Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Captain Scarlet on February 26, 2008, 02:50:52 pm

Title: CRAZY PUMP!!
Post by: Captain Scarlet on February 26, 2008, 02:50:52 pm
Well on my last job today the pump decided to stop working so I was inspecting it for a while, checking connection etc etc but nothing. So I concluded it was an air lock so gave the pump a few knocks, and we hey it started again!

So went to the pole and nothing! So went back only to find the electrical fitting on the front of the pump ( white plastic piece on red wire into pump ) smoking, so turned the varistream off quickly and pulled it out.

So I checked the fuse...fine. Then plugged the wire back into the pump and started it and gave it some more knocks but it started smoking again. So stopped it again

So decided to get my screwdriver and open up this far left part of the pump ( 3 screws )

(http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41GhhGkMoTL._AA280_.jpg)

The bit with the two red wire going in.

Inside was a spring and a small plastic piece, so I thought maybe the spring was the cause so I extended ( strechted ) it a bit and replaced everthing...then it worked and carried on working just fine.

So when I got home not long back just felt the part with the wire going in to see if it was hot, it was quite warm but dont know it thats normal as Ive never felt it before!

If it gets knackered its fine as I have a spare pump now,

Luke

Title: Re: CRAZY PUMP!!
Post by: Old_Master on February 26, 2008, 03:24:51 pm
Do you also do home electric repairs?  ;D
Title: Re: CRAZY PUMP!!
Post by: Roy Harding on February 26, 2008, 03:25:47 pm
Luke if you are using the Varistream those wires should have been removed, it does say this on the fitting instructions.

Roy
Title: Re: CRAZY PUMP!!
Post by: Captain Scarlet on February 26, 2008, 03:27:35 pm
My system was all fitted, Luke
Title: Re: CRAZY PUMP!!
Post by: Alex Gardiner on February 26, 2008, 03:33:54 pm
Sounds like a sticking pressure switch. Fiddling with the spring will have freed it.
Title: Re: CRAZY PUMP!!
Post by: Roy Harding on February 26, 2008, 03:34:06 pm
Did they install it with those wire connected then?

Because if they did they are wrong check the diagram on this link.

http://www.williamsonpumps.com/VARISTREAM.html

Roy
Title: Re: CRAZY PUMP!!
Post by: Captain Scarlet on February 26, 2008, 04:04:22 pm
Roy the system is wired all fine.

I just went out to try it now and it wouldnt work so I replaced all them parts with the ones off the new pump. It sounds like the small white ring was sticking and the spring was wrong, heres some pictures of the old ones. The pump is working fine now with all the new bits off my spare pump:

(http://lh6.google.co.uk/rupertthehair/R8Q3su9naNI/AAAAAAAAA58/mVCw3aQpDSw/IMG_2955.JPG?imgmax=512)

(http://lh5.google.co.uk/rupertthehair/R8Q3ue9naOI/AAAAAAAAA6E/lrHsNpzUiTg/IMG_2956.JPG?imgmax=512)

(http://lh4.google.co.uk/rupertthehair/R8Q3vO9naPI/AAAAAAAAA6M/_v_2R05JbiQ/IMG_2957.JPG?imgmax=512)

I think I might give it all a clean and replace it and see if it works later, if not I will just buy a new one for my spare pump! Luke

Title: Re: CRAZY PUMP!!
Post by: d s windowcleaning on February 26, 2008, 04:31:31 pm
luke i agree with roy harding them wires should not be in use , i thought the idea of a varistream was to replace the pressure switch , the section youve removed is the pressure switch that shouldnt even be in use .
Title: Re: CRAZY PUMP!!
Post by: Captain Scarlet on February 26, 2008, 04:36:11 pm
I thought the varisteam protected the pressure switch not replaced it. Anyway I just unplugged those wires and without them the pump doesnt work, Luke
Title: Re: CRAZY PUMP!!
Post by: Roy Harding on February 26, 2008, 04:40:22 pm
luke i agree with roy harding them wires should not be in use , i thought the idea of a varistream was to replace the pressure switch , the section youve removed is the pressure switch that shouldnt even be in use .

Spot on.

Roy
Title: Re: CRAZY PUMP!!
Post by: Jon-scwindows on February 26, 2008, 04:46:32 pm
it should work if you unplug and completely remove the wires to the pressure switch, the black and red wires at the back of the pump should go straight to the varistream.
Title: Re: CRAZY PUMP!!
Post by: d s windowcleaning on February 26, 2008, 04:59:13 pm
no luke it dos replace your pressure switch , you say you had you system fitted and if its fitted wrongly which it is then you should be able to take it back and have it replaced its there fault mate not yours the 2 wires that go to the vari stream come from the top of the pump .
Title: Re: CRAZY PUMP!!
Post by: Captain Scarlet on February 26, 2008, 05:00:59 pm
Ok this is how mine is wired:

(http://lh6.google.co.uk/rupertthehair/R8REpu9naQI/AAAAAAAAA6s/P4F3Lh4AncQ/pump.JPG?imgmax=400)

and your saying this is how it should be wired with a varistream:

(http://lh5.google.co.uk/rupertthehair/R8RFEe9naRI/AAAAAAAAA60/FlISnnPm9YQ/pump%202.JPG?imgmax=400)

ok so thats easy enough to change, so the benefits are:

the pressure switch is no longer used?

anything else?



