[Pro-Poler]

Not a fan of these due to the poor build quality, but the only positive is you can get most of the spares.
Took delivery of one last week but don't understand the point of the 2 position switch. If you put it on position 2 the flow control dial does nothing??? Answers please???

[wpclean]

Send it back !

[brad t]

They are very loud

[Pro-Poler]

In position one you can alter the flow rate on the dial, on position two it stays on full, can't be arsed to send more stuff back, doesn't bother me will leave it on full flow and just alter flow from tap on pole, just can't see the point of a flow dial and a switch?

[Neil Gornall]

I bought one of these last week. I am not over impressed with it. But for the price I guess I should not expect too much.
The biggest issue I have is the flow rate.

It has a three position switch. Low, Off, Full. and a dial for fine adjustment,  But on Low and with the dial turned right down the water comes out so hard it bounces off the windows. that makes the rest of the settings useless.

I want it for working inside a building leaning out to reach the outside as this is the only way to access certain windows. With the water flowing as fast as it does I will empty a tank in no time. So I expect I am going to be making dozens of journeys back to the van to re fill. 

I contacted Gardiners and got the reply... "Unfortunately if it is set to 1 then this would be the lowest setting.  The backpacks do need to pump at a certain amount of pressure in order to pump the water up the pole sufficiently."

Whilst I agree to a point with this reply I would ask why was it only designed for working at height? Would it not have made sense to consider the fact ground floor and low level windows need cleaning too?   

[Jonny 87]

I bought one of these last week. I am not over impressed with it. But for the price I guess I should not expect too much.
The biggest issue I have is the flow rate.

It has a three position switch. Low, Off, Full. and a dial for fine adjustment,  But on Low and with the dial turned right down the water comes out so hard it bounces off the windows. that makes the rest of the settings useless.

I want it for working inside a building leaning out to reach the outside as this is the only way to access certain windows. With the water flowing as fast as it does I will empty a tank in no time. So I expect I am going to be making dozens of journeys back to the van to re fill. 

I contacted Gardiners and got the reply... "Unfortunately if it is set to 1 then this would be the lowest setting.  The backpacks do need to pump at a certain amount of pressure in order to pump the water up the pole sufficiently."

Whilst I agree to a point with this reply I would ask why was it only designed for working at height? Would it not have made sense to consider the fact ground floor and low level windows need cleaning too?   

Mayb mine is different but I can set mine so low that it just trickles out the brush head?

It's the same back pack as yours so something must be wrong with it. I have full control with the dial. Just a trickle, then turn the dial up all the way for the pressure your talking about.

It's a great little back pack for me.

[simonr]

i've got a gardiners one now & the lowest setting is faster than the fast setting on my old john hewitt bpack, i used the slowest setting on that & it was fine pumping up to 50 ft & fine at rinsing, i'll be going back to them for my next one & i'm not even gonna begin about the lid !!!!

[Alex Gardiner]

Not a fan of these due to the poor build quality, but the only positive is you can get most of the spares.
Took delivery of one last week but don't understand the point of the 2 position switch. If you put it on position 2 the flow control dial does nothing??? Answers please???

These backpacks are priced at a very low price point and as such offer value for money. In most users hands they last well and prove reliable. I do have other design backpacks on hand which are a much more refined design and finish, but would cost up to 3x the price. Most window cleaners want a 'cheap to buy' unit that they can keep in the van for occasional use and does not represent a large financial investment.

The 3 position switch is a fairly simple thing.

Position I - allows you to use the flow controller from minimum to maximum flow rate.
Position O - this is the off position.
Position II - simply switches the backpack to maximum flow rate. Because of this it does not need the flow controller when switched to maximum.

[Alex Gardiner]

I bought one of these last week. I am not over impressed with it. But for the price I guess I should not expect too much.
The biggest issue I have is the flow rate.

It has a three position switch. Low, Off, Full. and a dial for fine adjustment,  But on Low and with the dial turned right down the water comes out so hard it bounces off the windows. that makes the rest of the settings useless.

