John Downey Steamin Demon series Reference guide

Operation & Maintenance
Procedure Manual
For Assistance Call Toll-Free
1-888-413-6748
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Table of Contents
SECTION ONE: MACHINE SETUP & OPERATIONS PG #
I. Setting Dilution Ratio on Chemical Injector . . . . . . 1
A. Removing and Replacing Injector Tip
II. Pre-Extraction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1-3
A. Chemicals:
B. Sink Fittings:
C. Unrolling Hoses:
D. Hooking Machine to Sink:
E. Prespraying and Spotting Carpet:
III. Extraction Procedure . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3-5
A. Before You Begin
B. Cleaning Carpet
C. Hose Techniques
IV. Maintenance of Critical Components . . . . . . . . . . 6
V. Unhooking Machine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7
VI. Cleaning Machine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7-8
VII. Hoses . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8-9
A. Removing regular 50 ft. hose assembly from machine
B. Attaching Extra Hoses
VIII. Hand Tool Attachments . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
SECTION TWO: WARRANTY . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 9
SECTION THREE: TROUBLE-SHOOTING . . . . . . . . . . 10
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I. Setting Dilution Ratio on
Chemical Injector
Before operating machine, you must
determine the recommended dilution ra-
tio for the traffic lane prespray detergent
you’ll be using. The machine’s prespray
system comes preset for High-Flow
Prespray. If the dilution ratio of your
prespray detergent is different, you must
reset your chemical injector (figure 1).
Each machine comes with 14 color-
coded injector tips (figure 2). These
tips screw into the top of the injector
and determine the dilution ratio of
your prespray.
A. Removing and Replacing
Injector Tip
1. Carefully remove chemical line
from top of injector (figure 1).
2. Unscrew color-coded injector tip
from top of injector.
3. Use the dilution ratio chart (figure
3) to determine the injector tip for
your prespray.
4. Screw in new injector tip.
5. Reattach chemical line.
II. Pre-Extraction
A. Chemicals:
• Defoamer: Fill defoamer bottle (fig-
ure 1) with a dilute liquid defoamer.
• Traffic Lane Prespray Detergent: Fill
prespray bottle (figure 1) with traf-
fic lane prespray.
• Spotting Bottle (figure 1): Mix 1/4
traffic lane prespray detergent and
3/4 water. Shake well.
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Figure 1: Chemical Injection System
Spotting
Bottle
Chemical Lines
Quart Chemical
Bottles
Chemical Injector
Injector Tip
Figure 3: Dilution Ration Chart
SECTION ONE: MACHINE SETUP & OPERATIONS
Figure 2: Injector Tips
DEMA ENGINEERING
Tip Color Ratio Ounces/Gallon
Tan 102:1 1.25
Orange 75:1 1.70
Turquoise 60:1 2.15
Pink 43:1 3.00
Clear 33:1 3.90
Brown 28:1 4.55
Red 22:1 5.80
White 18:1 7.00
Green 16:1 7.90
Blue 13:1 9.80
Yellow 9:1 14.80
Black 6:1 20.15
Purple 5:1 27.80
Gray 4:1 31.60
None 3.6:1 35.00
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Aerator
Sink Fitting
B. Sink Fittings:
Each machine comes with 5 sink fit-
tings (figure 5). These fittings convert
the aerator threads on your faucet to gar-
den hose threads.
• To install sink fitting, use your
hand or a pair of pliers to remove
aerator from faucet. Avoid using
plastic faucets or spickets. Then
install corresponding sink fitting
on faucet (figure 4).
• The Standard Fitting (figure 6) has
both inner and outer threads. It will
fit about 90 percent of the faucets.
• The Standard Extended Fitting has the
same male threads as the standard fit-
ting. These threads are extended
slightly above the fitting. This fitting
is used on recessed faucets commonly
found in bathrooms.
• The 13/16 male fitting is the third most
common fitting.
• The 13/16 female and 3/4 female fit-
tings are rarely used but nice to have.
These fittings will fit some of the old-
style gooseneck faucets.
For garden hose-type spigots, sink fit-
tings aren’t necessary. The garden hose
swivel nut on the end of the red pres-
sure hose connects directly to garden
hose spigots.
