Clean It Up

UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: david washbrook on June 20, 2008, 10:58:03 pm

Title: slx
Post by: david washbrook on June 20, 2008, 10:58:03 pm
hi all just wondering how they are doing as i'm waiting for the next batch to arrive (any idea alex)
are they worth the money? honest opins please

thanks
dave
Title: Re: slx
Post by: pingu on June 21, 2008, 08:21:13 am
I really like my SL-X it does what it is supposed to do and well...has it changed my life...er no but it is proving it's worth and more that earning it's keep...all we need is the extension to be made and it'll be a very good set-up for me....

I also have a Facelift 44ft c/f and it performs well against that....There are those who have other types of poles and maywell be able to give a far better opinion than myself.

Cheers
Dave.

ps would I re-spend the money on the sl-x ?......yes
Title: Re: slx
Post by: Alex Gardiner on June 21, 2008, 08:46:26 am
hi all just wondering how they are doing as i'm waiting for the next batch to arrive (any idea alex)
are they worth the money? honest opins please

thanks
dave

David

Could you email me your email address at alex@agardiner.co.uk?

Many thanks
Title: Re: slx
Post by: russ_clark on June 21, 2008, 09:58:18 am
Alex you have mail

Russ
Title: Re: slx
Post by: macmac on June 21, 2008, 10:37:46 am
hi all just wondering how they are doing as i'm waiting for the next batch to arrive (any idea alex)
are they worth the money? honest opins please

thanks
dave

The sl-x is a superb pole, rigid, light, well balanced & very robust. You only need this one pole for ALL work upto 29/30ft (as it has an actual length of 25ft). The sections are short so it closes down to a nice size for bottom windows- a real time & hassle saver.
Is it worth the money- Absolutely. Top pole designed by a REAL window cleaner- & it shows!!!!
I also have a carbon facelift (another excellent pole) & given the choice now, which to buy (25ft) it would be the sl-x, IMO it's a better pole all round plus it's cheaper & is ALL carbon i.e. a 24ft (actual 21ft) facelift has 3 carbon sections & 1 glassfibre section, the sl-x has 5 carbon sections. ;)

Hope this helps

Tony
Title: Re: slx
Post by: dd on June 21, 2008, 12:49:22 pm
I think the idea with the first section being fibreglass is to protect from potential electric shock from overhead cables.
Title: Re: slx
Post by: alanwilson on June 21, 2008, 01:44:20 pm
yeah.

Alex don't the the hse regulations state that a pole should be insulated against the risk of electric shock?  we have a lot of overhead power cables round here and to be honest, that is the main thing putting me off buying an slx for each van.

If I am wrong regards the regs then please correct me.
Title: Re: slx
Post by: Alex Gardiner on June 21, 2008, 02:17:42 pm
yeah.

Alex don't the the hse regulations state that a pole should be insulated against the risk of electric shock?  we have a lot of overhead power cables round here and to be honest, that is the main thing putting me off buying an slx for each van.

If I am wrong regards the regs then please correct me.

Current regulations do not specify in this area, otherwise Tucker, Omnipole, Brodex Prolong (aluminium) would be unable to be sold. In reality most power cables that are near domestic houses are insulated these days. It is fairly easy to insulate the base section if anyone needs this doing for work with specific risks. We can always shrink wrap the base section at a minimal cost if this is needed.

One of the greatest conductors of electricity is water though and this is the very substance we pump up our poles! In the event of a lightning strike or high voltage cables being hit even an insulated pole would likely use the water, whether internal or on the surface of the pole, to conduct down to the operator. In this instance you would only be safe if your hands and the section of the pole you were holding were completely dry.

Title: Re: slx
Post by: cvdewsbury on June 21, 2008, 02:24:35 pm
alexander...

there seems to be quite a few lads on the waiting list for the 2nd batch of the slx (me too) are we all going to get one???

Title: Re: slx
Post by: Alex Gardiner on June 21, 2008, 02:32:39 pm
Yes whilst there is a very long waiting list for these poles, we do have plenty of stock coming in with this batch to fulfil all of the reservations.
Title: Re: slx
Post by: M & C Window Cleaning on June 21, 2008, 03:57:41 pm
I'm reading this post with interest.

I went with a friend to a Tucker demo 18 mnts back and the chap demonstrating the gear said that pure water doesn't conduct electricity. It's the dirt in tap water that conducts electricity.

I thought at the time, 'Yeah right,' and then gave it no more thought till I bought an alarm that tells you when your tank is full by fixing two small electrodes at the water level mark.

