[Paul Wisdom]

I was on a trolley before so lots of friggin about with water in drums.

This is pull van up unwind hose and clean - then rewind hose which can be a pain if not wound on tight mind you.

A few niggles but I would still recommend it for the price I paid

[Plankton]

To follow on... I've been off quite a bit so the equipment hasn't been used anything like you would expect in a four month period.
The issues I've had with the system are - the battery doesn't hold it's charge, there is no visual guide of the water level, there are no fill or drain ports, poor fitting of the plastic panels and the bolts on the reel and panels started to rust soon after purchase, the 100m hose doesn't fit onto the reel and it's wearing the hose down and keeps jamming the reel.

Remedial;

Battery - not had a reply yet. Fully charged it's over 14v and before use drops to under 13v (in a day or two)

I've just fitted a ball cock valve with a fill connection running to the front of the tank which helps a lot.
For a gauge l need to fit something like the following;
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-6-ft-457mm-Tank-Float-Gauge-with-Back-Nut-Suits-Oil-or-Water-Tanks-/272173239629?hash=item3f5eca0d4d:g:NfcAAOSwgQ9VgZgE
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-52mm-Universal-Car-Fuel-Level-Meter-Gauge-With-Fuel-Sensor-E-1-2-F-Pointer-/161981360973?hash=item25b6d76b4d:g:714AAOSw~OVWxWAb

Although I'd rather not fit or modify anything and especially anything electrical as it defeats the purpose of buying a ready made and purpose built system. I need a simple and reliable indication of the water level and with the tank lid being at the back of the pickup it's not an option to just look in it!

Drain port - I could do with a bilge pump as now and then I will need to drain the tank and it's not great having to syphon it.

Plastic panels were removed and I've drilled new holes so they line up correctly.

Rusty bolts - wipe them with an oily cloth or completely remove rust and spray with lacquer.

Hose - cut off around 15 meters and be left short for those further away jobs or fit new connections to the cut section and attach when needed or buy a new backpack. During use the hose is only going to stretch with warm water (NOT HOT WATER) and summer use so a fair chunk of hose will be lost.

[Spruce]

To follow on... I've been off quite a bit so the equipment hasn't been used anything like you would expect in a four month period.
The issues I've had with the system are - the battery doesn't hold it's charge, there is no visual guide of the water level, there are no fill or drain ports, poor fitting of the plastic panels and the bolts on the reel and panels started to rust soon after purchase, the 100m hose doesn't fit onto the reel and it's wearing the hose down and keeps jamming the reel.

Remedial;

Battery - not had a reply yet. Fully charged it's over 14v and before use drops to under 13v (in a day or two)

I've just fitted a ball cock valve with a fill connection running to the front of the tank which helps a lot.
For a gauge l need to fit something like the following;
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1-6-ft-457mm-Tank-Float-Gauge-with-Back-Nut-Suits-Oil-or-Water-Tanks-/272173239629?hash=item3f5eca0d4d:g:NfcAAOSwgQ9VgZgE
http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/2-52mm-Universal-Car-Fuel-Level-Meter-Gauge-With-Fuel-Sensor-E-1-2-F-Pointer-/161981360973?hash=item25b6d76b4d:g:714AAOSw~OVWxWAb

Although I'd rather not fit or modify anything and especially anything electrical as it defeats the purpose of buying a ready made and purpose built system. I need a simple and reliable indication of the water level and with the tank lid being at the back of the pickup it's not an option to just look in it!

Drain port - I could do with a bilge pump as now and then I will need to drain the tank and it's not great having to syphon it.

Plastic panels were removed and I've drilled new holes so they line up correctly.

Rusty bolts - wipe them with an oily cloth or completely remove rust and spray with lacquer.

Hose - cut off around 15 meters and be left short for those further away jobs or fit new connections to the cut section and attach when needed or buy a new backpack. During use the hose is only going to stretch with warm water (NOT HOT WATER) and summer use so a fair chunk of hose will be lost.

What about and ordinary sight glass kit?

https://www.grippatank.co.uk/wfp-purification-systems/system-plumbing/sight-gauge-kits

Not sure why Grippa say they will only fit Grippa Tanks though.

