Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Tom White on March 25, 2011, 04:50:17 pm
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Okay, I'm about to start spending on a van and van mounted system; which I plan to DIY myself.
I'll be producing pure water at home, storing it in my garden and transferring it into my van (which I haven't got yet); so it should be simple enough.
I'm going to need a:
1000 litre holding tank
Transfer pump
500 litre tank
2 x hose and hose reels (for a two man set up) (what type)
A pump (what type?)
Where's good to get these from and what make do you recommend?
Also will I need a varistream or something to control my water flow; and what is the general consensus with regards powering the pump. Is it straight from the van battery or is it via a leisure battery which gets charged via one of those split relay things?
What else do I need?
I feel like a n00b; so any tips would be greatly appreciated! ;D
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looks like purefreedom could be a one stop shop for this ....
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Okay, I'm about to start spending on a van and van mounted system; which I plan to DIY myself.
I'll be producing pure water at home, storing it in my garden and transferring it into my van (which I haven't got yet); so it should be simple enough.
I'm going to need a:
1000 litre holding tank
Transfer pump ]b&q were doing a good transfer pump for £20 which is good
500 litre tank any window cleaning supplier
2 x hose and hose reels (for a two man set up) (what type) wintecs have got an offer on a reel and hose package
A pump (what type?) flojet 100psi pump from gardiners
Where's good to get these from and what make do you recommend?
Also will I need a varistream or something to control my water flow; and what is the general consensus with regards powering the pump. Is it straight from the van battery or is it via a leisure battery which gets charged via one of those split relay things?
the cleaning warehouse do a digital controller with a built in split charger, all the digital controllers are made by the same company
What else do I need?
I feel like a n00b! ;D
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Thanks guys.
What about a 500 litre tank. I doubt I'll be safety conscious enough to go and get a big metal frame constructed, so would a flat 500 litre tank work?
And what about this one; it looks a bit of a compromise between one of the really flat tanks and the upright sort:
http://www.purefreedom.co.uk/500-litre-upright-heavy-duty-polyethylene-tanks-p-480.html
Could this be load strapped into the back of a van?
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Also, my Missis is as fit as a butcher's dog (woof woof) - she recently competed in the British National Cross Country Championships - but she isn't very strong, weighing in at about 8 Stone. So would 50 meters of hose on a reel be easier for her to handle than one loaded with 100 meters of hose; or isn't there much difference?
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Lee/Anyone, which of these flow controllers has a split relay for charging a leisure battery?
http://www.windowcleaningwarehouse.co.uk/shop/pump-controllers/view-all-products.html
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tosh, its the cleaning warehouse not the window cleaning warehouse,
here it is http://www.thecleaningwarehouse.co.uk/hydroflo-pump-controller-built-in-batt-charger-1353-p.asp
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50 metres of hose is no easier to unreel than 100 metres. Its the lifting it into the back of the van where she;ll notice it. But you can do that for her can't you :)
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Cheers guys.
And what about the floor of the van? Protectakote?
And where did you guys get your pure water holding tank; the one in your garden; from?
;D
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Or you can bolt the reel to the back of the van. If you want to see my DiY set up you're welcome. Either I can meet you at Aust Services on the M48 or you can swing round my gaff and see my R/O etc.
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Cheers guys.
And what about the floor of the van? Protectakote?
And where did you guys get your pure water holding tank; the one in your garden; from?
;D
Yes protectokote, you'll need it.
Alex Gardiner
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Or you can bolt the reel to the back of the van. If you want to see my DiY set up you're welcome. Either I can meet you at Aust Services on the M48 or you can swing round my gaff and see my R/O etc.
Thats kind of you, Gold, and I may take you up on the offer. I've got Ian and Squeaky handy too; so I may bother them first since they're closer.
But thanks.
I'm just pricing kit up really, I've got a budget - hard fought for and won from Wor Lass - for £7.5K; who wanted a new bathroom rather than a new vehicle! She's bonkers though! ;D
So, once I get the kit together, whatever's left is for a van.
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Nothing wrong in getting an L5 with it all and she can have a hot shower then, tell her to stop moaning!
Thinking about it, forget the L5 tell her to have a cold shower out the back of the van. Some people!
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Nothing wrong in getting an L5 with it all and she can have a hot shower then, tell her to stop moaning!
Thinking about it, forget the L5 tell her to have a cold shower out the back of the van. Some people!
I'll get one closer to winter, but cheers, Matt.
I'll also get a bucket so she can 'go toilet' in, in the back of the van, so half our day isn't wasted travelling to public lavatories. (I'm such a gent!) ;D
I reckon the time saving that'll produce will be worth more than any WFP set up.
A rough calculation for all the gear, not including poles or R.O. system (I've a decent one of those) is going to be about £1100.
