The VRT100 unloader is a trapped-pressure valve with 1/2" ports for high-flow rigs moving up to 26.4 GPM. It holds line pressure when you close the gun, so multi-gun and weep-gun setups respond the instant you pull the trigger again. Key Features Trapped-pressure design: Holds pressure in the line when you close the gun, so the system responds instantly on the next pull. That's what lets it run weep guns and multi-gun setups where a flow-actuated valve cycles. 1/2" ports, 26.4 GPM: Sized for high-flow rigs. It won't choke twin-lance setups, big surface cleaners, or high-flow diaphragm pumps the way a 3/8" unloader does. Stainless seat, shutter, and stem: The wear parts are stainless and axially guided to stay stable at high flow. Brass body. Viton seals: FKM O-rings hold up to heat and hard use. O-rings seated ahead of the threads: Fittings can't blow out under an overpressure spike. A safety detail cheap unloaders skip. Rebuildable: Tired seals take a repair kit, not a new valve. Scored brass means you replace it. Specifications Type Trapped-pressure (pressure-actuated), adjustable Max flow 26.4 GPM (100 L/min) Ports 1/2" FPT inlet, outlet, and bypass Body Brass Internals Stainless steel seat, shutter, and stem Seals Viton (FKM) Pressure class Set by spring. Match the spring to your system pressure. Max temperature 194°F Weight 39.3 oz (single bypass) Origin Made in Italy (Tecomec / Mecline) What's Included One VRT100 high-flow unloader valve It fits high-flow triplex and diaphragm pumps up to 26.4 GPM on 1/2" plumbing, including General Pump, Comet, AR, CAT, and BE. It handles twin-lance setups, big surface cleaners like a 36" Maxima at 10 GPM, hot-water rigs, and high-flow diaphragm pumps like the AR45 at 11.4 GPM. Match the spring to your system's max pressure before you run it. It's not for low-flow rigs under about 10 GPM. There a 3/8" unloader like the VRT3 unloader is the right match. Don't neck a 1/2" pump down to 3/8" fittings just to run a smaller valve. That restriction kills flow. How It Works The VRT100 mounts on the discharge line between the pump and the gun. With the trigger open, water flows through at working pressure. Release it and downstream pressure rises past the spring's setpoint, so the valve shifts and diverts bypass flow back to the pump inlet or tank. That kills the deadhead spike that blows seals, packings, and check valves. Because it holds pressure in the line, the system responds the instant you pull again. Set pressure with the adjusting knob, and turn it only with the trigger pulled so you don't over-pressure the system. The VRT100 is a pump-side, fresh-water part. Its brass body corrodes with SH. In a downstream soft wash setup, SH draws in through the injector after the pump and unloader, so the valve only ever sees fresh water. Keep it there. Don't run SH mix through the VRT100, and flush fresh water through the pump, hoses, gun, and valves after every job. Pairs Well With Soft Wash Pressure Gauge ST1500 Pressure Washer Gun Whisper Wash Maxima 36" Surface Cleaner VRT3 Unloader Frequently Asked Questions VRT100 vs K7: what's the difference? The VRT100 is pressure-actuated with 1/2" ports for high-flow rigs, and it holds line pressure so it works with multi-gun and weep-gun setups. The K7 is flow-actuated, needs at least 6.6 GPM, and gives a smoother soft start with fewer moving parts on single-operator rigs. Run the VRT100 for high-flow or multi-gun work. Run the K7 for a single-gun rig that wants smoother control. Will it work with dual guns or a weep gun? Yes. The trapped-pressure design holds pressure in the line, so it tolerates a weep gun's constant leak and feeds more than one gun without cycling. It's offered in single or dual bypass. That multi-gun tolerance is the main reason to run a VRT100 over a flow-actuated unloader. Can I run SH or bleach mix through the VRT100? No. The brass body corrodes with sodium hypochlorite. Run SH downstream through a chemical injector that draws after the pump and unloader, so the valve only handles fresh water. Flush the whole system with fresh water after every job.
