Unloader Not Set Correctly?

Machine Repairs
1

Hey guys I just recently completed my truck build and am having issues setting up my K7 unloader. I have read many posts about setting it up prior to even starting it. The machine I have is Pressuretek 3000psi 8gpm.

The steps I’ve followed:

  • placed pressure gauge at end of hose between gun and hose.
  • placed red tip #00090 which came with the machine.
  • loosened the adjustment bolt on K7 out
  • held trigger down and started the machine
  • slowly tighten the adjustment bolt On K7

At this point the instructions said to tighten the bolt until pressure stopped rising however the Pressure was getting closer to 3500 psi and still rising with each turn so I stopped and loosen the bolt until the gauge read 3000 psi. The bypass hose has a steady stream of water as if you were to turn the faucet about a quarter of the way on.

Next I switched to a 2510 nozzle which should be about 2500 psi but it was reading almost 3000 psi switching to 2515 which should be around 1000 psi was more like 1500.

I then tried my J Rod which was purchased from Pressure Tek for an 8gpm machine the, soap tips were around 400 psi and the rinse tips were almost 800 psi which doesn’t sound right to me. Also both soap and rinse nozzles were pulling solution through downstreamer.

Any advice would be greatly appreciated as to what to do, I didn’t want to continue tightening with a K7 bolt because the pressure was more than what the pump was rated for according to my gauge.

2

I believe your nozzle size should be a 2510, not 25010 to achieve 8/3000.

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3

It is 2510 my fault I added an extra number. Edited post to clarify, thanks

4

Sounds like the right tip. You continued to hold the trigger while adjusting, correct? How much did the gauge cost?

When I set my K7, it was easier for me to adjust using a different method and it came out pretty much spot on (with my cheapo $40 pressure gauge) I held the trigger and adjusted the bolt until just an unbroken trickle came out of my bypass line.

5

$20 gauge from pressuretek

Yes I held trigger the entire time, the gauge was reading almost 3500 and still more than a trickle was coming out of bypass the more I tightened the adjustment bolt less water came out but I was getting concerned about how high the psi was reading.

6

Try and start with the bolt all the way in. Flow unloaders are opposite of pressure trapped. Turning it out should increase pressure. You probably had the adjustment bolt too far out and why you started gaining going in. Start in and adjust by turning to the left. Also make sure you have to adapter for the bypass. If you ever end up getting another unloader get a K1.

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7

I’m gonna piggy back on this thread. Having issues setting my unloader

It’s a pressure trapped VB36. I’m using the max pressure tip they gave me to set it, got a trickle coming out of bypass but I put an m5 twist for 7-12gpm and gauge on the pump says it’s doing about 1k psi.
What am I doing wrong

8

The bolt is almost all the way in at this point.I’m going to be honest, I do not feel comfortable screwing it all the way in as I am afraid of causing damage or hurting myself or someone. No offense to you and I great;y appreciate your advice. Just feels dangerous to me but maybe it’s bc of my own ignorance.

9

May be wrong, but I think 1k psi is about the max you’d get out of an M5 twist

10

I thought it would be oversized enough that I could DS with it, not wanting high pressure. Struggling to get tips from my supplier so I thought I’d bypass that issue by getting an m5 and heard great things about them in general

11

You positive about that? Clockwise increases pressure on mine

12

They’re pretty misty anyway. I used mine once and it’s just rattled around in the toolbox since. What’s your gpm?

13

I filled a 5gallon in 30seconds without a nozzle on it, don’t have a bigger tank to put a nozzle on and blast for 60s unfortunately

14

[quote=“Bgranger08, post:1, topic:32141”]

  • placed pressure gauge at end of hose
    [/quote

If you’re going to use a gauge, put it at the pump to set the unloader

15

Would putting it at before the hose reel work? At the end of a 4 foot whipcoming off unloader? My pump doesn’t have quick connects just screwed whip line directly into pump and I have a 4 foot whip from pump to unloader block then a 4 foot whip going from unloader to reel. Would it be a bad idea to just thread the gauge onto pump and leave it there?

16

Poor it as close to the pump as possible. No need to keep one on it. I’ve got a dozen machines and don’t own a gauge

17

I will give that a shot, also should I set it like I described or do what marinegrunt suggested with starting the bolt all the way in?

18

I don’t own k7’s so I can’t answer that. I will say, if you start with it all the way in, do not let go of the trigger. That is very important. I start with mine all the way out and adjust. But I use pressure unloaders

19

There’s a video directly from the manufacturer on YouTube showing exactly how to do it. He starts all the way out

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20

I setup new ZK flow unloaders practically monthly. To get less pressure you turn the bolt in or clockwise. You start with it screwed all the way in, I counted half/quarter turns to get me close. Plus and Minus were also cast on the top of the cap just below the adjustment bolt Use a gauge and adjust the spike to save your hose.

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