[Ken]

Any one had this problem with their Shurflo backpack?
Working in the snow today, but I don't think the cold was the problem. The pump sounded fine, I was getting a good flow of water from the brush, but then the pump would switch off. Pressing the power button wouldn't start it up. I had to unplug the battery connector, reconnect and then power up again. This would do 2-3 windows (fading gradually to half a window as the morning went on) before I would have to repeat the process. I really don't think it was icing as the temp was going up as the morning went on. The battery was charged recently to and the backpack only gets light usage. What I did notice was the power light next to the power switch on the base of the unit flashing when their was no pumping. When working the light was on solidly. Could this be the pump's pressure switch? Or a more major pump problem? Any pointers appreciated...

[bonsey]

most prob not charged enought  i had that prob do you use the charger that comes with it ?

[chrisyg]

yup not charged enough, ensure its had a full charge the night before and dont leave it half charge in the cold weather, its will drain it very quickly.

[Ken]

I am charging the battery as a precaution but I'm not sure that's it. I have had the battery run out before and I think Shurflo say in their blurb that because the pump is electronically controlled it doesn't get gradually slower when the battery is dying, but runs at regular speed and then just stops working. This was almost like a reset situation...

[birdymiller]

I have had this problem and it was the battery running out of charge. I now have 2 batteries and charge them alternate nights.

[Xline Systems]

sounds to me like the pc bourd has gone.
this is a reacuring fault with the backpacks. if this is the case the best solution would be to bypass the pc and replace it with a normal on off switch. by doing this you will only have one flow rate

[darren73]

sounds simple but check that the hose is not getting squashed at the exit point at the top of your pole as this causes cut-out problems

[Ken]

I may have to eat my words (hmm...bitter!)
I have had the battery on charge for an hour or so, plugged it into the backpack and it has run for 10 mins without cutting out. It's back on charge now so hopefully will give me a full days work tomorrow. What a waste of time, if I'd charged it up all the effort we'd made to get to work in the snow wouldn't have been wasted! Lesson learnt!
(If it is the switch how easy is it bypass? I have no skills with electrical things!)
All the best this week you frozen-handed window cleaning types! Summer's on it's way!

[Tosh]

Ken,

This has happened to me a few times; you need to get a new battery; trust me.

You'll find that it will work with the old battery, but it won't hold its charge for that long and will cut out again.

You'll also find that by disconnecting the battery and re-connecting it after it has cut out that it will go for another five to ten seconds and cut out again.

I'm sure your battery is on its way out.

[Klean07]

When the light starts flashing it normally means that battery needs charging. Also if your hose is kinked up it will not work.

[Pole 2 Pole]

Tosh and everyone else is right. Been there,read the book. Battery needs chargin. This time o year,it needs doin AT LEAST every other night.