The non-contact method of washing cars has a number of advantages, but the main advantage is the absence of the likelihood of damage to the paintwork. The effectiveness of the non-contact washing method is achieved thanks to the car shampoo applied to the body in the form of a foam. To transform the gel into foam, special devices are used: foam generators, sprayers and dosatrons. To wash a car with shampoo, it is not necessary to sign up for a car wash, as you can do it at home. To convert shampoo to lather, you need to design a foam generator yourself.
Before figuring out how the foam generator is made, you should understand its design and the principle of operation. A foam generator is a metal tank or tank with a capacity of 20 to 100 liters. In the upper part of such a tank there is a filler neck, as well as a drain valve with two fittings. One of the fittings (inlet) is connected to the compressor, and a nozzle is connected to the second (outlet) to create foam and apply it (spray) to the car body.
The reservoir, depending on its volume, is filled with a special detergent solution, the amount of which is 2/3 of the tank capacity. The solution is a mixture of 10 ml of car shampoo with 1 liter of water.
It is interesting! Additional protection car body shampoo is achieved due to the content of wax in it.
After filling the tank with detergent, the compressor is switched on and compressed air is supplied to the tank. To create foam, the air pressure must be at least 6 atmospheres. In the tank, under the influence of compressed air, foam is formed from the shampoo, which enters the outlet fitting through a filter and a spray bottle (foaming agent). The sprayer is located in the nozzle, through which the foam is supplied to the car body. The pressure in the tank is controlled by a pressure gauge, and its filling level is controlled by a special water measuring tube.
The main purpose of the device is the formation of foam from the working solution.
Thanks to such a device, a person does not need to come into contact with a chemical, and the application of shampoo in the form of foam contributes to better washing of dirt from the car body. In addition, the speed of car wash increases, which takes no more than 15-20 minutes. A number of additional advantages of using a steam generator also include:
However, of all the advantages, it is important to highlight the disadvantage that a factory-made steam generator is quite expensive (from 10 thousand rubles, depending on the capacity). Based on this, many home craftsmen resort to the manufacture of steam generators. low pressure... This approach allows you to significantly save money, as well as get a high-quality steam generator for home use.
The cost of the cheapest foam generator for washing will cost more than 10 thousand rubles, and with an independent approach to the manufacture of the device, you will need no more than 2 thousand rubles. This amount can be even less if the arsenal contains items necessary for the construction of the device. For such purposes, you will need the main elements presented in the form:
Before proceeding with the manufacture of the foam generator, it is necessary to select the appropriate tank. The main requirement is imposed on the reservoir - the ability to withstand pressure up to 5-6 atmospheres. The second requirement is the volume of the product, which must be within 10 liters. This is the optimal amount to apply the foam to the car body in one go without re-adding the detergent solution. All other products can also be found in the garage or purchased if they are not available.
The scheme of the foam generator for washing has the form shown in the photo below.
The reservoir of the device must withstand pressure up to 6 atmospheres inclusive
Before you start making a homemade foam generator, you need to prepare drawings with sketches. This will not only allow you to understand what you need to get homemade products, but also help you avoid missing out on the following tasks:
A drawing of the diagram of a homemade foam generator is shown in the photo below.
For clarity, it is best to sketch on a piece of paper.
Based on such a scheme, you can make a list of the necessary materials, as well as tools for the manufacture of the product. In each case, depending on what the foam generator will be made of, the necessary expendable materials will be different. A number of mandatory tools include:
After the sketches are completed, you can start making.
Surely many have at their disposal an old garden sprayer of the Zhuk brand or its analogues. It can be used not only for its intended purpose, but also for the manufacture of a foam generator for car wash. Let's consider what the manufacturing process itself is. First you need to use the following types of materials:
The spray tank is ideal option for the manufacture of a foam generator tank
The operation of the foam generator is based on a metal mesh or tightly whipped fishing line, with the help of which the cleaning solution will be sprayed. You can purchase a ready-made foam tablet from a specialist store.
A foamy tablet responsible for the consistency of the solution can be purchased at a store or made by yourself
It is important! The capacity of the foam generator must withstand pressure up to 6 atmospheres. The plastic tank should not show any signs of deformation or damage.
When working with the device, wear protective clothing and protective equipment. When all the materials are ready, you can start designing the device.
To ensure tightness, it is possible to use plumbing gaskets
The resulting design is very similar to the factory one.
