Parts Washer Mod question

[roll_the_dice]

I am about to buy a harbor freight parts washed and have seen most of the mods that people have done...the main one being the filter. I found a dual filter housing on ebay.

What are your thoughts...better than a single or worse because the back pressure will hinder the pump more than desired?

 

[sberry]

I don't have it on mine. Gray or Safety Kleen didn't put it on from the factory. People didn't do it before the internet came along.

 

[roll_the_dice]

I don't have it on mine. Gray or Safety Kleen didn't put it on from the factory. People didn't do it before the internet came along.

Thanks...I understand some people do things and some don't. When I read the mods, it made sense to do one...and a HF washer is not the same quality as Safety Kleen.

I was asking about the validity of a dual filter vs a single.

Not sure if I agree with your internet comment, but that's neither here nor there it can't be proven either way, but I would guess the internet didn't invent that mod.

 

[kkroger]

Safety Clean has a pickup screen, I have a Carolina parts washer (barrel Mount) and I have had HF Types in the past. The Bigger issue is not necessarily filtration post pump, but filtration pre pump, I have a Half Inch inline fuel Filter on the delivery line from pump to nozzle, I "Plan" to change out the pump when this one dies and re-plumb it to draw the fluid through the filter on the pump inlet. the HF filter just has a screen on the inlet to the pump On both of that style pump that I have owned debris in the solvent caused the pump to lock up. I also prefer a screen in the drain of the "Sink" on my barrel mount.

 

[sberry]

No it didn't invent it but one guy did it and now we think its a must have. The fundamental principle is the same with the HF. Just make sure that the sump pickup isn't right on the bottom. What cleans the fluid is letting it settle. The big pieces drop out. Some fines in it don't hurt, actually make it clean better.
I did actually add a ring around the suction screen.
The internet didn't invent voltage drop or pressure loss either,,, it just made it so much easier to worry endlessly about it in places its irrelevant.

 

[cowboy73]

I would go with a single filter. Isn't really any need for ultra clean solvent. The best way to keep the solvent cleaner is to scrape off as much grease and gunk as you can before ever using the parts washer.

 

[sberry]

I would go with a single filter. Isn't really any need for ultra clean solvent. The best way to keep the solvent cleaner is to scrape off as much grease and gunk as you can before ever using the parts washer.

This for sure.
Filtering the suction side makes some sense. I am not sure about HF but my unit is on the original pump. It was made in about 80 or so.

 

[roll_the_dice]

Thanks for the responses...I ask questions to learn. I actually know about pump head loss as I have had saltwater aquariums over 500 gallons and you learn about head loss on pumps quickly when plumbing.

The reason I was looking at the dual is I found one locally on CL for $10...and that price is hard to beat and thought maybe 2 filters would be better...I may still try it...it's only $10.

 

[Iron-Iceberg]

I don't have the HF one, but on mine I had a really good paper filter but it would clog up pretty quick. I traded it for a metal screen one that doesn't filter as good but lasts a lot longer before clogging up and you can clean it up and reuse it.
For me the filter is just to keep the pump from wearing out.
I use the tank to get most of the big crud off and then I will final clean the part with some clean solvent.
Other wise to me it's like taking a bath in dirty water.

 

[kbs2244]

Spend the $10.00 and use the cheapest filters you can find.

Does the mount have separate ins and outs?
With some creative valve plumbing you should be able to shut one or the other off so ou can change one filter while using the other.

 

[roll_the_dice]

Spend the $10.00 and use the cheapest filters you can find.

Does the mount have separate ins and outs?
With some creative valve plumbing you should be able to shut one or the other off so ou can change one filter while using the other.

I am not sure, it has separate in/out on each side, but there are 2 plugs on one side. I figured worst case scenario, I plumb a glass jar on it and use it as a sight glass of what is flowing through/collection jar for debris.

 

[roll_the_dice]

I bought it...here is a picture showing the in/out

 

[texasranger]

Looks like it might flow through both filters in parallel, so using both filters would decrease head loss and run longer between filter changes. Check it with an air hose.

 

[racingtadpole]

What I found when I built mine was that it doesn't take very long at all before the filter is bypassing. You'll see the flow reduce then it will come back up. When you see that its operated its bypass flap. At one point I was consuming a 6pack of filters in an afternoon cleaning front suspension parts from a mini. The advice above that mentions knocking off as much **** as you can is sage, it does increase the life of the filters somewhat.

As for single vs dual, its prob just going to mean it will take a little longer before the filters bypass, but it will cost twice as much when they do.

 

[laser3kw]

I can tell you that the Safety Kleen pump hangs about 10" ~12" Off the bottom. That allows gravity to settle out the heavies and the pump then pulls in only solvent with suspended oil products ( when used).
The HF type tank has the pump inlet much closer to the floor, if not on the floor. Much more likely to **** in "gunk".
A filter? Wouldn't hurt. But you would be filtering out only the particulate matter that is larger than 30 ~ 50 micron (typical oil filter filtration).

 

[Superbec]

I have 2 parts washers, one for general stuff the other for carburetors ,

Best mod is to install a ball valve on the drain , I wouldn't install a filter, don't see why, fluid comes fairly clean out of the pomp, there's a fabric pre-filter . it's good enough !


So what's the application?

 

[sberry]

The ball valve on the drain is worthy.
I have used that housing before but its been a while. I think I was parallel but its been so long I forget. The JD3020 used it, I put a different starter on and cut it in half and use one filter. The second was in the way. I still have the piece somewhere, saw it not to long ago.

 

[kbs2244]

The putting the inlet above the settling level seem like a good idea.
But doesn't the returning fluid mix up the tank?

Or, are we over thinking this?
How clean does what is coming out he nozzle really need to be?
If a piece of dirt comes out, won't just get flushed away a second time/

 

[sberry]

It does. Doesn't hurt a thing and most settles.

 

[matt_i]

I have a Zep parts washer which came OEM with a filter, new never used. Alas it was missing the filter, just the supply and return hoses. I found a giant Fram can at the local auto parts store (its a Meijer lol) and made my own housing to match the filter.

I think a single filter will suffice, it has low restriction being basically an automotive oil filter. I try not to purposefully use the parts washer as a dumping cesspool, trying to scrape off as much crud with a bronze putty knife as possible before entering the parts into the PW.