Clean It Up
UK Window Cleaning Forum => Window Cleaning Forum => Topic started by: drive surgeon on January 08, 2009, 06:13:20 pm
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hi guys happy new year, just bought my wet n dry vac. its 80 litres and 3000 watts. it has 38 0r 40mm suction hose i think as far as i know. i measured the connector width at end of hose and thats 40mm.
anyway im not sure whether to stick with the 38mm hose and just get the sl2 base sections or whether to get 51mm hose and get an adaptor to fit into 38mmm hose inlet on vac.? also how many sl2 base sections will i need?, im just starting out doing domestic first to learn the trade. i have an extendable pressure washing lance that reaches upto the top of my house which is a 3 bed semi but do i need to use it?? can i use this as the spike? i think the spike from omnivac supply might fit into this lance so i could use this as the spike lance? maybe even attach a mirror to one side of it to see whats in the gutter instead of using a camera? i also need gutter nozzles, where do i get them, do i need anything else? thanks guys, sorry for lots of questions. :)
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Sorry I can't help with your problem buddy, but what a great idea about using a mirror to see into the gutters! I've just ordered a mini camera for my pole, but I will be trying the mirror idea out for gutters that aren't too high. Where did you get your wet n dry vac from? I may be interested in getting one myself, as I am getting quite a few enquiries about gutter cleaning, and have a big contract to do at the end of the month! :)
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got it off ebay, tried it today on my low garage gutters with a step ladder and just hose end, it sucked the lot out great, big pieces of moss and all the sludge. just need the poles and bits.
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If you don't mind me asking , was it a one off on fleabay or a supplier and how much ??
regards
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If you are intending to use Superlight poles then there is no point in using 51mm hose really.
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From a similar post on another forum - here is my reply.
You will find the smaller the hose the better the suction.
Your tool at the end will have the smallest bore to suck thru so it makes no difference with the hose. All your doing is increasing the weight and surface area for the "muck" to attach too for a bigger hose.
You will find it blocks mostly at the tool end or at the inlet to the machine.. But it needs the "flange" inside the inlet to help create the vortex "suction".
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I think the whole vortex thing is a bit misleading. If you take the flange away the muck simply fires straight into the mesh on the head preventing suction. If you look at it there are about three different angles the inlet can be placed at. I think omniwhatsits have fitted a side inlet to give a straighter entry for twigs, pine needles etc.
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shall i just buy the sl2 poles then and use my 40mm hose? i only got 5 metres so i might get another lenght of 15 metres to use just for gutters and the short one for normal wet n dry work. what do you suggest i buy then, sl2's and what else? ta ;D
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shall i just buy the sl2 poles then and use my 40mm hose? i only got 5 metres so i might get another lenght of 15 metres to use just for gutters and the short one for normal wet n dry work. what do you suggest i buy then, sl2's and what else? ta ;D
Read Mr H's thread on this very subject, its all there.
The DIY gutter vac thread.
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I would buy the S2's and then play for a while to see if you need any more hose. (it only needs to go from the bottom of the S2 to the vac). have a word with Alex G if you don't want to build your own top loop, he can source the parts for you if you want (about £30) although they are pretty simple. Nozzles can be cut to shape from 38mm waste pipe for about £2.50 a pop or you could adapt your vacuum nozzles.
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Trust me you need a long length of hose ( i have 15, but i think i should have gone for 20), you wont want to move the vac unless you really need to, as it gets heavy with 20+ litres of sludge in it.
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yes chrisg i might get more hose instead of carting the vac around the houses.
how many feet is an average 3 bed semi? do i need to use my extendable pressure lance at all? will the gutter spike from omnivac fit in the thread? i have a u shaped attachment on it at mo with a fan spray for washing gutters.
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They guys using SL poles..
How many sections do you have? I can only afford 3 atm so thats potentially 18 fort reach. Be enough for 1st story resi houses you think?
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I don't want to be too far away from my vac so i can cut the power to suck and dump.
