[AuRavelling79]

To those that have an electric reel - is it really worth it? Which one have you got and would you get the same again?

I have had my van 5 years next month and although everything is serviceable I'm thinking of tidying everything up and organising for more speed and less effort.

But I don't want to be "daft" and do things for the sake of it.

Thanks in anticipation.

[Smurf]

Think you have answered your own question. "more speed and less effort"
I will be also looking at a refit this year as I'm not getting any younger. lol

May even go down the diy route as there was an interesting post recently that peeps have converted wfp hose reels quite easily for around 50 squid.

[Dry Clean]

I think like most things in this game it will depend on your circumstances, personally I don't find manually reeling in
my hose that much of a chore but if I was having to do it 30 times a day then I might feel different.

[Tony dunmall]

It all depends

The younger 20-40 year old's don't mind what pole or what hose reel or those that haven't wfp for many years

 as you said more speed less effort

More speed comes with time we all know that

Less effort always appeals to me as I've done this for way too long now and wish to for many more

Electric reels have a lot less impact, which one is personal choice

I've got the power up HD water works as I had the wind up version for many years I like them as there quite a narrow design I also have one reel with 70 meters pole hose and one with 50 m miniboreand 79 Metres  pole hose

Best money I've spent in wfp since the modular and extreme poles came on the scene

I guess simple answer YES,

[Jays Window Cleaning]

Smuf I looked into DIY.  aggro mate where do you get the motors from . They all seem to me belt driven ones now . Yes you can use them if you what to take time getting the belt bit off and getting a cog . Again all got to be the right size cogs. Chain . And the chain has no cover over it . That's y I thought buy the real thing.... And my good that's just as much trouble 

[simon w]

Tweaking your van set up isn't a bad idea or waste of time if you think it can make working more efficient. I should think by having your reels mounted in the van without being electric uses very little physical effort at all when reeling hose in. I still lift my reels in and out of van every day 100 M on each reel but I'm still within that 20-40 age bracket

[tony day]

The motor is from a mobility scooter. They are very easy to get. Penny's really!

[dazmond]

i just dont see the need for one TBH.dont forget youll have to get another battery to power it.i dont find reeling in hard at all with a fixed reel in the van.

mind you a lot of the time im only reeling in 3 or 4 times a day.

[dazmond]

Tweaking your van set up isn't a bad idea or waste of time if you think it can make working more efficient. I should think by having your reels mounted in the van without being electric uses very little physical effort at all when reeling hose in. I still lift my reels in and out of van every day 100 M on each reel but I'm still within that 20-40 age bracket

lifting the reel in and out all day is totally unnecessary work mate.i did it for around a year.much easier having it fixed in the van.

[Jonny 87]

Go for it!

You will not regret it. I've not met a single person who has one and says they wish they hadn't.

It's like the difference going from aluminium to a carbon fibre pole. Plenty say aluminium is fine, but really it's not.

I've added floor rollers to my van and this is saving me time during the day and making it easier.

[Jays Window Cleaning]

Tony day do have a link to where you got you motor from ? It's getting the right cogs for the reels  I see some on caber reels . I spent ages trying to get all the right bits I gave up in the end . Head ache

[tlwcs]

Echo what Jonny 87 says
I've the bolt on to the petal reel and at Christmas I bought the HD one. (I now have a spare!)
Mid 50's using extreme brushes and poles and thought the winding could cause rsi.
If you can afford it, buy it. You won't regret it.
And Dazmond, you will get one and rave about it along with all the other stuff that isn't necessary that you end up buying
Tony

[Frankybadboy]

I'm still within that 20-40 age bracket

how much do you pay the plastic surgeon? 

[Frankybadboy]

i just dont see the need for one TBH.dont forget youll have to get another battery to power it.i dont find reeling in hard at all with a fixed reel in the van.

mind you a lot of the time im only reeling in 3 or 4 times a day.

dont need another battery 

[bobplum]

we have two, i appreciate a younger person may not find it too much of an effort to reel in but saying that i would say  you will clean AT LEAST one more house per day because of the time and energy you save, so even if you are younger you will increase your productivity per day.......As mentioned once you have a electric reel you will never want to go back to manual reeling, i would say get the HD model we have the bolt on type, which are good but the HD models seem better

[Frankybadboy]

we have two, i appreciate a younger person may not find it too much of an effort to reel in but saying that i would say  you will clean AT LEAST one more house per day because of the time and energy you save, so even if you are younger you will increase your productivity per day.......As mentioned once you have a electric reel you will never want to go back to manual reeling, i would say get the HD model we have the bolt on type, which are good but the HD models seem better

your the ice cream man bob 

[Stoots]

I made one from that thread for about 50 quid. Been using is ever since and it works great.it's not something I had  considers before but what a difference it makes I would hate to be without only now. Sony h quicker and easier.

If you don't want to make one its worth the investment to buy one.

[AuRavelling79]

Thanks for your replies chaps - very helpful.

@Adam Thompson
Can you point me to a step by step build your own sequence and bits thread? Or where you got your bits please?

@Electric users
Which "off the peg" one seems the best balance between cost and quality/ease of use?

Do you just hold the button and let go if the hose snags or what and do you power it off of a separate battery? Any add ons such as roller guides and are they necessary?

My cheap claber sits in a wooden tray so that normally it is fixed to the van but I can slide it out if necessary - which is rarely needed.

[Tony dunmall]

Apart form ones I bought last year

I've got one half built and another three to convert
but they kept sending the motor through with the belt drive and not cog driven
 Any one know for sure where  i can get a cog driven motor much appreciated

Tony

[robert mitchell]

Thanks for your replies chaps - very helpful.

@Adam Thompson
Can you point me to a step by step build your own sequence and bits thread? Or where you got your bits please?

@Electric users
Which "off the peg" one seems the best balance between cost and quality/ease of use?

Do you just hold the button and let go if the hose snags or what and do you power it off of a separate battery? Any add ons such as roller guides and are they necessary?

My cheap claber sits in a wooden tray so that normally it is fixed to the van but I can slide it out if necessary - which is rarely needed.

I have the powerup Hd and i think its brilliant , its a push button so yes as soon as you let go of button it cuts power ......im amazed how much easier the day is and the niggle in my right shoulder i thought was from weight training has disappeared.