Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: P @ F on March 10, 2006, 10:23:20 am

Title: CHEAP VARISTREAM .
Post by: P @ F on March 10, 2006, 10:23:20 am
Excuse my ignorance , but what does a varistream do that this cant ?
I have full control over my water pressure at my pole , with a varistream i would need to go back to the van , correct ?

Or am i missing somthing here ?

 RICH P@F

Title: Re: CHEAP VARISTREAM .
Post by: Chris Cottrell on March 10, 2006, 10:27:46 am
I think with the varistream it electronicly slows down the pump speed in so reducing flow but with using a hozeloc tap the pump is still pushing full presure its the tap thats holding back the flow causing the pump to stuggle and cycle
Title: Re: CHEAP VARISTREAM .
Post by: P @ F on March 10, 2006, 10:35:26 am
I just knew it was gonna be you !

And i kinda knew that was gonna be the answer , but i have a answer for you , i also have a return to tank feed , any water that the tap holds back is just cycled back to tank , there is no strain on pump whatsoever , not even a change in operating sound from the pump , and it never cuts out so my pressure switch in the punp is not in danger either .

 SOOO  , what is the difference ?     ;D ;D ;D

  Rich

Title: Re: CHEAP VARISTREAM .
Post by: Chris Cottrell on March 10, 2006, 10:38:55 am
SOOO  , what is the difference ?     ;D ;D ;D
If thats the case

well set up that man ..... would make no difference at all :)
Title: Re: CHEAP VARISTREAM .
Post by: P @ F on March 10, 2006, 10:49:11 am
Right then , it appears i have been well looked after by my supplier , if he wanted to he could have told me i needed a varistream and sold me one !

Now thats what i call looking after your customers .

 Rich
Title: Re: CHEAP VARISTREAM .
Post by: Paul Coleman on March 10, 2006, 11:01:03 am
I just knew it was gonna be you !

And i kinda knew that was gonna be the answer , but i have a answer for you , i also have a return to tank feed , any water that the tap holds back is just cycled back to tank , there is no strain on pump whatsoever , not even a change in operating sound from the pump , and it never cuts out so my pressure switch in the punp is not in danger either .

 SOOO  , what is the difference ?     ;D ;D ;D

  Rich



I have the same type of set-up.  I find those taps much easier than pinching the hose.  I do bash them around a bit though so it's always a good idea to have some spares hanging around.
Title: Re: CHEAP VARISTREAM .
Post by: P @ F on March 10, 2006, 11:11:45 am
SHINER , is it exactly the same tap you use ?
If so , do you also get through one a month , im real bad at smashing them to pieces !
I may have the answer for you if this is the case

 Rich
Title: Re: CHEAP VARISTREAM .
Post by: Mr. S on March 10, 2006, 11:15:39 am
Me same type of set up too.

first week wfp(last week), so still learning, I cracked my flow controller on Thurs, spent same eve and Fri morning trying to buy another, nobody had one. Finally about 11am bought one, cost me time and money. Hopefully learnt a lesson.

Now building up a collection in a box of spares to keep in my van.

By the way seems to me we are gonna batter our new equipment in the way we work, so, if a pump is only supposed to last a year then why worry about burning the pressure switch out if it lasts longer than a year.......SURELY WE SHOULD ALL KEEP A SPARE TOO!!!!!!!!
Title: Re: CHEAP VARISTREAM .
Post by: Mr. S on March 10, 2006, 11:17:25 am
By the way I got a Gardena flow adjuster
Title: Re: CHEAP VARISTREAM .
Post by: P @ F on March 10, 2006, 11:28:53 am
Hope this works now , i still managed to get the company name in !
Think the pic has gone now , got it right this time , i cant be guilty of advertising !

Rich

 
Title: Re: CHEAP VARISTREAM .
Post by: Paul Coleman on March 10, 2006, 11:31:10 am
SHINER , is it exactly the same tap you use ?
If so , do you also get through one a month , im real bad at smashing them to pieces !
I may have the answer for you if this is the case

 Rich

I actually broke two in two days recently but more typically it's about one a month, yes.  I bought a couple of Gardena ones today so that I have some spares but they are a bit pricey at £7.99 (only ones available at garden centre).  I thought it was better to have an expensive spare as having no spare could cost me even more
Title: Re: CHEAP VARISTREAM .
Post by: Paul Coleman on March 10, 2006, 11:35:22 am
Hope this works now , i still managed to get the company name in !
Think the pic has gone now , got it right this time , i cant be guilty of advertising !

Rich

 

That looks interesting.  Where did you see the ad please?
Title: Re: CHEAP VARISTREAM .
Post by: P @ F on March 10, 2006, 11:40:21 am
How can i tell you without advertising , or is it advertising   ???

 I suppose im gonna find out now { Mr Giles }

 Vari tech in Plymouth  01752 263333

 The taps are £3.30 + VAT 
                                                RICH
Title: Re: CHEAP VARISTREAM .
Post by: H h20 on March 10, 2006, 11:55:29 am
Rich,email me your number, Gaz  ;)
camper1@tiscali.co.uk
Title: Re: CHEAP VARISTREAM .
Post by: petetaylor56 on March 10, 2006, 01:02:35 pm
 :)rich what about the holster is that same place :)
cheers pete
Title: Re: CHEAP VARISTREAM .
Post by: Morph on March 10, 2006, 01:58:51 pm
Rich,

I use the same tap connector.  I'm on my third this year!!