To be able to regulate the pressure in the tank, it is necessary to install a special air injection control valve. This valve will release overpressure in the tank.
It is possible to simplify the manufacture of a foam generator by using a hose with a spray, which is completed with a sprayer. To do this, the sprayer needs to be slightly modified:
A hole made in the tube is necessary for additional air supply
Using a kitchen dishwashing brush as a foam tablet can save you money
After that, we get a simplified version of the foam generator with our own hands, which will serve for a long time and efficiently.
Let's consider what the process of making a foam generator from a fire extinguisher is. To do this, you need to use an old five-liter fire extinguisher with a gas generator. This volume is enough to wash a car from one gas station. detergent.
The body of the fire extinguisher is a priori designed for high pressure, therefore it will become excellent option for the manufacture of a foam generator
A fire extinguisher with a gas generator is an almost ready-made foam generator that requires minor modifications. In addition to the cylinder, the following materials will be needed to build a foam generator from a fire extinguisher:
From the necessary tool you only need a drill and a hacksaw for metal. After that, you can get to work:
The locking-trigger mechanism is disassembled, and the tube and cylinder are unscrewed
The top of the gas generating device must be at least 4 cm in length
As in the previous case, we will use dishwashing brushes to create a foaming tablet.
The fire extinguisher device is reliable and has a much longer service life.
The device is ready-to-use and handles or holders can be welded to the cylinder to facilitate transportation. The device is ready, so you can start testing it. Pour 2 liters of water into a container, then add shampoo. The ratio of shampoo to water can be found on the chemical packaging. The pressure in the cylinder should not exceed 6 atmospheres. If the pressure is lower, then pumping will be needed during the washing process.
It is interesting! Even if a compressor is not available, air can be pumped in with an ordinary hand or foot pump.
If there is an old plastic canister in the garage, then a foam generator can also be made from it. The advantage of using a canister is the simplicity of the manufacture of the device, as well as minimal costs. From tools and materials you will need:
The principle of making a foam generator from plastic canister consists in performing the following manipulations:
Canister foam does not require a huge investment of time and money and is known for its ease of execution
Schematically, the design of the foam generator will be as shown in the photo below.
General scheme of a homemade device from a canister
A metal barrel of a cylinder is an excellent option for making a tank. Its advantage lies in the thickness of the cylinder walls, which are able to withstand high pressures. As in the previous cases, you first need to prepare the drawings. After that, collect all necessary materials and tools, and only then start work.
Foam check valve drawing
For air supply, it will be used check valve with a pressure gauge. The drawing of a homemade foam tablet is as follows.
We will use fluoroplastic as a material
You will also need to make a foam spray nozzle. This nozzle will slide over the hose through which the foam is delivered. The scheme for making a spray nozzle is as follows.
From the materials, you will need the details that are shown in the photo below.
Necessary consumables for the manufacture of the device
The manufacture of a foam generator for washing is carried out from a cylinder with a capacity of 5 liters. You can use a larger cylinder, but this is just not necessary.
Once everything is ready for work, you can start:
To supply air to the cylinder, we weld the tube
4 small holes are drilled around the center in the membrane
The check valve is screwed onto the tube
To remove the foam outside, we use a tap
Nozzle material - fluoroplastic
After that, you can pour 4 liters of water into the bottle, as well as 70 g of shampoo. On this, the process of making a foam generator from a cylinder is considered complete, and you can start testing it.
The revision includes an improvement in the functioning of the nozzle. The disadvantage of standard nozzles is that the water is supplied under low pressure, so full mixing is not observed. Consider two ways to modify factory foam generators.
For modernization, you will need to use a screw nut. You can find it in the computer system unit. This is a product that fixes the motherboard. The advantage of the screw nut is that it is made of soft materials, so it will not be difficult to drill a hole in it. To do this, you need to take a drill with a diameter of 1 mm. A hole is made in the middle of the nut. A cut is made from the end part so that it can be tightened with a screwdriver. The resulting device should be screwed into the nozzle.
Now you need to take a slightly larger nut of a similar type. A hole with a diameter of 2 mm is drilled in it. On the side that will be turned towards the nozzle, the nozzle is installed. For this, a rod is taken from a gel pen, from which a part of at least 30 mm in length is cut off. A hole with a diameter of 4.6 mm is made on the nozzle in the upper part. Everything is connected with a sealant. You can start testing.
