Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: dazmond on April 28, 2014, 08:04:27 am
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im after a backpack for the odd awkward job.whats the biggest one they do?
for instance i have 4 small cottages on a canal side.at the moment i run a full 100m of hose down another customers garden to reach them due to parking issues.
would a full 18 litre backpack be enough to clean the tops of 4 small cottages without the need to fill up again?
i also have another 5 or 6 jobs where a backpack would be easier i think.
many thanks in advance
dazmond
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Dazmond, I have a gardiners backpack and I think I would be able to clean those windows with one fill.
Depending on what flow you normally use with your van mount, it may take a little getting used to although I find full flow on the back pack too much anyhow. I use 1.4 mm jets now and found that helps me to save water although I think you use an aquadapter so maybe not an issue.
I ditched the backpack straps straight away and hate the screw on lid with handle on it and do not use a trolley because I carry it through terraced houses a lot. I modified mine and made a much more comfortable and fail safe carrying handle ( cost less than a fiver )
I can post a pic if anyone is interested.
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make your own dazmond...details on another forum
you visited when this one was down...dirt cheap and better than
a standard pack as no refilling :)
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Yes gardiners backpack does the job, i cant complain about it for the price it is.
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Yeah Gary's backscuttlingly right, using a 25 litre container buy a 12v 100psi pump from china and use a small battery that will fit on the end of a trolley, you could put a rocker switch on of you wanted easily as well
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Yeah Gary's backscuttlingly right, using a 25 litre container buy a 12v 100psi pump from china and use a small battery that will fit on the end of a trolley, you could put a rocker switch on of you wanted easily as well
did that when I started, lasted about a month before the pump packed up.
Bought a backpack after that, must admit I prefer a bought backpack as its a lot more tidy and more protected from knocks in the back of the van.
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I got a flexible pipe fixed onto the bottom of the water tank, so we can just fill the backpack from the tank ;D
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im after a backpack for the odd awkward job.whats the biggest one they do?
for instance i have 4 small cottages on a canal side.at the moment i run a full 100m of hose down another customers garden to reach them due to parking issues.
would a full 18 litre backpack be enough to clean the tops of 4 small cottages without the need to fill up again?
i also have another 5 or 6 jobs where a backpack would be easier i think.
many thanks in advance
dazmond
http://www.johnhewitt.com/backpacks.htm
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why do you insist on a trolley?
100m of microbore can get anywhere you need to clean windows.
Did tell you backpack/trolleys have their uses!
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Yeah Gary's backscuttlingly right, using a 25 litre container buy a 12v 100psi pump from china and use a small battery that will fit on the end of a trolley, you could put a rocker switch on of you wanted easily as well
did that when I started, lasted about a month before the pump packed up.
Bought a backpack after that, must admit I prefer a bought backpack as its a lot more tidy and more protected from knocks in the back of the van.
Must of been a crap pump.
The designon the other forum is cracking and the bitsand pieces
needed are no different to what you would get in a pack anyway
but much cheaper.
no refilling and easy storage no brainer for me
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cant be bothered making one!too busy!i think ill get a gardiners backpack.like i say its only for a few awkward jobs.easy to fill up from hose from the elbow at the bottom of my tank thats plugged into my pumpbox! ;)
cheers guys
dazmond
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cant be bothered making one!too busy!i think ill get a gardiners backpack.like i say its only for a few awkward jobs.easy to fill up from hose from the elbow at the bottom of my tank thats plugged into my pumpbox! ;)
cheers guys
dazmond
*WARNING* gardeners b/p empties very quickly even on the slowest speed.
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hi gordon could u post a pic .of the back pack handle u made thanks tacky
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http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/141013717098?nav=SEARCH
I have had backbacks for courtyard etc and my current one is nackered so i will be buying this bad boy next. Ok its not a backpack and twice the price but its also twice the volume (35L) with a 5 speed controller.
I have a care home with an inner courtyard with loads of windows & patio doors so using a backpack required two fills a right pita.
This will do it in one :-)
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hi gordon could u post a pic .of the back pack handle u made thanks tacky
will do Richard tomorrow night
basically though I drilled two 5mm holes in the top and put 6mm eye bolts in with penny washers on top and inside and tightened them up from inside with wingnuts ( all stainless steel, have a very good store locally that just sells nuts and bolts )
I tied a piece of rope to them through a length o 12mm hose pipe to make a handle.
Its far more comfortable to carry without the need to worry about putting strain on the threaded lid .
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Here is the pic
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Daz
You get a 25 lt backpack garden sprayer, the type you pump air into them, change the hose / connection for use on your pole job done, cost about £25.00 ???
