quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
What if I put a Y hose connector so that there is always at least some flow. So, at the output of the pump, use a Y hose adapter with one side going to the the chem container and the other going to a second hose w/ a valve. Open the valve when I'm not using the chem dispenser and vice versa (coordinate with my wife).

For the HF freight style, the y-splitter would be better off on the suction side of the chem container for quicker switches from one to the other.

quote:

Originally posted by konata88:
Thanks for the help. My bath (which is the most full flow faucet I have in the house) is about 3-4gpm. I have a flow meter - I'll test out the hose faucet later. The 8gpm is an up-to number? Does the pump require in-flow of 8gpm or is that just the most it could support?

...

No flow detection - that means I don't need this Y hose workaround? If so, great!

I checked the HD website and the Milwaukee website and both provides more details useful to lawyers than mechanical engineers. It looks like a centrifugal pump which would be up to 8 gpm with some performance loss at 3 to 4 gpm. Since the manual lacks a pump curve, I can't see how much performance loss.

Correct on it shutting itself down without the need for a workaround.

Do you have another use for a $230 Milwaukee pump? It's designed to pump out koi ponds to a drain, speed up a plumber pumping out a water heater to a drain, transferring rainwater from one tank to another, etc.

In other words, the $65 ($58 on-sale) HF may burn up in one use but does you need it to work more than once?

Thanks for your help on understanding this stuff and helping me figure out what may or may not work for my context. Much appreciated.

Seems like this would be a good opportunity for someone to figure out how to use a drone and maybe lightweight poly tubing to help dispense the chemical across the roof.

I don't really need these pumps other than perhaps repeated future applications of the chemical. My 24 year old water heater is due any year now. But otherwise, no real use for it (never even knew about these types of pumps until now).

I guess the rationalization is basically: 1) likely need repeated applications over the years, 2) HD is 10 minutes away, HF is 40 minutes away.

If you want a gas pressure washer for projects beside this be sure to get one with 3000+ psi, this makes running things like pressure washer heads for driveways and cleaning tougher things up a breeze.

You can also buy extension wands to stretch the reach of a pressure washer, be warned you'll need some strong back and arm muscles to use it, and a tube of Ben-Gay afterwards LOL

Extension

You could go to Lowes/Home Depot tool rentals and check about the product they have for this, much less expensive than buying a new PW if you don't really expect to use it.

We have both a small Harbor Freight Electric 1700 psi which is perfect for patio, car washing, light pressure spray work and a Honda Gas for cleaning the driveway/street gutters etc.

Better safe than sorry.

You can watch his technique to see what works,
( Or what doesn't )