Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: AuRavelling79 on August 07, 2017, 11:16:43 am
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Time to replace a FLOJET pump which is getting tired after 5 years - had a look inside and lots of filings and replacing the diaphragm makes no difference. It sounds softer than it's less used brother on the other reel and produces about 1.3LPM at the brush head max compared to 1.7LPM that the other does.
I don't use a controller - just a tap on a belt - and I am happy to replace microswitches and diaphragms etc.
But this one will be replaced.
What are the smart boys and girls buying? Or doesn't it matter?
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Time to replace a FLOJET pump which is getting tired after 5 years - had a look inside and lots of filings and replacing the diaphragm makes no difference. It sounds softer than it's less used brother on the other reel and produces about 1.3LPM at the brush head max compared to 1.7LPM that the other does.
I don't use a controller - just a tap on a belt - and I am happy to replace microswitches and diaphragms etc.
But this one will be replaced.
What are the smart boys and girls buying? Or doesn't it matter?
When I last looked, I was unable to source an appropriate 100 psi flojet - a pump that I found to be far more reliable than its impostors (I didn't use a controller either). Then I needed to change system and got what I was given - a 100psi Aquatec + controller. It seems ok so far(2 years).
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Yes WM, thanks - I bought my Flojet to replace my Sureflo as that was what was coming out of Gardiners at the time for similar or slightly more money.
Now I see they "offer" Aquatec. I might email them and see if they have changed for any particular reason other than commercial viability.
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I'd always go with shurflo
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Yes WM, thanks - I bought my Flojet to replace my Sureflo as that was what was coming out of Gardiners at the time for similar or slightly more money.
Now I see they "offer" Aquatec. I might email them and see if they have changed for any particular reason other than commercial viability.
I once asked a supplier (not anyone who comes on here) if their margin was lower on Flojet than on other pumps. He confirmed that it was - which might explain why less companies stock them. Personally, I prefer to pay a bit more and have a pump that is reliable (I once bought a sureflo without a controller - packed up after a few weeks).
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I'd always go with shurflo
We appear to have had different experiences. Maybe I was just unlucky with my sureflo, but it didn't look like a lemon :)
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i always use a pumpbox with a digital controller and 100 psi shurflo pump.they ve always worked well for me so i dont use any other model pump.
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Ben from softwash technology does a large range of pumps. Mind the larger lpm draw amp pumps you will also need a larger 30 amp controller if you want to turn the flow down. However this one you don't and you have the added benefit as using it as a softwash pump too if you wanted unlike the standard 8000 series pump used for wfp. https://www.softwashtechnology.co.uk/collections/electric-diaphragm-pumps/products/shurflo-8000-543-138-12v-pump-100-psi-6-8-ltrs-min-1-8-gpm
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Got one of these on order, not sure the standard Univalve will cope but will see....
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxkIzyXB_4A
Granville Gold >>> You may need to upgrade to a decent flow controller...doubt that "I'm a little tea-pot' holster thingy and valve will cut the mustard with this unit :-)
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I've always used these 15 quidders off ebay.
http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/High-Pressure-Diaphragm-Self-Priming-Water-Pump-12V-130Psi-5-5Lpm-80W-For-Garden-/121998802750?hash=item1c67b1ff3e%3Ag%3A2zEAAOSwxg5XzNDG&_trkparms=pageci%253Adb843648-7b7e-11e7-b7d4-74dbd1807765%257Cparentrq%253Abd271dca15d0a884aa21917bffffda84%257Ciid%253A3
I dont use a controller either.
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I use two flojets & 2 x Spring v10 digi controllers in one van. They're a few years old now & we seem to have to increase the flow rate on the controller these days to get a decent flow.
In the new van we got 2 x Spring v10 digi controllers with Aquatec pumps. They seem much quieter & the controllers can be set at a lower rate & still get a decent flow. Best of all they only draw 7amps max as opposed to 9amps for the flojet. So in theory I'm guessing the battery should last longer.
Bought the Aquatecs from Window Cleaning Warehouse just because we could screw in male JG fittings. The Gardiner Aquatecs take a 1/4" JG tube or 1/4" to 1/2" stem adapter & are slighly cheaper all in I think. Same pumps though.
