[Tom White]

Hi guys;

Just an update which may help others that experience a similar problem; I shortened the wires from my battery to pumps; I had loads of extra; maybe around three-or-four feet worth; it was long enough to take into under the bonnet and connect to the van battery (for emergencies).

So, after shorting the wires we had no problem, even with high flow rates on both pumps; though admittedly I'd charged the battery too, so it's tough to identify where the problem actually was.

I reckon it was the length of the wires though.

[Spruce]

Hi guys;

Just an update which may help others that experience a similar problem; I shortened the wires from my battery to pumps; I had loads of extra; maybe around three-or-four feet worth; it was long enough to take into under the bonnet and connect to the van battery (for emergencies).

So, after shorting the wires we had no problem, even with high flow rates on both pumps; though admittedly I'd charged the battery too, so it's tough to identify where the problem actually was.

I reckon it was the length of the wires though.

Hi Tosh
We did have a cut out problem when 2 pumps were working, but managed to overcome this by running the engine to give the leisure battery a boost. Battery was at fault and a new leisure battery solved the problem. The symptoms were that pump No1 would stop working, but pump No2 wouldn't but wasn't giving it's best.  They are both Shurflo pumps but the second one has a lower output so my guess is that it doesn't consume as much power.
Spruce

[Sean Dyer]

Hi guys;

Just an update which may help others that experience a similar problem; I shortened the wires from my battery to pumps; I had loads of extra; maybe around three-or-four feet worth; it was long enough to take into under the bonnet and connect to the van battery (for emergencies).

So, after shorting the wires we had no problem, even with high flow rates on both pumps; though admittedly I'd charged the battery too, so it's tough to identify where the problem actually was.

I reckon it was the length of the wires though.

I ve just had this problem tosh
did you get to the bottom of it?

Im trying to charge my battery but have a fairly long length of cable but not anything that would affect it that much however ive had to crimp all of them and wonder if theres any bad connetions, might go get some terminal blocks to put it back together?

[R W C™]

Glad this topic has come up as im getting the exact same problem, U and L flashing, also phone williamson pumps and they said its leaisure battery, cable too long, or cable not high enough amp, shortened cable and replaced, still same problem, was starting to think it was battery but after reading this im starting to think its the controller.

[Sean Dyer]

Glad this topic has come up as im getting the exact same problem, U and L flashing, also phone williamson pumps and they said its leaisure battery, cable too long, or cable not high enough amp, shortened cable and replaced, still same problem, was starting to think it was battery but after reading this im starting to think its the controller.

I charged battery and all was good

did it happen jiust the 1st time you used the varistream?

[Ian Sheppard]

Cable length will have an effect as the cable will act as a resistor reducing the voltage and ampage. the longer the cable the greater the loss. 

[Tom White]

I ve just had this problem tosh
did you get to the bottom of it?

I shortened the cables and I charge the battery each evening, instead of every-other-day.  I don't know which one of 'em sorted the problem, but it's sorted.

I have two different flow controllers; a cleaning warehouse one and a digital variflow, and the problem was always with the variflow.

[Sean Dyer]

My cables were shortened slightly

However after giving battery a good charge the varistream is registering 3 bars ie full battery, and still is after most of the day cleaning!

So must not have charged battery fully

[WISEOWL]

I'm not sure of the etiquette of bumping a thread but after searching for a topic relevant to my problem I thought it would be best if only to help other people.

Had a Digital Varistream for over three years and was great - treated myself to a new controller and pump to help efficiency and had nothing but trouble since. I have even bought a new battery thinking the old, 3 years one was on the blip.

Over zealous pressure settings and questionable settings regarding the state of charge in the battery - after only a couple of days work the 'L' digit would flash followed by the 'U' shut down. I suspect the advice given in the thread is useless when presented with this crappy controller.

At least on the old Varistream the green LED would flash giving you, on experience, a day or so to get the battery charged.

I am willing to ditch the new Varistream which is a shame as I know how it ticks - any help on an alternative controller?

[Ian Sheppard]

I'm not sure of the etiquette of bumping a thread but after searching for a topic relevant to my problem I thought it would be best if only to help other people.

Had a Digital Varistream for over three years and was great - treated myself to a new controller and pump to help efficiency and had nothing but trouble since. I have even bought a new battery thinking the old, 3 years one was on the blip.

Over zealous pressure settings and questionable settings regarding the state of charge in the battery - after only a couple of days work the 'L' digit would flash followed by the 'U' shut down. I suspect the advice given in the thread is useless when presented with this crappy controller.

At least on the old Varistream the green LED would flash giving you, on experience, a day or so to get the battery charged.

I am willing to ditch the new Varistream which is a shame as I know how it ticks - any help on an alternative controller?

Our controllers now have a low battery over ride function which is activated via the main menu and user settings. They are available from the Main WFP suppliers such as Gardiners, PF, WCW Cleaning spot ECt

The controller will flash BAT if 11V or less detected and shut the pump down if 10.5V or less detected.

