 ft of hose scenario; if you mean to use a high performance portable unit for cleaning beyond this distance, i agree with you.I have long believed that 400 ft is the longest practical distance for cleaning with a TM for a variety of reasons:



1.) Since most blowers are limited to 15" HG (about 200"WL) of lift and lift decreases at the rate of 25"W.L./100 ft of hose length, by the time you add 400 ft you are down to only 100" or half what you started with. At this point the 150"-200"lift of a ninja on 25' starts looking pretty good!As for the cfm that is available at the wand at this distance, consider yourself lucky if you have 100 cfm at the wand/carpet interface. Again a good portable on 25' of hose will get you this much or better.A high Hp motor will not change these numbers unless your using something larger than 2" hose to get out to the wand. If you use a higher than 15" HG no. on your blower to accomodate the lift dropoff of 1/4" per ft you may either collaspe your vacuum tank or shorten the life of the blower by drawing oil thru the seals.





2.) Now if you are still thinking that the heat at that distance will still be better than using a portable , lets examine that. The rule of thumb when using 1/4" hose with a flow rate of about 1.5 gpm will be around 15 degrees per 100 ft,so about 60 degrees will be lost going out to 400'( this assumes an ambiant temp of about 70 outside). If your fortunate enough to have a TM that can deliver 240 degrees ATM this means you still have 180ATW. Most don't,so most likely you are 200 degrees ATM and 140 ATW. These numbers only get worse when it gets colder out.As Duane says, the high HP engine will get you more heat if you are using exchangers to heat your water; but this is an expensive way to get it if you are single wanding. A cheaper and just as effective way to get 25+ more degrees to the carpet is to get a wand with jets that are close to the carpet to minamize cooldown!


3.) Do you really want to carry over 400 ft of vac hose on your truck.If you clean primarily residential, 200 ft will do you for 99% of your jobs.


Just some things to think about, but i'm sure some of you could add more.....



Ken Harris
Turboteck Supplies Int.

yeah but those big truckmounts sound so cool...............