Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: jk999 on November 13, 2016, 05:24:50 pm

Title: Controllers for running pumps
Post by: jk999 on November 13, 2016, 05:24:50 pm
Which is the best but cheapest controller for connecting to  pumps I e varistream ,spring ect .I don't want to pay through nose for one but I want the most reliable  one I'm fed up of using the cheap Chinese pwm switches break every other week  so need a decent controller cheers in advance kev
Title: Re: Controllers for running pumps
Post by: Smurf on November 13, 2016, 05:27:35 pm
I've used spring digi controllers for years and have never let me down yet.
Title: Re: Controllers for running pumps
Post by: Mick Kent on November 13, 2016, 05:28:14 pm
Why not just use the pump and get an open and shut valve to control the water flow. Cheapest option and less to go wrong?
Title: Re: Controllers for running pumps
Post by: DaveG on November 13, 2016, 05:37:17 pm
I've never had any problems with Varistreams
Title: Re: Controllers for running pumps
Post by: jk999 on November 13, 2016, 05:43:45 pm
Why not just use the pump and get an open and shut valve to control the water flow. Cheapest option and less to go wrong?
I have that about that ,I have just been looking on line and can't believe how much digital controllers are ,but I have found some on eBay for around  £40 offering 12 months warranty has anyone got any knowledge on these or the seller
Title: Re: Controllers for running pumps
Post by: Smurf on November 13, 2016, 06:41:10 pm
Cheap china crap insides maybe?
Title: Re: Controllers for running pumps
Post by: mufcglen on November 13, 2016, 07:43:07 pm
The ones on eBay for around £40 are just the cheap Chinese controllers put in a box pal, they can last 5 mins or last forever!
I used to sell them myself both kinds with the inbuilt fuse and no display and the ones with a digital display, I use the digital display ones myself now rather than the spring controllers as i used to find the spring controllers using to be funny on voltage and needed perfect wiring connections.
Here's the ones I use, just get yourself an electrical box, throw it all in with an  inline fuse and a pump with pressure switch😎
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/232072650529
Title: Re: Controllers for running pumps
Post by: jk999 on November 13, 2016, 07:56:21 pm
How long do they normally last you and can you use them with an 100 psi sureflow pump
Title: Re: Controllers for running pumps
Post by: M & C Window Cleaning on November 13, 2016, 08:14:20 pm
Must admit when I  looked at these cheap Chinese controllers I thought the max current rating to be a bit low on some of them. The running current of a Sureflo running flat out is about or close to the rating of these controllers. I had the feeling they wouldn't last long with these pumps. They would possibly work better on a trolley using a backpack style pump as these pumps use less current than their big brothers.
Title: Re: Controllers for running pumps
Post by: CleanClear on November 13, 2016, 08:38:06 pm
Which is the best but cheapest controller for connecting to  pumps I e varistream ,spring ect .I don't want to pay through nose for one but I want the most reliable  one I'm fed up of using the cheap Chinese pwm switches break every other week  so need a decent controller cheers in advance kev
http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=192847.msg1670554;topicseen#msg1670554
Title: Re: Controllers for running pumps
Post by: CleanClear on November 13, 2016, 08:42:31 pm
Which is the best but cheapest controller for connecting to  pumps I e varistream ,spring ect .I don't want to pay through nose for one but I want the most reliable  one I'm fed up of using the cheap Chinese pwm switches break every other week  so need a decent controller cheers in advance kev

OUt of interest, show us a picture of your wiring from battery to pump. That way we may be batter placed to advise you ?
Title: Re: Controllers for running pumps
Post by: jk999 on November 13, 2016, 09:58:32 pm
I don't know how to put photos on.
Title: Re: Controllers for running pumps
Post by: CleanClear on November 13, 2016, 10:57:29 pm
I don't know how to put photos on.

Try an work round this problem, and give us some pics. I get a sense you are having problems and treating controllers like "consumables". They're not. Wire them correctly and they good. No matter where its  Gardiners controller, Pure Freedom, Spring or cheap Chinese PMW controller, if yours are failing then its unilkey to be the controllers ? You may need to look more closely to what you are doing.
Title: Re: Controllers for running pumps
Post by: jk999 on November 13, 2016, 11:30:04 pm
I know how to wire them up .an auto electrician  showed me how first time and also drew me a diagram. Two wires from battery .two wires from pump wired to the connection s which say battery and motor not rocket science lol .
Title: Re: Controllers for running pumps
Post by: CleanClear on November 13, 2016, 11:39:49 pm
I know how to wire them up .an auto electrician  showed me how first time and also drew me a diagram. Two wires from battery .two wires from pump wired to the connection s which say battery and motor not rocket science lol .
Well get the same fella to tell you where you going wrong then. I've had no problems with mine in six years. So its obviously something he's telling you. Problem solved. After all, he's an expert..........
Title: Re: Controllers for running pumps
Post by: jk999 on November 14, 2016, 09:00:50 am
I even copied tosh s diagram on here same as what he showed me exactly same .I asked a few months ago if there was an English version of the pwm switches but no one's seams to know
Title: Re: Controllers for running pumps
Post by: jk999 on November 14, 2016, 09:02:01 am
So are you using same switch as you started with six years ago if not how often do you change them
Title: Re: Controllers for running pumps
Post by: Spruce on November 14, 2016, 09:11:00 am
We have the same MK1 digital Varistreams on my van that I fitted in December 2007. (Purchased from Williamson Pumps 19th December 2007.)

