rotovac over wetting! any suggestions?
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Category: Carpet Cleaners Discussion
Forum Name: Rotovac
Forum Description: Discussion about Rotovac machines.
URL: https://www.kleenkuip.com/forum/forum_posts.asp?TID=6472
Printed Date: 22/November/2024 at 4:32am
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Topic: rotovac over wetting! any suggestions?
Posted By: stuey
Subject: rotovac over wetting! any suggestions?
Date Posted: 28/February/2010 at 9:06pm
| I USE A ROTOVAC DHX AND I LOVE IT. I WOULD NEVER USE ANYTHING ELSE SINCE IT DOES TEN TIMES A BETTER JOB THAN A WAND AND IS 1/4 OF THE WORK. BUT.........IT DOES LEAVE THE CARPET ALOT WETTER! DOES ANY ROTOVAC USERS HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS OR RECOMONDATIONS FOR THIS? I HAVE TALKED WITH ROTOVAC A FEW TIMES ON THIS AND TRIED A FEW DIFFERENT THINGS BUT HAS NOT MADE MUCH OF A DIFFERENCE, IT SEEM TO LOOSE MAJOR SUCTION ONCE THE VACUMN HOSE GETS ATTACTED! |
Replies:
Posted By: John L
Date Posted: 01/March/2010 at 1:25pm
Hook it up to a TM it won't be so wet  .
And if it leaves the carpet wetter is it really doing a better
job than a wand?
 NO! |
Posted By: cleanex
Date Posted: 01/March/2010 at 1:52pm
|
They are less work, but never is it better cleaning, if it leaves the carpet wetter!!!!!! ------------- DON ELDRED YOU CAN "STAND" ON OUR REPUTATION |
Posted By: Michael
Date Posted: 01/March/2010 at 2:40pm
| Post-Bonnet? |
Posted By: stuey
Date Posted: 01/March/2010 at 3:23pm
| Abousoulty it still does a way better job! Just needs a litlle more airflow for quicker dry time. It still cleans better which is the whole point of carpet cleaning. Guess I will have to invest in a few more airmovers. |
Posted By: stuey
Date Posted: 01/March/2010 at 3:32pm
| I guess my other question is how wet is to wet? How do u really know if your over wetting. As I am still new at this I don't really know what is too wet. |
Posted By: stuey
Date Posted: 01/March/2010 at 6:11pm
| do wand glides make a big difference? |
Posted By: canoer5222
Date Posted: 01/March/2010 at 6:18pm
|
That was exactly why I did not invest in an Rotovac-overwetting- . I did discuss this problem with the Rep. and he offered to change or reduce the amount of jets.Has this been offered to you?? I have no idea if it would help with the "flood". What are you using for an Extractor? |
Posted By: stuey
Date Posted: 01/March/2010 at 6:55pm
|
yea i just talked to them and they are sending me two smaller sizes of jets. right now the jets that are on it are 1.50 so they are sending me 1.0's and 0.75's. so hopefully that makes a different. its not a "flood" thats an over statement. i am using a ninja warrior porty. |
Posted By: baires
Date Posted: 01/March/2010 at 7:20pm
| Hy Stuey, try to change the 3 jets for smaller sizes and buy teflon glides and install in the roto. If you run the roto from a porty try to use no more than 25 ft of hose specially if you have your machine with vaccuum in series. Last you could use a bonnet to speed dry times but only if you sure that you get paid good for the job, each step takes time my friend and we are in this bussines to make money. Good luck, Pablo.- |
Posted By: baires
Date Posted: 01/March/2010 at 7:24pm
| Ninja warrior is ok regarding suction (vaccuum in paralel 200 cfm) good enough. Order than that you ll' be fine. |
Posted By: stuey
Date Posted: 01/March/2010 at 7:55pm
| thanks guys for the info! i will give that a try and see if those other jets help and possibly order some glides. |
Posted By: duckcountry
Date Posted: 01/March/2010 at 9:39pm
|
The porty vac power is important and never running more than 25' of hose unless using vac boosters means max power to the heads. Keep the handle no higher than your full arm extends which lowers resistance to water attempting its flow uphill. Never more than a 3'x3' area at one time, don't let the water stay on the carpet too long. Many dry passes are needed and if you want to make sure you are getting as much water as possible get a sight tube and use it. When nothing is coming up the tube, your job in that area is done. Also, switch to one of the new encap formulated HWE chemicals. Encap pulls dirt and chemicals away from the water, allowing water to evaporate sooner. That is according to the manufacturers of encap solutions. That's my take having used a powerwand with a porty for 4 years before going all bonnet cleaning. ------------- Are you in a high paying business or are you just a self employed low paid grunt who thinks this business provides dignity? |
Posted By: stuey
Date Posted: 01/March/2010 at 10:27pm
