[Jeff Brimble]

Cleantech, Williamsons plus others, or the 80psi from Omni http://www.omnipole.com/omnipole_backpack.htm
Yes ideal for starter or for ever. RO units from www.ro-man.co.uk

[D.Salkeld_Ltd]

Jeff,

The Omnipole BP looks very simular to the Sureflo :

I wonder if an Omnipole 80psi pump would fit in a Sureflo

David

[Davew]

Backpack??? I can't think of anything worse, my body's not designed to hump that weight about all day. Van system for me.

[Paul Coleman]

Backpack??? I can't think of anything worse, my body's not designed to hump that weight about all day. Van system for me.

I didn't get on with the backpack either even though I only used it for odd jobs.  I use a van mount and a trolley where needed.  No place on my round is out of reach now that I've switched to 100m microbore but for safety's sake, I get the trolley out sometimes.  I don't like carrying that weight around.  If I'm going to use a backpack on a portable frame, I might just as well use a trolley.  I have had bad back at times too.  I tried a backpack but it doesn't suit me.  That's not to say it won't suit some people though.

[pjulk]

I agree with the Shiner

I think backpacks are a bad idea and i can see there will be many people with back problems in years to come.
I know you can use a backpack with a trolley but if you are going to do that you may aswell just buy a trolley.

I would never use a backpack and neither would my sons.
We use a van mount for most of our work and if i can't get to it with my 100mtrs of minibore out comes my trolley.
Plus with the trolley you can do more work than with a backpack on each fill.

Paul

[NWH]

I agree with the more water on a trolley bit you said,but most people i know with backpacks don`t actually use them on there backs they carry them.The good thing with a trolley is that you can have a good pump with flow control.

[Jeff Brimble]

I have a prolapsed spine anyone with a bad back will know what that means. Using the backpack kept my back excercised and supple, it did not give me any extra problems but then I know how to control back pain-  by excercise. I carry 10L max but also use water reducing measures which most dont understand.

[NWH]

What do you mean by using a reduced amount of water then Jeff.

[Jeff Brimble]

Have the ability to finely control the water at the brush head just one possibility using smaller jets, switching on and off to hand, between windows. Making the quantity of water you carry on your back go further. You only need enough, not more than enough, not less, just enough. Its important for backpacks. I usually get 3 house tops from 10L

[NWH]

What pump do you use on your backpack Jeff.

[Clive McDonald]

Lewis I very often applicate dirty windows prior to wfp, is this what you do?

[Clive McDonald]

Oh sorry I mean't to say also save the back packs for when someone asks you to do Notre Dame Cathederal.

[Jeff Brimble]

The only small one out there Its a LF Series 2 Piston demmand pump http://www.dualpumps.co.uk/pages/diaphragm_roller/disphragm_roller_subs/flojet_electric_driven_pumps.htm

RLF 1112201D on/off switch,finned motor & fuse 3.7Lpm £71.74  Page 40
If you want a std trade large pumps for trolley or van  its the Duplex II Two Piston demmand pump D313H7011AR 7.6 Lpm £134.11 Page 38

[billygoat]

I use the backpack on a trolley and it as changed my working life.I enjoy working now, where as previously it was always a bit of a drag to get me going.

So to say its no good is wrong, obviously you have to know how to use it!

My worst jobs (georgian and leaded) are now my favourite.

I earn more  now and not just because of the wfp, it just makes me more enthusiastic for working.

Iv'e been using it for 6 months now so after 26 years trad the backpack is the best thing ever as far as I'm concerned.

Also, I have not had one complaint about my wfp work,I still do some trad work.

Tim

[geefree]

so its a trolley system and not a backpack ? ... 

[billygoat]

Do many people use them on their back?

I'm just so pleased I chose this way for wfp,very easy to set up, cheap(less than £500),does a great job and I presume a lot lighter to lift in and out vehicle.

All this stuff about not producing enough water flow,I don't understand,because after you have done the first cleans it's faster than trad cleaning and surely that is what we are all after, faster cleans more dosh!

Tim

 

[Ian_Giles]

For me it is van mount + 100m microbore hose.

If I'm doing a run of houses, say 5 houses one side, then 3 on the other side of the road, I park up, open van doors, slip hose over shoulder (it's connected via a cheap caribina to some webbing that I wear like a sash) and walk to furthest house.
And then it's non stop cleaning until I'm done.
Jeff I know has developed a system or method of work that allows him to use very, very little water, but if I was using a backpack I'd have to refill it at the very least 9 or 10 times (biggish houses, couple with conservatories)

House 9 is a stand alone detached, not a big one, but I reverse up drive, job takes about 8 minutes, it wouldn't be possible to be any quicker with backpack, access very easy and quick, though would comfortably do it with a single fill of back pack.

House 10 is another stand alone, again access so easy a backpack no advantage.

Houses 11 and 12 are next door to each other, once more access straight forward and would certainly have to refill a backpack here, so once more, no advantage gained with a backpack.

And the same for houses 13 and 14, these are a pair of semi's, as one is upstairs only I might just get away without the need to refill a backpack, but access so straight forward there is no advantage.

And of course because I've a 650 litre tank I can have whatever flowrate I like, and the higher the flowrate, potentially the faster you can work (please note the use of the word'potentially'!)

A backpack is of course the ideal tool when there are access problems, particularly on terraced houses and so on, but I only have an odd account here and there where I think I would benefit from having a backpack on board the van.

Ian

[L.Doubtfire - The Blade Runner]

I don`t always `back flip` or squeegee first,but on new accounts that have`nt been done for `yonks` I always do.It lifts and `suspends`,it takes longer obviously,but
Its quicker,ya don`t use anything like as much water for a spot free finish.Jeff
Brimbles recommended pumps are ace,although  don`t use pumps anymore,and
Battery  powered not as much.Jeffs `fine tuning`technique is something that I try to do now
Using my Algarde hose,I find its much simpler,and quicker.

Lewis  Doubtfire

[qwert]

What does 'back flip' mean?  Is that with trad method or wfp.

Thanks

[neil100]

NO NO NO

A van system with 100mtr M/bore wins hands down, Try both for a year and 99.9% will chose a van set up.

I have a backpack in my van and use only for very awkward accounts, I use it once or twice a day. But I would never use it all day every day on its own, its too heavy for an 8 hour day, use that for a year 8 hours aday and you are going to have some severe problems with your skeltal frame that will cause long term damage or problems.

The problem with the backpack other then weight is you continuely run out of water, so you turn the flow rate down to try to make it last risking doing a bad job. Or your allways going back to a house  because you could not quite finnish the last window or couple of windows.

There is skill in walking with a hose and judging how much hose you need for awkward houses, when mastered it takes a lot of frustration away from wfp.

No CONTEST>

Nel,