Parts-Washer Headache! Help Needed!

[Red Dirt Powersports LLC]

I own, and Operate a Mobile Motorcycle Repair Business, that focuses on Repair, Race Prep, and Trackside Sales, all out of a 18' Pace Trailer. Here recently I decided we needed a 30 gallon parts washer in the trailer for multiple purposes. I went down to our local Tractor Supply and bought a cheap parts washer, put it together, wired it up and perminantly mounted it in the trailer. My problem came the next morning, after filling the washer with solvent, and traveling 20 miles to my first stop of the day, I opened the door of the trailer to start work, and 10-15 gallons of solvent was on the floor, my tool box, supplies and everything else, I know I should have seen that coming but I didn't! So I put a rubber "D" bubble seal all around the lid and the base of the parts washer and clamped jot shut with husky clamps, and thought that would cure my issue. But it didn't, the solvent ate the adhesive on the seal and made an enormous mess. So now I'm drawing a blank as far as ideas go, so now i'm asking for help! Anybody got any ideas that might could help me?

 

[larry4406]

Pump it back into a sealed container prior to moving the trailer?

 

[Boilerhouse]

Is it possible to install baffles (perhaps suspended from the tray) to prevent the liquid from sloshing around?

 

[HaroRider]

Maybe plumb it up so you can empty it into a spill free bucket, and then just pour it back when you need it..pain in the *** but its one idea..

 

[WILD-BILL]

Do a search for threads where people have modified them to have a remote tank to house the fluid.

Most also run the pump down in the tank as well as a filter. I recently picked up the HF 20 gallon and after a couple uses the fluid (while it still cleans) is nasty as all hell.

A remote tank and filter are in my plans.

Maybe one sealed up tight could work for ya.

 

[DCarr]

get the type that sits on top of a barrel. You dont want to store the solvent up top like you are.

 

[Tweeker]

Got insurance for the fire to come?

 

[Moose364]

yep you need the one that sets on top of the barrel so the fluid is down low. I have a smaller one like your in our enclosed RC race trailer and found out pretty quick there is no way to keep it in the washer it's going to splash out, we went to simple green and water so we could drain it before getting on the road home

And if your wondering why we need a parts washer in a RC trailer it's to clean the tires and wheels between race's

 

[188slo50]

Use a water base solvent and seal the top again. It shouldn't eat through it if it's water based. I know here in VA if the DOT stops you and see what you have in the parts washer and find its combustible be prepared for the fines.

 

[oscar80]

Genuine wiffle balls, if it can keep methanol from sloshing in my race car tank you should be good.

 

[Red Dirt Powersports LLC]

A lot of good ideas! I Should go to a water based solvent, because I don't need a fine, but all of the water based solvents I've used in the past won't cut oil and grime well! I have never really thought about that to be honest. However I also carry 20-40 Gallons of fuel, all kinds of lubes and many, many aerosols. I love the remote resolver idea as well, it seems like it would work well, and be cheaper than buying one of the "barrel" type washers. Tweeker, I have to carry enough insurance to float a small boat, and garage keepers.

 

[rohartman]

I bought this Safety Kleen (model 14) for my race trailer it has a reservoir were the solvent drains back into and you put a cap on it when stored. I have never had any solvent link out.

http://safety-kleen.com/products-services/parts-cleaning-technologies/solvent-parts-washer/manual/model-14

 

[DangerousDan55]

If I recall correctly, DOT requires placarding if over 5 gallons.

 

[TheEquineFencer]

Pump it back into a sealed container prior to moving the trailer?

 

[Red Dirt Powersports LLC]

I believe I may load the parts washer up with wiffle balls to create a network of baffling; add a good water based solvent, and put another set of seals around it and see what happens. Thanks for all of the killer ideas!

 

[Rayhat]

I got nothing for you but that's a real nice trailer setup.

 

[Red Dirt Powersports LLC]

I got nothing for you but that's a real nice trailer setup.

Thanks, I like it, Its not really big but it works for what I need.

 

[Falcon67]

If I recall correctly, DOT requires placarding if over 5 gallons.

I think Texas is the same - you'd be leaving that trailer on the side of the road here. Then you might have to sell it to pay the fines. CDL, placards, proper containers, etc, etc. Have you heard about the guy up in the mid west (Illinois maybe) that got a $750 fine for having more than 5 gallons in a non-DOT approved container? The "container" was the fuel cell in his race car.

I would go find a 35 gallon drum and attach that 20 gallon unit to the top, cut a hole in the bottom for a kitchen drain, then use a Little Giant pump, a remote oil filter mount and some hose to circulate things from the lower drum.