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http://www.windowcleaningwarehouse.co.uk/big-boy-backpack.html
got one of these few months back ............ 22 litres ! .... wish I had bought one years ago
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thats more like it ian!i reckon id be able to clean the top windows of them 4 cottages and ground floor windows on one of em(georgian windows)with 22 litres! ;D
cheers pal ;)
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thats more like it ian!i reckon id be able to clean the top windows of them 4 cottages and ground floor windows on one of em(georgian windows)with 22 litres! ;D
cheers pal ;)
yup and battery lasts for ever as well with partial use .. I have a job similar to what you describe down a side alley type road which used to be a pia with hoses .. doddle now with backpack ........... picked up a job last night terrace on very busy main road with no parking without backpack would have turned it down now will be a breeze ;D
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just bought the gardiner backpack as i wanted a few more quikloc fittings and to try out the new wfp scrapers!
the gardiners backpack holds 19 litres when full to the brim so it should be ok.
ive just thought of another 5 or 6 jobs where the backpack would be easier than 100m of hose.so ill be using it for 12-15 jobs a month. 8)
im hoping it will be a handy piece of kit to complement the van mount! ;)
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Cleancare ive had one off those trolleys after a while they start dropping to bits, backpacks are ok but not for everyday use , the pumps in them only have a lifespan off about three months for everyday use but will last ages if use every now and again and john hewit I used to buy loads off him till he accused me off neglecting the back pack that was faulty so never bothered anymore
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Always handy having a Back-Pack.......better off making your own though.
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Daz them 3 litres may make all the difference
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Yeah Gary's backscuttlingly right, using a 25 litre container buy a 12v 100psi pump from china and use a small battery that will fit on the end of a trolley, you could put a rocker switch on of you wanted easily as well
did that when I started, lasted about a month before the pump packed up.
Bought a backpack after that, must admit I prefer a bought backpack as its a lot more tidy and more protected from knocks in the back of the van.
Must of been a crap pump.
The designon the other forum is cracking and the bitsand pieces
needed are no different to what you would get in a pack anyway
but much cheaper.
no refilling and easy storage no brainer for me
which forum is it that shows you how to make one, or is it not allowed to say on here?
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backpacks are ok but not for everyday use , the pumps in them only have a lifespan off about three months for everyday use
Are the pumps easily replaced in the gardiners? I have two of them as my main source of getting pure onto the glass.
I don't have the room for a tank/hose reels in this van as it's used for gutter vac/pressure washer etc as well.
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backpacks are ok but not for everyday use , the pumps in them only have a lifespan off about three months for everyday use
Are the pumps easily replaced in the gardiners? I have two of them as my main source of getting pure onto the glass.
I don't have the room for a tank/hose reels in this van as it's used for gutter vac/pressure washer etc as well.
The only backpacks that have proved to be unreliable are the big boys. After 6 - 12 months all the problems started.
The original WCW backpacks lasted us 2 - 3 years each having only to replace the battery.
You will get longer than 3 months, the warranty is 12 months.
When the 12 months is up, buy a spare gardiner back pack and keep it for spares. If you get a problem you can swap parts out to work out which is duff.
Backpacks suffer from
Motor failure,
Housing failure
Contacts becoming soldered
Battery dies
Speed controller dies
Charge point dies
The only thing that is safe is the container ;)
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Here is the pic
What a good idea this is. Well done! Something simple yet very effective. Thanks for posting.
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Yeah Gary's backscuttlingly right, using a 25 litre container buy a 12v 100psi pump from china and use a small battery that will fit on the end of a trolley, you could put a rocker switch on of you wanted easily as well
did that when I started, lasted about a month before the pump packed up.
Bought a backpack after that, must admit I prefer a bought backpack as its a lot more tidy and more protected from knocks in the back of the van.
Must of been a crap pump.
The designon the other forum is cracking and the bitsand pieces
needed are no different to what you would get in a pack anyway
but much cheaper.
no refilling and easy storage no brainer for me
which forum is it that shows you how to make one, or is it not allowed to say on here?
Its on Peter Fogwill's forum - Backpack Alternative....Alternative
Google Peter Fogwill forum and you will find it. I would still go with a proper backpack.
Our first ESR 505C lasted over 3 years with nearly daily use - It was dropped and split so is now U/s. The replacement needed a new speed switch which was replaced by the supplier without issue.
I don't like the lower strap clamps so I will look into doing Gordons mod above.
'Thank you to that man'
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Yeah Gary's backscuttlingly right, using a 25 litre container buy a 12v 100psi pump from china and use a small battery that will fit on the end of a trolley, you could put a rocker switch on of you wanted easily as well
did that when I started, lasted about a month before the pump packed up.
Bought a backpack after that, must admit I prefer a bought backpack as its a lot more tidy and more protected from knocks in the back of the van.
Must of been a crap pump.
The designon the other forum is cracking and the bitsand pieces
needed are no different to what you would get in a pack anyway
but much cheaper.
no refilling and easy storage no brainer for me
which forum is it that shows you how to make one, or is it not allowed to say on here?
Its on Peter Fogwill's forum - Backpack Alternative....Alternative
Google Peter Fogwill forum and you will find it. I would still go with a proper backpack.
Our first ESR 505C lasted over 3 years with nearly daily use - It was dropped and split so is now U/s. The replacement needed a new speed switch which was replaced by the supplier without issue.
I don't like the lower strap clamps so I will look into doing Gordons mod above.
'Thank you to that man'
Thanks Spruce, I have registered to have a look at that forum, but can't see anything until my registration is approved.
I also found this one, if that's any use to anyone.
http://windowanother place.co.uk/threads/homemade-alternative-to-backpack.11995/ (http://windowanother place.co.uk/threads/homemade-alternative-to-backpack.11995/)
Cheers, Gary