The mesh in the nozzle acts as a water splitter and foam maker. The disadvantage of nets is their rapid wear. To modify the product, you will need to use a carburetor jet from any car. You will also need a stainless steel mesh.
The jet must be positioned instead of the standard nozzle, paying attention to the dimensions. If necessary, re-drill the hole to accommodate the jet. You need to make a new one according to the standard grid template. The new mesh should have a mesh diameter of no more than 2 mm. After that, the product can be installed in the place of the standard one and tested in action.
Summing up, it should be noted that it is not difficult to build a foam generator for car washing. All parts and tools are available in every garage, so if such a need arises, you need to take and do it. The material contains indicative samples, so in each individual case you can use your ideas.
The car is in some way the business card of its owner. That is why every self-respecting motorist should take care of appearance his iron horse. In this case, high-quality and, importantly, safe car wash comes out on top.
It should be noted that today there is a fairly extensive network of professional services focused on the types of services provided. Nevertheless, due to a number of circumstances, it is not always possible to use their services.
And why, when with the help of a minimum set of tools and some skill you can create a kind of contactless washing at home. You do not need to be a scientist to do this, but it is quite enough to have a small baggage of technical knowledge and skills.
The presented article is intended to familiarize everyone with the applied methods of creating a so-called foam generator for car washing.
Before implementing any technical project, you must first of all familiarize yourself with the design features of the product and learn the principle of its operation. This approach will greatly simplify the solution of various design problems throughout the entire process of implementing the presented project.
Consider the principle of operation of the most ordinary foam generator installation. This is not difficult. So, the essence of his work is as follows:
The process of operation of the foam concentrate allows you to create a clear idea of the main components of this unit. Thus, it can be concluded that any installation of this kind consists of integral working elements. Namely:
All of these components are readily available and can be selected in a wide variety of variations. It should be noted that in addition to the presented components, necessary condition the operation of the foam concentrate is the presence of a compressor for air injection.
If you have come up with the idea of creating a foam generator from improvised means, it will not be superfluous to familiarize yourself with the existing developments in this area.
Among all the existing varieties homemade devices, those that are distinguished by ease of assembly and high efficiency deserve attention.
Each of the methods presented below does not require highly professional skills and abilities from its creator. Let's get to know them in more detail.
The key element of any foaming agent is the container itself. The most acceptable analogue of a factory tank can be an ordinary cylinder from under a used fire extinguisher.
By virtue of their design features, such a tank is suitable for this project at an opportune moment. However, the matter will not be limited to one fire extinguisher. If you seriously intend to bring the matter to the bitter end,
You will need to acquire some equipment. It includes:
The case is small - to collect a full-fledged foaming agent based on all of the above. Despite the simplicity of the presented design, for the effective implementation of this project, it is important to follow a certain sequence of actions.
So, the procedure for creating a foam concentrate based on a fire extinguisher is divided into the following stages:
The principle of operation of such a device is that air is supplied through the lower hose to the fire extinguisher with a solution using a compressor.
Having reached a certain value, the compressor turns off and the ball valve on the supply air line is closed. After that, the tap on the upper outlet opens and the foam, passing through the rubber hose, comes out.
The tube immersed inside the fire extinguisher deserves special attention in this design. The holes in this case are necessary to create conditions for effective bubbling.
The presented phenomenon, in the language of the layman, is associated with the mixing of the solution by means of air bubbles resulting from the passage of air through the narrow openings of the bubble tube.
It should be noted that in the process of assembling all fittings, it is necessary to ensure sealing at the places of threaded connections. To do this, you can use fum tape or ordinary tow.
If you can't get a fire extinguisher, an ordinary garden sprayer can always replace it. It can be purchased without any problems at almost any garden store. In addition, you will need an ordinary kitchen sponge and an awl.
So, armed with the indicated tool, let's start making a home foam generator.
To do this, you need to perform the following simple manipulations:
The specified hole is used as an air channel required to create an emulsion solution. In this case, the sponge acts as a dispersion spray.
This type of foaming agent is significantly inferior to that considered earlier. Nevertheless, it is less expensive and affordable for everyone.
The list of methods is not limited to this. A simple plastic canister can easily be used as an alternative to a fire extinguisher and sprayer.