C. Unrolling Hoses:
Place machine 30-40 feet from sink.
To avoid knocking machine over when
unrolling hoses, point it toward the sink.
Place one arm through the middle open-
ing of hoses (figure 7) and feed the hose
out as you walk away from the machine
and towards the sink.
HINT: New hoses take about a week to
break in. If you roll and unroll the hoses
the same way each time, they break in
faster and are easier to use.
Figure 7: Unrolling Hoses
Inner Threads
Outer Threads
Figure 6: Inner and outer threads
of Standard Fitting
Standard Fitting
13/14" Female
3/4" Female
13/16" Male
Standard
Extended Fitting
Lip Hook
Figure 5: Sink Fittings
& Adapter Tray Contents
Butterfly
Valve
Impeller
Screened
Washer
Garden Hose
Washer
Tip Kit
Washer
Figure 4: Attaching Sink Fitting to Faucet
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D. Hooking Machine to Sink:
1. Tighten garden hose swivel nut (fig-
ure 8) to the sink fitting. Turn hot
water valve all the way open and
open your pressure valve (figure 9).
2. Open drain valve (figure 9) and in-
sert in sink, toilet or other drain.
3. Plug electric cord in grounded 3-
pin outlet.
IMPORTANT: The most common mis-
take made with this machine is forget-
ting to open the valves. Remember there
are valves at both ends of each hose (pres-
sure and drain). If any of these valves are
closed, the machine will not work.
E. Prespraying and Spotting Carpet:
1. Snap prespray hose quick connect
into the prespray plug (figure 10).
2. Prespray carpet with prespray wand
(figure 11). Concentrate prespray
on the main traffic areas and spots.
Prespray spots heavily and work in
by rubbing your foot over the
treated spot. Rinse spots thor-
oughly (3-4 cleaning passes) and
make a final dry pass.
3. With stubborn stains you may need
to boost your detergent. You can
do this with your spotting bottle
(figure 13). Simply spray stain with
your spotting bottle, work in, and
rinse thoroughly (3-4 cleaning passes
followed by a final slow dry pass).
III. Extraction Procedure
A. Before You Begin
Before starting your machine, famil-
iarize yourself with the control panel
(figure 14). This panel has 4 switches
and an indicator light.
• Vacuum Switch: This toggle switch
turns your vacuum motor on and off.
Garden Hose
Swivel Nut
Drain Valve
(open)
Sink Fitting
Pressure Valve
(open)
Figure 8: Hoses Hooked to Sink
Figure 9: Ball Valves (open and closed)
Pressure
Valve
(open)
Drain
Valve
(closed)
Drain
Valve
(open)
Pressure
Valve
(closed)
Prespray Bottle
Prespray Plug
Prespray
Extension
Prespray
hose
Figure 11: Prespraying Carpet
Prespray Hose
Prespray
Wand
Figure 10: Attaching Prespray Hose
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It remains ON during the entire ex-
traction process.
• Defoamer Push Button Switch: This
switch will be used on an “as needed”
basis during the extraction process.
• Jet Spray Switches: For your conve-
nience, there are two jet spray
switches. One is a toggle switch and
the other is a push button. Use the one
that is most comfortable for you. The
indicator light will light up whenever
either one of these switches are acti-
vated. These switches control the
water flow to the carpet.
B. Cleaning Carpet
1. Turn vacuum switch ON.
2. Position machine for a cleaning
pass (figure 15).
3. Make a cleaning pass (figure 16).
Turn jet spray switch ON and
walk machine backwards. Apply
enough upward lift on the handle
to keep the nose of the machine
firmly on the carpet.
4. At the end of your cleaning pass, turn
jet spray switch OFF and continue
walking machine backwards a few
inches. This allows the machine to
pick up any excess moisture.
5. Reposition machine for your next
cleaning pass (overlap approxi-
mately 2-3 inches) and repeat
steps 3 and 4.
6. During your cleaning pass, if you
notice a lot of soap residue in
your view windows, push the de-
foamer button for one second. If
you ever hear the RPM’s of your
vacuum motor decrease, immedi-
ately push the defoamer button.