I would always suggest ensuring the cable is in good condition and that any worn connectors are replaced. Also ensure the cable is a short as possible.
Copper is a resistor of electrical current long cable will increase the Volt drop between the battery and pump which the controller will see.

Ian
Spring (Europe)

[♠Winp®oClean♠]

I'm not sure of the etiquette of bumping a thread but after searching for a topic relevant to my problem I thought it would be best if only to help other people.

Had a Digital Varistream for over three years and was great - treated myself to a new controller and pump to help efficiency and had nothing but trouble since. I have even bought a new battery thinking the old, 3 years one was on the blip.

Over zealous pressure settings and questionable settings regarding the state of charge in the battery - after only a couple of days work the 'L' digit would flash followed by the 'U' shut down. I suspect the advice given in the thread is useless when presented with this crappy controller.

At least on the old Varistream the green LED would flash giving you, on experience, a day or so to get the battery charged.

I am willing to ditch the new Varistream which is a shame as I know how it ticks - any help on an alternative controller?

I don't know the technical ins & outs BUT I think it's quite apparent now that the first & second editions of the digital versions of the Varistream are very much different & anything but an improvement!!!

I have the first edition digital from when it first came out & it still performs perfectly, day in, day out. However, I will not be replacing it with the newer version. I will be looking towards the Spring controllers in the near future.

[Dave Willis]

I have two nearly new digital ones in my garage - thought one was faulty, bought another - exactly the same. Gave up and bought a Spring controller.
In my opinion the later Varistreams don't like microbore especially 100m of the stuff.

[Spruce]

I've made numerous comments with regard to the latest Varistream over the last few months.

This model Varistream uses current even when the unit is off. We found that on a new fully charged Numax 85amph battery we lost 25% of the charge in a week standing idle.

We found that the way to solve the problem was to put a cheap 10amp isolator switch between the leisure battery and the Varistream and switched it off at the end of the day.

Otherwise, apart from this 'issue' the latest V/stream has been performing perfectly.

[Tom White]

I will never use a flow controller again.  I like the pump connected straight to the battery and just use the pump's pressure switch.  I get a good fast flow and none of the associated problems - and expense - of a flow controller.  My leisure battery doesn't have to be in good order too, something which flow controllers seem to require, yet I easily get two full days out of my battery without the flow controllers.

Keep it simple, lads, the next time your flow controller mucks you about, just wire it back upto the pressure switch (very simple to do; takes less than five minutes) and connect a £2 switch from Wilkinsons to turn it off and on.

I bet you'll love it.

As an added bonus, I've two pumps and two small Wilkinson's switches connected to a bit of ply.  The wires that lead to the battery I've put on a plug (about £3 from Wilkinson's).  When it looks like it's going to freeze overnight, I can disconnect the plug and the hose that leads to my tank in about 20 seconds and bring it into the house, so they won't freeze up at all.

To do this with two flow controllers attached would complicate what is a very simple process.

I have an immersion heater in the tank too, so I hope freezing weather won't stop me this year.

[Mike #1]

Tosh surely your set up only works with a low pressure pump mine is a 100 psi i think and i Know if i just used pole tap and no flow controller it would blow the hose connections . Mike

[barry mallett]

im helping my mate kit his van out this weekend . hes making the switch from trad to wfp .. the only thing he hasnt got is a controller . we were gonna go into leeds this aft and get him one . but after reading toshs post.i will try and save him a frw quid and try without one . my only question is were does this switch go and were do you get em cheers barry .

[barry mallett]

do you even need a switch , can you just bang 2 crocodile clips on the wires from you pump and put em straight on the battery . and everythings good .or am i missing somethimg . sounds too easy . cheers barry

[♠Winp®oClean♠]

im helping my mate kit his van out this weekend . hes making the switch from trad to wfp .. the only thing he hasnt got is a controller . we were gonna go into leeds this aft and get him one . but after reading toshs post.i will try and save him a frw quid and try without one . my only question is were does this switch go and were do you get em cheers barry .

We are ONLY talking of a "particular" version of varistream controller here Bazza. I wouldn't be without one & I've worked both ways for a good few years each.

IMO if you've never worked with a controller or just had a bad experience with this particular one then you really do not know what you're missing!!

[gto]

do you even need a switch , can you just bang 2 crocodile clips on the wires from you pump and put em straight on the battery . and everythings good .or am i missing somethimg . sounds too easy . cheers barry

you can but you get a big spark every time which can damage the battery posts, the best way would be with a relay and switch.

[Tom White]

Tosh surely your set up only works with a low pressure pump mine is a 100 psi i think and i Know if i just used pole tap and no flow controller it would blow the hose connections . Mike

No, not at all.  The pressure switch on the pump turns the pump off when it detects a dead end.  You don't need to fanny about with a return, just work full tilt; the fast flow is perfect for working; you hardly need to rinse.

And it's dead easy to fit a £2 switch to turn it off and on.

I've used two different types of flow controllers too; they're a pain in the backside.  Seriously, the next time your flow controller needs replacing, try working without one.  I doubt you'll go back.