Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Clear Vision on June 15, 2007, 10:10:19 pm
-
Just received my new shurflo backpack this morning.
I'm really really impressed with the build quality and feel.
I haven't used it yet as I put the battery on charge, although I filled it right up to see what the weight felt like on my back.
It's heavy but not as bad as I thought. Its certainly workable when full.
Does anyone else who uses this have any tips or advice they could offer me?
Example... How long the battery will last?
How far a full tank would go?
How you fill it up?
What settings are best?
etc etc.
Thanks
Matthew
-
That looks a neat bit o kit. I use a trolley but would always welcome a backpack (altho I have a spinal problems ::) so not so sure).
-
You will love your new toy ;)
I can't tell you how long the battery will last, I have never used mine until it was flat
I can get two 3 bedroom houses on a full tank on setting 2
If its a first clean I use setting 2 if its a regular I can turn it down to setting 1, I have never used setting 3 and 4.
I use a 12v caravan pump to fill mine up takes less than 2 minutes to fill, I used to use my 100psi pump on my trailer but I could have a cupa tea while waiting for it to fill up.
I don't carry it on my back, I put it onto a folding trolley make life a lot easier.
-
Thanks bod,
Not sure it would be a good idea for you with your spinal probs. Better sticking to the trolley.
-
I'm waiting for mine to arrive any day now...
-
You will love your new toy ;)
I love it already and I haven't used it yet! ;D
I don't carry it on my back, I put it onto a folding trolley make life a lot easier.
But thats the whole point of a back pack. To make life easier and you pull it around on a trolley?? ;D ;D I had a trolley set up and ditched it after 2 months. I hated it!
-
This is the pump I use Matt
(http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k23/jeffo_01/TransfersmallPump2.jpg)
(http://i84.photobucket.com/albums/k23/jeffo_01/12vTransfersmallPump.jpg)
-
You will love your new toy ;)
I love it already and I haven't used it yet! ;D
I don't carry it on my back, I put it onto a folding trolley make life a lot easier.
But thats the whole point of a back pack. To make life easier and you pull it around on a trolley?? ;D ;D I had a trolley set up and ditched it after 2 months. I hated it!
I only use it on a few places, if I carried it around on my back, I'd tilt over and be stuck there forever ;D ;D
-
Matthew,
Was it you who E-Mailed me?
Give me a call on 07815106363 and I'll answer your questions
David
-
Yes it was me! ;D
Will speak one day next week. (i will phone you) ;)
-
Matt, does the Pack come with Tank Batt and Pump or are they all seperate parts you need to buy.
Wayne
-
Jeff. Thats the same pump I use as my transfer from static to van. Its 30ft+ away but still gets there in the end. It takes about 1 hour to fill my 650L 3/4 the way up.
I don't mind the wait. It a chance to nip out to the van and escape the missus ;D
I have a 12v sub pump with a 1inch outlet and that fills a 25L container in about 30 seconds. Maybe that would do me for filling up?
-
Matt, does the Pack come with Tank Batt and Pump or are they all seperate parts you need to buy.
Wayne
It comes complete.
Tank, pump, bat, straps, charger, hose & trigger
-
Jeff,
SNAP :D
Thats the pump I use out of 30ltr barrels in my trailer.
I don't lift the BP at all. I have it mounted on the back of my trailer at about back height. I keep it full so when I arrive at a job all I do is un strap it, back up to the BP, slip the harness and belt on, lift very slightly, grab a pole, connect on the run, turn on setting 1 and away I go.
I NEVER LIFT IT UP ;)
David
-
Jeff. Thats the same pump I use as my transfer from static to van. Its 30ft+ away but still gets there in the end. It takes about 1 hour to fill my 650L 3/4 the way up.
I don't mind the wait. It a chance to nip out to the van and escape the missus ;D
I have a 12v sub pump with a 1inch outlet and that fills a 25L container in about 30 seconds. Maybe that would do me for filling up?