And guess what it didn't work. I tested it in tap water and it worked every time till I put it back in pure water and then no joy. It wouldn't work.

However, is this just because the voltage and current  concerned is very low or would this also be true of higher voltages and current?

Must admit I wouldn't want to find out the hard way.  :o

Mark
Title: Re: slx
Post by: dd on June 21, 2008, 04:03:34 pm
Tucker used to do a plastic wrap for first pole section as an optional extra for about £40. When I enquired about this they said they didn't do it anymore because it rode up the pole section and that water would conduct electricity anyway.
Title: Re: slx
Post by: dd on June 21, 2008, 04:22:29 pm
Apparently pure water does have a lower conductivity, but this rises significantly with increase in temperature, e.g. hot water system.
Title: Re: slx
Post by: Alex Gardiner on June 21, 2008, 04:23:43 pm
Pure water is a bad conductor of electricity, that is not to say it will not conduct electricity at all.  Most sensors and TDS meters work on very low voltages, as you say I wouldn't want to put it to the test with a high voltage lightening strike!
Title: Re: slx
Post by: M & C Window Cleaning on June 21, 2008, 04:31:27 pm
My unintentional experiment results must have been due to the low voltage/current. (9v PP3)

Incidentally, I learned recently that lightning can strike up to ten miles from the center of a storm. When I think how close some storms have passed by whilst I've been working both with ladders and now a pole ... well it's food for thought!

Mark
Title: Re: slx
Post by: alanwilson on June 22, 2008, 12:00:45 am
pure water conducts extremely poorly, so does the human body - hence why flesh burns when electrocuted due to resistance.

anyway back on track, if you shrink wrap the pole alex what would you shrink wrap it with?  will it insulate the pole properly?

like I said I'm interested in buying a couple of slx poles but I need them to be safe- we have the base section of our prolongs wrapped with insulation tape - prob not the best way to do it but better than nothing.
Title: Re: slx
Post by: Alex Gardiner on June 22, 2008, 08:42:24 am
pure water conducts extremely poorly, so does the human body - hence why flesh burns when electrocuted due to resistance.

anyway back on track, if you shrink wrap the pole alex what would you shrink wrap it with?  will it insulate the pole properly?

like I said I'm interested in buying a couple of slx poles but I need them to be safe- we have the base section of our prolongs wrapped with insulation tape - prob not the best way to do it but better than nothing.

I can get hold of a clear shrink wrap which will insulate it up to several thousand volts.
Title: Re: slx
Post by: david washbrook on June 22, 2008, 10:43:15 am
thanks for all your honest replies
alex you have email

at present i have a facelift 44ft which is great for high windows
for lower i use a glass fibre ploe carnt remember what its called but very bendy at full extension (27ft) so i want something not as bendy and smaller and lighter than the 44ft face lift sounds like the slk fits the bill

when can i have one alex

thanks
dave
Title: Re: slx
Post by: Alex Gardiner on June 22, 2008, 11:23:35 am
thanks for all your honest replies
alex you have email

at present i have a facelift 44ft which is great for high windows
for lower i use a glass fibre ploe carnt remember what its called but very bendy at full extension (27ft) so i want something not as bendy and smaller and lighter than the 44ft face lift sounds like the slk fits the bill

when can i have one alex

thanks
dave

You have mail.
Title: Re: slx
Post by: david washbrook on June 22, 2008, 11:36:34 am
you have onother email
thanks
Title: Re: slx
Post by: david washbrook on June 26, 2008, 04:16:17 pm
just used my new slx for the first time and i have to say i think its fantastic very light and very strong no problems with the clamps and very easy to use i carn belive how easy it is to use on ground floor windows

over all a fantastic pole and gardeners are a great company to deal with

thanks alex

dave
Title: Re: slx
Post by: steve a on June 26, 2008, 07:17:44 pm
How come you got yours and I'm still waiting. Boo Hoo :( .Is it really light? david.
Had to use that soddin' heavy pole again today, and tomorrow as well.
Title: Re: slx
Post by: macmac on June 26, 2008, 07:37:29 pm
just used my new slx for the first time and i have to say i think its fantastic very light and very strong no problems with the clamps and very easy to use i carn belive how easy it is to use on ground floor windows

over all a fantastic pole and gardeners are a great company to deal with

thanks alex

dave


Nice one, i agree with you. ;D

Tony
Title: Re: slx
Post by: david washbrook on June 27, 2008, 07:47:05 pm
yes steve it is very very light only thing i would change is i would like it to be about 4ft longer but beggers carnt be choosers

hurry up and get one you wont be sorry