My son has the MK3 Varistream analog controller on his van that was purchased back in 2006. The blue pressure switch pot on the pc board is a little temperamental at times but a couple of turns to clean the contacts sorts it out.

All are working well.

.
Title: Re: Controllers for running pumps
Post by: dazmond on November 14, 2016, 10:16:00 am
Which is the best but cheapest controller for connecting to  pumps I e varistream ,spring ect .I don't want to pay through nose for one but I want the most reliable  one I'm fed up of using the cheap Chinese pwm switches break every other week  so need a decent controller cheers in advance kev

just buy a spring controller mate.they are very reliable.stop being a cheapskate. :)you ve probably lost/spent more money messing about with cheap crap and the hassle that goes with it(downtime) than if you d bought a proper controller in the first place.
Title: Re: Controllers for running pumps
Post by: Nathanael Jones on November 14, 2016, 10:33:24 am
These work perfectly - I used them for years and never had an issue: http://www.ebay.ie/itm/2000W-40A-12V-DC-Motor-Speed-Control-PWM-HHO-RC-Controlador-MAX-10-50V-12khz-/322289037255?hash=item4b09ec6fc7:g:CJ0AAOSwOyJX-2kO

Just pop it in a waterproof box (Less than £5 off ebay) and add a fuse - simples.
Title: Re: Controllers for running pumps
Post by: jk999 on November 14, 2016, 05:54:26 pm
Not everyone has the funds to go out and spend  £100 on a controller if I had the spare cash I would. I have had to splash out thousands this year and big lump of it on a new roof so I'm not being tight with money just can't afford it at moment so need something cheap to get by till next your
Title: Re: Controllers for running pumps
Post by: Smurf on November 14, 2016, 06:07:27 pm
These work perfectly - I used them for years and never had an issue: http://www.ebay.ie/itm/2000W-40A-12V-DC-Motor-Speed-Control-PWM-HHO-RC-Controlador-MAX-10-50V-12khz-/322289037255?hash=item4b09ec6fc7:g:CJ0AAOSwOyJX-2kO

Just pop it in a waterproof box (Less than £5 off ebay) and add a fuse - simples.

Very helpful post Nat...Nice one  ;)
Title: Re: Controllers for running pumps
Post by: Tom White on November 14, 2016, 08:34:10 pm
These work perfectly - I used them for years and never had an issue: http://www.ebay.ie/itm/2000W-40A-12V-DC-Motor-Speed-Control-PWM-HHO-RC-Controlador-MAX-10-50V-12khz-/322289037255?hash=item4b09ec6fc7:g:CJ0AAOSwOyJX-2kO

Just pop it in a waterproof box (Less than £5 off ebay) and add a fuse - simples.

+1

I don't know how long my two have been going now, but it must be over two-or-three years.

Work every time; no fannying about re-calibrating them when the temp changes; just simply controls the water with no hassels at all.

Title: Re: Controllers for running pumps
Post by: jk999 on November 14, 2016, 08:37:45 pm
What pump do you use tosh
Title: Re: Controllers for running pumps
Post by: sunshine windows on November 14, 2016, 11:26:23 pm
I've had the same varistream analogue controllers in my van for nearly 10 years. Can't argue with that for value for money.
Title: Re: Controllers for running pumps
Post by: Tom White on November 15, 2016, 04:35:16 pm
What pump do you use tosh

Shurflo 100 psi.
Title: Re: Controllers for running pumps
Post by: jk999 on November 15, 2016, 05:11:45 pm
Ok I went to that window cleaning place in Leeds yesterday and the guy actually said that the switch I'm using is not powerful enough to run pump .that the pump keeps burning it out
Title: Re: Controllers for running pumps
Post by: dazmond on November 16, 2016, 07:26:24 pm
if you cant afford a decent pump controller what are you going to do if we end up with 3 weeks of ice and snow? ::)roll
Title: Re: Controllers for running pumps
Post by: jk999 on November 16, 2016, 09:12:32 pm
I can afford it but at mo I have more important things to pay out for like I've had to put a new roof on my house I've had a lot off repair s on my van .had to buy a lot of equipment Latley so I'm penny pinching at mo
Title: Re: Controllers for running pumps
Post by: mufcglen on November 17, 2016, 01:52:03 pm
if your skint and penny pinching pal just get one of the cheap chinese controllers me and someone else posted further up and back it in an electric box,costs less than a tenner,job done 8)
Title: Re: Controllers for running pumps
Post by: jk999 on November 17, 2016, 06:20:42 pm
Ok cheers  :)
Title: Re: Controllers for running pumps
Post by: mufcglen on November 17, 2016, 06:36:12 pm
Honestly for the price of a homemade one pal they're miles better and it is luck of the draw if they go wrong like anything electrical but I used to make and sell loads and maybe had a handful back and I'm certain they was more due to people miswiring them the wrong way round😂
I've had my current one in over a year now going strong still and I keep a spare in the van in case it ever went tits up while out working, its a 2 minute swap and back at it again😎
When I had a spring controller I had to come home start checking connections after I couldn't do a quick fix at the side of the rd and I found I was constantly recalibrating them too, these basic things use the pumps pressure switch to shut themselves off and you can adjust the pressure switch on most pumps anyway, I use mine with a shurflo pump.
Title: Re: Controllers for running pumps
Post by: jk999 on November 17, 2016, 07:25:35 pm
That's one off the reasons I didn't like the dear ones because of the calibration all time and they always stopped pumps working on last couple of windows
Title: Re: Controllers for running pumps
Post by: JSMC on November 18, 2016, 08:41:40 pm
Some interesting controllers on this thread.