IMPORTANT: Many carpets have
tremendous amounts of soap residues in
them. This machine is very efficient at
Figure 15: Positioning Machine
for Cleaning Pass
... creates downward force
on the vacuum shoe.
Four or five
coils on
holster.
Spray wand
positioned
behind handle.
Figure 12: Properly Hung Prespray Hose
Spotting Bottle
Figure 13: Spotting Carpet
Figure 14: Control Panel
Defoamer
Push Button
Jet Spray
Push Button
Vacuum
Toggle Switch
Indicator
Light
Jet Spray
Toggle Switch
Upward lift
with hands ...
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-5-
removing these residues. To protect
your vacuum motor from the soap suds
that can build up in your recovery
tank, periodically push the defoamer
button. This allows defoamer to be
drawn into the recovery tank and kill
the soap suds.
IMPORTANT:When using extra
hoses or really hot water, your discharge
pump may run hot and automatically
shut off. A protective heat sensor within
the pump is responsible for this. If this
should occur, simply remove the thumb
knobs (figure 17) and push the top of
the engine compartment cover back a
couple of inches. You can safely oper-
ate this way.
IMPORTANT:For flood restoration
or work that requires more than 250 feet
of hose, an optional dual discharge
pump is available. This externally
mounted discharge pump will increase
your pump’s discharge capability about
50 – 80 percent. Do not operate the
Steamin Demon in standing water, elec-
trical shock will occur.
C. Hose Techniques
The hoses on your machine provide it
with high volume water supply and dis-
charge capabilities. They can also get in
your way. Here are some tried-and-true
techniques that will be helpful to you.
1. Always try to work away from your
hoses.
2. The hose strap (figure 18) on the
handle allows you to switch the
hoses from one side of the machine
to the other.
3. During extraction, keep both your
hands on the handle and work the
hoses with your feet (figure 16).
Both Hands
on Handle
Work Hoses With Your Feet
Remove thumb knobs and move cover
back a few inches to eliminate hot pump.
Figure 17: Hot Pump
Figure 16: Cleaning Pass
<>
Figure 18: Shifting Hose Hanger From
One Side of the Handle to the Other
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IV. Maintenance of Critical
Components
A. Keep Float Switch (fig. 24) Clean
The float switch in your recovery tank
floats up and down with the water level.
When the water level reaches about 3
inches, the float switch activates the dis-
charge pump. Once the dirty water has
been pumped from the recovery tank, the
float switch deactivates the discharge
pump. Any debris that prevents the float
switch from freely rising up and down
with the water level will prevent the float
switch from activating the discharge
pump. When this happens, the machine
will not work properly. Keep the float
switch clean. (Instructions for cleaning
the float switch are found in Section VI).
B. Keep Air Filter (fig. 22 & 23) Clean
If the air filter is allowed to become
filthy, it will affect the machine’s ability
to recover water. This will result in poor
drying times. Wipe this filter off every
couple of hours of operation. Remove
and clean this filter once or twice a
month. (Instructions for cleaning the air
filter are found in Section VI).
C. Keep Vacuum Shoe (fig. 26) Clean
If you notice streaking in the carpet,
you may have a clogged vacuum shoe.
Clean vacuum shoe with the shoe hook
and reclean the carpet. When cleaning
the vacuum shoe, also clean the side
vacuum slots. (Instructions for cleaning
the vacuum shoe are found in Section VI).
Another cause of carpet streaking is
moving the machine too slowly during
a cleaning pass. This allows water to
form outside both corners of the nose of
the machine. If this happens, simply in-
crease the speed of your cleaning pass.
Figure 21: Hoses Secured With
Bungee Straps
Figure 20: Rolling Hoses
Figure 19: Manually Activating Discharge
Pump By Tilting Machine to the Right
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V. Unhooking Machine
1. Tilt machine to the right (figure 19)
to manually activate the discharge
pump to drain your recovery tank.
Do not try to pump your drain hose
dry; this may damage the impeller
inside your discharge pump.
2. Turn off hot water.
3. Close drain and pressure valves
(figure 9).
4. Unscrew pressure hose from sink
fitting. Open pressure valve to re-
lease any pressure, then shut it.
