Bayco/Kunkle Relief Valves???

What's your experience or knowledge of theses valves?

I'm trying to figure out if there's a better way than what I have, the typical spring n washer setup?

I understand how these devices can be better (in theory), by not opening until the max preset limit of lets say 15 hg., and the spring washer setup starts leaking/relieving as soon as you put the wand on the carpet, even if only 10 or 12 hg lets say........so intern always leaking essentially.

And then there's this "free flow" deal to further complicate things!   

There's some seriously conflicting info out there on this and it seems one of those deals the more research done the more confusing it gets...for me anyways. LOL   

Anyone know anything on this??

I've been confused by that topic for a few years now as well. I've seen some butler units converted to kunkle valves for claimed performance, but I have no personal experience with them.

Well shoot, Rob.......being one of the most technically minded people on this forum (at least it seems to me), I was hoping you would be one to know.  

Hopefully Ace Eddie can provide some info on this, with his vast experience.   

I've never worked with that knuckle valve that I know of but if you only have a spring and washer your missing the rubber washer seal. Plus if your relief is set at 14 hg then when you set the wand on floor then you will get around 12 hg. You have to have air flow the 14 is the relief if there is a blockage in air flow causing damage to blower waste tank or engine. To much vac press has been known to pull the oil seals to the inside on the blower. I'm working on a waste tank that is cracked right now is from over vac press.

I have used kunkle valves on all my units. I do think they improve the vac performance in the lift category. However, I also think on the wrong unit they can make the machine run too hard. They also get out of adjustment over time and need regular maintenance. El diablo had several units destroy themselves from kunkle valves malfunctioning. I have been experimenting with free flow instead and have been very pleased with the performance without the extra maintenance.

Les covered this in his maintenance chat at ICE... on those IF you use them, he said you should lube them pretty much after every job...

ohh and no more WD-40....use http://www.marvelmysteryoil.com/

pretty much any relief you use...we all should check and tweak more often....