I prefer a shorter hose as it's less to clog up with slurry. Just my opinion. :)
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I don't want to be too far away from my vac so i can cut the power to suck and dump.
I prefer a shorter hose as it's less to clog up with slurry. Just my opinion. :)
Very good.. there's 2 arguments both are valid and worth a thought. :)
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I do agree the vac gets very heavy when full of water and mud though. Very tempting to tug it along by the hose but the inlet would rip straight out then. :'(
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do i need a special electric extension cable on a reel or just a normal one like for using a drill? im sure someone said i needed a more powerfull one? also do i need to cover the vac if it rains?
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do you just leave it full till you get home or empty it? i bet its hard to lift into van when full/ :o
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I do agree the vac gets very heavy when full of water and mud though. Very tempting to tug it along by the hose but the inlet would rip straight out then. :'(
I find it easier to leave the vac where it is, and then lift the drum out rather than wheel it..lol Cant do that when im older thou..
DS, you need arctic cable - i'll post a link in a bit.
http://www.screwfix.com/prods/63305/Electrical-Supplies/Cable/Flex/Arctic/Arctic-Cable-Blue-3183AG-2-5mm-50m
The vac is earthed, with water proof covering over the switch, but to be safe why not cover it with a pvc sheet.
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do you just leave it full till you get home or empty it? i bet its hard to lift into van when full/ :o
No, dont take it with you, you must dispose on site, otherwise your liable to get a fine if caught.
which ive told you before!
http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/legislation/duty.htm#1
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can you get this on a normal retractable reel? so how come you need this? i remeber poleman saying his vac kept cutting out with a normal extension cable.
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ok chrisyg thanks for your kind help i appreciate it, if there were not helpfull people like you guys other people would struggle to get help. :)
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can you get this on a normal retractable reel? so how come you need this? i remeber poleman saying his vac kept cutting out with a normal extension cable.
Easier to quote someone on this..
The size and type of extension lead you need depends on the amount of power and voltage your using but as a general rule you must always use an extension lead rated more that you need and use it uncoiled as a coiled lead will heat up quicker and also has a lower load rating. If your using a 3600w vac then no good using a basic B&Q lead as this may end up overheating, melting and then causing a fire.
If your using something like the 3600w vac Gardiners sell then this sort of reel should be your MINIMUM rateing...
Not that it is 13amp TOTAL for both sockets so don't go plugging anything else in to it while using the vac.
Idealy if your vac is rated at 13amps you should use a 16amp or higher rated lead. If possable also ge one with a thermal cutout and RCD built in for your own and your customers safety.
Regards
Mr H
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If you are only planning on using your Gutter Sucker at domestic level then what about using a length or two of ordinary gutter down-pipe? would this work? it would be very cheap, but slightly flexible. Has anyone tried this out?
Obviously for anything higher you would need something with more rigidity.
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If you are only planning on using your Gutter Sucker at domestic level then what about using a length or two of ordinary gutter down-pipe? would this work? it would be very cheap, but slightly flexible. Has anyone tried this out?
Obviously for anything higher you would need something with more rigidity.
Personally i can only find 51cm pipe section that fit together, but ive only used it on bungalows. Its really is quite whippy! Ive not been able to build a u bend at the top thou (yet) as i doubt it could handle the weight, so just used pipe angle sections..
actually i can find 38 mm pipe, but i need additional fixings to push together to attach one pipe to another.. might be worth investigating for now. That might be less whippy. ???
Gonna be fun attaching 20 foot of pipe together in B&Q..LOL
thanks for the advice via email.
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can you supply the sl2 and bits alex?
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can you supply the sl2 and bits alex?
he can supply the bits, for the u bend, but its far cheaper to source them yourself. I wont post how much though.
On the other forums, all the bits you need are advised, and where to get them.
Of course he can supply the SL sections.
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did you say you use the sl2 base sections?
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did you say you use the sl2 base sections?
