[Paul Coleman]

we fit a 400ltr tank as STANDARD to all 600kg payload vans.  a 400ltr tank hold less than 400ltrs (about 360 due to baffles), tank weighs 27kg, plus battery and 2 poles plus reel etc comes in at around 440kgs so assuming a full diesel tank (45kg) you'd need to be over 17stone to even come close to your payload, and thats fully loaded with a full water tank and fuel tank.

I suppose it does depend what other equipment someone intends to carry.  I find a water trolley essential equipment for certain jobs so need to allow more to carry that.  I also tend to carry two hosereels as I need them on some jobs plus I have a larger diesel tank (90 litres).

I see what you mean about it being possible though it would be necessary to travel light on equipment (lighter than I would wish to anyway).  I suppose a lot depends on the type of work someone has.  Also, I wasn't aware that the 400 litre tank only held 360 litres.  That can make a difference too.

Apart from that, I'm overweight 
Here's to New Year resolutions.

[JM123]

The last berlingo we kitted out had a 400ltr tank, pump, varistream, 110Ah battery, tank cage, 11ltr di vessel, 12ft extender pole, 25ft eco-lite glass fibre, 35ft eco-lite carbon fibre, metal hosereel with 50m minibore and a full set of handtools. Took it the weighbridge at the farming supply yard, with a full tank of water and all equipment it only weighed 432kg more than the empty van (weighed it before fitting the van out, only about a mile to workshop from weighbridge so very little fuel used).

Can't imagine a trolley would be that heavy??  Why not go for a backpack instead??

[Paul Coleman]

The last berlingo we kitted out had a 400ltr tank, pump, varistream, 110Ah battery, tank cage, 11ltr di vessel, 12ft extender pole, 25ft eco-lite glass fibre, 35ft eco-lite carbon fibre, metal hosereel with 50m minibore and a full set of handtools. Took it the weighbridge at the farming supply yard, with a full tank of water and all equipment it only weighed 432kg more than the empty van (weighed it before fitting the van out, only about a mile to workshop from weighbridge so very little fuel used).

Can't imagine a trolley would be that heavy??  Why not go for a backpack instead??

A trolley is more practical than a backpack for my particular uses - the main issue being the amount of water that can be carried.  Also, I tend to start with the trolley full to save filling time if I need to use it  I have a number of jobs where I would need to return to vehicle a couple of times (a long walk) to refill backpack whereas the trolley (50 litres) can do it in one journey.  Having said that there are a couple of jobs where backpack would be easier but they are far outweighed by the ones where the trolley is better.
Another issue for me with a smaller van would be the amount of water that can be carried.  I often use rather more than 360 litres a day.  This may partly be because I don't use a varistream or similar.  I have tended to work with a pretty high flow from the tank and reduce it with a manual flow tap at the end of the hose.  In recent times I have reduced the flow further and it still seems to come up fine.

I opted for a larger tank etc from the start as I wanted to be able to do distant first cleans on larger jobs without being concerned as to whether I had enough water on board.  It is often not possible to hook up to a supply to produce pur(ish) water on the fly.

I do see though that a smaller tank with flow restrictor (varistream or similar) would be OK for certain work.  I wanted to allow myself room for expansion without needing to upgrade the kit too much a year or two down the line.  If I had gone for the 600 kg payload with 360 litre tank etc, I would have been looking to get something bigger by now.

[JM123]

The bottom line is to always go for more than you need, if you think you only need 400ltrs in a day,get a 650ltr tank (obviously without going over your payload).  It doesn't cost much more to start with (only the extra cost of the larger tank) and will allow room for expansion.  Think of it as elasticated jeans

[neil100]

You only want to turn the flow rate down if you are useing to much water.

In time you will clean windows with less water as your experince grows.

Flow rate is important in the sense that the higher your flow rate the faster you will empty your van tank. JM123 says 5ltrs a min. For me thats way to much, I have a flow rate about 1.9 to 2ltrs a min on average. So that means ny water will last twice as long from my tank. If your flow rate is to slow you will spend more time rinseing a window then if it where faster.

I have a 60psi flowjet and its fine. Because its 40psi less then a 100 psi pump you put less pressure on your connections in your van. For me that means LEAK FREE.

I had one of my reels fitted with a 50mtr 1/2" hose when I started,I used it for first cleans due to it haveing an higher flow rate. About 6 ltrs a min I clocked it at. I now just use 100 mtr Microbore on both reels.

I dont use a varistream as the flow rate is spot on. I use a valve on my hose to turn the water on and off.

Nel, Good luck.

[JM123]

Hi Nel, I only recommended the Shurflo 5ltr/min 100psi pump - not a flow rate from the end of your hose of 5ltrs/min - thats way too much, without a varistream, over 100m of minibore it will pump approx 2ltr/min, I still would recommend using a varistream though as you can turn the pump speed down and still get 1.5 - 2.0 ltrs a min out of the hose due to way water behaves, its hard to explain but try it yourself, you'll be amazed.  If you look at your own pumps they are probably around the 5 or 6ltr/min mark.

Main reasons for recommending the shurflo is its cost (just about the cheapest), it is SPECIFICALLY designed for wfp applications (most aren't) and the fact that the 100psi model has more robust internals (dial setting inside the varistream will determine the pressure level it will cut out at).

[Count Phil]

The pressure of the pump and flow rate are really irrelevant if you use a varistream - unless you turn it up full blast. Listen to the pump when the varistream is on your normal rate. Even with the varistream half way its barely ticking over and kicks out way less than 5 ltrs a min. Also, because the varistrean turns the pump off when you turn your tap off, the pressure never builds.

 I used to use the pressure switch with the 100psi pump and the pressure kept rising after i turned the tap off. In fact it was immense and things leaked.
Same pump with the varistream and hardly any pressure and no leaks. Even turned up full blast, when I turn the tap off the pump stops so you never get 100psi making the connections leak.
 
I have a doblo 630kg and a 400 ltre tank. I just don't fill it up to the brim when I'm carrying extra kit.

[macmac]

i wouldn't go for a 19ft facelift pole, i would recommend you get the 24ft or even 34ft one. the pole is fully de-mountable anyway, so you can still use it at any length you like but having the extra sections does come in VERY handy and it's not that much more in price if you buy it longer to start with.

you'll be suprised how many windows you just can't quite reach with a 19ft pole. you will have much more flexibility if you go the above route.