 

[Jere]

Maybe use permatex rtv the kind rated for gasoline, on bike engines. Glue the rubber gasket with that, just test a small amount with your solvent first.

 

[Red Dirt Powersports LLC]

Hmm, I guess I should check with the Georgia DOT, But I believe if I got rid of the solvent thats in the washer, and started to use a water Based solvent, their would be no issue.

 

[Monkey Milk]

I bought this Safety Kleen (model 14) for my race trailer it has a reservoir were the solvent drains back into and you put a cap on it when stored. I have never had any solvent link out.

http://safety-kleen.com/products-services/parts-cleaning-technologies/solvent-parts-washer/manual/model-14

X2 have the same one as my portable

 

[C96]

Could have been worse!

 

[WILD-BILL]

I bought the HF water based concentrate just to get me started (I needed to use the tank the day I bought it) and I have to say, I wasn't all that impressed with it and it sure didn't clean like the solvent based cleaneer I have used.

However, By the second time I needed to use my parts washer, I had added a heater to the bottom of the tub and it made a world of difference.

This is the heater I used.....

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/mor-23996/overview/

I had it left over from a blown motor so I had nothing to loose

It raised the temp pf the fluid about 10 deg per hour and topped about 110-115 deg and held there the rest of the day.

 

[188slo50]

A lot of good ideas! I Should go to a water based solvent, because I don't need a fine, but all of the water based solvents I've used in the past won't cut oil and grime well! I have never really thought about that to be honest. However I also carry 20-40 Gallons of fuel, all kinds of lubes and many, many aerosols. I love the remote resolver idea as well, it seems like it would work well, and be cheaper than buying one of the "barrel" type washers. Tweeker, I have to carry enough insurance to float a small boat, and garage keepers.

There was someone on here that made a heater system for his parts washer out of hot water heater parts and said it cleaned better than the solvent based cleaner. Think he had under $50 in it including the degreaser.

 

[PCO6]

First off, nice trailer.

I use a plastic 5 gal. as a solvent reservoir for my home made parts washer. It has a sealed lid and the pump sits below the fluid level inside the pail. I use Varsol. The fluid is pumped out and drains straight back to the reservoir which is a fairly standard way of doing it. I'm sure this could be adapted for mobile use. The basin of the parts washer is relatively dry when not in use. The system is sealed and I've never had a leakage problem.

 

[Lassen Forge]

Love your mobile shop. (trying to find where you have the bike lift hiden in it!). Worked for a guy who did mobile Diesel Service & Repair out of a converted "bread van" (actually, an old snap-on truck) and it was jumping - if the guy was't such a crummy businessman, I'd probably still be there.

THe H2O based solvents won't cut crud like the petroleum based ones (we used to use Kerosene in ours, and yes, we drained it between jobs into a sealed container - took all of 3-4 minutes on either end of the job.). Since you're setting up and then open for business (like we were), I would second the suggestion to put a dump valve and hose in it, and transport the unit empty. Plus, it will allow the grease and dirt crud to settle out of your solvent. And you're not creating a potentially dangerous mist from your solvent sloshing around... if it hits the right concentration in air, it could ignite. Expensive proposition for a mobile shop.

Awesoe business model, tho... if you run it right you can't lose! good luck!!

 

[angrystroker]

Pump it back into a sealed container prior to moving the trailer?

That is the ticket and the simplest solution.

 

[Red Dirt Powersports LLC]

I Finally got my parts washer troubles fixed! I took all of the flamable solvent out, and replaced it with a water based solvent, put new seals around the tank and installed baffles in the tank,( made my own setup),added heat to the bottom of the tank, and a drain out the floor. i also plan on adding a hot water spigot above the parts washer from our on board water heater for 130 degree water on demand.

 

[nehog]

If I recall correctly, DOT requires placarding if over 5 gallons.

http://www.phmsa.dot.gov/staticfiles/PHMSA/Hazmat/digipak/pdfs/presentation/Placarding.pdf I think the requirement is > 500 gallons, not 5, after all 5 gallons would mean that every vehicle would need a placard because of their fuel tank!

 

[mctent]

well that clears it up its a wonder anyone gets anything done once the fed gets involved with rule writing

 

[Tweeker]

So that now just dumps out under the trailer floor?

 

[Red Dirt Powersports LLC]

No, Where the bung was on the bottom of the parts washer, I added a ball valve, and tied it in to a 8' piece of 3/8 air line that goes through the floor and outside. Theres around 6' of airline on the outside of the trailer, the solvent can be dumped into a bucket or any type of container outside the trailer. When not in use the line stays tied under the floor to the floor beams.