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Plankton

  • Posts: 2441
Facelift Compact Review...
« on: December 01, 2016, 10:04:42 pm »
I had planned on getting a ready made system next year (October!) but I jumped in and bought the Facelift Compact (Black Friday an aw that). After searching the internet for a while I couldn't find much info on this and even on the wcw website there is limited info, so I have decided to start a review on CIU.

And there'll be some issues for the pedantic/pernickety or those who can't bear to buy something from another company!
As interesting or boring this may be I'll update tomorrow. Starting with the novice workmanship.

Cookie

  • Posts: 928
Re: Facelift Compact Review...
« Reply #1 on: December 02, 2016, 11:47:29 am »
I'll be interested to find out how you get on with the Facelift compact.

It looks like a very good value system that you could fit into a small van like a citroen nemo. The only question is how do you actually secure it in the van.... the supplied fixings don't look that sturdy so I'm wondering whether you may have to get a frame made up of angle iron or use ratchet straps.

Paul Wisdom

  • Posts: 213
Re: Facelift Compact Review...
« Reply #2 on: December 02, 2016, 01:13:58 pm »
I'll be interested to find out how you get on with the Facelift compact.

It looks like a very good value system that you could fit into a small van like a citroen nemo. The only question is how do you actually secure it in the van.... the supplied fixings don't look that sturdy so I'm wondering whether you may have to get a frame made up of angle iron or use ratchet straps.

Bought one myself on black Friday. Have you had yours yet as i am still waiting for a delivery :(

Plankton

  • Posts: 2441
Re: Facelift Compact Review...
« Reply #3 on: December 02, 2016, 06:31:13 pm »
I'll be interested to find out how you get on with the Facelift compact.

It looks like a very good value system that you could fit into a small van like a citroen nemo. The only question is how do you actually secure it in the van.... the supplied fixings don't look that sturdy so I'm wondering whether you may have to get a frame made up of angle iron or use ratchet straps.
After seeing their 24% offer I ordered it at 3am on Friday morning. Phoned them Friday afternoon to check if it would be delivered on Saturday or Monday. The reply was "it'll be Monday or Tuesday" and "it does saying on the internet that large items take longer". I then checked and emailed them to confirm that he was wrong and it states next day delivery and invoice states priority next delivery. They said the delay was due to volumes. However on another forum a chap complained it took six days, which is how long mine took.

Bought one myself on black Friday. Have you had yours yet as i am still waiting for a delivery :(

Plankton

  • Posts: 2441
Re: Facelift Compact Review...
« Reply #4 on: December 02, 2016, 08:06:35 pm »
Unwrapped it and it all looked good. Everything is contained within the tank, pump (flo jet) and filter, controller, battery and di vessel if you have ordered the di version.

+ The di vessel comes filled with resin which there is no mention on the website.

- If you've ordered the delivery only option then it won't have the hose or vessel bracket included and the tank will be plumbed direct to the pump.

- The battery is a Yuasa 70ah not an 85ah as advertised " powerfull 85ah battery".

- There was no mention of inlet or outlet connections for filling or draining and there isn't any.

- The tank colour as expected is black and you can't see the water level. Could do with a clear pipe up the side of the tank connected at the bottom and top which would show the water level.

- Panels attached to the tank to contain the battery and controller have been poorly fitted and sit too low down (slightly).
The controller has been used as a hockey puck (see picture)

+ Configured the controller on the second attempt and the system all works as it should, dead end detection battery voltage indicator etc.

+ The hose reel can be bolted to the tank length ways or side ways, which there's no mention of.

As I've bought this earlier than planned I'm running it from a pickup truck which meant I was limited for high, so I have the reel sitting next to the tank.

The big talking point will be how you fit the tank to your vehicle. The fitting kit includes four S shape brackets which are screwed to the delivery pallet with screws, the same are used for fitting plastic coated metal roofs or facades. I assume they are rated and your mechanic will decide which bolts to use if bolting it to the vehicle is your thing.
This isn't a problem as I've used Velcro! :)





Paul Wisdom

  • Posts: 213
Re: Facelift Compact Review...
« Reply #5 on: December 03, 2016, 08:30:04 am »
Still waiting on mine so you were lucky. Will be 9 days since I ordered on Monday   :'(

Plankton

  • Posts: 2441
Re: Facelift Compact Review...
« Reply #6 on: December 07, 2016, 09:10:29 am »
Still waiting on mine so you were lucky. Will be 9 days since I ordered on Monday   :'(
How did you get on, were the panels sitting lower than the tank and have the same battery?

Paul Wisdom

  • Posts: 213
Re: Facelift Compact Review...
« Reply #7 on: December 07, 2016, 12:00:12 pm »
STILL WAITING - promised me today or I was going to cancel my order.

You liking yours then??

Plankton

  • Posts: 2441
Re: Facelift Compact Review...
« Reply #8 on: December 07, 2016, 09:41:51 pm »
STILL WAITING - promised me today or I was going to cancel my order.

