[drive surgeon]

hi guys happy new year,  just bought my wet n dry vac. its 80 litres and 3000 watts.  it has 38 0r 40mm suction hose i think as far as i know. i measured the connector width at end of hose and thats 40mm.

anyway im not sure whether to stick with the 38mm hose and just get the sl2 base sections or whether to get 51mm hose and get an adaptor to fit into 38mmm hose inlet on vac.?  also how many sl2 base sections will i need?, im just starting out doing domestic first to learn the trade.   i have an extendable pressure washing lance that reaches upto the top of my house which is a 3 bed semi but do i need to use it??  can i use this as the spike? i think the spike from omnivac supply might fit into this lance so i could use this as the spike lance?  maybe even attach a mirror to one side of it to see whats in the gutter instead of using a camera?  i also need gutter nozzles, where do i get them, do i need anything else?  thanks guys, sorry for lots of questions.

[groundhog]

Sorry I can't help with your problem buddy, but what a great idea about using a mirror to see into the gutters! I've just ordered a mini camera for my pole, but I will be trying the mirror idea out for gutters that aren't too high. Where did you get your wet n dry vac from? I may be interested in getting one myself, as I am getting quite a few enquiries about gutter cleaning, and have a big contract to do at the end of the month! 

[drive surgeon]

got it off ebay, tried it today on my low garage gutters with a step ladder and just hose end, it sucked the lot out great,  big pieces of moss and all the sludge.  just need the poles and bits.

[wightsurf]

If you don't mind me asking , was it a one off on fleabay or a supplier and how much ??
regards

[ftp]

If you are intending to use Superlight poles then there is no point in using 51mm hose really.

[chrisyg]

From a similar post on another forum - here is my reply.

You will find the smaller the hose the better the suction.

Your tool at the end will have the smallest bore to suck thru so it makes no difference with the hose. All your doing is increasing the weight and surface area for the "muck" to attach too for a bigger hose.

You will find it blocks mostly at the tool end or at the inlet to the machine.. But it needs the "flange" inside the inlet to help create the vortex "suction".

[ftp]

I think the whole vortex thing is a bit misleading. If you take the flange away the muck simply fires straight into the mesh on the head preventing suction. If you look at it there are about three different angles the inlet can be placed at. I think omniwhatsits have fitted a side inlet to give a straighter entry for twigs, pine needles etc.

[drive surgeon]

shall i just buy the sl2 poles then and use my 40mm hose?  i only got 5 metres so i might get another lenght of 15 metres to use just for gutters and the short one for normal wet n dry work.  what do you suggest i buy then, sl2's and what else?  ta 

[chrisyg]

shall i just buy the sl2 poles then and use my 40mm hose?  i only got 5 metres so i might get another lenght of 15 metres to use just for gutters and the short one for normal wet n dry work.  what do you suggest i buy then, sl2's and what else?  ta 

Read Mr H's thread on this very subject, its all there.

The DIY gutter vac thread.

[ftp]

I would buy the S2's and then play for a while to see if you need any more hose. (it only needs to go from the bottom of the S2 to the vac). have a word with Alex G if you don't want to build your own top loop, he can source the parts for you if you want (about £30) although they are pretty simple. Nozzles can be cut to shape from 38mm  waste pipe for about £2.50 a pop or you could adapt your vacuum nozzles.

[chrisyg]

Trust me you need a long length of hose ( i have 15, but i think i should have gone for 20), you wont want to move the vac unless you really need to, as it gets heavy with 20+ litres of sludge in it.

[drive surgeon]

yes chrisg i might get more hose instead of carting the vac around the houses.

how many feet is an average 3 bed semi?  do i need to use my extendable pressure lance at all?  will the gutter spike from omnivac fit in the thread? i have a u shaped attachment on it at mo with a fan spray for washing gutters.

[chrisyg]

They guys using SL poles..

How many sections do you have? I can only afford 3 atm so thats potentially 18 fort reach. Be enough for 1st story resi houses you think?

[ftp]

I don't want to be too far away from my vac so i can cut the power to suck and dump.
I prefer a shorter hose as it's less to clog up with slurry. Just my opinion.  

[chrisyg]

I don't want to be too far away from my vac so i can cut the power to suck and dump.
I prefer a shorter hose as it's less to clog up with slurry. Just my opinion.  

Very good.. there's 2 arguments both are valid and worth a thought. 

[ftp]

I do agree the vac gets very heavy when full of water and mud though. Very tempting to tug it along by the hose but the inlet would rip straight out then. 

[drive surgeon]

do i need a special electric extension cable on a reel or just a normal one like for using a drill?  im sure someone said i needed a more powerfull one?  also do i need to cover the vac if it rains?

[drive surgeon]

do you just leave it full till you get home or empty it?  i bet its hard to lift into van when full/

[chrisyg]

I do agree the vac gets very heavy when full of water and mud though. Very tempting to tug it along by the hose but the inlet would rip straight out then. 

I find it easier to leave the vac where it is, and then lift the drum out rather than wheel it..lol Cant do that when im older thou..

DS, you need arctic cable - i'll post a link in a bit.

http://www.screwfix.com/prods/63305/Electrical-Supplies/Cable/Flex/Arctic/Arctic-Cable-Blue-3183AG-2-5mm-50m

The vac is earthed, with water proof covering over the switch, but to be safe why not cover it with a pvc sheet.

[chrisyg]

do you just leave it full till you get home or empty it?  i bet its hard to lift into van when full/

No, dont take it with you, you must dispose on site, otherwise your liable to get a fine if caught.

which ive told you before!

http://www.defra.gov.uk/environment/waste/legislation/duty.htm#1