Holding tank (I can maybe get one for free)
500 litre tank £200
2x hose + reels £200
variflow £90
Leisure battery £70
Rachet straps £50
Protektacote £110
Misc ('cos there will be something I've missed) £300 - ply lining and insulation maybe?
Does that sound about right?
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My personal opinion is not to recommend ratchet straping a tank down, Im sure there are plenty on here that swear by theirs, but I think getting it fitted is by far a safer method, especially with the missus in there. Apart from that you're pretty much there.
Toolbox for spare parts and tools to refit said spare parts.
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Cheers; I'll look into it; I'm pretty sure Ian_Giles has his tank bolted in.
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Pumps from Vyair, batteries, tenner each from scrappy. i can never understand this leisure battery nonsense!!!
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ive just set up my diy set up and the best place price wise i found for tanks is
http://www.baffledwatertanks.com/acatalog/Ecosure_Baffled_500_Litre_Water_Tank_V2.html
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Don't forget warning signs/cones.
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If you're going to run it as a two man set up you need two controllers and two pumps. If you're getting the battery charger controller from cleaning warehouse then they also do a pump/controller package . Someone will say one controller and pump will do, and it may ,but its far better with two and if anything packs up you can still keep going.
Transfer pump from B&Q....£10.........B&Q 800W Jet Pump CB800GWPA Green & Black, 0000005171385
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tosh your pricing for off the shelf pretty much spot on but i must say mikecam is right if you want a two man set up use two pumps and two flow controllers i have dicked around with other set ups like by pass or two reels one pump etc and for the sake of 150 quid just get another pump and vari
you can do a van mount for under 500 quid if you are practically minded and prepared to think laterally
and leisure batteries are the same as wheelchair batteries so bear that in mind cos a 20 ah battery will easily run a 60 psi shurflo all day
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Cheers, Mike and L.J.; I will get two controllers and two pumps; and the battery comments are noted. Thanks guys.
If anyone has any other tips or advice; that'd be great!
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you can get aholding tank for very little ,mine cost me 15 quid in diesel and a 80 mile round trip to lincoln
ratchet straps are fine if you get 5000 kg set (32 quid)
i had a "tray" made up for my scudo cost 140 bolts thru chassis members and floor with spreader plates behind,large lugs welded on and straps over,tank is a 640 ltr ibc on galvanized pallet with cage,diy baffles works a treat and all very cheap
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hi tosh
if you need an ibc, give rz or me a bell
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hi tosh
if you need an ibc, give rz or me a bell
Will defo do; thanks; will give you a shout over the weekend.
Thanks.
Tosh
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should be able to sort an ibc for you (static tank)
i have a 400 ltr tank if its of any use to you, (cost me nothing you can have it for the same price)
i may have a mate who can help with wiring a split charge for you.
and you might want to see how i have my water outlet so you can work with the doors closed, very easy and inexpensive.
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You can insulate the tanks and pipes yourself with stuff from Wickses - well worth it - last winter I carried on working when other less prepared window cleaners (Mr. S. C. of Chepstow comes to mind) couldn't! ;D
Also a couple of cheap oil filled rads for the van and the storage tank. And a pond heater to dip into your tank when necessary.
Put your storage tank up on breeze blocks so as to fill your van tank by gravity if you have off street parking.
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should be able to sort an ibc for you (static tank)
i have a 400 ltr tank if its of any use to you, (cost me nothing you can have it for the same price)
i may have a mate who can help with wiring a split charge for you.
and you might want to see how i have my water outlet so you can work with the doors closed, very easy and inexpensive.
Hey, thanks, RZ, I'll take you up on the offer of both tanks, if that's okay. I'd like to give you a little something for them though (phnaar phnaar).
And yes, I'd like to have a look how you've done your water outlet; cheers.
Gold; thanks also. I do plan to winterise the van and the breeze block trick could be ideal for my ski slope of a garden; and I've got a small drive at the bottom of the slope (once I get rid of the caravan)!
This has been a really helpful post for me; thanks all.
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It is Funny.
It is Posts like this that really show how CIU miss's DIYWFP MATT.
He would have a list of things to buy, even down to the gauge of bolts to use.
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Don't forget van insurance is different from car insurance. Being insured on a van often means you aren't insured to drive other vehicles. And being insured for a car doesn't cover you for vans.
Speed limits change too - anything over 2000kg GVW and/or that isn't car derived is subject to van limits.
So anything heavier than a 1.3, 56-59 plate doblo is speed restricted on non motorway roads and dual carriageways.
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tosh.
i have the 400 ltr tank in my van and either today or tomorrow will be visiting my mum in sedbury so if you email me your phone number i,ll give you a ring and drop it off, email in profile.
ibc could take a couple of weeks.