I want it for working inside a building leaning out to reach the outside as this is the only way to access certain windows. With the water flowing as fast as it does I will empty a tank in no time. So I expect I am going to be making dozens of journeys back to the van to re fill. 

I contacted Gardiners and got the reply... "Unfortunately if it is set to 1 then this would be the lowest setting.  The backpacks do need to pump at a certain amount of pressure in order to pump the water up the pole sufficiently."

Whilst I agree to a point with this reply I would ask why was it only designed for working at height? Would it not have made sense to consider the fact ground floor and low level windows need cleaning too?   

Hi Neil

The Backpacks usually have the following flow rates when connected to a standard pole with no elevation.

Minimum = 1 lpm
Maximum = 2.2 lpm

Might be worth connecting a pole and brush to it and filling a 1 litre jug and timing it just to check that all is within the standard parameters.

If 1 lpm is too much for your needs then you could fit a restrictor valve on the backpack hose to turn the flow rate down even further.

[tlwcs]

Hey Alex,
I've never associated you with anything cheap, bloody expensive yes.
But always quality.
I have the earlier back pack from you and it's cheap, I would not buy another of that design off you.
Tony

[Clever Forum Name]

Hey Alex,
I've never associated you with anything cheap, bloody expensive yes.
But always quality.
I have the earlier back pack from you and it's cheap, I would not buy another of that design off you.
Tony

Gardiner are not expensive, shop at ionics or brodex then you will know expensive

[Alex Gardiner]

Hey Alex,
I've never associated you with anything cheap, bloody expensive yes.
But always quality.
I have the earlier back pack from you and it's cheap, I would not buy another of that design off you.
Tony

It can be very easy to spend a lot of money with us if you try - compared to other firms though hopefully you do get full value for money 

The backpacks are a cheap item - and are intended to be so to a point. The V2, does however have a better lower RPM pump with more reliable windings, it also has an improved flow controller, better lid seal and built-in battery cage.

[concept]

We have the MK1 backpack, and it's paid for itself hundreds of times over.

It's just another tool, doesn't need to be anything flash for me as it's occasional use only, but boy it's come in handy, many many times and for many different things.

[roundbuilder]

Gardiner backpacks are cheap chinease craap especialy if you open 1 up and look inside. however they more than do the job and for the price more than worth it.
I find the flow rate spot on on the lower setting. I can do 3/4 fronts with each fill which i think is superb.

[Neil Gornall]

I bought one of these last week. I am not over impressed with it. But for the price I guess I should not expect too much.
The biggest issue I have is the flow rate.

It has a three position switch. Low, Off, Full. and a dial for fine adjustment,  But on Low and with the dial turned right down the water comes out so hard it bounces off the windows. that makes the rest of the settings useless.

I want it for working inside a building leaning out to reach the outside as this is the only way to access certain windows. With the water flowing as fast as it does I will empty a tank in no time. So I expect I am going to be making dozens of journeys back to the van to re fill. 

I contacted Gardiners and got the reply... "Unfortunately if it is set to 1 then this would be the lowest setting.  The backpacks do need to pump at a certain amount of pressure in order to pump the water up the pole sufficiently."

Whilst I agree to a point with this reply I would ask why was it only designed for working at height? Would it not have made sense to consider the fact ground floor and low level windows need cleaning too?   

Hi Neil

The Backpacks usually have the following flow rates when connected to a standard pole with no elevation.

Minimum = 1 lpm
Maximum = 2.2 lpm

Might be worth connecting a pole and brush to it and filling a 1 litre jug and timing it just to check that all is within the standard parameters.

If 1 lpm is too much for your needs then you could fit a restrictor valve on the backpack hose to turn the flow rate down even further.

Alex,

I connected the backpack up to a CLX today, I got the following results....

switch to 1, dial turned right down.. 1 litre in 40 secs
switch to 1, dial turned up full.....      1 litre in 25 secs

Setting 2 .... 1 litre in 25 secs.

When its connected to a small 4' pole which is what I want it for its even quicker. I will look to get a restrictior valve as you suggest. 

[tom20001]

http://www.surecleansystems.com/?product=gardiner-pure-water-backpack

whats this backpack like guys as i need to buy?