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UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: tonycarr on May 17, 2016, 07:04:27 pm

Title: varistream digital controller problem??
Post by: tonycarr on May 17, 2016, 07:04:27 pm
hi all.....i have a two man setup each setup has its own Varistream Vsd6  Digital Controller and own Shurflo 100psi pump,

they are both running off the same leisure battery, but one controller  (allways the same one) keeps cutting out with U displayed on controller,

 i checked the Varistream user guide and U.............. indicates under voltage = shutdown - 10.3VDC

the battery condition monitor indicates fully charged on both controllers??

the problem occurs regardless weather 1 or 2 setups are being used

all  help in solving this greatly appreciated

tony

 
Title: Re: varistream digital controller problem??
Post by: chris dosell on May 17, 2016, 07:30:20 pm
I have the same problem  running one pump  battery is fine and charging think it may be bad wiring
Title: Re: varistream digital controller problem??
Post by: Spruce on May 17, 2016, 08:15:29 pm
As per Chris Dosell - look for a faulty connection especially at the fuse holder,

Then open the cover of the Varistream and look that the green connector onto the circuit board. If one of the terminals are black then you have a fault there.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TId3Jn5OeIM

Have you bypassed the pressure switch as per Williamson's fitting instruction manual?

The only way to see the main battery's charge condition is is to have a voltmeter across the battery when the controller cuts out. Looking at those 3 bars isn't a good indication of the actual state of charge of your battery.

If you have a split charge relay, does running the van's engine rectify the problem?

Over the years I have often posted that these current Varistreams use power even when switched off
We found that a new fully charged 85 amp Numax leisure battery was being drained to a 75% charge just lying idle for a week. 
It wasn't the battery as we swapped the battery for the identical one from another van with an older Varistream.

You have 2 of them draining your battery.

We found adding a 10 amp isolator switch before the Varistream solved the problem of battery drain over night as we switch the Varistreams off.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-1-gang-10a-switch-ip55-240v/47152



Title: Re: varistream digital controller problem??
Post by: tonycarr on May 17, 2016, 09:31:29 pm
As per Chris Dosell - look for a faulty connection especially at the fuse holder,

Then open the cover of the Varistream and look that the green connector onto the circuit board. If one of the terminals are black then you have a fault there.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TId3Jn5OeIM

Have you bypassed the pressure switch as per Williamson's fitting instruction manual?

The only way to see the main battery's charge condition is is to have a voltmeter across the battery when the controller cuts out. Looking at those 3 bars isn't a good indication of the actual state of charge of your battery.

If you have a split charge relay, does running the van's engine rectify the problem?

Over the years I have often posted that these current Varistreams use power even when switched off
We found that a new fully charged 85 amp Numax leisure battery was being drained to a 75% charge just lying idle for a week. 
It wasn't the battery as we swapped the battery for the identical one from another van with an older Varistream.

You have 2 of them draining your battery.

We found adding a 10 amp isolator switch before the Varistream solved the problem of battery drain over night as we switch the Varistreams off.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-1-gang-10a-switch-ip55-240v/47152


hi Spruce.....no i haven't   bypassed the pressure switch, and i dont have a split relay, i charge my 110AH leisure battery every evening via an outdoor socket.

thanks for the video link i`ll check the wiring  ;)

tony
Title: Re: varistream digital controller problem??
Post by: JSMC on May 18, 2016, 06:44:27 am
Started having problems with varistream fee minth back. They worked great for years then on off switch was faulty n then started not shutting down when water off n also delivery problems but this may have been pressure switch on pump.

I now use analogue controller.
Title: Re: varistream digital controller problem??
Post by: Ian Sheppard on May 18, 2016, 09:04:38 am
As per Chris Dosell - look for a faulty connection especially at the fuse holder,

Then open the cover of the Varistream and look that the green connector onto the circuit board. If one of the terminals are black then you have a fault there.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TId3Jn5OeIM

Have you bypassed the pressure switch as per Williamson's fitting instruction manual?

The only way to see the main battery's charge condition is is to have a voltmeter across the battery when the controller cuts out. Looking at those 3 bars isn't a good indication of the actual state of charge of your battery.

If you have a split charge relay, does running the van's engine rectify the problem?

Over the years I have often posted that these current Varistreams use power even when switched off
We found that a new fully charged 85 amp Numax leisure battery was being drained to a 75% charge just lying idle for a week. 
It wasn't the battery as we swapped the battery for the identical one from another van with an older Varistream.

