Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: ben M on December 22, 2012, 12:05:46 am
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Can you work without a digital pump controller? if yes, how do you do to connect the pump to the battery ( i know i am useless ;) )
thanks
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yes red wire positive, black wire negative on the battery it is that simple
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You can do like stuart says, make sure you have a fuse on it and have a spare pump just in case, they can burn out quicker than one with a controller.
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yes red wire positive, black wire negative on the battery it is that simple
thanks Stuart, does it damage the pump without controller?
what about the flow, it must be high?
thanks
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Oh yer that too, it will use a lot more water too
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You can do like stuart says, make sure you have a fuse on it and have a spare pump just in case, they can burn out quicker than one with a controller.
thanks Richard, which kind of fuse?
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You can do like stuart says, make sure you have a fuse on it and have a spare pump just in case, they can burn out quicker than one with a controller.
thanks Richard, which kind of fuse?
10amp fuse, like the type in the car.
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yes red wire positive, black wire negative on the battery it is that simple
thanks Stuart, does it damage the pump without controller?
what about the flow, it must be high?
thanks
no I have burnt 1 pressure switch in 5 years with a second hand pump, cost about 1.80 to replace
yes the flow is high but you work quicker ;)
very few will agree with me but I find it works well
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You can do like stuart says, make sure you have a fuse on it and have a spare pump just in case, they can burn out quicker than one with a controller.
thanks Richard, which kind of fuse?
10amp fuse, like the type in the car.
something like that?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/In-Line-standard-waterproof-Blade-Fuse-Holder-fuses-10a-10amp-kit-car-boat-bike-/300640464789?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item45ff916f95
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You can do like stuart says, make sure you have a fuse on it and have a spare pump just in case, they can burn out quicker than one with a controller.
thanks Richard, which kind of fuse?
10amp fuse, like the type in the car.
something like that?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/In-Line-standard-waterproof-Blade-Fuse-Holder-fuses-10a-10amp-kit-car-boat-bike-/300640464789?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item45ff916f95
Yer that's the one!
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yes red wire positive, black wire negative on the battery it is that simple
thanks Stuart, does it damage the pump without controller?
what about the flow, it must be high?
thanks
no I have burnt 1 pressure switch in 5 years with a second hand pump, cost about 1.80 to replace
yes the flow is high but you work quicker ;)
very few will agree with me but I find it works well
ok great, do you have a fuse or not?
thanks
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You can do like stuart says, make sure you have a fuse on it and have a spare pump just in case, they can burn out quicker than one with a controller.
thanks Richard, which kind of fuse?
10amp fuse, like the type in the car.
something like that?
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/In-Line-standard-waterproof-Blade-Fuse-Holder-fuses-10a-10amp-kit-car-boat-bike-/300640464789?pt=UK_In_Car_Technology&hash=item45ff916f95
Yer that's the one!
lovely thanks, so i have to do red wire from the pump,the fuse and positive on the battery,isn't it?
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yes red wire positive, black wire negative on the battery it is that simple
put fuse in red wire to stop it burning out
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yes I have a fuse, never fitted it though ;D I also have a wiring diagram for a relay that protects the pressure switch and never fitted that either, but yes fit a fuse at the very least
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Thank you very much guys! :)
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yes red wire positive, black wire negative on the battery it is that simple
thanks Stuart, does it damage the pump without controller?
what about the flow, it must be high?
thanks
no I have burnt 1 pressure switch in 5 years with a second hand pump, cost about 1.80 to replace
yes the flow is high but you work quicker ;)
very few will agree with me but I find it works well
I agree. I ditched controller years ago.
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yes red wire positive, black wire negative on the battery it is that simple
thanks Stuart, does it damage the pump without controller?
what about the flow, it must be high?
thanks
no I have burnt 1 pressure switch in 5 years with a second hand pump, cost about 1.80 to replace
yes the flow is high but you work quicker ;)
very few will agree with me but I find it works well
I agree. I ditched controller years ago.