With a minimum of effort and a little ingenuity, the cherished foam generator is ready. In this case, you can limit yourself to a list of the following components:
As soon as all the parts are found, we proceed to the direct assembly of the device. So, we find any tube that comes to hand and fill it with fishing line. The length of the tube should not exceed about 70-75 mm.
We screw plugs on both ends of the tube. A tee should be mounted on the first plug, and a fitting on the second.
We bring hoses and taps to the three-piece. The hose from the tee will go into the hole made in the canister lid. One of the taps will regulate the supply of solution from the container, and the second — air supply, forced by the compressor.
Currently, it is not difficult to acquire this or that thing, as they say, without leaving your home. The foam generator is no exception in this case. For a fairly reasonable price, anyone can afford a fully functional foaming agent.
It should be noted that most of the presented devices come from the Middle Kingdom. Therefore, it is quite advisable to order them using the well-known Aliexpress trading platform.
In the case of using home-made devices, a completely reasonable question arises: what kind of detergents are most suitable for creating a working solution?
To date, foaming agents are presented in a wide range, so it is difficult to unequivocally assert that the chemistry of a certain brand will be the most acceptable in this case.
However, you can always turn to the analytics and compile a list of the most popular manufacturers among car enthusiasts.
Among them are the following firms:
If you have anything to add, do it in the comments below.
The non-contact car wash allows you to quickly and efficiently wash the car without damaging the paintwork. The washing effect is achieved due to car shampoo applied to the car body in the form of foam using special devices.
The frother is not the most affordable part. But you can replace it with a foam generator.
1.Foam generator high pressure... Foaming occurs in two stages: first, when connected to a high-pressure apparatus (120-190 kg / cm²), primary (active) foam is formed, and then, due to the foaming tablet, a stable high expansion foam is obtained at the exit.
2.Low pressure foam generator. It is connected to the compressor (6-20 kg / cm²). Foam is also formed in two stages, but of worse stability and not as abundant as when connected to an AED.
3.Sprayer. Works like a regular garden spray, that is, sprays a solution of car shampoo. Low expansion foam.
4. Dozatron. The dosing pump is connected through a filter to the water supply network. Does not require compressed air and works without electricity. A low pressure spray gun is used to apply the cleaning solution. There is practically no foam.
The foam generator is a metal tank with a capacity of 20-100 liters with a filler neck at the top, a drain valve at the bottom and two fittings. The inlet connection is connected to the compressor, and a nozzle is connected to the outlet connection for the formation and application of foam. The reservoir is two-thirds filled with detergent solution (10 ml of car shampoo per liter of water) and compressed air is supplied (pressure not less than 6 bar). The formed foam, through a special filter, enters the outlet fitting and, passing through the nozzle nozzle (foaming agent), is applied to the car body. Pressure control is carried out using a pressure gauge, and the filling of the reservoir is carried out with a water meter.
The cost of a low pressure foam generator is measured in tens of thousands of rubles. Sprayers and dispensers are cheaper, but the washing quality is worse. The foam generator (foam kit) is an inexpensive device, but requires connection to a high-pressure machine, the cost of which is from 50 thousand rubles. It is easier and cheaper to make a low pressure foam generator yourself.
For the manufacture of a homemade foam generator, an old garden sprayer "Quasar" with an inoperative pump or a pump "Beetle" is suitable. The purchase of a new sprayer for subsequent alteration will cost 500-800 rubles.
The basic part of the foam machine is the reservoir on which the rest of the assemblies are collected. For the manufacture of a foam generator use:
See how an efficient foam generator works and what you need for it
Knowing the device and the principle of operation of the foam generator, motorists independently make washing devices. The savings are obvious, but do not forget about common sense. Crafted foam, dry and not washed off in time, damages the paintwork of the car.
Cheap home mini washers for a car have an insufficiently effective foam nozzle. As a result, even good non-contact foam does not cope well with dirt. You can improve the quality of cleaning the machine by using a homemade foam generator. It copes with stubborn dirt, which is easily washed off later with a mini-wash.
The safest for car body paintwork is a non-contact washing method using a foam generator (we also call it foam generators). The essence of this method is to apply a chemical detergent to the surface of the body in the form of fine foam. After application, it softens dirt and dust, then it remains to rinse everything off with a stream of water. with a paint-and-lacquer coating (rag, brush, etc.) excludes damage to the surface layers of the varnish, that is, the formation of the so-called "cobweb" is completely excluded. Therefore, this method of car washing is now a higher priority and advanced.