5. Unplug machine.
6. Remove sink fitting from faucet
and replace aerator.
7. Walk hose ends back towards ma-
chine.
8. Unsnap prespray hose and hang on
holster.
9. Roll hoses (figure 20). Always roll
your hoses in the same direction,
either clockwise or counter clock-
wise. If you do this, they will break
in nicely for you.
10. Secure hoses with bungee straps
(figure 21)
VI. Cleaning Machine
The complete cleaning of this
machine’s filters, float switch recovery
tank, etc. becomes necessary after about
8–12 hours of hard use. The following
procedure is recommended. It takes
about 10–15 minutes.
1. Manually drain recovery tank by tilt-
ing machine to the right (figure 19).
2. Unplug electric cord.
3. Remove water filter by unscrew-
ing its garden hose swivel nut (fig-
ure 8, page 3). Lift up lint filter and
rinse off both the lint and primary
filters (figure 22).
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Window Channel
Thumb Nut
Water Filter
Garden Hose
Swivel Nut
Float
Switch
Drain Plug
Figure 24: View of inside of recovery tank
Middle
Brace Nylon Washer
Wing Nut
Air Filter
Primary Water Filter
Lint Filter
Figure 22: Water filters
removed and separated
Figure 23: Air Filter Removed
Air Filter
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-8-
Figure 26: Cleaning Vacuum Shoe
4. Clean Air Filter (figure 23). At least
once or twice a month the air filter
should be removed and cleaned. Be-
gin by removing the wingnut, nylon
washer and the middle brace, then
pull out the air filter (figure 23). Thor-
oughly clean the air filter. When re-
placing the air filter, make sure it is
positioned properly around the black
plastic baffle. Then as you are retight-
ening the wingnut, push up on the
middle brace to make sure it seats flat
against the inside of the recovery tank.
Do not operate the machine without
the air filter. Doing so will dramati-
cally reduce the life and performance
of your vacuum motor.
5. Clean Float Switch (figure 25). Un-
screw brass thumbnut (figure 24) and
lift up the float switch. Use your
spray wand to spray out any debris
that may have collected inside the
plastic housing.
6. Remove drain plug and spray out bot-
tom of recovery tank with prespray
wand.
7. Remove and clean water channel by
removing thumbnuts from underside
of machine (figures 25 and 26).
8. Clean vacuum shoe with shoe hook
(figure 26).
9. Replace drain plug, float switch, wa-
ter channel and water filter. (Make
sure the water filter sits flat on the
bottom of the recovery tank before
tightening its garden hose swivel nut).
10. Watch for any hair and lint build up
between axle and wheel bearings.
11. Clean machine exterior with a damp
cloth and window cleaner.
IMPORTANT: A powder coating cov-
ers the marine-grade aluminum shell of
the machine. Over time, this coating will
chip or flake off, especially in areas such
as the inside of the recovery tank. A
spray paint such as Rustoleum may be
used to touch up the finish.
12. Plug machine back in and start
vacuum motor to remove any mois-
ture that may have entered it during
the cleaning process. Leave vacuum
motor on for about a minute; then
unhook machine.
VII. Hoses
A. To remove regular 50 foot hose
assembly from machine:
1. Unscrew machine’s drain valve assem-
bly from the drain line hose whip
swivel fitting (figure 27).
2. Unplug electrical connection.
3. Unscrew the pressure line’s garden
hose swivel nut from the prespray
assembly.
IMPORTANT: a garden hose screen
washer is located within this swivel nut.
Water Channel Thumb Nuts
Side Vacuum Slot
Lip Hook
Spray Jet
Figure 25: Cleaning the Float Switch
Thumb Nut
Float Switch
Water Channel
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This screened washer protects the
machine’s prespray system from being
clogged with debris. Do not operate this
machine without this filter. An extra screen
washer is supplied with each machine.
B. Attaching Extra Hoses:
Extra hoses come in 50 foot sections
with valves on all the ends. To attach just
align the pressure hose and drain hose
and tighten the corresponding garden
hose fittings. Make sure all valves are
open before operating.