Any 12v pump will do Matt, as long as its not your main pump on your van, you could watch paint dry before it fills up if you do.
-
Jeff,
SNAP :D
Thats the pump I use out of 30ltr barrels in my trailer.
I don't lift the BP at all. I have it mounted on the back of my trailer at about back height. I keep it full so when I arrive at a job all I do is un strap it, back up to the BP, slip the harness and belt on, lift very slightly, grab a pole, connect on the run, turn on setting 1 and away I go.
I NEVER LIFT IT UP ;)
David
Dave it was you who gave me the idea? ;D I had a couple of spare ones in my caravan so put them both to work. I have seen postings of your set-up and the way you load your backpack, even so, your built like a brick out house ;D and used to carrying damsels in distress down ladders ;D my backs not 100% anymore, so I trundle along with it on my little folding trolley.
Matt, Dave is you man for advice on backpacks, he has it all down to a T
-
I dont have a static system yet so the only option is to fill is direct from di set up in van. I take it this will take around 15 to 20 mins to fill from 100psi surflow.
Definatley need to get one of these as I have a few now were it will be very handy.
Wayne
-
wayne,
Why dont you just pre-fill a couple of 25L containers and pour them straight into the backpack? That wouldn't take long.
Thats what I will be doing to start off.
-
Jeff,
Got to be honest there are some times I'm tempted to put it on a trolley :o
I am having a New Trailer built at the moment ;D Should be on the run in a week.
It is a 490KG Benderup with a double ladder rack(front and back) for my ladder and the poles and a rack for the BP. a 250ltr tank with a 50ltr/min 12v transfer pump.
When its done I will post a few pics. I am applying for a patent on the design of the racks.
So........WATCH THIS SPACE ;)
David
-
That would take around a good hour. A good hour of peace and quiet out of the way ;D
Cheers Matt
-
Jeff,
Got to be honest there are some times I'm tempted to put it on a trolley :o
I am having a New Trailer built at the moment ;D Should be on the run in a week.
It is a 490KG Benderup with a double ladder rack(front and back) for my ladder and the poles and a rack for the BP. a 250ltr tank with a 50ltr/min 12v transfer pump.
When its done I will post a few pics. I am applying for a patent on the design of the racks.
So........WATCH THIS SPACE ;)
David
Did you see the trailer I built Dave?? Ladder rack and fully alarmed, the guy next door came around and told me today, My trailer alarm had gone off at lunch time, when I went to the hospital to see the boss,
when he came out to have a look, he seen the post man taking his bag of the top of it, he told me the poor old posty nearly had a heart attack. ;D ;D
-
Jeff,
I just E-Mailed you with an electrical Question
David
-
I have used it now for 1 week.
Its so much quicker than the van mount.
It brilliant!!!!!!!!!
The first couple of day's I found it hard going on my back and neck. Now I don't even notice I'm wearing it!
I haven't used my van mount since I got it.
I'm backpacking absolutely everything!
Everyone should have one
-
Jeff,
I just E-Mailed you with an electrical Question
David
Sorted ;)
I have used it now for 1 week.
Its so much quicker than the van mount.
It brilliant!!!!!!!!!
The first couple of day's I found it hard going on my back and neck. Now I don't even notice I'm wearing it!
I haven't used my van mount since I got it.
I'm backpacking absolutely everything!
Everyone should have one
They are brilliant, mine has gotten me out of the poo many a time.
I'm a weed and don't carry it on my back, I just stick it on a trolley, not had a problem yet! but I agree with you, everyone should have one?
Don't forget there also there as a back-up, say your van/Trailer mount packs up, at least you have an emergency back-up so you can continue your work? ;)
-
Don't forget there also there as a back-up, say your van/Trailer mount packs up, at least you have an emergency back-up so you can continue your work? ;)
So true, one of my pumps packed up on Wednesday, only a loose wire but couldn't repair it on the road. 2 of us had to work with only 1 reel and pump. Had the back pack with us which got us out of the problem.