Not yet. But im going to be using them at a later date, so have been researching what is required.
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Drive Surgeon, yes i use the S2 poles upside down, then the overlap of the joints is less prone to ingress of water and grit. The poles are not tapered so it makes no difference which way up they are anyway.
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Hi, just had a look on ebay but couldn't see any vacs bigger than 1500 watts and 30litre capcity, not sure that this is big enough for the job? Does anyone know what make the bigger models are, or where I could get hold of one? Cheers :)
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http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/3000W-TRIPLE-MOTOR-INDUSTRIAL-WET-DRY-VACUUM-80-LITRE_W0QQitemZ190274301477QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUK_Vacuum_Cleaners?hash=item190274301477&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=72%3A1301%7C66%3A2%7C65%3A12%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318
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Or Gardiners can source them.
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im getting my wires crossed here. i was told the sl2 base sections are 38mm inner diameter but when i phoned gardiners they said they are 47mm inner diameter??? and they are 67 quid each?? what the hell is going on.
im trying to make the u bend with the instructions from mr h with 2" duct tube but i need to know its going to fit over the sl2 pole at the end? its all confusing.
my vac has 38 mm suction hose, but the diameter of the connector on it is 40 mm. so the 40mm end needs to attach to the sl2 pole some how. ??? :'(
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I'l take some pictures for you, give me a mo.
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Here we go - top loop
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Hose to base section:
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And apart:
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That's bog standard 38mm hose - perfect fit in the S2 section and the cuff that comes with my vac just happens to be a perfect fit too. This is with the sections upside down to normal windowcleaning pole use. The slightly tapered joint can be seen where the cuff fits in. This is the way i use it, others like Mr H may have a slightly different way. It's no complicated - it's just a hoover at the end of the day.
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so how does 38mm hose connector fit into 47mm base section if they are different sizes? i thought it would be loose obviously?
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ok just one more question, is the u bend loop hose 38mm too, or 51mm like mr h's loop bend? did you get all your parts from gardiners?
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its ok i have worked it out, in the u bend you use 51mm hose which fits on the 47mm end of the base section and on the tapered end that fits on the 38mm cuff to your vac?/ brilliant. cheers ftp your a star.
;D ;)
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NO! all 38mm here is a pick with three sections.
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My 38mm fits INSIDE the last section for the top loop.
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oh sh~t yeah of course, so is it all working cool then for you? no probs? pics are great.
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My 38mm fits INSIDE the last section for the top loop.
Inside? How do you attach it then?
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check page two of this thread and look at his pics ;)
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Haha, perhaps i should have looked at the rest of the thread, you two have been busy..
Oh rights it just a push fit inside the pole..
If you use a 51 mm hose you can use a hose clamp thou.
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Yes, you can use either sizes. I just thought 51mm was pointless when you have to reduce down again for the Superlight pole. Only my opinion mind, the pics show my system and i'm happy with it. If i wanted to improve it then maybe a straight inlet to the side or maybe hose that is smooth on the inside but niether would improve it dramatically. There is a more powerful vac about that would be even better, but for normal jobs this one seems fine.
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My 38mm fits INSIDE the last section for the top loop.
Inside? How do you attach it then?
Chris, it's a very snug fit and seals itself perfectly.
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it looks great ftp thanks alot mate. i think im sorted now, just need the money to buy the poles and kit. cant wait to try it.
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ftp is that a metal or plastic piece you have put in the end of the u bend to suck up the crap? it looks like metal to me> ???
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What the white bit? It's just plastic 38mm waste pipe from Focus i think it's used on the systern behind a toilet £2.50 for a couple of feet with a right angle bend in it. Just saw it off and play, heat it with a hot air gun and squash if you want a different shape.
The Guttervac lads will be on here in a minute to tell us it's too small and what a load of crap it is. But believe me it works fine on residential work. ;)
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well in ftp, you have made my weekend! ;D
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ordering the gear on mon or tues. :D