Can Someone Describe What Downstreaming Is?? Thanks!

[fireandrain 39]

Hi Guys,

Another basic question, but im having a helluva time getting a definition on the board... I have a 3600PSI cold / 4GPM unit w/ a chem siphon (not sure what ratio...not quite sure how to find out..) Anyways, when i apply my detergents for flat surface cleaning I usually mix a concentrate in a 5gal pale and use the chem siphon to attain my H20 mixture...

Is this "downstreaming"?

If not, could someone be kind enough to educate me? Thanks Again!

Matt

[One Tough Pressure 580]

If the injector is on the high pressure side and you must use a lower pressure to get the chem flowing, then yes it is "downstreaming"

[tropical wave 22]

yea, that is downstreaming (as Alan said, I also assume your using a soap tip (the black one) to allow the injector to draw the chems)....... 4gpm with a 3600psi pump, my guess would be your ratio is 12:1....

hope this helps

[fireandrain 39]

Thanks guys.

So, if my unit is giving me a 12:1 ratio, it would make sense that I would need to fill my 5gal. pale w/ straight bleach/soap/tsp,etc... and NOT with any water? I know everyones cleaning 'concoctions' will vary, but for general non-wood flatowrk where removal of mildew/moss/agae/gen. soil is desired would that mixture make sense?

Before learning more about detergents, I use to mix the 5gal. pale with bleach AND water!... Seemed like a pretty tame mix though...

And is there any procedure for cleaning out my chem siphon after use? Say, using my black soap tip with straight soap and/OR straight H20?

Thanks!

[PressurePros 248]

definitely no water. In fact on flatwork I am surprised you can downstream at all and still get decent results.

[PRESSURE PACKED 14]

Why The Low Pressure If You Are Using A Black Tip..the Chems Come Out Anyway.?

[Littlefield 65]

Why The Low Pressure If You Are Using A Black Tip..the Chems Come Out Anyway.?

The black tip is what is lowering the pressure.

[tropical wave 22]

The black tip is what is lowering the pressure.

and allowing the injector to draw the chem out of the chem tank (jug, pail, whatever)

[fireandrain 39]

Ken, why would you think downstreaming on flatwork would seem unlikeley to produce any results? Just curious... Thanks

[tropical wave 22]

probably because the water ratio is too high when downstreamed to get the concentration of chems on the surface to be cleaned.....but thats a guess on my part

[Russ Spence 76]

i feel it works better at 20% .....you will get better results but thats just my oponion

[Ron Musgraves 240]

I hate to be a stickler, down streaming is simply by-passing your pump with what ever your spraying. up stream down stream... its applying chemicals with your PW.