Amazingly it only took a little longer filling up the backpack with the one pump and then working with the one pump and back pack than it would have to have had both pumps working.
Simon.
-
Hi clear vision,
glad you like your backpack,but can you tell me why you find it better than your van mount.
Only ask becuase I' ve been thinking about getting a van mount of sorts to make life,I thought,easier.
I use a backpack,I suppose you must be saying its easier to carry water with you than to pull hoses everywhere,
Tim
-
I have used it now for 1 week.
Its so much quicker than the van mount.
It brilliant!!!!!!!!!
The first couple of day's I found it hard going on my back and neck. Now I don't even notice I'm wearing it!
I haven't used my van mount since I got it.
I'm backpacking absolutely everything!
Everyone should have one
and when jeffs new backpack invention comes out, its going to get easier, ;D hurry up i want one lol
-
Hi clear vision,
glad you like your backpack,but can you tell me why you find it better than your van mount.
Only ask becuase I' ve been thinking about getting a van mount of sorts to make life,I thought,easier.
I use a backpack suppose you must be saying its easier to carry water with you than to pull hoses everywhere,
Tim
I have worked with my van mount for little over a year now. Since my backpack arrived this Monday I have used it since then. I now realised what a waste of time the van mount was and wished I bought the backpack sooner!!!!!
I will tell you why I like it so much.....
1. Pull up to the house reverse into the back pack, grab your pole and off you go!
2. No trailing hoses across the pavement no worrying when your round the back of a house if anyone will trip over it.
3. No signs required. (trip hazard)
4. No hose getting caught on plants, steps, stones, furniture etc.
5. Total control between windows as the tap is on your waste. (i know you can still have a tap on yer wast on a fixed reel)
6. So much quicker on every job.
7. Don't need to worry where you park as you can walk a mile with the back pack.
I could go on and on.
I just love it. Best investment I have ever made.
I was narrow mined before and I always said to myself, "I don't know why people bother with it. What a wast of time" How wrong was I :-[
You have total freedom with a backpack.
With a van mount you are limited to where you can go. (for access issues)
I have a lot of houses on a main street and parking the van there is a big no no so I used the ladders for them. I would park the van round the back of one of the houses and take the ladders with me and do the whole lot before returning to the van. Now this is where it will come into a league of its own!!!!!!!
-
I forgot to add..........
Although I dont like my 2 van mounts I will never be without them especially for large commercial jobs or large houses. And even as backup.
-
is the water flow as good as a van mount?if not does it make any difference
-
Its a 40 psi pump that the backpack has compared to a average 100psi pump in a van. But remember that the van mount usually has to force the water through 100m of microbore where as the backpack only has to pump through 1m and then 18ft up a pole.
There are 4 speed settings on the backpack. 1,2,3 &4
And to be really honest with you setting 1 is too fast and that's supposed to be the slowest setting.
Setting 4 is very powerfull and I wouldn't advise you to use that as your tank will run dry very quickly.
So taking into account that the van mount has to pump through 100m and the back pack has only to pump 1m, I would say power wise they are much and such.
Matthew
-
I use mine for any stand alone job. I have it mounted on a very lightweight shopping trolley frame. I also use 10 metres of flexible hose with it. Dai
-
and why did you buy a backpack matthew... :P
i wouldnt be without mine now either, i bought mine a few days before you, but i worked toda from 11 - 6 and has been one of my best ever days, and i wasnt charging round, it was just easy...well i was charging round actually cause of the speed of it lol!
-
It puts a spell on you, once its on you go fast and dont want to take it off. I only carry 10L but use fine water control to make it last.
-
How long does the container last you in terms of time,i know how long it takes me to clean some of my houses so this would give me an indication if i would need to re-fil to finish a house,and also can you buy the back pack containers on there own if so how much are they.Cheers.
-
I can usually do the tops of 3 houses on 10L, dont think they are sold seperately but Omni might have spares ?
