Portable Heat

[Will D]

When choosing a portable I decided to prioritize power/suction over heat. I bought a Mytee LTD5 LX Speedster (500 PSI/250 CFM/182” WL), and I've been super pleased with it so far. Someday I hope to get a truck mount, but until then I think this will tide me over for my hwe work. I planned to solve my heat problem by using the auto-fill and staying connected to the customer's hot water. However, as I was thinking about it I realized that the solution tank on that machine holds 11 gallons of water, and even though the auto-fill kicks on whenever the float drops, it still only adds a small amount of new hot water to mix with the rest of the water that continues to cool. So I'm probably getting way less heat than I thought- right?

If that's true, would I be better served with an external heater? I know it would take an additional cord, but the Mytee Hot Turbo for example could get me up to 210 degrees. Let me know if you've used them before, or if there's something else I should consider. Thanks!

 

[Dwain Ray]

When i ran a portable in the 70's and early 80's i used a poloma6 propane water heater on a hand cart and set it up next to my machine and had it dump into 2- 5 gallon buckets . If your portable has a fill valve possibly you could connect a similar type heater to yours. My poloma would raise water temperature 110° @ ⅔ gallon per minute and would run 20 hours a continuous on a 5 gallon propane tank. I still have the heater on my general cleaning trailer

 

[Will D]

What about this- can I modify the Mytee LTD5 with a direct water feed and bypass the solution tank entirely? Maybe use a 3 way valve so I could use either option? Have any of you guys ever done this? The buildings I work in have plenty of hot water, I just want to use it before it cools down…

 

[Kenny Hayes]

If you’re agitating before rinsing, you could just use a bucket heater for your porty. It’s one more cord, but it would help your brain. Should’ve bought a Honda.

 

[Bryce C]

Hi Will! I'm blessed, I have my wife working with me doing the bucket brigade with our portable setup. A month ago she was out sick for a week and I remembered just how tough porty work is as a solo operator.

Regarding heat vs suction in a portable. I can remedy weak suction and poor dry times with extra dry passes and using multiple air movers. I cannot remedy ugly spots and traffic lanes that I didn't have the heat to clean better. I prefer heat.