You liking yours then??
Well ... The delay, dodgy drilling, different battery and the fact that I'll need to refit the panels so they don't brake as there currently sitting too low and so are under load from the tank. With the battery retaining panel being badly fitted the bolts don't line up correctly so removing the panel to charge the battery will be a pain.
It has been out for nearly a year so these small things shouldn't be an issue and they could have better detail on their website regarding fittings and delivery etc.

In comparison with other systems the price may seem cheap for some but for others it's an expensive outlay.
It's good but I'll leave it a week and maybe change a couple of things.

JSMC

  • Posts: 3511
Re: Facelift Compact Review...
« Reply #9 on: December 08, 2016, 04:03:15 pm »
STILL WAITING - promised me today or I was going to cancel my order.

You liking yours then??
Well ... The delay, dodgy drilling, different battery and the fact that I'll need to refit the panels so they don't brake as there currently sitting too low and so are under load from the tank. With the battery retaining panel being badly fitted the bolts don't line up correctly so removing the panel to charge the battery will be a pain.
It has been out for nearly a year so these small things shouldn't be an issue and they could have better detail on their website regarding fittings and delivery etc.

In comparison with other systems the price may seem cheap for some but for others it's an expensive outlay.
It's good but I'll leave it a week and maybe change a couple of things.

Sounds like yer not too happy bud. Looks decent enough on site tae.

dd

  • Posts: 2623
Re: Facelift Compact Review...
« Reply #10 on: December 08, 2016, 07:00:42 pm »
The impression I get from the review is to stay well clear.

Clever Forum Name

  • Posts: 5942
Re: Facelift Compact Review...
« Reply #11 on: December 08, 2016, 07:05:41 pm »
What worried me was the brackets used to secure it. I think i would prefer using a strap lol

Plankton

  • Posts: 2441
Re: Facelift Compact Review...
« Reply #12 on: December 15, 2016, 09:47:44 pm »
STILL WAITING - promised me today or I was going to cancel my order.

You liking yours then??
Did you get it or cancel the order?

Paul Wisdom

  • Posts: 213
Re: Facelift Compact Review...
« Reply #13 on: December 16, 2016, 06:00:03 pm »
No I actually have it now.  ;D

Like you battery panels are poor + a pain to take off  and  on to charge as my van is always rammed so will need to sort that out. The thing that bugs me is the most is the hose reel, unless you wind it on real tight it does not fit all the hose onto the reel with out catching the frame, will have to take 15ft of the hose I reckon.

Otherwise i love it, looks cool as well :)

Just got it in my Belingo at the mo, not fitted as thinking I may put it in my  vauxhall vivaro instead.

Den68

  • Posts: 291
Re: Facelift Compact Review...
« Reply #14 on: December 19, 2016, 11:13:31 pm »
I had mine a few months and can't fault it delivery only has I have a static I transfer my pure to it, works a treat.

Spruce

  • Posts: 8645
Re: Facelift Compact Review...
« Reply #15 on: December 20, 2016, 07:31:02 am »
No I actually have it now.  ;D

Like you battery panels are poor + a pain to take off  and  on to charge as my van is always rammed so will need to sort that out. The thing that bugs me is the most is the hose reel, unless you wind it on real tight it does not fit all the hose onto the reel with out catching the frame, will have to take 15ft of the hose I reckon.

Otherwise i love it, looks cool as well :)

Just got it in my Belingo at the mo, not fitted as thinking I may put it in my  vauxhall vivaro instead.

You need to get that tank secured ASAP. It doesn't matter how soon you are going to change your van. That ladder frame behind the drivers seat isn't strong enough to hold that weight of tank and water from squashing you in an accident.


.
Success is 1% inspiration, 98% perspiration and 2% attention to detail!

The older I get, the better I was ;)

Jamie Thomas

  • Posts: 180
Re: Facelift Compact Review...
« Reply #16 on: December 20, 2016, 07:48:30 am »
Might look good on the website. Have you ever been to a Mac Donald's looked at the pictures of the burger's behind the counter ordered one opened the box to eat it and thought what the f*** is this.

Paul Wisdom

  • Posts: 213
Re: Facelift Compact Review...
« Reply #17 on: December 21, 2016, 06:13:10 pm »
Giving it a good run for its money at the moment and have to say i am loving it and the speed at which i am working has increased significantly.

The one thing that is peeing me of though is the hose reel and hose. Its just a bleedin pain in the arse to wind back on, catches the frame and now i am getting little bits of yellow hose rubbing off. 

stu_thomson

  • Posts: 531
Re: Facelift Compact Review...
« Reply #18 on: December 21, 2016, 09:55:09 pm »
Ditto above with the hose reel 😡
Took about 20 ft off mine and still catches 😕
People say that money is not the key to happiness, but I always figured if you have enough money, you can have a key made!

dd

  • Posts: 2623
Re: Facelift Compact Review...
« Reply #19 on: December 22, 2016, 05:39:23 pm »
Giving it a good run for its money at the moment and have to say i am loving it and the speed at which i am working has increased significantly.

The one thing that is peeing me of though is the hose reel and hose. Its just a bleedin pain in the arse to wind back on, catches the frame and now i am getting little bits of yellow hose rubbing off.
How has the system helped you work faster? Personally I think what is likely to help most is a good quality van mounted hose reel. Other than that it is just a tank with a standard pump and controller.