[Plankton]

Thanks I didn't know you could buy them made up. I had suggested somewhere that a clear hose attached to the top and bottom would have been good. It would have been good to have it fitted at the front next to the control panel but as the lid is at the rear of the tank I couldn't do this and to fit it at the side/rear may cause a problem if it's nocked with something.
This could also double up as a drain port as it looks like it'll swivel, probably would only need one hole at the bottom and have the top open and clipped to the tank.
(too narrow for a drain)

[dazmond]

i dont understand why you didnt just buy a wydale tank,cage and a pumpbox.easy to set up and you can see the water level.

[Cookie]

Sounds from your experiences if you pay less, you get an inferior quality product. Would be interested to hear what Facelift have to say about this. I know that the likes of Grippa & Ionics charge considerably more but at least you know you're getting a quality product.

I went down the same route as Daz and set up my own system with a Wydale tank and parts from PF (but I don't use a pumpbox). Haven't decided yet what I'll do when I eventually change my van (or when it dies on me!)

[Den68]

Had mine since August think it's a great system

1. See attached photo with regards to the reel remove the cross struts  drop them down one bolt hole very simple fix taking just a few minutes and  reels in  smooth and fast no scrapping hose, another windie told me about this and it's defo a great fix and well worth doing.
2. I have never run out of water i topped up every morning take a second to un screw lid to check water volume.
3.  Never had a problem with the battery I do top up battery twice a week with a smart charger that as fast connectors  so don't have to take panel off it's just plug and charge. ( but only last week) have had a split charge relay fitted so far this week as stayed around 90% charged so not charged with battery charger maybe top up battery the weekend.
4. I have no rust on bolts mine are a brass  or brass coloured.
5. The panel drill holes where slightly out of line, I made the holes bigger redrilled out and used penny  washers to hide the enlarged holes. looks neat and tidy as stated I don't take my panel off to charge.

Because I have a static setup I find this system perfect for my needs.

[Paul Wisdom]

Never had a problem with the battery I do top up battery twice a week with a smart charger that as fast connectors  so don't have to take panel off it's just plug and charge.

Tell me about this please. I take panel off (pain) to charge. How do you do this, sorry if I sound a bit thick

[NWH]

Laugh out loud that's all I'm saying please don't tell me you paid much for that. 

[Den68]

Photos  of smart charger this charger as a separate contractor that is permanently connected to th battery terminals I can use the  connector or the crocodile clips , hope the photos are self explanatory.
Also a close up of moving the hose reel cross bar down gives more room for extra hose lol.

[Paul Wisdom]

Thanks Den. I moved my bars down on the reel as well 

[Den68]

This charger was cheap on eBay and  was recommended on a caravan forum when I was  researching battery chargers  really can't complain it's a good charger fir the money.

[Paul Wisdom]

Do you have a link Den?

[Den68]

You can see the penny washer in the photo I used also to hide the enlarged drill holes in the panel.

[Den68]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Maypole-Smart-Electronic-Battery-Charger-6-V-12V-Wet-Gel-Caravan-Car-MP7423-/182505489799?hash=item2a7e2cc587:g:HU8AAOSw4GVYHZg1

I defo recommend this charger its only 4amps but works great,  they do a 8amp  for a few quid more I would probably go for that if this ever packs up.

[Plankton]

i dont understand why you didnt just buy a wydale tank,cage and a pumpbox.easy to set up and you can see the water level.

Simple, I wanted a purpose built all in one unit that can be removed or repositioned when required. I had issues with previous Wydale with pump box setups and intended to buy this in October 2017 when I'll probably change from the pickup to a van.
My issues with the system are minor but still an inconvenience and if I had to put another van on the road then I'd buy the Facelift Compact system again.

[Plankton]

Sounds from your experiences if you pay less, you get an inferior quality product. Would be interested to hear what Facelift have to say about this. I know that the likes of Grippa & Ionics charge considerably more but at least you know you're getting a quality product.

I went down the same route as Daz and set up my own system with a Wydale tank and parts from PF (but I don't use a pumpbox). Haven't decided yet what I'll do when I eventually change my van (or when it dies on me!)

