On-Site Insulation Machine Set-up and Dense Pack Training in New Braunfels, Texas
In March of 2022, we met with May Energy Solutions in New Braunfels, Texas. They purchased a CM1500HP insulation blower and CoolVac16 insulation removal vacuum. They also purchased a 20 foot long v-nose trailer.
We installed a 34″ wall mounted hose reel for the blowing hose. When mounting a wall mounted hose reel, you want to make sure it has great support. Walls in a trailer are typically made with thin plywood attached to vertical aluminum struts. The hose reel is about 30 pounds. Add the weight of a hose and you are approaching 70 pounds. That is a lot of weight and needs support. I have seen people put lag bolts all the way through the wall of their trailers, but that is unnecessary.
We found that the horizontal wood strapping on the inside walls, running along the top, middle and bottom of the trailer was 3/8″ thick. A 5/8″ thick plywood sheet makes for a solid mounting surface for the hose reel. We used 2″ self-tapping screws through the plywood, strapping and into the aluminum channel. Using about 12 screws is sufficient to attach the plywood to the wall. Then we used 6 – 3/8″ 1-inch long lag screws to attach the reel to the wall. This will provide sufficient support for the reel, hose and driving down rough roads.
After outfitting the trailer, we used a practice wall for dense packing. May Energy Solutions had this made prior to our arrival. This saved time and gave us more time to spend for training.
We set up their CoolVac16 and showed them where the components and hoses connect. They also purchased a floor mounted hose reel with wheels. This holds their vacuum hose and gives them an option to roll the vacuum system into the trailer when they need to extract. They can roll off and store the equipment when they are blowing.