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If you are getting a flojet pump then you won't need a flow controller.
All you need is a 1/2" on/off valve placed between your water tank and the pump. There is no real strain on the pump if it is before the pump instead of after.
And turn that towards closed until you get the right flow out of it.
Its the best most consistent flow rate you will get. Which you won't get with any pump controller i don't think.
If you are going to have you backpack in the van as well then maybe a 12v pump sitting inside your tank on the van. To transfer water to your backpack.
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If you are getting a flojet pump then you won't need a flow controller.
All you need is a 1/2" on/off valve placed between your water tank and the pump. There is no real strain on the pump if it is before the pump instead of after.
And turn that towards closed until you get the right flow out of it.
Its the best most consistent flow rate you will get. Which you won't get with any pump controller i don't think.
If you are going to have you backpack in the van as well then maybe a 12v pump sitting inside your tank on the van. To transfer water to your backpack.
i haven't found that to be the case, a flow controller will give you a more consistent and controllable flow, and it will make your battery last longer.
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tosh.
i have the 400 ltr tank in my van and either today or tomorrow will be visiting my mum in sedbury so if you email me your phone number i,ll give you a ring and drop it off, email in profile.
ibc could take a couple of weeks.
E-mail sent, RZ. Thanks, mate.
Added later:
Thanks for dropping of that tank, RZ. I'll use it to start with and if I do find I need bigger, I'll get one; but Wor Lass just does short days, so I could top up when I drop her off, maybe? Anyway, we'll see how it goes.
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If you are going to have you backpack in the van as well then maybe a 12v pump sitting inside your tank on the van. To transfer water to your backpack.
I plan to do this, though I don't know how to do this... yet! ;D
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I fill my backpack every day by simply sticking a hose in the tank, give it a sook and it all syphone's out into the pack. It's very green and all that and works a treat. ;)
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tosh.
i have the 400 ltr tank in my van and either today or tomorrow will be visiting my mum in sedbury so if you email me your phone number i,ll give you a ring and drop it off, email in profile.
ibc could take a couple of weeks.
E-mail sent, RZ. Thanks, mate.
Added later:
Thanks for dropping of that tank, RZ. I'll use it to start with and if I do find I need bigger, I'll get one; but Wor Lass just does short days, so I could top up when I drop her off, maybe? Anyway, we'll see how it goes.
your welcome tosh. nice to meet you and thank you very much.
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Get a Shurflo pump if you can mate.
I've had 2 Flojets and they lasted 6 months each.
I got a SECOND HAND Shurflo and it's faultless 3 years on. God knows how old it is. And they're cheaper, it's a no-brainer.
Doubt you'll need a transfer pump unless you're in a rush either.
If you park below your tank (ie move the car 10 yards round the corner) it'll flow in on it's own. Mine does.
Just takes 25 mins rather than 5, but so what? You don't sit there watching it...
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Squeeky, that does not make any sense, unless you live in on a very hilly place. If you have your holding tank in the garden shed, say high at the top of your garden, and your van is parked in the street which is quite a bit lower, then yes it will work no problem. Is that what you mean? Good idea if it is. If not, that is just daft ???
I do agree with your comment concerning the pumps however. Sureflo for robustness every time
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Good idea if it is.
It is a good idea; my house, garden, and where I can park is all on a gradient (looks beautiful in the Winter, having my very own mini ski slope in the back garden), but since the tank I've been kindly given is 400 litres, I may have to give it a quick fill when I drop Wor Lass off (she won't work past 2 or 3 pm otherwise her nose starts to bleed, and she threatens me with having to do housework, and then my nose starts to bleed), so I will get a transfer pump anyway, so I can fill up quickly if I need to.
I really don't know how much water we'll use though, till we start working together, and looking at my work it'll vary quite considerably from the type of work we'll be doing.
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Tosh you don't need a transfer pump. Do what I have done - the bottom of my tank is only 2ft 6" off the ground - put a 3" transfer hose direct to the outlet of your IBC, reverse up, drop hose into van tank and you will get 400L assuming it is a flat tank in less than 5 minutes. (I do and my IBC is only 600L so pressure from a 1000L will be greater especially if it is topped up - the key is in the hose diameter.)
To fill a back pack - take 2 x 25L drums with you and top up as you need it (you can also use this reserve to top up your van tank if it runs out on your last house.)
Also where the pipe from your van tank comes out to go to the pump (bottom left corner as you face the back of the van usually) put a t- piece with a tap and a length of hose so you can put the backpack or bucket - on the floor and top up direct from your tank by gravity. (A bit slow through a half inch pipe but it works.)
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That's why mine takes a while, because it's only a normal hose.
Mine's got to be over 20 meters sadly!