VIII. Hand Tool Attachments
This attachment may be purchased
with your machine. It consists of 25 feet
of vacuum and pressure hoses. Separate
heads are available for stair and furni-
ture cleaning. A wand attachment is also
available. To connect the hand tool at-
tachment to machine:
A. Remove window channel and replace
with hand tool channel (figure 28).
B. Push down on hand tool channel to
-9-
seal its front gasket and turn vacuum
switch on.
C. Snap the red pressure hose into the
back plug (figure 28).
Figure 28: Hand Tool Attachment
Hand Tool Channel
Window Channel
Quick
Connect
Back Plug
Figure 27: Hose Assembly Connections
Machine
Pressure
Valve
Garden Hose
Screen Washer
Drain Line
Hose Whip
Swivel Fitting
Electric Connection
SECTION TWO: WARRANTY
John Downey Company conditionally warrants all major structural parts (recovery
tank, filters, axle, handle, internal braces, stainless steel lips) and all nonstructural,
plastic and electrical parts for a period of one year from date of purchase. In addition,
if John Downey Company’s High-Flow Prespray and High-Flow Defoamer only are
used in the chemical injection and defoamer injection systems, those systems will be
warranted for the life of the machine. This warranty includes the cost of shipping
warranty-replacement parts or machines to the distributor or end-user, but does not
include the cost of shipping parts or machines to the factory for inspection or repair.
The warranty is subject to the conditions listed below:
• This warranty is made only to the original purchaser and will only be honored
when the machine is used in accordance with the directions and instructions de-
scribed in the Operation and Maintenance Procedure Manual.
• This warranty does not include any product showing signs of abuse, misuse,
improper voltage, shipping damage, lack of proper maintenance, alterations, use
of nonapproved chemicals (call us), gaskets, finishes, polycarbonate, fire, flood,
normal wear or other causes beyond John Downey Company’s control.
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SECTION THREE: TROUBLE-SHOOTING
Solution
1. Open all drain valves
2. Clean float switch
3. Remove thumb knobs and
push engine compartment
cover back a few inches
4. Unkink hose
5. Tighten pump’s garden
hose swivel fitting or replace
impeller
6. Clean filters
7. Replace
1. Turn water on
2. Open all valves
3. Unkink hose
4. Clean or replace
1. See above section “Recov-
ery tank will not drain”
2. Increase defoamer injection
1. Plug in
2. Reset circuit breaker
3. Call us
1. Remove and clean
2. Remove spray jet from
prespray wand and run vinegar
or acid rinse through system
3. Replace injector
4. Clean filter
1. Replace injector or O rings
1. Reseat quick connect
2. Remove and clean
1. Quit using them
1. Clean air filter
2. Clean vacuum shoe
3. Replace worn gasket(s)
1. Immediately stop operating
and call us
1. Clean tube
2. Clean plunger (see Repair
Manual)
3. Replace push button
4. Replace solenoid
Problem
Recovery tank
will not drain
No water supply
RPM’s of vacuum motor
going dramatically down
Vacuum motor will not
turn on
No chemical injection
with prespray
Back filling of
prespray bottle
Water going to machine
but not to prespray system
Hazing of view windows
Slow drying times
Machine shocks you
Defoamer not injecting
Cause
1. Closed drain valve(s)
2. Dirty float switch
3. Hot pump
4. Kinked drain hose
5. Pump not priming
6. Clogged water filters
7. Bad pump or float switch
1. Water not turned on
2. Closed valve(s)
3. Kinked hose
4. Clogged garden hose screen
washer (see figure 27)
1. Recovery tank full of water
2. Excess soap residue in carpet
1. Check wall plug and plug on
back of machine
2. Check circuit breaker
3. Bad switch, loose wire or bad
motor
1. Clogged injector or injector tip
2. Chemical residue in system
3. Worn or pitted injector (check
chemical being used)
4. Clogged chemical line filter
1. Worn Orings in chemical
injector
1. Quick connect not seated
properly
2. Clogged injector
1. Use of strong solvents
1. Obstructed air filter
2. Obstructed vacuum shoe
3. Worn gaskets (you should
hear sucking noises)
1. Short or improper ground in
either machine or outlet
1. Clogged defoamer inlet tube
2. Clogged defoamer solenoid
plunger
3. Broken push button
4. Broken solenoid
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