Downstream Injector: A downstream injector, also known as a chemical injector or soap injector, is a device that connects to the pressure washer’s pump. It is typically attached to the low-pressure side of the pump and draws chemicals or detergents into the water stream after the pump, downstream from the high-pressure pump output. The injector uses the pressure differential created by the water flow to draw and mix chemicals into the water stream. This allows for the application of cleaning agents, detergents, or other additives during pressure washing.
X-Jet: An X-Jet (pronounced “ex-jet”) is a specialized type of downstream injector. It is a handheld, adjustable nozzle system that incorporates a chemical reservoir. Unlike a traditional downstream injector, the X-Jet does not connect directly to the pressure washer pump. Instead, it utilizes the pressure washer’s high-pressure spray to create a siphoning effect, drawing chemicals from the reservoir into the water stream. The X-Jet allows for on-the-fly adjustment of the chemical concentration by altering the nozzle’s position, enabling the user to apply different strengths of chemicals as needed.
Key Differences:
Connection: A downstream injector connects to the pressure washer’s pump, while an X-Jet is a standalone nozzle system that does not directly attach to the pump.
Chemical Mixing: With a downstream injector, the chemicals are mixed with the water downstream from the pump. In contrast, an X-Jet has a reservoir that allows for adjustable chemical mixing using the high-pressure spray.
Portability: Downstream injectors are typically fixed in place and require a connection to the pressure washer. X-Jets are handheld and offer more mobility since they are not directly attached to the pressure washer.
In summary, a downstream injector is a separate device connected to the pressure washer’s pump, used for injecting chemicals into the water stream downstream from the pump. On the other hand, an X-Jet is a portable nozzle system with an integrated chemical reservoir, utilizing the high-pressure spray to draw and mix chemicals as needed.
technicality They both do the same thing one is at the end by the noozle and the other is in line at the beginning on the line near to the pump saving you from carrying a mix around near the end of the hose. Both are injectors just do them at different places.
This is a great idea of a thread topic to help new guys on the forum. However it needs to be edited for accuracy and pros and cons of each should be expanded upon, especially the part where the x-jet is rarely used since carrying around a pail of chems all day unnecessarily is something i’m glad i stopped doing after discovering the ds injector on this forum. Also batch mixing is eliminated with the ds injector.
So the x-jet can have a place but is very rarely needed. I did not need it once in the last 2 years.
It’s a lot more entertaining if you read it in the voice of David Attleboro. I’ve always wondered what would happen if you used an x jet as a ds injector or vice versa. There must be some inherent difference. I’ve also wondered if an injector with a 3/8 barb would pull a stronger mix, or even using a larger chemical tube with a 1/4 inch adapter at the injector. If it wouldn’t be conducive for better flow / less restriction, why are we running 1 inch hoses to a 1/2 inch pump inlet? Just thinking out loud.
If you research flow coeficient tables you’ll see 1/4" hose will flow well over a gallon a minute. There was no downstream injector on the market that could pull anywhere near that. The injector I’m manufacturing approaches 100 ounces a minute sizing up the chemical line would still be unnecessary. With that being said the high draw and the other specialty injector I’ll be producing will carry 3/8" barbs
So what you are saying is if i want to run more of my solution into the power washer stream then an x jet is the better option vs downstreaming? I imagined the down stream tube is fairly capped on flowrate whare as the x jet you can make a bit better in terms of flow rate?
I have a pump in mind but it will be expensive to manufacture in small quantities. Not quite convinced the market will bear it and I’ve got way too many fires cooking so there’s that as unfortunate as it is.
Forgive me if this has been addressed…clearly I’m new. I planned to use the downstream injector connection on my machine for SH. My machine is 4gpm/4Kpsi. I have a 5 gal container for the SH that sits near the downstream injector connection on my machine and figured I’d run the tube from the injector connection down into the container to draw the SH when I’m using the black tip that is supposed to be for drawing soap. I read somewhere that this is won’t pull enough SH so I’m trying to figure that out. Sorry again if this is a repetitive question on here…just trying to learn. Thanks for any help you can provide…really appreciate it!
@TimOKC, it’s not that the built in injector and black tip won’t pull strong enough necessarily - it depends on what % of SH (bleach) you are pulling, what your machine’s mix ratio is, and how strong of a mix do you need to clean what you are trying to.
In a nutshell:
-The bleach running into your pump in any way/shape/form is going to cause issues by eating away at your expensive pump. Having a separate chemical draw system - such as an xjet or dedicated down stream injector - allows you to run bleach through a “disposable” item and not ruin your pump.
-The pump’s built in injector likely is rated to pull at some ratio you can find in your owners manual, but likely doesn’t actually pull at that rate. The xjet and DS injector are designed to pull
Also, check out the “newbie” section on the forum and spend some time reading through all the topics posted there. It’s a WEALTH of info for people starting out. It’ll open your eyes to things you hadn’t thought about or considered.
And, the search bar is a great tool as well. Just punch in a topic you want to learn more about and sure you’ll find something on it.
Thanks! Yes, I’ve spent many hours going through all the topics etc…so helpful! Reason I asked this question again is that it appeared that the last time it was spoken about was like a year or two ago…things seem to change in that short amount of time lol so I thought I’d ask again. For some reason I’m just having trouble grasping certain concepts…bucket tests, pull rate, mixture rates etc etc…kind of overwhelming to be honest. My machine came with a generic manual for some reason…I think it’s for all BE pressure washers so it isn’t real specific to my machine since I bought it from a local company who I believe built it (not 100% on that). It’s been a rough start so far lol Either way, thanks for any and all advice/recommendations…I really appreciate when people take the time to help newbies like myself!!!
