Bandit

[dirtdobber]

I am having some problems getting my "bandit" to prime. Anyone have any issues simular with theirs and if so what did you do to fix it? I called Bob at PT and he sent me a ball valve and a couple fittings to bleed off the air but either they were the wrong fittings or I am so stupid I can't figure out how it goes together. Tried to call him but he was closed for the day.

[814jeffw]

If I recall, the Bandit utilizes a roller pump. I assume that there aren't any leaks? Is it working ok when it IS spraying? It may need new rollers, or even just replace the pump, whichever you prefer. Not sure what mix you're using but if you're using tsp and/or borax, there might be undissolved product partially plugging the inlet side of the pump and not allowing for good flow. Make sure the bypass is flowing ok as well. So, if it works ok other than when priming I would probably just start at the tank and make sure the outlet is flowing ok and then I would take the time and just tear it down and re-plumb it, sometimes that is the easiest way to handle it. I've personally never had an issue with air in the system being a problem, if it's working properly it should pull the product without any issues of an air lock. I don't use the Bandit but I do use use roller pumps.

Jeff

[Christopher]

Roller pumps will not pull chems if there is air in the line like a diaphragm pump will.

This is how I have my Bandit rigged up.

On the water side, I have a line from my water tank plumbed up to the 3-way valve, I never let my water tank empty so I never have an air issue on THAT LINE.

On the chemical side, I just have a 4' section of 3/4" hose with a 90 degree elbow with a 3/4" pvc pipe to put into the chemical tank (I do not use tanks with bulkhead fittings anymore because the bleach will make viton gaskets leak in around 1.5 months all the time).

When I am about to use the bandit, I make sure my chem tank is full and I take the suction tube and fill it with water so there is no air in the line and I open up the 3-way valve a couple times to get the air out of there too.

Once the suction tube is full of water, I put my hand over the tube to hold the water so it does not leak out and I put it quickly into the chemical tank (I do not put my hand into the tank, but put the tube in there quickly as I remove my hand from the tube).

This way you have the suction line and tube full of liquid so it will pump.

The Kit that Bob sent is probably meant to be tied into one of the sides of the 3-way valve so you can add water to the system to get the air out.

I would get a "T" and put it on one side of the 3-way valve and that is where you would put the hose and at the end of the hose is where the valve would go so it holds chems in the line.

Think of it as a "bleeder valve" to get the air out. Just fill it with water and open up the 3-way valve so the air bubble gets out but you have to lift the hose up above the 3 way valve so the air near the pump will get out.

If you do not understand this or have any other questions, just ask.

I have the first Bandit that Bob sold and it is still going strong, over a year and few months later. I do always rinse it out with water when done with chems.

[814jeffw]

Originally Posted by Christopher

Roller pumps will not pull chems if there is air in the line like a diaphragm pump will.

This is how I have my Bandit rigged up.

On the water side, I have a line from my water tank plumbed up to the 3-way valve, I never let my water tank empty so I never have an air issue on THAT LINE.

On the chemical side, I just have a 4' section of 3/4" hose with a 90 degree elbow with a 3/4" pvc pipe to put into the chemical tank (I do not use tanks with bulkhead fittings anymore because the bleach will make viton gaskets leak in around 1.5 months all the time).

When I am about to use the bandit, I make sure my chem tank is full and I take the suction tube and fill it with water so there is no air in the line and I open up the 3-way valve a couple times to get the air out of there too.

Once the suction tube is full of water, I put my hand over the tube to hold the water so it does not leak out and I put it quickly into the chemical tank (I do not put my hand into the tank, but put the tube in there quickly as I remove my hand from the tube).

This way you have the suction line and tube full of liquid so it will pump.

The Kit that Bob sent is probably meant to be tied into one of the sides of the 3-way valve so you can add water to the system to get the air out.

I would get a "T" and put it on one side of the 3-way valve and that is where you would put the hose and at the end of the hose is where the valve would go so it holds chems in the line.

Think of it as a "bleeder valve" to get the air out. Just fill it with water and open up the 3-way valve so the air bubble gets out but you have to lift the hose up above the 3 way valve so the air near the pump will get out.

If you do not understand this or have any other questions, just ask.

I have the first Bandit that Bob sold and it is still going strong, over a year and few months later. I do always rinse it out with water when done with chems.

I don't use the Bandit, but I can say that my roller set-up will pull product whether there's air in the line or not. Maybe the bypass is different than what I use. But I've run mine dry several times and never had to take the suction hose off to prime it. The difference is maybe that mine is setting in line with the outlet on the tank, and it just flows into it.

Jeff

[Christopher]

Originally Posted by 814jeffw

I don't use the Bandit, but I can say that my roller set-up will pull product whether there's air in the line or not. Maybe the bypass is different than what I use. But I've run mine dry several times and never had to take the suction hose off to prime it. The difference is maybe that mine is setting in line with the outlet on the tank, and it just flows into it.

Jeff

On the Bandit, the 3-way suction valve is positioned about a foot off the ground on the supports for the hose reel so it is not inline with the suction of any tanks unless the bulkheads are around 1' off the ground and then you would not have the air issue but most bulkheads are near the bottoms of the tanks.

It is kind of hard to explain, you just need to see one to understand how it is rigged up.

With the pressure relief valve, bypassing, etc.... it would take forever to explain what a few pictures would show you.

If you don't understand it, take a look at the pictures of Bob's Chemical Bandit and you will get it.

[814jeffw]

Originally Posted by Christopher

On the Bandit, the 3-way suction valve is positioned about a foot off the ground on the supports for the hose reel so it is not inline with the suction of any tanks unless the bulkheads are around 1' off the ground and then you would not have the air issue but most bulkheads are near the bottoms of the tanks.

It is kind of hard to explain, you just need to see one to understand how it is rigged up.

With the pressure relief valve, bypassing, etc.... it would take forever to explain what a few pictures would show you.

If you don't understand it, take a look at the pictures of Bob's Chemical Bandit and you will get it.

No Christopher, I don't need to look at any pictures. I think this is where the difference between our set-ups is though. I believe you guys when you say the Bandit won't pull chemicals, was just trying to figure out why is all.

Jeff

[Christopher]

Originally Posted by 814jeffw

No Christopher, I don't need to look at any pictures. I think this is where the difference between our set-ups is though. I believe you guys when you say the Bandit won't pull chemicals, was just trying to figure out why is all.

Jeff

Once it is primed, it will pull chems all day long as long as you don't run it dry and get air in the system, if you do, you just need to prime it and you are up and running again in a couple minutes.

I am on the same Bandit pump for over a year and few months and it is doing great.

I am glad I bought the Bandit, it paid for itself on the first job that I used it on.

[dirtdobber]

I added a tee and a ball valve to bleed off the air and still it will not dry prime. I guess the only way to prime it is by hooking a water source to the 3 way like a hose from the home that forces water into the system and when the system is primed with fresh water switch the 3 way valve to the chemical side and it will then pull the chemicals.