You have 2 of them draining your battery.

We found adding a 10 amp isolator switch before the Varistream solved the problem of battery drain over night as we switch the Varistreams off.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-1-gang-10a-switch-ip55-240v/47152

I would agree with this wiring/fuse holder is the most likely cause of the volt drop you are seeing
Title: Re: varistream digital controller problem??
Post by: Spruce on May 18, 2016, 10:33:04 am
As per Chris Dosell - look for a faulty connection especially at the fuse holder,

Then open the cover of the Varistream and look that the green connector onto the circuit board. If one of the terminals are black then you have a fault there.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TId3Jn5OeIM

Have you bypassed the pressure switch as per Williamson's fitting instruction manual?

The only way to see the main battery's charge condition is is to have a voltmeter across the battery when the controller cuts out. Looking at those 3 bars isn't a good indication of the actual state of charge of your battery.

If you have a split charge relay, does running the van's engine rectify the problem?

Over the years I have often posted that these current Varistreams use power even when switched off
We found that a new fully charged 85 amp Numax leisure battery was being drained to a 75% charge just lying idle for a week. 
It wasn't the battery as we swapped the battery for the identical one from another van with an older Varistream.

You have 2 of them draining your battery.

We found adding a 10 amp isolator switch before the Varistream solved the problem of battery drain over night as we switch the Varistreams off.

http://www.screwfix.com/p/lap-1-gang-10a-switch-ip55-240v/47152


hi Spruce.....no i haven't   bypassed the pressure switch, and i dont have a split relay, i charge my 110AH leisure battery every evening via an outdoor socket.

thanks for the video link i`ll check the wiring  ;)

tony

One of the local lads asked me to help him sort his Varistream out as it wasn't behaving as the other did (2 man system). I messed around with that for ages and got nowhere.

We eventually removed (bypassed)  the pressure switch from the system and the Varistream has worked fine every since.

I might try removing that controller from your leisure battery and wiring it into your main van battery for a few days to see if there is a difference.

Remember, you only know what your exact state of charge is of your battery after you have let it settle for 4 hours. A battery at 10.3 v will quickly recover back to a higher voltage which may be deceiving.

-

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Title: Re: varistream digital controller problem??
Post by: ascjim on May 18, 2016, 11:14:35 am
hi all.....i have a two man setup each setup has its own Varistream Vsd6  Digital Controller and own Shurflo 100psi pump,

they are both running off the same leisure battery, but one controller  (allways the same one) keeps cutting out with U displayed on controller,

 i checked the Varistream user guide and U.............. indicates under voltage = shutdown - 10.3VDC

the battery condition monitor indicates fully charged on both controllers??

the problem occurs regardless weather 1 or 2 setups are being used

all  help in solving this greatly appreciated

tony

I had this problem on one of the vans. Sorted it by replacing al the wiring.
Title: Re: varistream digital controller problem??
Post by: tonycarr on May 18, 2016, 07:20:52 pm
i took the cover off the controller and checked the connector although its dark blue as opposed to green? perhaps an older box? but anyway there wasn`t  any burn marks.

all the connections "seemed" ok but have decided to replace the whole wire  between the controller and battery with the fuse.

tomorrow will tell  ::)roll

thanks to all

tony
Title: Re: varistream digital controller problem??
Post by: Spruce on May 18, 2016, 07:27:07 pm
i took the cover off the controller and checked the connector although its dark blue as opposed to green? perhaps an older box? but anyway there wasn`t  any burn marks.

all the connections "seemed" ok but have decided to replace the whole wire  between the controller and battery with the fuse.

tomorrow will tell  ::)roll

thanks to all

tony

Excellent. Take one step at a time and you will find the problem eventually.
Title: Re: varistream digital controller problem??
Post by: tonycarr on May 19, 2016, 09:52:14 pm
just an update..... replaced the whole wire  between the controller and battery with the fuse

seems to have done the trick, no issues today 8)

thanks for all your help

tony  ;)
Title: Re: varistream digital controller problem??
Post by: Spruce on May 20, 2016, 08:51:14 am
just an update..... replaced the whole wire  between the controller and battery with the fuse

seems to have done the trick, no issues today 8)

thanks for all your help

tony  ;)



 :)