Title: Re: CRAZY PUMP!!
Post by: d s windowcleaning on February 26, 2008, 05:08:06 pm
yes bottom picture is correct way for wires to go , benifit being your varistream will now be wired correctly and you shouldnt get smoke . if i was you mate id be in touch with those who fitted it as it was done wrong mate .
Title: Re: CRAZY PUMP!!
Post by: Captain Scarlet on February 26, 2008, 05:17:02 pm
Ok then I will wire it up properly later. The fitters did wire it up correctly just not in the optimum way. Ive lost nothing so whats the point in complaining, Luke
Title: Re: CRAZY PUMP!!
Post by: Captain Scarlet on February 26, 2008, 06:12:52 pm
Thanks for all your help Roy and Dave! Luke
Title: Re: CRAZY PUMP!!
Post by: alanwilson on February 26, 2008, 09:17:55 pm
no luke - the fitters didn't do it right at all  -williamson pumps tell you in the instructions that you must remove the connecting wire to the pressure switch. 

Poor
Title: Re: CRAZY PUMP!!
Post by: d s windowcleaning on February 26, 2008, 09:40:21 pm
luke if youve now changed the wireing you minght need to adjust the blue dial inside the varistream you will find out better the next time you use it .
Title: Re: CRAZY PUMP!!
Post by: MartinB on February 27, 2008, 05:29:50 pm
Hello Luke

They guys on here are correct - your Varistream appears to have been wired up incorrectly. Change the wiring to the new diagram and it should be fine. When a Varistream is fitted it takes over from the the pressure switch. All this does now is block up the hole in the end of the pump!

It sounds like your pressure switch has still been working, hence the burnt unit.

I have emailed you a full set of operating & installation instructions, and details on how to set up the shut off to the correct pressure.

Martin
Williamson Pumps Ltd
Title: Re: CRAZY PUMP!!
Post by: Captain Scarlet on February 27, 2008, 05:33:50 pm
Great, thank you very much Martin!!! Thats very kind of you  :) Luke
Title: Re: CRAZY PUMP!!
Post by: macmac on February 27, 2008, 09:47:08 pm
Who fitted the system luke, it was wcw wasn't it?

Tony
Title: Re: CRAZY PUMP!!
Post by: macmac on February 27, 2008, 10:15:05 pm
Hope you've not gone shy luke, surely those "experts?" could not have made such a fundamental error?

Tony
Title: Re: CRAZY PUMP!!
Post by: Captain Scarlet on February 27, 2008, 10:20:45 pm
It doesnt matter who the system was fitted by. What matters is now I can change it! They by no means did it wrong, just didnt do it the optimum way! I dont like naming and shaming because I feel like my fitter did a good job and I had a good deal. Luke
Title: Re: CRAZY PUMP!!
Post by: macmac on February 27, 2008, 10:33:19 pm
But wouldn't it only be fair to make fellow members aware of who could also supply them with an incorrectly wired pump?  :o

Tony
Title: Re: CRAZY PUMP!!
Post by: frames to panes on February 27, 2008, 10:35:05 pm
Can i play too?
Are they the ones who fitted your tank with that dodgey strap that goes the wrong way?  ;)
Title: Re: CRAZY PUMP!!
Post by: L.J.Thorpe on February 27, 2008, 10:42:11 pm
It doesnt matter who the system was fitted by. What matters is now I can change it! They by no means did it wrong, just didnt do it the optimum way! I dont like naming and shaming because I feel like my fitter did a good job and I had a good deal. Luke
i dont want to cause a fall out but really mate they DID do it wrong because the point of a varistream is that it by passes the pressure switch
Title: Re: CRAZY PUMP!!
Post by: macmac on February 27, 2008, 11:10:29 pm
It doesnt matter who the system was fitted by. What matters is now I can change it! They by no means did it wrong, just didnt do it the optimum way! I dont like naming and shaming because I feel like my fitter did a good job and I had a good deal. Luke
i dont want to cause a fall out but really mate they DID do it wrong because the point of a varistream is that it by passes the pressure switch

Don't you dare question the expertise of a supplier that cleans some big buildings in london! :o

Tony
Title: Re: CRAZY PUMP!!
Post by: *foxman on February 28, 2008, 10:11:30 am
Oh, and I'd love Luke to tell you how much he paid for everything he had! I think anyone would put up with unplugging the two connectors on the pump for that  ;D
Title: Re: CRAZY PUMP!!
Post by: [GQC] Tim on February 28, 2008, 10:23:58 am
Oh, and I'd love Luke to tell you how much he paid for everything he had! I think anyone would put up with unplugging the two connectors on the pump for that  ;D

Not an excuse sorry mate. If I as a DIY'er can read the manual, so should a business after 3 years.

