Did anybody see this vid?I know we are all trying to cut some corners and save money but this is a bit ridiculous.
I haven't seen that particular video but I am as ridiculous I guess.
A couple of things are different in my system.
First if the soda is going to clog it will clog at end where little balls of soda suck up against the siphon or at the narrow point where the jet is against the hose.
The example in the video will clog at the point the jet enters the hose AND where the bend is. A straight rod works better in my mind because you only have one narrow spot where the jet line enters.
I don't use tape to keep the jet in. Just a hole smaller than the jet gives a pressure fit or seal that doesn't let to much air pass. Plus I've notice that by sliding the end of the jet closer to the end or further back it opens and closes the spray "pattern".
Think shotgun chokes here. Open, modified and full. For hard stuck gunk the full choke doesn't get as big an area but does a better (quicker) job of cleaning. For easy stuff the open choke covers a larger area quicker.
Next the container for the soda, if your siphon/suction hose is on the bottom the product will "dome" on you. In other words it will support itself and you suck a hole in the bottom so you have to shake to get it to fall in the container.
This is why you see pneumatic trailer pullers beating the piss out of the trailer with rubber mallets. They aren't practicing bass drummers they are trying to get fine material
(cement, lime, barite, bloodmeal,etc) to fall.
Then when it does the suction will only carry so much, the line "slugs" up with too much weight and you are clogged. With the unit from Harbor freight you can unscrew the container plug the exit end of the jet and blow the line clear. Put your container back on and carry on.
If you use an open top container you can suck off the top eliminating this.
When you have sucked a crater just move back to the top of the pile and in the end you will have the "balls" of soda left. Simply mash with your fingers and carry on.
Soda is water soluble and will rinse away. BUT because it is soluble if not rinsed enough the water will dry and you have soda residue left. A very fine white residue that still feels gritty to me when wiped up and rubbed between my fingers.
To sum it up I use this gun with the long needle from Harbor Freight.
http://www.harborfreight.com/4-piece-air-blow-gun-set-68260.html
4 foot of hose and an emptied 1 lb 11 oz. coffee tub. (I've wondered about drying old coffee grounds and trying that for abit softer touch).
Ag grade soda in 50lb sacks is cheapest for me. I don't know where city folks get theirs.
So if bein cheap is ridiculous ima 5 star clown.
Ride where you want but stay safe