DIY parts washer using fuel pump for solvent design Q

[elguappo]

SO I have one of the cheapy HF 20 gallon parts washer things. The tank, stand, lid and ****** internal pump assembly are all there.

After reading a couple of cool DIY threads about using a spin on filter adapter to clean the solvent while its recycling, I wanted a way to pump solvent (screw water based cleaners).
The use of a fuel pump seems the best way.
I was given a funky, external fuel pump by a friend, but it needed rebuilding. I have ordered the kit, but havent finished it yet. Its a low pressure pump for carbeureted motors.

My main question is, what would an appropriate PSI rating be for this setup? I want it to move fluid, but not splash all over when it hits what I want to clean.

Thanks

 

[atotalnincompoop]

hook it up and try it out, 5 to 7 psi doesn't sound like much, but you never know until you try it

 

[green.bubbly]

The nozzle will have a lot to do with how hard it squirts. 5 psi though a tiny opening will cause the fluid to splash every where. 5 psi trough a 2" opening will not.

 

[djjsr]

A typical electric pump (for carb) will flow about 100 gallons per hour if it's not restricted. That's a little more than 1 1/2 gallons per minute. Try it wide open with no restriction. If it's too much volume, you can reduce it by putting some kind of valve at the pump discharge. If you want a little spray pressure, put a restriction nozzle on the tip of the discharge hose.

 

[srmofo]

Always remember pumps create flow (gph). Restrictions create pressure.

That wide open fuel pump is going to make a mess. Put a valve near the pump, not the hose exit...unless you want high pressure solvent.

You can also buy the brushes with a hole/****** that push solvent through them.

 

[racingtadpole]

I built one about 10yrs ago that was made from a fountain pump (decent one that was good for about 15mtrs of head pressure on a 3/4 hose), old laundry sink and a home brew keg. I had the same problem your about to have. My fix was to tee off the the 'cleaning line' (the line that you use to dispense to the cleaning) and bleed off back to the storage tank. I got a bit trick with it and put an adjustable valve in the bleed off line. If I wanted more pressure at the tank, close the bleeder, less at the tank open it.

The other thing I can tell you is to use fuel filters, rather than oil filters. Oil filters bypass when clogged, fuel filters dont. If you use a fuel filter you can see when its clogged, the flow slows right down. With an oil filter you have no idea if its working or not.

 

[elguappo]

The spin on filter should reduce flow quite a bit. No need for a valve.
I have read that using a diesel specific filter creates better filtration.

 

[chevy.stroker]

I used a Mr. Gasket fuel pump that flowed 35 GPH on an old parts washer. It flowed OK. A little more volume would have been nice. However, remember fuel pumps are usually better at pushing fluids than pulling them. In your case it probably won't matter, but in mine a 30 inch rise was to much for the pump.

 

[rmcbride0003]

Im a gauger for an oil company and we all have a solvent set up on our trucks. All it consist of is an 11 gal aluminum tank that has a line plumbed in with a cheap universal fuel pump (5-11 psi) and an air nozzle on the end. I have my nozzle hole pinched down to about 1/16 of an inch and it works great. Sprays a good stream up to about ten feet. I can get some pics and part numbers if you need. Inbox me