| great point!! i have not used anymore that 25ft of hose yet, as i have not needed it yet. I do have a clear sight tube which helps, but that tubes is always in the way kinda, so i have a tendancy to use the buckle strap for the power cord, and use it on the sight tube to keep it out of the way. but then it points the tube straight up and down and then the water is trying to suck uphill, so that is maybe the problem! i guess i will leave it closer to the ground for suction perposes and let gravity do its work! great info! i appreatiate it! |
Posted By: cleanex
Date Posted: 02/March/2010 at 5:21pm
|
With jets that small the cleaning will suffer big time. Also better make sure you have a good filtering system, jets that size tend to plug alot. ------------- DON ELDRED YOU CAN "STAND" ON OUR REPUTATION |
Posted By: stuey
Date Posted: 02/March/2010 at 6:00pm
| so what are you saying? don't go smaller with the jets and use the ones i am currently using? |
Posted By: John L
Date Posted: 02/March/2010 at 8:07pm
| You could get a booster.. That would speed dry times.. |
Posted By: stuey
Date Posted: 02/March/2010 at 8:23pm
| do you have any recomondations for a booster? |
Posted By: John L
Date Posted: 02/March/2010 at 10:14pm
http://www.cross-american.com - http://www.cross-american.com 
Booster Link: http://cross-american.com/product_info.php?products_id=10&osCsid=cd3c25448c3f82c8881a14d3a727b5b6 - http://cross-american.com/product_info.php?products_id=10&osCsid=cd3c25448c3f82c8881a14d3a727b5b6
 |
Posted By: duckcountry
Date Posted: 03/March/2010 at 1:57am
|
John is right, cross-american's comes with high accolades. You can also check out one at steambrite.com which does not hold water (pun) when it runs up against the original vac booster from cross-american.
------------- Are you in a high paying business or are you just a self employed low paid grunt who thinks this business provides dignity? |
Posted By: canoer5222
Date Posted: 03/March/2010 at 12:53pm
|
I was just kidding about the "Flood". Don't what kind of heat if any your using but usually the hotter the faster it will dry. I use an Little Giant propane heater with great results. Not practical if you bring the extractor unit inside .My portable Recoil XPS3 stays outside. JIM |
Posted By: rick007
Date Posted: 03/March/2010 at 6:59pm
|
If you have read some info on this forum then you should know where to look for a booster. Call ED at Cross American and your problem will be solved. Good luck on your new venture. Rick ------------- happy cleaning |
Posted By: stuey
Date Posted: 03/March/2010 at 8:14pm
| what do you mean its not pratical to bring the porty inside? I always bring it inside. if i left it out side i would have to run 50ft hose or way more, i am already having problems with only 25 ft of hose for suction, whats going to happen with a 100ft? lets do the math, that would = no suction! itsn't that why it is called a "portable"? no complaints yet! |
Posted By: canoer5222
Date Posted: 04/March/2010 at 7:48am
|
Stuey, I believe you misunderstood me . Meant,Not practical to bring 'PROPANE HEATER' inside. A lot Recoil owners run 100 ft plus or more with booster. Just stating how higher heat would help to dry. |
Posted By: westcovina
Date Posted: 31/December/2010 at 7:23pm
|
The answer is you need to be doing more dry passes. Also check to see if any of your vac slots are plugged with debris.
------------- http://www.example.com - http://www.carpet-cleaning-pasadena-ca.com/ |
Posted By: Soil Lint Green
Date Posted: 15/February/2011 at 2:19am
|
I can't remember if I ever said this which I learned from using a powerwand: get a site tube and always keep your handle no higher than how low your arm hangs at your side. The tube will tell you when you are extracting solution, dirty water, clean water and finally dry passes. Don't rush the job with a powerwand, it was designed to be a physical effort saver, not a time saver although Rotovac might say it is both. I have a video with Cliff saying something quite to the contrary of the time saver claim. It is a prop for the magic show which you use to amaze your customer. Unless the customer is watching, use the regular wand however in really tough areas, break out the powerwand. My two cents based on professional experience with the equipment. ------------- It's ORY GUN, not OR A GONE. Learn to talk. |
Posted By: 77748
Date Posted: 15/February/2011 at 7:11pm
On your lead vacuum hose there is a sight tube you can attach before the wand or rotovac that way you can observe how and if there is lots of water being pulled from the carpet. The rotovac does overspray keep it down if you can. 