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I've always used these 15 quidders off ebay.
http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/High-Pressure-Diaphragm-Self-Priming-Water-Pump-12V-130Psi-5-5Lpm-80W-For-Garden-/121998802750?hash=item1c67b1ff3e%3Ag%3A2zEAAOSwxg5XzNDG&_trkparms=pageci%253Adb843648-7b7e-11e7-b7d4-74dbd1807765%257Cparentrq%253Abd271dca15d0a884aa21917bffffda84%257Ciid%253A3
I dont use a controller either.
Cheers for link, just ordered 2 as im gonna have an attempt to build my own trolley system or swap pumps in the backpack as I see this is rated at 5lpm as i dont think the backpack is rated so high.
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I've always used these 15 quidders off ebay.
http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/High-Pressure-Diaphragm-Self-Priming-Water-Pump-12V-130Psi-5-5Lpm-80W-For-Garden-/121998802750?hash=item1c67b1ff3e%3Ag%3A2zEAAOSwxg5XzNDG&_trkparms=pageci%253Adb843648-7b7e-11e7-b7d4-74dbd1807765%257Cparentrq%253Abd271dca15d0a884aa21917bffffda84%257Ciid%253A3
I dont use a controller either.
Cheers for link, just ordered 2 as im gonna have an attempt to build my own trolley system or swap pumps in the backpack as I see this is rated at 5lpm as i dont think the backpack is rated so high.
It also draws 6.66 amps which is much more than the standard backpack pumps of 3 amps. This means you will need a bigger battery - more capacity.
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I've always used these 15 quidders off ebay.
http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/High-Pressure-Diaphragm-Self-Priming-Water-Pump-12V-130Psi-5-5Lpm-80W-For-Garden-/121998802750?hash=item1c67b1ff3e%3Ag%3A2zEAAOSwxg5XzNDG&_trkparms=pageci%253Adb843648-7b7e-11e7-b7d4-74dbd1807765%257Cparentrq%253Abd271dca15d0a884aa21917bffffda84%257Ciid%253A3
I dont use a controller either.
Cheers for link, just ordered 2 as im gonna have an attempt to build my own trolley system or swap pumps in the backpack as I see this is rated at 5lpm as i dont think the backpack is rated so high.
It also draws 6.66 amps which is much more than the standard backpack pumps of 3 amps. This means you will need a bigger battery - more capacity.
I may only use the trolley perhaps 5 times within the month, but i run a brush with 4 jets and its not as powerfull as I would like so I thought its about time I manned up ((apparantly diy makes you a man ::)roll )) and made //box up a trolley system.
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I use a 5lpm 115psi pump off Ebay similar to the one above. Last one I got was £9.99.
I've found though, that the 115psi cut off is too high for the Univalve to operate so I lower the pressure by cutting the spring down by about 2mm with a dremmel type tool. This reduces the cut off to about 70psi which is fine. I run it flat out most of the time. Last one lasted about 18 months before the pressure switch burned out. I always keep a spare on board and they're quick to swap out if need be.
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I've always used these 15 quidders off ebay.
http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/High-Pressure-Diaphragm-Self-Priming-Water-Pump-12V-130Psi-5-5Lpm-80W-For-Garden-/121998802750?hash=item1c67b1ff3e%3Ag%3A2zEAAOSwxg5XzNDG&_trkparms=pageci%253Adb843648-7b7e-11e7-b7d4-74dbd1807765%257Cparentrq%253Abd271dca15d0a884aa21917bffffda84%257Ciid%253A3
I dont use a controller either.
Cheers for link, just ordered 2 as im gonna have an attempt to build my own trolley system or swap pumps in the backpack as I see this is rated at 5lpm as i dont think the backpack is rated so high.
Nathan those in use for the van mount.
I use these for the backpack/trolley
http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/12V-100PSI-4L-Min-High-Pressure-Diaphragm-Water-Pump-For-RV-Caravan-Boat-Garden-/252680148228?epid=1064216015&hash=item3ad4e91504%3Ag%3AhxYAAOSw4GVYUlcY&_trkparms=pageci%253Adba99d28-7bc1-11e7-9d4f-74dbd180a912%257Cparentrq%253Abede35d515d0a866a572a95efffd4ee5%257Ciid%253A1
Bit less flow and cheaper, I just run them flat out no flow control.
