Suction dredge nozzle-intake vs jet vs supply size

JHuck

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Aug 10, 2016
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Hello everyone, I'm in the process of making my own suction nozzle for my DIY dredge. For background I picked up a 2" Powermate trash pump on sale recently. It maxes out at 158 GPM. I can size the sluice based on real world flow.

For the nozzle I have a 45 degree 2" EMT tube. From what I've read, the jet should be roughly 1/4 of the 2" intake and the jet should be short. What are your thoughts on the jet size with the pump I bought? Also, I'm wondering does the size of the supply matter? I was planning on using 1" EMT to the jet and a 1" supply hose from the pump.

Lastly does the length of the supply hose matter? I was looking at 10-20' lengths at a big box store.

Thanks in advance for your help.
 

Goldwasher

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100 parsets x 72 virgins divided by 9 = buy a jet and save yourself A LOT of headaches and 6 page thread

your going to be able to run a 3"inch and under using that pump and use a 2 inch line all the way too the jet.
 

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JHuck

Jr. Member
Aug 10, 2016
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Boone County Indiana
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100 parsets x 72 virgins divided by 9 = buy a jet and save yourself A LOT of headaches and 6 page thread

But I love a good debate and I haven't fired up my welder for a while.


Regarding the 2 inch supply line, do people have decent results with the flat blue hose or does it kink?
 

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ratled

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1) What GW said ^
2) A as DIY guy, I was a new guy who wanted to save money on gear and someone who has been down this road, unless you are familiar with the principles at play on here you are way better off buying used and going from there.
3) A trash pump isn't your friend is this equation and you are already behind the 8 ball
4) Now if you are Mark Watney stuck on Mars then maybe, but your are still gonna have to science the snot out of it.

ratled
 

russau

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May 29, 2005
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Blue lay flat hose KINKS if turned to your equipment UNLESS you use a short piece of suction hose at the ends near your equipment! and your pump is on the SKIMPY side of being able to use with a 2 inch line IF IT WILL WORK AT ALL ! Like GW said , buy one and avoid all the heart breaks!
 

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JHuck

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Aug 10, 2016
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Boone County Indiana
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100 parsets x 72 virgins divided by 9 = buy a jet and save yourself A LOT of headaches and 6 page thread

your going to be able to run a 3"inch and under using that pump and use a 2 inch line all the way too the jet.

Why the preference of a power jet over a suction nozzle? If I'm working in 6" to 2' of water, would that change your recommendation? I've heard suction nozzles are better if shallow water de-priming is a concern.
 

Goldwasher

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Yes suction nozzle for shallow water you can pull it out of the water and not lose prime. Plus a jet log has to be at or below waterline to work right.

I use HEAVY DUTY layflat except for the last 6 feet to the nozzle that's regular flexible pressure hose so it can attach to the nozzle easily.
I use a trash pump 2 inch 158 gpm. It will work up to a 3 inch but better at 2.5.
You will not have the same suction as a pressure pump foes for a 3 inch but for puddle jumping it does work.

DO NOT TRY to use the cheap un reinforced layflat any twist and it will pop...tiniest hole from a branch or sharp rock and it fails right away.
 

Goldwasher

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May 26, 2009
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100 parsets x 72 virgins divided by 9 = buy a jet and save yourself A LOT of headaches and 6 page thread

But I love a good debate and I haven't fired up my welder for a while.


Regarding the 2 inch supply line, do people have decent results with the flat blue hose or does it kink?

I should have said 2 inch most of the way and neck it down to the proper pressure line when you get to the nozzle. A jet log isn't as far from the motor so it will be different
 

Goldwasher

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If you can't find an affordable jet or suction nozzle in these times your not trying hard enough ;)
Mine was free.
Even a new one for your size is less than 150 bucks normally
 

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JHuck

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Aug 10, 2016
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If you can't find an affordable jet or suction nozzle in these times your not trying hard enough ;)
Mine was free.
Even a new one for your size is less than 150 bucks normally

I am on a very limited budget with my new hobby because my wife would like me to finish my last three projects first. Trying to fly under the radar at this point :icon_thumright: Dropping funds on a bunch of Tigerflex doesn't fit the current budget. I need to do a better job at looking for cheap stuff!
 

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JHuck

Jr. Member
Aug 10, 2016
35
27
Boone County Indiana
Primary Interest:
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Yes suction nozzle for shallow water you can pull it out of the water and not lose prime. Plus a jet log has to be at or below waterline to work right.

I use HEAVY DUTY layflat except for the last 6 feet to the nozzle that's regular flexible pressure hose so it can attach to the nozzle easily.
I use a trash pump 2 inch 158 gpm. It will work up to a 3 inch but better at 2.5.
You will not have the same suction as a pressure pump foes for a 3 inch but for puddle jumping it does work.

DO NOT TRY to use the cheap un reinforced layflat any twist and it will pop...tiniest hole from a branch or sharp rock and it fails right away.

I picked up 2" EMT but I'm not set on having to use this size. Do you recommend 2.5" over 2"?
 

Goldwasher

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May 26, 2009
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Sailor Flat, Ca.
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yes always go as big as you can

What is EMT? is that conduit?
 

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