Mike, do you have a fuse or not? do i have to put one? thanks
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yes red wire positive, black wire negative on the battery it is that simple
thanks Stuart, does it damage the pump without controller?
what about the flow, it must be high?
thanks
no I have burnt 1 pressure switch in 5 years with a second hand pump, cost about 1.80 to replace
yes the flow is high but you work quicker ;)
very few will agree with me but I find it works well
I agree. I ditched controller years ago.
Split opinions with my guys. Some have controllers, some don't. Those that don't have a simple bypass between the inlet and outlet pipes on the pump with a quarter turn valve in the short length of pipe in between. They can set the valve to allow water to recycle round the pump so less gets to the brush. It means the pump is running all the time it is switched on so uses more battery power but they still have no problems getting a day's work done.
One lad has used this system since he joined us five years ago and his pump is still fine. He bypassed the pressure switch as there is never a 'dead end' provided the valve isn't closed.
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how do you switch off the pump without controller?
thanks
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how do you switch off the pump without controller?
thanks
Buy a toggle switch from Halfords and put it in the positive wire between the battery and the pump ;)
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how do you switch off the pump without controller?
thanks
Buy a toggle switch from Halfords and put it in the positive wire between the battery and the pump ;)
Thanks Ian, do i have to put a fuse too?
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Or have a tap on yer belt to regulate the flow.
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The down side to regulating the flow with just the tap by only turning it on a little, this will cause the pump to pulse and this can cause the pump to bring out quicker.
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I work without a controller but I do have a pole tap to turn off between window because you do use a lot of water. I agree with Richard don't regulate the flow it's not doing the pressure switch any good.
Having said that I've just ordered the controller off eBay that Tosh posted.
I've never had a controller mainly because of all the problems people on here have and because they are so overpriced but this ones less than a tenner so I'll try it.
I've noticed a few on here saying use a high flow & work faster if so why use a controller at all?
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I work without a controller but I do have a pole tap to turn off between window because you do use a lot of water. I agree with Richard don't regulate the flow it's not doing the pressure switch any good.
Having said that I've just ordered the controller off eBay that Tosh posted.
I've never had a controller mainly because of all the problems people on here have and because they are so overpriced but this ones less than a tenner so I'll try it.
I've noticed a few on here saying use a high flow & work faster if so why use a controller at all?
Yer its less than a tenner, but then you have to buy a fuse and holder, wires, waterproof casing for it waterproof grommets for wires to go through the casing. So that all adds up
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how do you switch off the pump without controller?
thanks
Buy a toggle switch from Halfords and put it in the positive wire between the battery and the pump ;)
Thanks Ian, do i have to put a fuse too?
Yes.
I would never run any sort of electrical equipment without having some sort of fused protection in the circuit.
As for regulating the flow causing the pressure switch to burn out, as I said in my earlier post you don't need the pressure switch. Have a look at the pump - the positive wire goes to a connector on the head of the pump (black plastic part). There is another wire coming from a connector next to this one and back to the other end of the pump where the negative wire goes in. Connect these two wires together and that by-passes the pressure switch.
Provided you never close your water bypass valve, the pump will run quite happily like this, only switching on and off when you do it with the toggle switch.
It is advisable to rig some sort of stop to prevent accidental total closure of the valve as this would result in the pump blowing off pipe connections and/or burning out the motor.
As I said earlier - some of my lads use this method all the time and none have had any problems other than flattening a battery that isn't as good as it should be.
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how do you switch off the pump without controller?
thanks
Buy a toggle switch from Halfords and put it in the positive wire between the battery and the pump ;)
Thanks Ian, do i have to put a fuse too?
Yes.
I would never run any sort of electrical equipment without having some sort of fused protection in the circuit.
As for regulating the flow causing the pressure switch to burn out, as I said in my earlier post you don't need the pressure switch. Have a look at the pump - the positive wire goes to a connector on the head of the pump (black plastic part). There is another wire coming from a connector next to this one and back to the other end of the pump where the negative wire goes in. Connect these two wires together and that by-passes the pressure switch.
Provided you never close your water bypass valve, the pump will run quite happily like this, only switching on and off when you do it with the toggle switch.
It is advisable to rig some sort of stop to prevent accidental total closure of the valve as this would result in the pump blowing off pipe connections and/or burning out the motor.
As I said earlier - some of my lads use this method all the time and none have had any problems other than flattening a battery that isn't as good as it should be.