Washing efficiency is in many respects - the higher its density, the better cleaning properties, less water consumption and chemicals... And the foam is given just by the foam generator. Therefore, the main task of the foam generator is to obtain finely dispersed dense foam, as well as its uniform distribution over the surface of the car body.
Structurally, the foam generator is very similar to a conventional garden sprayer, circuit diagram they have almost the same. But there is one significant nuance - foam is a high pressure equipment.
The main building blocks of this equipment are:
Large-sized equipment, with a large-capacity cylinder, can be installed on a transport trolley to ensure easy movement.
Since the equipment operates under high pressure, the cylinders are made of stainless or ordinary steel, but with the obligatory coating with anti-corrosion agents. In some factory models, a measuring ruler is installed on the cylinder, which allows you to control the flow and timely refuel.
The foam generator cannot work independently, since the supply of compressed air is required. For this, a compressor connection is provided on the cylinder. Typically, the operating pressure for a foam generator is 5-6 bar. To control the pressure, a pressure gauge is installed on the container, the pressure is adjusted by the pressure regulator available in the design.
Foam tablet
The main element of the mixer is the so-called foaming tablet. In reality, it is a fine mesh, folded in several layers and made of corrosion-resistant wire. It is installed in a housing mounted on a cylinder. And it is to it that the supply hose is connected. This tablet provides a breakdown of the primary foam supplied to it, into a finely dispersed fraction of high density.
DIY foam generator
The principle of operation of the foam generator is very simple:
It is noteworthy that another equipment for contactless washing works approximately according to this principle - a sprayer. But unlike the foam generator, at the exit from the pistol, it forms an emulsion, in which the washing effect is lower than that of the foam.
The difference between the two comes down to the different spray guns used. An emulsion is a slightly different state of a liquid than a foam, so a nozzle with an enlarged opening is needed to spray it. In addition, it is impossible to adjust the parameters of the emulsion supply with the sprayer, that is, there are no adjusting elements on the gun. These nuances will help you easily distinguish the foam generator from the spray.
The main advantages of the foam generator are:
The main disadvantages of this equipment are two - large dimensions and the need to connect a compressor. Of these qualities, the foam generator is considered to be equipment that is not very suitable for home use.
In garage conditions, it is better to use a foam kit - a variation of equipment for a contactless car wash.
A gun with a sink attachment. Connected via a hose to a pressure washer
This equipment works in a slightly different way. It also has a capacity, but it is much smaller in volume than that of a foam generator - only 1 liter. It also includes a foaming agent, which immediately plays the role of a gun for application. But unlike foam, the foam kit does not work from the compressor, it is a nozzle for high pressure washers.
A container with a foaming agent, otherwise called foam nozzle for contactless washing
Foam nozzle diagram
The foam kit works like this:
For the convenience of work, extension cords (spears) of different lengths can be connected to the foam concentrate to ensure the application of foam to any surface of the car, including the roof and bottom.
The jet obtained at the outlet of the foam set can also be regulated using a valve installed on the foam concentrate.
The foam kit is different:
But without a pressure washer, the foam set will not work.
Due to the powerful jet received at the outlet, the consumption of the detergent for such equipment is slightly higher than that of the foam. In general, this is a perfectly acceptable option for contactless car wash at home. And the foam kit is much cheaper than the foam generator.
Foam generator assembly
Considering the design of both types of equipment, you will notice that their main component is a foaming tablet, which can be bought separately. This means that it is quite possible to make a foam generator with your own hands.
The easiest way to make it is to take a regular garden sprayer as a basis and alter it a bit. At the beginning, it was mentioned that structurally the foam generator and the sprayer are similar, and this fact is often used when creating a homemade foam generator.
Foam tablet assembly
Having all this, you can start reworking:
It remains only to connect the hose to the tablet outlet, on the other end of which you put a garden spray gun. On this, the product can be considered finished.
It is not as convenient to work with as with factory equipment, but it is quite acceptable. To wash your car you need:
Of the inconveniences of a home-made foam generator, it is possible to note the need for periodic pumping of pressure, since the homemade product is not equipped with a regulator, as well as the inability to adjust the outgoing stream.
But the described design can always be modified by installing additional equipment in order to eliminate the shortcomings and increase the convenience of working with the foam generator.
