Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: PurefectWindowCleaning on April 28, 2012, 03:26:19 pm
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Anyone know if this pump has a pressure switch built in, so that I can use a aquadaptor or similar device??
Cheers
(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1335623089_004.JPG)
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Yes. The pressure switch is the part that has the wires in and out.
If the pressure switch is working - ie leave the pump running and stop the water flow it should automatically switch off. If so then everything is working OK and an Aqua-dapter or tap will work fine.
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Thamks Spruce.
Also, when ive had the pump switched on when out working, water is constant coming out the brush head, but the pump sounds like its turning on and off... on and off... on and off... is this normal, or should it be constantly buzzing? ???
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sounds like it surging
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Try adjusting the pressure setting screw on the switch.
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I have just had the pump on, disconnected the hose from the pole, where there is a stop connection, but the pump was still on, and did not cut out???
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Bump ???
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Hi,
If the pump won't stop after you have stopped the flow, then the pressure switch is suspect. The amps load across the points in the switch usually fuse/melt/weld together over time. The amperage is quite high on 12 direct current motors. However it may not be cutting off as quickly as it normally would due the the 1/2" hose you are using. It could be that this hose is quite flexible and is swelling under pressure. I would try the pump with a short outlet hose first.
Next, I would carefully remove the pressure switch housing and try to prise the microswitch out. You will be able to operate it manually and you will hear the contacts clicking open and closed. If not then odds are the pressure switch has failed. You may be able to get a cheap microswitch replacement from Maplins or some other electronic supplier by getting them to match up the sample. Also check to make sure you won't need terminals as well.
When removing the housing make sure you don't loose any tiny little spring/s and/or plunger.
If you can't get a cheap microswitch, I would buy a decent controller with electronic deadend and operate the pump using with this. I would say that the new Spring 'analogue' controller that Gardiners and other's have is a good purchase.
Spruce
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Hi,
If the pump won't stop after you have stopped the flow, then the pressure switch is suspect. The amps load across the points in the switch usually fuse/melt/weld together over time. The amperage is quite high on 12 direct current motors. However it may not be cutting off as quickly as it normally would due the the 1/2" hose you are using. It could be that this hose is quite flexible and is swelling under pressure. I would try the pump with a short outlet hose first.
Next, I would carefully remove the pressure switch housing and try to prise the microswitch out. You will be able to operate it manually and you will hear the contacts clicking open and closed. If not then odds are the pressure switch has failed. You may be able to get a cheap microswitch replacement from Maplins or some other electronic supplier by getting them to match up the sample. Also check to make sure you won't need terminals as well.
When removing the housing make sure you don't loose any tiny little spring/s and/or plunger.
If you can't get a cheap microswitch, I would buy a decent controller with electronic deadend and operate the pump using with this. I would say that the new Spring 'analogue' controller that Gardiners and other's have is a good purchase.
Spruce
I have been offered a varistream in a couple of week...fingers crossed. Am i right in thinking tht a varistream will cut out water supply when I stop the flow?
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Thamks Spruce.
Also, when ive had the pump switched on when out working, water is constant coming out the brush head, but the pump sounds like its turning on and off... on and off... on and off... is this normal, or should it be constantly buzzing? ???
What happens to the flow coming from the jets? If it pulses, does the water get less when the pump turns off and get stronger when it switches on? So the question is - does the pump stop and start? If this happens then it sounds like the pressure switch is working, just needs a bit of adjustment. I don't know what the buzzing is. If the pressure switch isn't working then it could be the motor is not strong enough the operate the pump under that pressure and stalling. The buzz could could be electric motor trying to turn the pump. Does the pump get hot?
The trouble is that the symptoms you are describing happening together are saying 2 different things which are unable to happen at the same time so very difficult to identify.
Spruce
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Thamks Spruce.
Also, when ive had the pump switched on when out working, water is constant coming out the brush head, but the pump sounds like its turning on and off... on and off... on and off... is this normal, or should it be constantly buzzing? ???
What happens to the flow coming from the jets? If it pulses, does the water get less when the pump turns off and get stronger when it switches on? So the question is - does the pump stop and start? If this happens then it sounds like the pressure switch is working, just needs a bit of adjustment. I don't know what the buzzing is. If the pressure switch isn't working then it could be the motor is not strong enough the operate the pump under that pressure and stalling. The buzz could could be electric motor trying to turn the pump. Does the pump get hot?
The trouble is that the symptoms you are describing happening together are saying 2 different things which are unable to happen at the same time so very difficult to identify.
Spruce
The flow is constant, it doesnt alter. The pump isnt making a continues noise, its as if its turning on and off, not sure if it actually is. Would a varistream controller enable me to use a stop valve/aquadaptor?