Those guys must use loads of water doing it that way, I know it don't cost much, but still waste of money and water and charging the batteries all the time if they don't have a split charger on, all for the cost of a £40 basic controller,
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I work without a controller but I do have a pole tap to turn off between window because you do use a lot of water. I agree with Richard don't regulate the flow it's not doing the pressure switch any good.
Having said that I've just ordered the controller off eBay that Tosh posted.
I've never had a controller mainly because of all the problems people on here have and because they are so overpriced but this ones less than a tenner so I'll try it.
I've noticed a few on here saying use a high flow & work faster if so why use a controller at all?
Yer its less than a tenner, but then you have to buy a fuse and holder, wires, waterproof casing for it waterproof grommets for wires to go through the casing. So that all adds up
I can get all that for free Richard
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I work without a controller but I do have a pole tap to turn off between window because you do use a lot of water. I agree with Richard don't regulate the flow it's not doing the pressure switch any good.
Having said that I've just ordered the controller off eBay that Tosh posted.
I've never had a controller mainly because of all the problems people on here have and because they are so overpriced but this ones less than a tenner so I'll try it.
I've noticed a few on here saying use a high flow & work faster if so why use a controller at all?
Yer its less than a tenner, but then you have to buy a fuse and holder, wires, waterproof casing for it waterproof grommets for wires to go through the casing. So that all adds up
I can get all that for free Richard
That's ok then, not everyone can.
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You may have to reconnect the pressure switch, it's very simple to do, and Wilkies sell a simple switch for pennies.
Flow controllers are naff; over priced, over engineered, they're not robust and I dislike 'em.
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You may have to reconnect the pressure switch, it's very simple to do, and Wilkies sell a simple switch for pennies.
Flow controllers are naff; over priced, over engineered, they're not robust and I dislike 'em.
Your right, the more technology that they have the more problems they have to!
That's why I build them and can supply them for £40!! My 2 have lasted for over 2 years and never had any problems!
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[quote author=richard clues
Those guys must use loads of water doing it that way, I know it don't cost much, but still waste of money and water and charging the batteries all the time if they don't have a split charger on, all for the cost of a £40 basic controller,
[/quote]
Errrmmm..... No. The whole idea is to control the amount of water going to the brush without using an electronic controller. Setting the position of the water bypass valve allows more (or less) water to reach the brush.
The advantage is that the only part that could jeopardise the operation is the pump itself, which is much more robust than the controller or the pressure switch.
Regardless of the pros and cons, the original question was something like: "Is it necessary to use a pump controller?" The simple answer, with examples, is "No".
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Have a look at these:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290736054991?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
Ross built his own flow controller using something like this; I've got one on my desk. Very simple; two wires go to the power, two wires go to the pump.
I plan to try it out between Christmas and New Year; but if it works, it's a flow controller for £6.00.
That's better than the over-engineered rubbish I purchased (two of 'em) and barely got a year out of each; and they messed me about big style too.
I'm still resentful over that! ;D
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Have a look at these:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290736054991?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
Ross built his own flow controller using something like this; I've got one on my desk. Very simple; two wires go to the power, two wires go to the pump.
I plan to try it out between Christmas and New Year; but if it works, it's a flow controller for £6.00.
That's better than the over-engineered rubbish I purchased (two of 'em) and barely got a year out of each; and they messed me about big style too.
I'm still resentful over that! ;D
Like I said earlier its not just £6, you got all the other parts and casing to go with it!
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Ah, I didn't read your earlier post, Richard; do you use these ones?
Wossy wasn't sure what he bought when he stuck that link up. To be honest, I'm not arsed about the casing, I'll cobble summat together; I'm more of a 'it works' kinda guy than a 'it looks pretty and it works' bloke.
I could use the casing from an old broken flow controller; it may mean drilling a hole for the dial, but I'm sure my DIY skills can cope.
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I used a bypass like Ian said he lad does for over a year. Very simple to set up and the only issue is the battery use.
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Ah, I didn't read your earlier post, Richard; do you use these ones?
