Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Alistair@AWC on September 12, 2006, 07:12:44 pm

Title: Pump Problems Again
Post by: Alistair@AWC on September 12, 2006, 07:12:44 pm
HI Guys,

Yeah IM asking about pumps again,

My 100psi Shurflo pump is seriously playing up,

It started with a loose connection on one of the red power leads that goes into the top (bottom cos its fitted upside down) of the pump at first I had to keep going back to the van to wiggle the lead around which was a major pain when your round the back of a house, when I removed the lead the white connector block had a burnt mark on it and now the water pressure has dropped below workable levels especially with the stack of intial cleans ive got on over the next few days  :(

Any Ideas????

I have emailed Wintecs about the faulty item but it was past working hours so should get a reply in the morning, only good thing is I was convinced I'd bought it from Gardiners and would have to wait until next week to get a replacement

Cheers People

Alistair
Title: Re: Pump Problems Again
Post by: ScrimShady on September 12, 2006, 07:24:27 pm
I would say that the burning on the connection block was down to a bad connection, i would make the connection again and make sure that it is tight then try it again, i dont think you would of knackered the pump just the conection.
Hope this helps.
ScrimShady
Title: Re: Pump Problems Again
Post by: Alistair@AWC on September 12, 2006, 07:32:45 pm
Cheers Scrim,

Makes sense and a poor connection could also be the reason for the poor water pressure, god I hope it is I could do without this in the middle of my busiest spell

Regards

Alistair
Title: Re: Pump Problems Again
Post by: jeff1 on September 12, 2006, 09:55:13 pm
Hi Alistairstott
poor connection = poor Performance = poor pressure.

Clean your connections with a little wire wool or wet and dry paper, tighten all connections, if its the push on type connector then a little squeeze with a pair of pliars should do the trick.
Title: Re: Pump Problems Again
Post by: abacus on September 12, 2006, 10:13:58 pm
Hi Alistair

ten to one its the pressure switch about £13.oo

disconect the two red wires connect to a saddle conector or join with asmall bit of wire if the pump works it is the pressure switch thre screws to change it mind the spring and bits when you take it off.

you can use it without for a day but you have to keep turning it off from the van and if you disconect the hose the pressure just keeps building as the pump wont turn itself off so be careful

regards grant
Title: Re: Pump Problems Again
Post by: MartinB on September 13, 2006, 10:45:19 am
Agreed. The burning of the wires is an indication that the pressure switch is failing/has failed.

The previous advice is good - you can use pump in an emergency by disconnecting the two wires from the pressure switch and joining them together. But be very careful as the pump has no protection against overpressurising.

You will get a replacement switch from where you got the pump from. If not, contact Williamson Pumps 0845-226-3638.

Martin
Title: Re: Pump Problems Again
Post by: Alistair@AWC on September 13, 2006, 01:09:45 pm
Cheers Guys,

Thanks for the advice, im in contact with Wintecs and at the moment I am just waiting for them to get back to me.

I was hoping it was just a faulty pump, but im quite disappointed that its the pressure switch so soon, its had no more than 50 hours use so that means I could be pretty much changing one a week  >:(

Not good at £30 a pop

Alistair
Title: Re: Pump Problems Again
Post by: MartinB on September 13, 2006, 02:07:40 pm
Points to a high system pressure. Invest in a Varitream and get control.

www.williamsonpumps.co.uk/VARISTREAM.html
Title: Re: Pump Problems Again
Post by: paul mather on September 13, 2006, 03:02:33 pm
Alistair,

Just wondered why you are using a 100psi pump when there is only you working, I was told they put too much pressure on your joints for just a single user.
Title: Re: Pump Problems Again
Post by: Alistair@AWC on September 13, 2006, 04:46:13 pm
Hi Paul,

I bought the 100psi with using my young brother in law at the weekends in mind.

Ive had absolutely no problems with the joints but it obviously causes problems with the pressure switch  :(

Im gonna buy a Varistream if Wintecs ever get back to me, because a pressure switch is £30 and I would have bought a spare so I dont miss another days work = £60 and the Varistream is only £85.

Hows the doorknocking going? Ive managed to build upto 70 customers in about 5 weeks of WCing, which if I do say so myself is not too shabby!!

Regards

Alistair
Title: Re: Pump Problems Again
Post by: JM123 on September 13, 2006, 07:46:48 pm
It won't matter whether its 100psi or 60psi - the pressure switch can go as early on either.

As for 100Psi being too much for one user that is wrong - pressure is a static measurement, it doesn't matter if you have 20 poles connected the pressure remains the same when the connections are closed, obviously one pump wouldn't provide enough flow for 20 poles but you get the idea.  We have used 100psi pumps for a few years on single pole setups, use good connections and it won't matter.
Title: Re: Pump Problems Again
Post by: AuRavelling79 on September 14, 2006, 05:03:19 pm
Points to a high system pressure. Invest in a Varitream and get control.

www.williamsonpumps.co.uk/VARISTREAM.html

As martin B said.

Get a varistream - it by-passes the pressure switch on you pump and so, if like me you have an old pump with burnt out pressure switch, you can use it again.

Oh, and it's less work for the pump and less battery usage too! Not bad for about £70.00!
Title: Re: Pump Problems Again
Post by: Alistair@AWC on September 14, 2006, 05:42:45 pm
Martin & Malc,

The Varistream is on its way. Thanks for your help guys

Alistair
Title: Re: Pump Problems Again
Post by: Extremeclean on September 14, 2006, 06:33:20 pm
I am looking to buy a few Varistreams to fit to some of my van mounts. I'm fed up with pressure swtiches going although I have a spare pump for each van just in case. That way I dont lose much time at all.

I hadn't bothered with them until I got my Freedom Trollies and can now see the advantages for myself. I've tried getting them from Andrew at Purefreedom but he can't spare any for sale at the moment.

Where did you get yours Alistair?
Title: Re: Pump Problems Again
Post by: Alistair@AWC on September 14, 2006, 06:39:05 pm
Hi Extremeclean,

Ive ordered mine through Wintecs

http://wintecs.co.uk/catalog/index.php?cPath=58_79&sort=1a&page=2

Although I'm sure its coming direct from Williamsons Pumps

http://www.williamsonpumps.co.uk/VARISTREAM.html

Regards

Alistair
Title: Re: Pump Problems Again
Post by: Alistair@AWC on September 17, 2006, 02:27:14 pm
Martin & Malc,

The Varistream is on its way. Thanks for your help guys

Alistair


Erm.............no its not, first contacted my supplier about this on Tuesday afternoon and even though I was under the impression it was on its way I received an email from them late on Friday to say they are no longer supplying them!!!!!!!!!!

GREAT  >:( >:( >:(

Wish I'd listened to MartinB in the first place and contacted Williamson Pumps.

By the time I get one organised thats pretty much gonna be a working week lost
Title: Re: Pump Problems Again
Post by: Roy Harding on September 17, 2006, 02:59:27 pm
Martin's company make the varistream. I had the very first one off the production line, its the mk1 version and is still running great.

I burnt out 3 or 4 switches before the vaistream.


Roy