|
Posted By: 77748
Date Posted: 15/February/2011 at 7:16pm
    The rotovac can also be awkward heavy and time consuming although great results. The Rotovac 360 i best tool and very easy to operate (no sweat).  
|
Posted By: duckcountry
Date Posted: 19/June/2011 at 12:44pm
Here is my setup for my PowerWand:
------------- Are you in a high paying business or are you just a self employed low paid grunt who thinks this business provides dignity? |
Posted By: absoluteclean
Date Posted: 23/August/2011 at 6:10pm
|
I have a RV Powerwand and fortunately do not share your problem, I use a dual 3-stage porty with it too. I like the suggestion of closing your ball valve lever a bit, someone on here suggested that. Also, consider smaller jets. What type of porty are you using, what vacuum set-up? Are you depressing the trigger to much? I agree, they do clean better than just a wand, if and when used correctly. You may want to consider taking a CC course as well, since you are a "newbie"; it will save you a lot of headaches and possibly money. ac ------------- abosoluteclean carpets&upholstery |
Posted By: absoluteclean
Date Posted: 23/August/2011 at 6:15pm
|
hello DuckCountry, Not sure if this is true, does sound logical though, a electric heater will not keep up with any Rotary, regardless of make/model. if you want to use a Rotary, you need propane type heat. Please look into this and you will see that gas is the popular vote in this situation. I ordered the LG, like most others operating a porty with a Rotary. ------------- abosoluteclean carpets&upholstery |
Posted By: absoluteclean
Date Posted: 23/August/2011 at 6:23pm
------------- abosoluteclean carpets&upholstery |
absoluteclean wrote:Posted By: duckcountry
Date Posted: 15/February/2012 at 2:48pm
|
I added a Shazaam vac booster and a Cross American to my Mytee 1001HV with a new 2000 watt heater and upgraded the pump to a 250 PSI. Now I can run 100' of hose with my Rotovac powerwand and the cleaned carpet is dry when I leave. I run a 25' hose between the Cross American vac booster and the Mytee. I did finally purchase the Mytee power converter to run the Mytee with it's two powercords in a split of the 220 I plug into and no blown circuits. For some reason with the increased vac power I find I am using much less water for restoring the carpet. I don't use the powerwand or HWE on every square foot of carpet. VLM works for barely used areas of carpet and the standard wand works for everything but high traffic areas. The worst area are shampooed before the Rotovac. When I started my carpet cleaning operation in the San Fernando and San Gabriel Valleys way back in the early 70s steam cleaners were just water and would not clean most carpets. We almost always had to shampoo, then steam clean. Not much of a charge these days except for the addition of chemicals that require time, heat and activation to accomplish the goal of making steam cleaning better. ------------- Are you in a high paying business or are you just a self employed low paid grunt who thinks this business provides dignity? |
Posted By: duckcountry
Date Posted: 15/February/2012 at 2:56pm
Rotovac carried the glides at one time, not sure if they continue to carry glides. I agree that a propane heater would be a nice addition. Because I use less water due to the benefits of high vac pressure, leaving more to get the benefit of the in-line heater, I don't worry as much about heat right now. If I did, I would also purchase a high PSI external pump unit for delivery of what is in the tank. ------------- Are you in a high paying business or are you just a self employed low paid grunt who thinks this business provides dignity? |
Posted By: Drummond1
Date Posted: 16/January/2014 at 12:32am
| You can turn the water valve down and use less water. Only turn the water up on the really bad areas. You can also do multiple dry passes. Finally, you can also use air movers to speed dry the carpets if all else fails. Hope this helps. |
Posted By: karlkoskinen
Date Posted: 25/April/2014 at 2:52pm
| it all about air flow if you are loosing suction then dont use it they put out a lot more water than a wand. i use a TM and still only use the RV for the nasty ones |
Posted By: Mr.Mike
Date Posted: 25/April/2014 at 4:37pm
Some users of the Rotovac complain of
over-wetting carpets. Keep in mind that the Rotovac needs regular
maintenance to keep it running at it's best. Also, a dry pass or two may
be necessary.  ------------- I'm positive about the negative...and negative about the positive. |