-
How long does the container last you in terms of time,i know how long it takes me to clean some of my houses so this would give me an indication if i would need to re-fil to finish a house,and also can you buy the back pack containers on there own if so how much are they.Cheers.
Thats a hard one to answer.
I have only ran out of water on 1 house and I have probably done near 70 houses this week.
On tuesday I did 3x 3 bed semis on 1 tank and still had 3 litres left.
I also did 2 large 3 bed detatched bungalows on 1 tank.
If you can keep on top of the cleans every time you go back they should be reasonably clean and you shouldn't use much water.
-
What setting did you use it on to do that amount on 1 tank,and does it honestly produce enough water on the window,others that i`ve spoken to say there not impressed but i do want one.Also how long does the battery last you each charge,i think i`ll buy a spare battery.
-
amazingly I got one of these the other day as I am way too careful with ladders and squeegie my hourly rate with them is rather poor. So for me this back was either the make or break of my business.
Well it surprised me. Very easy to use, mine has a yellow tap rather than a trigger though but thats OK by me.
One question.
How do I know how long to charge the battery for? Its just like a mobile phone charger and I have not got a clue how long its supposed to be charged. It has a 1A output so I stuck it on for 7 hrs and the battery was just starting to feel warm.
My guess is I am going to have to check the thing every hour to see, or buy some special charger (now theres an idea).
Now for an answer.
Someone wanted to know how long it lasted. I have mine by my side so I will be back in an hour or so with some stats ;)
-
Karl,
I just stick it on charge before I go to bed and by the morning it's fully charged. You wont go far wrong by doing that.
I also charge it every 2 days
-
karl it wont overcharge, its called inteligent or something like that, its safer to get a spare battery
just in case you run out of power,
-
it shot two liters out in 100 secs on Level 1
it shot two liters out in 75 secs on Level 2
it shot two liters out in 65 secs on level 3
it shot two liters out in 55 secs on level 4
This was keeping the pipework as flat as possible (on my 18ft pole) coiled up and lifting up to get in the bath (the pipe, not me, I do not take a bath during scientific experiments). As for the science, well its not that accurate and the time was rounded off to the nearest 5 secs to show that it was not a pin point dead cert.
-
Thanks for sharing that info karl. That was good of you to do that.
But remember you will be turning it on and off between windows so It won't use as much water
-
and i just read the manual, and your right, the charger does switch from high to low power when the battery is full.
Yes the seconds were just to give a vague indication of flow rate. if you said it pumped out 1 Ltr per min on low rate and 2 Ltr a min on high you would not be miles out.
-
I changed the hozelock fitting on the backpack to the schrarder tap fitting.
I hate hozelock!!
-
I will tell you why I like it so much.....
1. Pull up to the house reverse into the back pack, grab your pole and off you go!
2. No trailing hoses across the pavement no worrying when your round the back of a house if anyone will trip over it.
3. No signs required. (trip hazard)
4. No hose getting caught on plants, steps, stones, furniture etc.
5. Total control between windows as the tap is on your waste. (i know you can still have a tap on yer wast on a fixed reel)
6. So much quicker on every job.
7. Don't need to worry where you park as you can walk a mile with the back pack.
I have a van mount but use a trolley instead of backpack most of the time now. I find the points made here are the same for me.
Water usage is considerably less for me now as well.
A portable system is well worth having whether you have a van mount or not.
Using extra length pole hose now has made life quicker and easier still.
-
Thats the tap i got with mine.
Glad its a good one. :)
-
Its great!
That was supposed to come with mine but the boy in the warehouse forgot to put it on. They sent it the next day!
Its just a simple gas tap
-
matthew, why would you need the schrarder flow controler when you have the autobrush,
-
Mathew,
My shraeder female is forever giving me trouble, I have had to change 3 and they are £8 each. I think I get dirt in them on gardens. Any comments?
Like mines fine, or yes they go but they are worth it because they are better?
