Whether your business uses a pressure washer for grease traps, industrial cleaning or your own equipment, that old gas engine might be slowing you down. Between increased uptime, decreased maintenance and staying ahead of state environmental regulations, electric equipment might be a wise investment.
Fortunately, Comet Pumps and Valley Industries make it easier than ever to swap out a gas engine with its new electric VIPower motor, which launched last August.
“[VIPower] will work anywhere a small gas engine is used up to 6.7 hp,” says Pete Gustin, Comet Pumps product manager. “You can pop it out and pop in a VIPower motor. Very little engineering involved, other than finding a place for the battery.”
Dimensionally compatible with most small gas engines with a 3/4-inch shaft, VIPower comes with a universal mounting plate that quickly connects to pumps. Gustin says it’s best used with small and portable jetters as well as pressure washers, using pumps such as the BXD, CXD and BWD-K from Comet. It’s also a fit for small vacuum pumps.
According to Gustin, power efficiency is central to the motor’s design philosophy. Its soft-start technology allows smooth, specific fine-tuning from 600 to 3,600 rpm without wearing out equipment or causing jolts to the hose. VIPower’s electric build requires significantly less maintenance than gas motors, and its TEFC design translates to better cooling and efficiency.
Meanwhile, an on-demand pressure switch can turn off the motor while not in use, promoting battery efficiency and pump longevity.
“It’s emission-free, zero idle time — in other words, on demand,” Gustin says. “And then there’s a hidden benefit that the system is hybrid in terms of AC or DC electric, so you can plug it into a wall.”
The lack of fumes and lower volume makes it possible to branch out into indoor job sites. When powered with Valley Industries’ external 56V DC Battery Pack, operators won’t face the usual amperage limits of standard wall outlets.
“[With] a small electric jetter, you are limited to, let’s say, 2 gpm at 1,300 psi,” Gustin says. “With the VIPower system, you can now do like three gallons a minute, 2,000 psi, not forever, but as long as the battery is acting as a buffer.”
VIPower is UL-, CE- and IP64-certified to meet industrywide safety, health and durability standards.
“It’s extremely durable,” Gustin says. “The motor is designed for 3,000-plus hours. The battery is good for a minimum of 2,500 cycles.”
800-864-1649; www.valleyind.com