Could potentially have started a fire aswell.
Title: Re: CRAZY PUMP!!
Post by: *foxman on February 28, 2008, 10:28:50 am
Start a fire?? ???

It would be the maker of the Varistream fault if that was the case, there is no warning on the instructions about that happening.
Title: Re: CRAZY PUMP!!
Post by: frames to panes on February 28, 2008, 05:05:08 pm
It was more fun when you were knocking Gardiners eh Foxman? ;D
Title: Re: CRAZY PUMP!!
Post by: *foxman on February 28, 2008, 05:15:30 pm
Yup  ;D  ;D
Title: Re: CRAZY PUMP!!
Post by: Captain Scarlet on February 28, 2008, 06:34:26 pm
Dont worry foxman, I was happy with my system!! ( please leave it alone macmac!!! ) You didnt need to come on here and reveal yourself mate, its a minor error, as you say we did a job on the way back down in South Wales!!!
Title: Re: CRAZY PUMP!!
Post by: Captain Scarlet on February 28, 2008, 06:36:42 pm
 
Quote
It doesnt matter who the system was fitted by. What matters is now I can change it! They by no means did it wrong, just didnt do it the optimum way! I dont like naming and shaming because I feel like my fitter did a good job and I had a good deal. Luke

Dont give foxman a hard time as I said it was unimportant who fitted the system, the way it was set up it all worked fine, I always promote WCW because they are the cheapest in the UK ( I know, I searched for weeks finding the cheapest supplier ) And whenever I have had a problem they have helped, there good guys and provide a good service. Oh and today I earned the most I ever have by myself, all thanks to my beautiful system. I didnt actually realise the wiring was wrong until somebody brought it to my attention on here! Luke
Title: Re: CRAZY PUMP!!
Post by: macmac on February 28, 2008, 07:32:58 pm
But wouldn't it only be fair to make fellow members aware of who could also supply them with an incorrectly wired pump?  :o

Tony

Tony, I know you have a hard time understanding things ::)  it takes two seconds to remove the pressure switch connnectors from the pump - thats all it is. An oversite  ::)

when Luke and his Dad, Keiran came down the system was fitted in, tested. worked and they left the warehouse and did a job on the way home.

We don't tend to fit systems in that much - but we've done over 300 in 3 years. Everyone of them happy - as far as i know. Can people say that about your window cleaning???? hmmmmmmm

PS. whats with the "experts"? I seem to have taught you a thing or two about resin in the last month- so bow to the knowledge - you might learn something outside of your little world !!

I'll bow & give you this one foxman, it made me chuckle. we'll have to have another resin debate again soon :-*
VERY BAD mistake though, quite amature in nature i thought ::)

Tony
Title: Re: CRAZY PUMP!!
Post by: macmac on February 28, 2008, 10:50:40 pm
Quote
I think in life people do make mistakes, but thats is life. macmac have you got a personal axe to grind with the guys from wcw? judging from some of your comments on this thread I believe you do. 

No but foxman does his fair share of knocking others & thinks he is superior in knowlage (what a laugh).
As he quoted " we don't fit many systems"  Errr, yeah, we can tell ::)

So, they cock up the wiring on the pump then admit that they don't fit many systems! But (& this is the best bit) THEY'RE CHEAP! (good job by the sounds).

I think he would be better at driving tractors or lifting heavy things, anyway, just remember, (apparently) they're cheap. ;)
Title: Re: CRAZY PUMP!!
Post by: craig21t on February 28, 2008, 11:20:50 pm
mmmmm, by your reply, i think you have got a problem with foxman. TBH, it seems luke is happy with the job he has had done for him. So i ask why have you taken it on yourself to take this small problem with a set up and turn it into something it is not. Think it may be time to wind your neck in, we are supposed to be professionals, and you seem hell bent to turn it into a tit for tat battle with foxman and wcw. The problem has been sorted by luke very easily, and yes i agree it was a silly mistake to make by the fitter, but its sorted, no harm, no foul.
Got to love these keyboard warriors. Peace out.
Title: Re: CRAZY PUMP!!
Post by: Captain Scarlet on February 28, 2008, 11:26:14 pm
Thanks Craig!!! Luke