I made my own holster.  Very simple, just cut a bit of old webbing from bucket on a belt, looped it round my belt, kept the adjuster bit so I can tighten it while the hose/connector hangs from my waist.  But I still smash one connector a month, chucking it around.
I also use a varistream, because the connector is really just an on/off.
I also have a drain off from pump back to tank.
Sad I know, but with some things I'm a bit of a belt and braces man.  Or maybe just compulsive/obsessive :P
Title: Re: CHEAP VARISTREAM .
Post by: mark6765 on March 10, 2006, 02:22:31 pm
I put a metal tap on the pole.
They outlast the pole and are only £5 from cleantec.
Title: Re: CHEAP VARISTREAM .
Post by: P @ F on March 10, 2006, 05:14:14 pm
PETE TAYLOR , Yes that is the same place , sorry for delay , i actually went to work for a while today LOL    ;D

 Rich
Title: Re: CHEAP VARISTREAM .
Post by: dai on March 10, 2006, 05:38:25 pm
The Varistream automatically senses what height you are working at and adjusts the flow accordingly. As the pump is not running all the time, it increases pump life and prolongs battery power. Apart from that, no difference to a bypass system I suppose. Dai
Title: Re: CHEAP VARISTREAM .
Post by: Filllllll on March 10, 2006, 07:03:38 pm
I tried a bypass but it didn't work i.e. the water wouldn't go to the brush,Just back to the tank.

Installed a Varistream and very happy with it.

Had been using the manual control valves without Varistream & controlling flow by various open/closed positions.

Got through two pressure switches in two months!!
Title: Re: CHEAP VARISTREAM .
Post by: Andrew McCann on March 10, 2006, 07:25:42 pm
A bypass/return  is a good idea however we tried it just as you are doing Rich.

A couple of points we found about it. The pump is always working at max rate and using an inline flow control just like yours we found to be awkward at getting the right flow. By this I mean there isnt a lot of movement between off and full rate so really accurate flow control was a bit hit and miss. Also if you use it to stop flow completely to reset flow rate was a bit of a pain. It did work though.

The Varistream allows us to use it as just an on/off. You always get exactly the same flow rate as soon as you fully open the valve again which saves time fiddling to get it right. Also like Dia says it will sense the load needed to get the same flow at whatever distance or height you are working at and adjust the pump speed accordingly. It does also save battery charge life considerably in our experience.

We have tried both ways. They both work but we far prefer the Varistream.

Cheers

Andrew
Title: Re: CHEAP VARISTREAM .
Post by: P @ F on March 10, 2006, 08:14:04 pm
I dont use the tap to control the flow at the brush head , i have it fully open all the time when working , if i need to adjust the flow i use the tap on the return valve .

 Rich   
Title: Re: CHEAP VARISTREAM .
Post by: simbo on March 13, 2006, 11:27:47 pm
could somebody give advise on how to make return flow setup of some sort have an idea but know some of you have alredy done this
cheers simb0
Title: Re: CHEAP VARISTREAM .
Post by: P @ F on March 13, 2006, 11:59:00 pm
Hi Simbo , its easy , if you look in my picture ....... to the left of the DI is the white nylon T junction , coming out of the top is a metal tap , you set the tap to where you want , this determines how much water goes into your DI and how much goes back to tank , that is it .

If you cant source the parts call Vari Tech 01752 263333 , tell them Rich from PANES AND FRAMES has the return system you want and they will sort you out .

 Rich  P @ F

   
Title: Re: CHEAP VARISTREAM .
Post by: simbo on March 14, 2006, 12:07:01 am
cheers rich would this go between pump and pole
simb0
Title: Re: CHEAP VARISTREAM .
Post by: P @ F on March 14, 2006, 12:10:46 am
Is it to go on a van mount or your trolley ?
Title: Re: CHEAP VARISTREAM .
Post by: simbo on March 14, 2006, 12:15:25 am
its to go on trolly mate using too much water at the moment and using flow tap on pole makes pump labour
simb0
Title: Re: CHEAP VARISTREAM .
Post by: gaza on March 14, 2006, 12:20:57 am
P@F THAT CONNECTION WHAT BORE FITS IT ?

 GAZA

soory the one with a holster
Title: Re: CHEAP VARISTREAM .
Post by: P @ F on March 14, 2006, 12:21:45 am
OK so the water is already pure then , the tap will want to go after the pump and before the pole , this should sort you right out , im gonna fit one to my trolley soon , im getting through 2 L a minute , i want more than 10 mins of work per 25 L barrel  !

 CHEERS MATE , IM HITTIN THE SACK , GOOD LUCK

 Rich P @ F
Title: Re: CHEAP VARISTREAM .
Post by: P @ F on March 14, 2006, 12:26:57 am
Gaza , if your on about the one with the orange tap then its 12mm hose .

 I can get a metal one for micro bore for £8.90 + vat , same company as just metioned above .

 Rich
Title: Re: CHEAP VARISTREAM .
Post by: MartinB on March 14, 2006, 02:37:20 pm
Have a look at www.williamsonpumps.co.uk/VARISTREAM.html to see exactly what the Varistream will do.

It does exactly what it says on the tin!

Martin
Title: Re: CHEAP VARISTREAM .
Post by: preston powerblast on March 14, 2006, 02:59:38 pm
Wlliamsons, will do you a deal on one if you buy a pump from them.
Title: Re: CHEAP VARISTREAM .
Post by: batterbee on March 14, 2006, 04:36:06 pm
Hi

I just got 100psi pump and varistream for £135+vat from Williamsons pumps.

Hope this helps

John
Title: Re: CHEAP VARISTREAM .
Post by: preston powerblast on March 14, 2006, 06:41:07 pm
I just bought a 100 psi pump.
Title: Re: CHEAP VARISTREAM .
Post by: Mike_G on March 14, 2006, 07:04:32 pm
I've already got a 100 psi pump from williamsons, I wonder what deal they might do on just the varistream?