Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: Captain Scarlet on April 01, 2008, 09:57:19 pm

Title: GOT A BACKPACK
Post by: Captain Scarlet on April 01, 2008, 09:57:19 pm
Well at Windex I bought the WCing Warehouse backpack to suppliment my van mount and today I used it for the first time.

I am very impressed, it is by no means a viable alternative to a van mount ( just in my view!!! ) but its brilliant and must have saved me half an hour to an hour all day on domestic stuff.

I decided to use it on everything and on the first job used far too much water but then easily learnt to use it properly and could do an entire 3-4 bed semi with consevetory on one fill by the end of the day!!!!

For my commercial it is pointless but for my domestic it is one of the best things Ive ever bought.

It would also be very time consuming for first cleans. But today I just didnt even want to get the hose reel out, it was just far simpler to use the backpack. You also dont need any cones out as there are no trip hazards!!! So more time saved. I always knew it would be a handy add on to my van mount, but I can see it replacing it for quite a bit of work, Luke
Title: Re: GOT A BACKPACK
Post by: Captain Scarlet on April 01, 2008, 10:01:37 pm
Oh and another thing, I never once used it on my back!!!! Just carried it around with its handle, so less stressfull than hose!!

The way I have it set up is with a ball valve on the end of the backpack hose ( always left open shrader connector which prevents the water flowing until connected ), to the ball valve on my hip. So that way the backpack can be left on all the time and control the flow at the hip! Luke
Title: Re: GOT A BACKPACK
Post by: Dean Aspects on April 01, 2008, 10:39:58 pm
I got a backpack for the same reason as sometimes it is just so much easier to use it rather than having to set my hose out but i wouldnt want to use it all day

Dean
Title: Re: GOT A BACKPACK
Post by: matt on April 01, 2008, 11:36:51 pm
oh no luke

that will set the fireworks off

stand back and watch the display  :D :D
Title: Re: GOT A BACKPACK
Post by: chris@c.m.s on April 02, 2008, 12:11:53 am
Too late for April fools wasn't it ?
Title: Re: GOT A BACKPACK
Post by: Wayne Thomas on April 02, 2008, 12:36:19 am
What pressure is the pump on this handheld backpack? My last backpack fell over a balcony railing 4 storeys up (with a little push, lol) and I'm looking for a better type replacement.
Title: Re: GOT A BACKPACK
Post by: Captain Scarlet on April 02, 2008, 10:13:17 am
(http://www.windowcleaningwarehouse.co.uk/shop/components/com_virtuemart/shop_image/product/1dc4cbb3d16b30e62db61b0331430f63.jpg)

http://www.windowcleaningwarehouse.co.uk/shop/products/accessories/wcw-backpack.html

Its this one, think it might be 40 psi??? It comes out at a good flow rate, but then I use the tap to lower it, Luke

Title: Re: GOT A BACKPACK
Post by: jouk45 on April 02, 2008, 10:29:25 am
luke, i was going to buy one like that, but the comments that came back said it was not up to the job, and would not last the whole day, plus they said the pump was rubbish, so i ended up buy a shurflo, let us kow how it works out, you never said how much it cost you luke, jouk45
Title: Re: GOT A BACKPACK
Post by: Captain Scarlet on April 02, 2008, 04:39:36 pm
jouk, they were all wrong. Ive got it out of the box and NEVER even charged it and have used it for two days solid. The pump is perfectly capable of doing this job.

And ontop of that the Window Cleaning Warehouse have had hardly any complaints about them unlike their shurlfo ones they sell. But the jury is still out on its reliability. But from looking on other forums, all I have heard is lots and lots of positive comments regarding it.

Today I used it all day on my domestic, its great! Never once used the van mount, Luke
Title: Re: GOT A BACKPACK
Post by: Captain Scarlet on April 02, 2008, 04:42:41 pm
Another thing is you have to be careful with these type of products as many companies in China will produce nearly identical versions of the same product. I know people have bought ones very similar to this one ( even look nearly identical ) but I recommend going for the WC Warehouse one, Luke
Title: Re: GOT A BACKPACK
Post by: jouk45 on April 02, 2008, 04:48:35 pm
sounds good luke, where is the switch on it, i also like the solid handle on it, shurflo dont have a handle and is aquard to carry by hand, as you have to grab the strap,
Title: Re: GOT A BACKPACK
Post by: [GQC] Tim on April 02, 2008, 05:25:11 pm
£80 bucks. That's quite nice.

Can you provide us with some pics Luke? :)
Title: Re: GOT A BACKPACK
Post by: windowwashers on April 02, 2008, 06:04:07 pm
jouk, they were all wrong. Ive got it out of the box and NEVER even charged it and have used it for two days solid. The pump is perfectly capable of doing this job.

And ontop of that the Window Cleaning Warehouse have had hardly any complaints about them unlike their shurlfo ones they sell. But the jury is still out on its reliability. But from looking on other forums, all I have heard is lots and lots of positive comments regarding it.