Wossy wasn't sure what he bought when he stuck that link up. To be honest, I'm not arsed about the casing, I'll cobble summat together; I'm more of a 'it works' kinda guy than a 'it looks pretty and it works' bloke.
I could use the casing from an old broken flow controller; it may mean drilling a hole for the dial, but I'm sure my DIY skills can cope.
Wouldnt use a 10amp one, I use a 15amp one.
The casing will need to be waterproof and and drill holes will need to be sealed. Any water even a little drop can short and burn it out.
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Cheers, Richard!
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Cheers, Richard!
No problem. My 2 i have in my van has been in there for 2years and had no problem with them yet.
Don't forget to wire a fuse and a switch onto it too!
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You may have to reconnect the pressure switch, it's very simple to do, and Wilkies sell a simple switch for pennies.
Flow controllers are naff; over priced, over engineered, they're not robust and I dislike 'em.
Your right, the more technology that they have the more problems they have to!
That's why I build them and can supply them for £40!! My 2 have lasted for over 2 years and never had any problems!
hi Richard,have you got a pic? thanks
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You may have to reconnect the pressure switch, it's very simple to do, and Wilkies sell a simple switch for pennies.
Flow controllers are naff; over priced, over engineered, they're not robust and I dislike 'em.
Your right, the more technology that they have the more problems they have to!
That's why I build them and can supply them for £40!! My 2 have lasted for over 2 years and never had any problems!
hi Richard,have you got a pic? thanks
Yer I have, have up loaded the pictures for you.
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Looks good, Richard. I reckon you could sell a fair few of those.
One thing I don't like about the over-engineered flow controllers I've had is that they require a battery in good nick. If there's any problem with the battery, they don't work (or at least the two I've had were like that).
And they needed calibrating when the temp changes. The extra cost in batteries and the fannying about really hacked me off. Oh, and what really annoyed me was when I once accidentally hooked up the crocodile clips to the wrong polarity **BANG**. I've been told it's easy to protect from this, but I kinda suspect they do this on purpose to make you buy a new one.
That's why I binned them.
I reckon there's a big market for simple - low cost - flow controllers, like yours.
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I've never used a controller in 5 or 6 years of having wfp.
I simply connect the wires of the pump to the battery with crocodile clips and hey presto.
I have yet to have any problems.
Some folk like to over complcate things I think :-\
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Looks good, Richard. I reckon you could sell a fair few of those.
One thing I don't like about the over-engineered flow controllers I've had is that they require a battery in good nick. If there's any problem with the battery, they don't work (or at least the two I've had were like that).
And they needed calibrating when the temp changes. The extra cost in batteries and the fannying about really hacked me off. Oh, and what really annoyed me was when I once accidentally hooked up the crocodile clips to the wrong polarity **BANG**. I've been told it's easy to protect from this, but I kinda suspect they do this on purpose to make you buy a new one.
That's why I binned them.
I reckon there's a big market for simple - low cost - flow controllers, like yours.
Cheers,
Yer I know what you mean about them, there are always people having problems with them and that's the reason I like these, they are simple and don't draw any power, and keeps working until the battery is dead.
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I've never used a controller in 5 or 6 years of having wfp.
I simply connect the wires of the pump to the battery with crocodile clips and hey presto.
I have yet to have any problems.
Some folk like to over complcate things I think :-\
no fuse at all? only pump and battery?
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Yes; it's the way I've always done it and have never, ever had a problem.
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Yes; it's the way I've always done it and have never, ever had a problem.
how do you switch off the pump? which crocodile clips do you use please?
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Yes; it's the way I've always done it and have never, ever had a problem.
Would recommend that you fit a fuse to protect you and the equipment, why do you think everything electrical in a van has a fuse on!
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The pump has a pressure switch at the bottom so when the pressure builds up the pump cuts out. The battery is connected all day like this.
I've never had a fuse fitted and have never had a problem; thanks anyway but until I do I'm happy working the way I am.
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The pump has a pressure switch at the bottom so when the pressure builds up the pump cuts out. The battery is connected all day like this.
I've never had a fuse fitted and have never had a problem; thanks anyway but until I do I'm happy working the way I am.
Just thought I would mention it, costs £3 to protect possibly £150-£200 of equipment to replace if anything happens. Let's hope nothing happens for you.
