Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: m.b.s. on July 11, 2007, 07:17:54 pm

Title: flow valve
Post by: m.b.s. on July 11, 2007, 07:17:54 pm

i have just bought a flow valve that fits on to your 6mm microbore hosepipe do you still need a variestream controller or not

Title: Re: flow valve
Post by: Chris Cottrell on July 11, 2007, 07:23:52 pm

yes

Title: Re: flow valve
Post by: Alex Gardiner on July 11, 2007, 09:12:59 pm

No!

Title: Re: flow valve
Post by: Luke Johnson on July 11, 2007, 09:15:41 pm

is that a sarcastc no? poor mbs

Title: Re: flow valve
Post by: jeff1 on July 11, 2007, 09:17:24 pm

Quote from: Luke Johnson on July 11, 2007, 09:15:41 pm

is that a sarcastc no? poor mbs

You won't get a sarcastic word from Alex

Title: Re: flow valve
Post by: Alex Gardiner on July 11, 2007, 09:21:54 pm

It is not sarcasm!  :)

I really think that for most situations you do not need a Varistream. I have been using these type of systems for 6 years and never yet needed one. Most pumps last for upwards of 3 years.

If you use a microbore set-up then the flow rate is about spot-on, so the valve is just used to turn the pole on and off.

Title: Re: flow valve
Post by: Davew on July 11, 2007, 09:27:42 pm

You learn something new every day!

Title: Re: flow valve
Post by: Alex Gardiner on July 11, 2007, 09:29:24 pm

Some will not agree with me, but proof of the pudding and all that!

Title: Re: flow valve
Post by: DASERVICES on July 11, 2007, 10:42:25 pm

Alex would it work with both make of pumps.

Title: Re: flow valve
Post by: *foxman on July 12, 2007, 07:21:35 am

A Varistream is an excellent piece of kit!!

It will protect the pump, give you a full range of flow control from a trickle to full blast, help you save water, keeps the flow rate equal at all heights, etc

Any pump problems i've encountered can in most cases be solved by using a Varistream. Not 'essential' but well worth the investment.

Title: Re: flow valve
Post by: Alex Gardiner on July 12, 2007, 07:28:39 am

Hi DA,

I could only recommend it for the Flojet pumps as Shurflo will not warranty their pumps for window cleaning use unless used with a Varistream.

As Foxman says there are some fringe benefits from using the Varistream (power use, etc) but if you are not worried about these things then it is not essential.

A good way of thinking is to use the set-up you have, if it works without problems then you are fine, if you have problems you can always add a Varistream.

Title: Re: flow valve
Post by: SherwoodCleaningSe on July 12, 2007, 12:27:10 pm

The one important thing with a flow valve is that you don't use it to regulate the flow.  Only use it for on or off not half and so on.  If you do then the pressure switch in the pump will pack in.

I have a varistream with flojet and regular size hose, I need the pump turned down to just above half otherwise I'd be wasting water as at full power it pumps out over 5 ltrs a min.  As Alex says the microbore hose would probably limit the water output.  I hardly ever alter the settings on the varistream but a good piece of kit.

Simon.