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Cheers for info. If they drain my battery too quick for the little usage i make of it then i will replace. But im thinking of adding an analogue control switch as well.
But these are cheap as chips so if my first one doesnt work too well i can flog it on ebay (evil chuckle laugh) and start againt with these pumps instead
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100psi Shurflo with controller, current one 8 or 9 years old- never missed a beat and works as good now as day One.
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nathan and adam are the new serial "waggas" of the forum. ;D
if you like messing about with stuff then fair enough but i think most of us just want good solid equipment thatll last years and years with minimum downtime/faff so we can concentrate on cleaning.
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I used a speed controller switch nathan, think it was 99p off ebay lol, i only ever used it on full though so would now just run a pump flat out with no controller, dont see the point in a controller...
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Can I ask if used as a main pump how long do those cheap fleebay pumps last and is it not false economy/ hassle to keep replacing them when they fail?
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Shurflo for us. Ours seem to go on forever.
(I bet one conks out today after I wrote that! :'()
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Can I ask if used as a main pump how long do those cheap fleebay pumps last and is it not false economy/ hassle to keep replacing them when they fail?
The 5.5lpm ones I linked to. I bought 3 of them about 2 years ago. I'm on my second one.
Its hard to say as they could last month's or years, I'm sure some shurflo pumps fail prematurely as well, there's no guaranteed life with either.
That said I run mine flat out no controller which puts a lot more strain on them than so maybe they would last longer with a good controller.
There's probably not much in it. But I'd rather buy these personally. 15 quid just seems nicer to hand over even if it is false economy.
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Here are a couple points for controller use-
Full control of flow and pressure
Minimal amps drawn from power source
Minimal strain on pump= longer service life
I run my pump direct from van battery- all day with no issues. I have no separate battery that I have to bring in and charge overnight nor any split charge system either.
I do not suffer from leaks due to an over pressurised system.
I use Hozelock type connectors throughout my system with no leaks- my pole barb connectors are secured only by plastic cable tie.
I have never in over 13 years WFP had to waterproof the back of any of my vans.
I can have "optimal" and "consistent" flow at the touch of a button- at any and all heights.
Controller works in complete harmony with a Uni-vlave, no wasted water, no massive burst of flow when reactivated.
I have to smile when I see posts where someone has a leak with a Hozelock connector and the advice is to change the entire set of connectors to another type instead of curing the fault. Or someone having trouble with spots/streaks and the answer is to turn the flow up to full and flood the entire property! It's far easier IMO to take a little time and actually understand what's happening- this way you can cure most problems without issue.
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I've always used these 15 quidders off ebay.
http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/High-Pressure-Diaphragm-Self-Priming-Water-Pump-12V-130Psi-5-5Lpm-80W-For-Garden-/121998802750?hash=item1c67b1ff3e%3Ag%3A2zEAAOSwxg5XzNDG&_trkparms=pageci%253Adb843648-7b7e-11e7-b7d4-74dbd1807765%257Cparentrq%253Abd271dca15d0a884aa21917bffffda84%257Ciid%253A3
I dont use a controller either.
Cheers for link, just ordered 2 as im gonna have an attempt to build my own trolley system or swap pumps in the backpack as I see this is rated at 5lpm as i dont think the backpack is rated so high.
Nathan those in use for the van mount.
I use these for the backpack/trolley
http://m.ebay.co.uk/itm/12V-100PSI-4L-Min-High-Pressure-Diaphragm-Water-Pump-For-RV-Caravan-Boat-Garden-/252680148228?epid=1064216015&hash=item3ad4e91504%3Ag%3AhxYAAOSw4GVYUlcY&_trkparms=pageci%253Adba99d28-7bc1-11e7-9d4f-74dbd180a912%257Cparentrq%253Abede35d515d0a866a572a95efffd4ee5%257Ciid%253A1
Bit less flow and cheaper, I just run them flat out no flow control.
Adam , do you think this 3amp pump would run a van mount , have you tried ?
At 36 watt it has to be the ideal pump to run with solar !
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Any idea about the question above Adam ?