I was under the impression that WCW was Facelift? Maybe I'm wrong if so I'll forward them my emails to WCW on 06/02/17 and 27/03/17.
It'd be nice to get a reply!

[Plankton]

Sounds from your experiences if you pay less, you get an inferior quality product. Would be interested to hear what Facelift have to say about this. I know that the likes of Grippa & Ionics charge considerably more but at least you know you're getting a quality product.

I went down the same route as Daz and set up my own system with a Wydale tank and parts from PF (but I don't use a pumpbox). Haven't decided yet what I'll do when I eventually change my van (or when it dies on me!)

I was under the impression that WCW was Facelift? Maybe I'm wrong if so I'll forward them my emails to WCW on 06/02/17 and 27/03/17.
It'd be nice to get a reply!

Received a reply today stating that someone will contact me tomorrow.
I would disagree that if you pay less you get inferior quality. The battery although 15amh less than stated at the time of purchase it's a top brand, the hose reel is a very good sturdy reel and the tank is well constructed. The wiring and hose connections are also good.
You have one user saying there's no rust on the bolts although their description of the bolts doesn't match the photos they posted.
They also haven't had any issue with the battery
They came across an easy mod for the hose reel and have bought a charger with a very useful feature.
The tank lid is accessible for them so they don't have an issue with checking the water level.

Just before I ran out of water today a metal gate which would pass over my old gardiner hose with no problem got stuck on the hose. This brought my attention to the hose diameter which is obviously larger than the reel can hold for the supplied length.

[Den68]

The hosereels bolts show no rust maybe they are stainless steel? The panel bolt threads are brass coloured even though the heads are painted black.
Th only rust I have on my system is on the reel due to have a small combination ladder that banged the reel a few times totally my own fault.
The charger was a no brainier for me as stated  I did a little research had a good review and realised that the quick chargering connector was a bonus who wants to remove a panel and bench charge when absolutely no need.
My system faces the back and can open side door to check water level takes literally 2 seconds top.
Also  my battery is 75amps and never let me down and hold a good charge, even better now with a split charge relay.
Never run out of water been low on many occasions but I do carry up to six 25 litre drums and a gardiner backpack if I did run out of water I could  easily top up on site even though it's never happen to date.
Also 90% my work is within a 5 min drive from my home so really not a problem.
The compact 325 with manual reel as 8mm hose as standard, the power up hd as 6mm hose as standard
I have a small van transit connect t230 high top and payload of 900kg  everything I need and more for my current round . I will probably get a bigger van when needed in the future  but at this  moment  in time this setup for me is probably as good as it gets. The may future be different.

[Den68]

Sounds from your experiences if you pay less, you get an inferior quality product. Would be interested to hear what Facelift have to say about this. I know that the likes of Grippa & Ionics charge considerably more but at least you know you're getting a quality product.

I went down the same route as Daz and set up my own system with a Wydale tank and parts from PF (but I don't use a pumpbox). Haven't decided yet what I'll do when I eventually change my van (or when it dies on me!)

I was under the impression that WCW was Facelift? Maybe I'm wrong if so I'll forward them my emails to WCW on 06/02/17 and 27/03/17.
It'd be nice to get a reply!

Received a reply today stating that someone will contact me tomorrow.
I would disagree that if you pay less you get inferior quality. The battery although 15amh less than stated at the time of purchase it's a top brand, the hose reel is a very good sturdy reel and the tank is well constructed. The wiring and hose connections are also good.
You have one user saying there's no rust on the bolts although their description of the bolts doesn't match the photos they posted.
They also haven't had any issue with the battery
They came across an easy mod for the hose reel and have bought a charger with a very useful feature.
The tank lid is accessible for them so they don't have an issue with checking the water level.

Just before I ran out of water today a metal gate which would pass over my old gardiner hose with no problem got stuck on the hose. This brought my attention to the hose diameter which is obviously larger than the reel can hold for the supplied length.

What van do you have? Maybe a larger van that way you can carry a couple of extra drums only a suggestion,  sounds to me your round requires a bigger van and delivery system I'm only summizing and could easily be wrong.