Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: PoleKing on April 22, 2015, 11:45:18 am
-
Can someone tell me how to run 2 pumps from one purefreedom controller/charger. The £95 one that was recommended to me on here recently.
Thanks in advance.
-
No-one? Help me out boys.
If it's just as simple as connecting the 2nd pump in the same way as the first that's fine.
Just thinking about the implications...
-
each pump needs it own controller.
-
Hi Pole king
Although one controller will run two pumps its not really designed to do this. You will find the system is not very efficient . you are likely to have issues with poor flow, controller cycling the pumps in out of DE unexpectedly. The main issue will be getting calibration on the controller right when it is trying to manage two pumps.
This is because there will be differing pressure in the two poles/hose lines and the pressure the pumps will work at. Plus the amount higher of current two pumps will draw.
Water will always look to take the easiest route so a pole working at a lower height will have better flow than than a pole working higher, you may find that to force water to the higher pole you will have to use pole taps to restrict flow to a lower pole. Restricting one pump is this way will increase the current draw off the pump as tries to push against the restriction.
Calibration will be difficult as you will need to have both pumps running in order to calibrate, There is also the likely hood that stopping flow to one pole will mean the control dead ends both pumps at the same time. With one pole flow stopped the controller may cycle in and out of DE on both pumps or stop both pumps.
The controller is max rated to 10 amps, With one controller running two pumps each pump is going to pull 3 to 5 amps from the battery putting you very close to the max limit for the controller. If the current limit is exceeded the control will shut down both pumps and display OC ( Over current)
Over current protection is just one of the safety features we place on the controllers to protect you the system and the controller
So in summary if you are going to try this the pumps will both need to be calibrated at the same time, To avoid the controller cycling in out of DE both line will need to be stopped at the same time. Also to ensure you do not exceed the max current rating of the controller and have both pumps shut down flow rate will need to be less than 40 - 50 to ensure the two pumps combined can not pull more than about 3 to 4 amps each.
Having one controller for each pump will be a far more efficient way to operate as it will give you two independent systems with each pump/controller calibrated and avoid the issues mentioned above. Having a more efficient system will quickly recoup the cost of a second control
Lastly with a two pump system a battery of 110AH would be best. The reason for this as mentioned above two pumps are going to pull 6 - 10 amps an hour out of a battery. Ideally you should not reduce battery capacity below 50% or 10.5V below this the battery cells will be damaged over the medium term. In effect with a 110AH battery you have 55 amps of usable capacity EG 6 amps divide by 55 giving approx 8 to 9 hours use before the battery will need charging
-
Thank you for a very comprehensive reply, Ian.
I've got a single job, next week, an hour away, that needs to be done between 5&7am poling then the rest of the day needs 2 men inside.
We're travelling together and didn't want one man sat in the van doing nothing for the 2 hours.
It's not worth me buying a 2nd controller as its only 1 job a year.
I think I'll buy another pump and connect it direct to the battery to run flat out.
Thanks for your help.
-
get a cheap controller for that off ebay, a few quid, ive got one but never used it yet, only got it cause its too cheap, may need it one day
-
Stick a 'y piece' after the pump, and run 2 reels off one pump
-
Stick a 'y piece' after the pump, and run 2 reels off one pump
That definitely wouldn't work, Don.
I'll be at 50' the other guy is at 22'.
It's only a couple of hours, full blast will be fine.
-
Stick a 'y piece' after the pump, and run 2 reels off one pump
This is how we do it Darren. Never been a problem in 4years
-
Y after the pump then a gate valve or tap on the reel that is the lowest height restricting the water so it pushes it up the highest pole
-
Stick a 'y piece' after the pump, and run 2 reels off one pump
That definitely wouldn't work, Don.
I'll be at 50' the other guy is at 22'.
It's only a couple of hours, full blast will be fine.
It definitley would work poley....
At least as a temp fix for one job
If in doubt, open both taps on the poles and if one is struggling to draw water, shut the tap on the pole that has water (probably the shorter) and then the other should draw
Then open both again, and its a case of working out the flow rate so you both have a decent flow (the higher brush will have a little less flow than the shorter)
It about getting water to the brush head, once its there you're gravy
-
For a one off job using y after the pump too two lines is a better option than running two pumps from one controller. As above you will need to manage flow to the poles with a tap to even up the pressure difference in two lines. Flow rate on the controller may need to be slightly higher as would calibration.
-
Oh-cheers boys.
I'll give it a go on Friday.