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You may have to reconnect the pressure switch, it's very simple to do, and Wilkies sell a simple switch for pennies.
Flow controllers are naff; over priced, over engineered, they're not robust and I dislike 'em.
Your right, the more technology that they have the more problems they have to!
That's why I build them and can supply them for £40!! My 2 have lasted for over 2 years and never had any problems!
hi Richard,have you got a pic? thanks
Yer I have, have up loaded the pictures for you.
thanks Richard,£40 delivery included? lol
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You may have to reconnect the pressure switch, it's very simple to do, and Wilkies sell a simple switch for pennies.
Flow controllers are naff; over priced, over engineered, they're not robust and I dislike 'em.
Your right, the more technology that they have the more problems they have to!
That's why I build them and can supply them for £40!! My 2 have lasted for over 2 years and never had any problems!
hi Richard,have you got a pic? thanks
Yer I have, have up loaded the pictures for you.
thanks Richard,£40 delivery included? lol
Well postage is only £7. I'm sure I could do something for you!
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You may have to reconnect the pressure switch, it's very simple to do, and Wilkies sell a simple switch for pennies.
Flow controllers are naff; over priced, over engineered, they're not robust and I dislike 'em.
Your right, the more technology that they have the more problems they have to!
That's why I build them and can supply them for £40!! My 2 have lasted for over 2 years and never had any problems!
hi Richard,have you got a pic? thanks
Yer I have, have up loaded the pictures for you.
thanks Richard,£40 delivery included? lol
Well postage is only £7. I'm sure I could do something for you!
Thanks Richard but i will probably buy a pump box because i need a new pump controller and a new battery! I am so bad to do DIY so i will buy a pump box like Daz ;)
Even if i wanted something cheaper!
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You may have to reconnect the pressure switch, it's very simple to do, and Wilkies sell a simple switch for pennies.
Flow controllers are naff; over priced, over engineered, they're not robust and I dislike 'em.
Your right, the more technology that they have the more problems they have to!
That's why I build them and can supply them for £40!! My 2 have lasted for over 2 years and never had any problems!
hi Richard,have you got a pic? thanks
Yer I have, have up loaded the pictures for you.
thanks Richard,£40 delivery included? lol
Well postage is only £7. I'm sure I could do something for you!
Thanks Richard but i will probably buy a pump box because i need a new pump controller and a new battery! I am so bad to do DIY so i will buy a pump box like Daz ;)
Even if i wanted something cheaper!
Yer makes more sense to do it that way.
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yes the flow is high but you work quicker
Totally agree. Higher flow = more wore done in the day.
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Have a look at these:
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/290736054991?ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2649
Ross built his own flow controller using something like this; I've got one on my desk. Very simple; two wires go to the power, two wires go to the pump.
I plan to try it out between Christmas and New Year; but if it works, it's a flow controller for £6.00.
That's better than the over-engineered rubbish I purchased (two of 'em) and barely got a year out of each; and they messed me about big style too.
I'm still resentful over that! ;D
Tosh, that looks very intresting man!
I run a couple of pumps without a controller. Have done for years. The reason I am interested is that, for the first time this winter, I have been heating the water in my tanks via a couple of aquarium heaters to about 30c and it has effected the viscosity of the water. The flow of the water has increased as a direct result of the heat to such an extent that I could do with a slight reduction.
I’ll look forward to your review.
Nick
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Richard said to use 15 Amp, not 10 Amp, which is the one I purchased and in the link. But the 15 Amp ones are pennies too.
They're really simple to wire up; I'll probably try the 10 Amp one; I may as well, since I've got it.
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I use a controller and have done for 7 years without any probs. I have the old analogue one which I find is better as I can have a remote control on it
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The pump has a pressure switch at the bottom so when the pressure builds up the pump cuts out. The battery is connected all day like this.
I've never had a fuse fitted and have never had a problem; thanks anyway but until I do I'm happy working the way I am.
same here ;)
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I've never used a controller in 5 or 6 years of having wfp.
I simply connect the wires of the pump to the battery with crocodile clips and hey presto.
I have yet to have any problems.
Some folk like to over complcate things I think :-\
Same here