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Hi,
If the pump won't stop after you have stopped the flow, then the pressure switch is suspect. The amps load across the points in the switch usually fuse/melt/weld together over time. The amperage is quite high on 12 direct current motors. However it may not be cutting off as quickly as it normally would due the the 1/2" hose you are using. It could be that this hose is quite flexible and is swelling under pressure. I would try the pump with a short outlet hose first.
Next, I would carefully remove the pressure switch housing and try to prise the microswitch out. You will be able to operate it manually and you will hear the contacts clicking open and closed. If not then odds are the pressure switch has failed. You may be able to get a cheap microswitch replacement from Maplins or some other electronic supplier by getting them to match up the sample. Also check to make sure you won't need terminals as well.
When removing the housing make sure you don't loose any tiny little spring/s and/or plunger.
If you can't get a cheap microswitch, I would buy a decent controller with electronic deadend and operate the pump using with this. I would say that the new Spring 'analogue' controller that Gardiners and other's have is a good purchase.
Spruce
I have been offered a varistream in a couple of week...fingers crossed. Am i right in thinking tht a varistream will cut out water supply when I stop the flow?
A varistream will yes. It will just need to be set up. It looks like the Aquatec pump draws very little current when compared to the Shurflo the Varistream is designed for so may have to be set very low on the Varistream to suit the Aquatec. ( I don't trust the specs of Aquatec website for that pump, although they could be giving current draw for the 230v unit.)
Williamson pumps, who make the Varistream. don't list other makes the Varistream is compatable with, so this is going to be by trail and error.
Edited: If it is compatable with your pump, then yes you will be able to use a tap or Aqua-dapter. We use Aqua-dapters on each van, one has an old analogue Varistream and the other 2 have digital Varistreams - all work fine, but all our pumps are Shurflo's. By enlarging your photo I see the your pump delivers 1.3GPM which is similar to the 5.8lpm the Shurflo's deliver. So I would guess the amp draw will be similar.
Spruce
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Ok, cool. Thanks Spruce, great help
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Hi James
Last posted edited to answer Aquadapter question.
Re- edited later
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I do have a spare 60 psi flowjet pump in the garage, would this pump be better?
I was keeping hold of this pump as gonna set up my ro unit in garage, and was thinking of using spare pump for transfering water from ibc to van. Would either of these pumps be good for that, or would they be to powerful?
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The flowjet pump won't be good enough to tranfer water from your IBC tank to the car/van.
If your Flojet pump runs at 5 litres per minute and your tank holds 300 litres, then it will take that pump an hour to do the job.
You will need a submersible pump with a length of hose to reach from the IBC tank to your vehicle - we use 1.25" diamt hose from Machine Mart.
The pump we use delivers about 40 lpm and that takes long enough to fill a 650 l tank.
Spruce
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A 60psi pump is much better for window cleaning than a 100psi pump. 60 psi will push water 120' vertically, so its plenty powerful enough for even the longest pole,.. anything more just puts unnecessary strain on your joints/connectors and increases the chances of leaks.
Personally I think the pressure switch is a much more reliable method of pump control than the dead end detection in a flow controller,.. besides, the flow controller I'll be sending you is an older model & doesn't have dead end detection. ;)
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Hi Nat,
If its a Varistream, I thought they all had dead end sensors. The first Varistream we go was the second edition analogue and that had dead end detection.
Anyway James, looks like you are going to have to sort the pressure switch side of the pump out. I would check if the Flojet has a working pressure switch.
Spruce.
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This is my spare pump, has this one got a pressure cut off switch?
(http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/1335807386_002.JPG)
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Yes, the same applies. The 2 wires coming to and from the housing at the top of the pump is where the mechanical pressure switch is situated. I don't know why it has a T piece on what I presume is the outlet. The only thing I can think of it that it had a bypass valve. This meant that the pumps works flat out all the time and any extra water not needed at the pole is diverted back to the tank.. It would have had a tap on this to throttle the bypass to 'encourage' water to the brush head.
Peter Fogwill uses this practice on his systems which I couldn't get on with. First I brought a lower delivery Shurflo pump, 3.8lpm I think it was and then a Varistream.
Or it could have been linked to 2 hose reels.
Spruce
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I just checked,.. its actually an old pure freedom "Flowmaster", defo no dead end detection.
I'm upgrading,.. remote control & frost protection on my new one. ;D ;D ;D
Hi Nat,
If its a Varistream, I thought they all had dead end sensors. The first Varistream we go was the second edition analogue and that had dead end detection.
Anyway James, looks like you are going to have to sort the pressure switch side of the pump out. I would check if the Flojet has a working pressure switch.
Spruce.