Today I used it all day on my domestic, its great! Never once used the van mount, Luke
Luke

how are you filling it up each time and how long is it taking to fill?
I have some houses that I was thinking of getting one for.

Ian
Title: Re: GOT A BACKPACK
Post by: NWH on April 02, 2008, 06:15:59 pm
From your vanmount through hosereel it will take about 5 mins to fill it,can`t see it myself really they don`t hold enough water.How some use them allday to work with is beyond me,they should call them breakback packs.
Title: Re: GOT A BACKPACK
Post by: windowwashers on April 02, 2008, 06:27:02 pm
From your vanmount through hosereel it will take about 5 mins to fill it,can`t see it myself really they don`t hold enough water.How some use them allday to work with is beyond me,they should call them breakback packs.
I was thinking maybe installing a large tap in my system at the bottom with a thick hose say 2 inch would fill in less than a min that way.

there is no way working with a backpack would last all day the amount I have to do the battery is to small.

Ian
Title: Re: GOT A BACKPACK
Post by: NWH on April 02, 2008, 06:30:40 pm
Yeah that`s ok but your water would have to be 000 so it has to go through resin don`t forget unless your tank water is 000,my tank water is between 10-15 so it has to go through the hosereel.To much like hard work mate if you ask me,if i can get the hose to a window from the van then it`s job done you lift that breakback pack around with you allday long and you`ll know what i mean.
Title: Re: GOT A BACKPACK
Post by: windowwashers on April 02, 2008, 06:34:44 pm
Yeah that`s ok but your water would have to be 000 so it has to go through resin don`t forget unless your tank water is 000,my tank water is between 10-15 so it has to go through the hosereel.To much like hard work mate if you ask me,if i can get the hose to a window from the van then it`s job done you lift that breakback pack around with you allday long and you`ll know what i mean.
my tank water is 000 always is.

I would never carry it around allday but would be handy for the odd few house here and there.

I use van mount always unless I cant, and that is wear a back pack will come in, thought about maybe a trolley still not sure either way.

Ian
Title: Re: GOT A BACKPACK
Post by: NWH on April 02, 2008, 06:38:56 pm
I put mine on a trolley that i got from aldis,£18 and good quality aswell folds down to nothing but as i cable tied the backpack hose to the handle it had to stay upright.I have maybe 2-3 houses where it comes in handy but thats about it,i can see there usefull in some situations but i couldn`t use it for all my work it would be like pulling teeth.
Title: Re: GOT A BACKPACK
Post by: NWH on April 02, 2008, 06:39:46 pm
Windowwashers if your tank water is 000 why do you have a RO vanmount system for.
Title: Re: GOT A BACKPACK
Post by: windowwashers on April 02, 2008, 06:41:53 pm
Windowwashers if your tank water is 000 why do you have a RO vanmount system for.
I make the water from tap pre pre ro di di tank(pure)

I dont have storage at this house and I dont have a unit as yet, so needs must for the time being  :(
Title: Re: GOT A BACKPACK
Post by: NWH on April 02, 2008, 06:45:02 pm
You didn`t answer my question did you,you have a vanmount RO system you fill from a tap and your water goes in tank at anything from 2-15 after RO,it then goes through resin vessel after RO so what are you saying your making water at home and then transfering it into the tank.
Title: Re: GOT A BACKPACK
Post by: windowwashers on April 02, 2008, 06:45:52 pm
You didn`t answer my question did you,you have a vanmount RO system you fill from a tap and your water goes in tank at anything from 2-15 after RO,it then goes through resin vessel after RO so what are you saying your making water at home and then transfering it into the tank.
I make the water at home in my van
Title: Re: GOT A BACKPACK
Post by: Dave Turley on April 02, 2008, 07:13:13 pm
I nearly bought one of these at windex and will get one soon I think to compliment my van mount......

WOW!!! Just had a thought. when I get my hot water heater  I can put hot water in mw back pack!

 ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D
Title: Re: GOT A BACKPACK
Post by: NWH on April 02, 2008, 07:20:54 pm
You didn`t answer my question did you,you have a vanmount RO system you fill from a tap and your water goes in tank at anything from 2-15 after RO,it then goes through resin vessel after RO so what are you saying your making water at home and then transfering it into the tank.
I make the water at home in my van
So does it goes through resin and then into the tank making water 000 in tank,or does it goes through resin last and then hosereel.If it goes through resin and then into tank they set that system up a bit weird didn`t they.
Title: Re: GOT A BACKPACK
Post by: Captain Scarlet on April 02, 2008, 07:32:23 pm
I just bought it to compliment my van mount, but am enjoying its benefits. It is by NO means a true alternative to a van mount though ( just my opinion ). It takes about 3 mins to fill up with pure water straight from the di vessel. I have been filling it up while I take the bill to the customer and having it filling up outside the van, Luke
Title: Re: GOT A BACKPACK
Post by: windowwashers on April 02, 2008, 07:35:22 pm
You didn`t answer my question did you,you have a vanmount RO system you fill from a tap and your water goes in tank at anything from 2-15 after RO,it then goes through resin vessel after RO so what are you saying your making water at home and then transfering it into the tank.
I make the water at home in my van
So does it goes through resin and then into the tank making water 000 in tank,or does it goes through resin last and then hosereel.If it goes through resin and then into tank they set that system up a bit weird didn`t they.
why is it weird ? having a tank full of 000 and why would I want it di to hose thats asking for trouble if it goes up.  :-\
Title: Re: GOT A BACKPACK
Post by: NWH on April 02, 2008, 07:46:49 pm
You want the water to go through the resin last before it goes down the hosereel and up the pole really,i wouldn`t want pure water in the tank without it going through resin at the last second.They don`t normally set there systems up like that,yours in the pictures you posted looks like a conventional RO system and by that i mean you have a resin vessell for the final polish.
Title: Re: GOT A BACKPACK
Post by: Captain Scarlet on April 02, 2008, 07:47:43 pm
Ok so heres some pictures I just took now:

the backpack itself:
(http://lh4.google.co.uk/rupertthehair/R_PUH8tFKHI/AAAAAAAABBQ/WiFYlsoQQSc/IMG_2997.JPG.jpg?imgmax=512)

tap on backpack always left open and backpack switched on and other tap used on hip holster to control flow
(http://lh4.google.co.uk/rupertthehair/R_PUK8tFKII/AAAAAAAABBY/iCQJojZqpvc/IMG_2998.JPG.jpg?imgmax=512)

on/off switch on the side unlike the shurflo ( under )
(http://lh6.google.co.uk/rupertthehair/R_PUMctFKJI/AAAAAAAABBg/O0_TcmGeHVI/IMG_3000.JPG.jpg?imgmax=512)

the handle, and all together it weighs hardly nothing even with the water
(http://lh5.google.co.uk/rupertthehair/R_PUOMtFKKI/AAAAAAAABBo/nxyz7x_Ts-A/IMG_3001.JPG.jpg?imgmax=512)
Title: Re: GOT A BACKPACK
Post by: Jeff Brimble on April 02, 2008, 07:50:56 pm
I would guess at 15Lbs, thought it looked ok. Can you service/maintain it  it yourself ? ie change pumps, batteries etc.
Title: Re: GOT A BACKPACK
Post by: windowwashers on April 02, 2008, 07:52:16 pm
You want the water to go through the resin last before it goes down the hosereel and up the pole really,i wouldn`t want pure water in the tank without it going through resin at the last second.They don`t normally set there systems up like that,yours in the pictures you posted looks like a conventional RO system and by that i mean you have a resin vessell for the final polish.
Why ?

I test my water every day, allways 000


Jeff,

for the price he paid if it lasted a year it would pay for itself many times over
Title: Re: GOT A BACKPACK
Post by: Captain Scarlet on April 02, 2008, 07:55:36 pm
Jeff there are no spare parts available for this backpack, something which the Window Cleaning Warehouse made clear before I bought it. But at only £80 odd quid.......Luke
Title: Re: GOT A BACKPACK
Post by: Nathanael Jones on April 02, 2008, 10:12:51 pm
I got one of these,... and after seeing your pics Luke, I can tell you it's IDENTICAL!!!! £61 delivered,... just cut off the wand and fit a female minibore quick connect.

http://cgi.ebay.ie/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=190196228019&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=009
Title: Re: GOT A BACKPACK
Post by: Alex Wingrove on April 02, 2008, 11:18:56 pm
why do you have two taps?
Title: Re: GOT A BACKPACK
Post by: [GQC] Tim on April 03, 2008, 12:57:40 am
Okay, I'm really liking this thing, (mainly for the price).

Luke, what differences are there between this and the ShurFlo? Can you adjust the flow of water?
Title: Re: GOT A BACKPACK
Post by: steven ainger on April 03, 2008, 09:17:11 am
I got one of these,... and after seeing your pics Luke, I can tell you it's IDENTICAL!!!! £61 delivered,... just cut off the wand and fit a female minibore quick connect.

http://cgi.ebay.ie/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=190196228019&ssPageName=STRK:MEWN:IT&ih=009

ive got one of these b/ps off ebay and it works ok, i only want it for the occassional hard to access job, the pumps abit noisey though,just fit a flow valve and you can adjust it as you want, or have 2 flow valves and have one as a fixed flow regulator and the other as an on/off
Title: Re: GOT A BACKPACK
Post by: Captain Scarlet on April 03, 2008, 11:21:32 am
Quote
why do you have two taps?

the first tap running from the backpack is always left open but stops the water flow until connected to a connecter thus meaning I dont have to switch the backpack off. Then the other tap is on my hip so I can control the flow.

Quote
Luke, what differences are there between this and the ShurFlo? Can you adjust the flow of water?

Mainly the price and according to the Window Cleaning Warehouse thy get far less complaints about these compared to their shurflo ones. But its early days so I cannot comment on its reliability. But I can tell you that straight from the box WITHOUT being charged it ran for 2 complete days, Luke