What I do now when one is playing up is replace it, and then put it into soapy water to try and clear it. Sometimes they are reusable. If anyone knows how to fix them please tell me. Otherwise I think I will have to order another 3 as spares.
(i do not have a back pack)
-
that taps huuuuuuuuuge!
-
Mathew,
My shraeder female is forever giving me trouble, I have had to change 3 and they are £8 each. I think I get dirt in them on gardens. Any comments?
Like mines fine, or yes they go but they are worth it because they are better?
What I do now when one is playing up is replace it, and then put it into soapy water to try and clear it. Sometimes they are reusable. If anyone knows how to fix them please tell me. Otherwise I think I will have to order another 3 as spares.
(i do not have a back pack)
just get a small length of pipe lagging,(http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t42/joeuk_bucket/tuberange.jpg) slip it over the hose, when you join the connector, simply slip the piece of lagging over the shraeder, this will keep the dirt out as well as protecting it, just like the tennis ball idea.
(http://i157.photobucket.com/albums/t42/joeuk_bucket/ezsnapandball_copyrightGPS_do_not_u.jpg)
-
Mathew,
My shrarder female is forever giving me trouble, I have had to change 3 and they are £8 each. I think I get dirt in them on gardens. Any comments?
Like mines fine, or yes they go but they are worth it because they are better?
(i do not have a back pack)
I can only think you are trailing the fitting across grass, drives, gravel etc when reeling in. Thats the only way they get knackered.
When i got my new van mount system I was always dragging my shrarder fitting through everything. Within a week it was leaking and not working properly.
Now my back pack fitting NEVER touches the ground and it's working perfectly!
The secret is, look after it and it will look after you.
-
matthew, why would you need the schrarder flow controler when you have the autobrush,
I dont use the auto brush joe. I just use the yellow cleantech one and the rectangular vikan ;)
oh...... and a blue gaz mon filliament swivel brush.
-
This is the taps I use, on my hose reel and my backpack, apart from the handle snapping (because of the dragging along the ground) they have served me well since december last year. supplied by purefreedom
-
It's not the tap thats the problem (for me) it's the pushy in release thingy.
-
Hi guys just got the back pack because of all the praise in this thread, seems a decent bit of kit. Can any 1 tell me where i can buy that caravan pump is there some where online? Will be pumping water out of main tank in van. Thanks
-
It's not the tap thats the problem (for me) it's the pushy in release thingy.
Just had to get another 2, considering these are supposed to offer great wear resistance I'm finding they last 2 to 3 months at best, thats with a protectaball thing on it. Just starts leaking and spraying water out the connection, and i leave it permanently connected so it's not as if its down to that to wear it out!!
Anything any better?
-
I`m getting my backpack tomorrow and am getting the microbore connecter,but why cant i just put a female microbore fitting on the end of the backpack,going by what people are saying you have to have the fitting in picture.
-
Re: Just received a new toy today. (pics)
« Reply #57 on: Today at 05:12:43pm »
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Quote from: Rain Water Eco WFP Systems on June 24, 2007, 05:58:47 PM
It's not the tap thats the problem (for me) it's the pushy in release thingy.
Just had to get another 2, considering these are supposed to offer great wear resistance I'm finding they last 2 to 3 months at best, thats with a protectaball thing on it. Just starts leaking and spraying water out the connection, and i leave it permanently connected so it's not as if its down to that to wear it out!!
Anything any better?
Yeah, and I said to Justin does anyone else have problems with these and he said 'No no that I know of they are normally very reliable' but I though I caught a catch in his voice like a- yeah right and i'm going to be telling you at nine quid a pop once we've got you on the drip feed- But I do have a vivid imagination.
-
I`m getting my backpack tomorrow and am getting the microbore connecter,but why cant i just put a female microbore fitting on the end of the backpack,going by what people are saying you have to have the fitting in picture.
You can just put the female connecter on the back pack hose. You don't need the whole tap set up if you don't want to. I just like it ;)