[neil100]

I ran a test today on my 2 hoses. I have  2 flowjet 60psi pumps, one for each hose.

My  50 mtr 1/2" hose filled a 2ltr jug with pure water in 21 seconds.

My 100 mtr microbore hose, 6mm internal diamater took 1min 11 secs, to fill the 2 ltr jug.

That means if I leave my inline valve fully open on my 1/2" hose its pumping just short of 6 ltrs a min. Is that to much water? Granted I did not have a pole attached which might slow the water down a fraction when the pole is operating at hight.

The microbore is only pumping out approx 1.7 ltrs of water a min without a pole attached, so it could drop to 1.5 ltrs a min at hight max, Is that enough to clean the windows correctly.

I would appreciate any feed back as I will be starting in earnest in the new year. I would like the microbore to work but I do wonder if theirs enough water coming through without makeing the hose shorter, say 70 mtrs.

I dont have a varistream fitted, as the company who fitted my van dont rate them.

Nel.

[Andrew McCann]

Hiya Nel

I reckon 1.5 ltrs per min a about bang on. I tried 1ltr per min and found that I was spending ages rinsing and probably not getting as good a rinse. At 1.5 I work much faster and actually use less water.

6 ltrs per min and ur gonna drown mate

Hope this helps Nel.

Andrew

[neil100]

Thanks Andrew,

I used 1/2" hose yesterday, IT was like a mobile waterfall. Good job it was raining.

I'll learn, Feel a right ammatuer.

Nel.

[Andrew McCann]

Hi again Nel

I just re-read your post.

Its fine to use 1/2 in hose because you will be plugging your pole hose into it which will reduce the flow. Has your system got some sort of flow control on it? I ask only because unless you have a pressure relief return fitted you stand a good chance of having pump probs when regulating your flow using an inline flow reducing device.

Andrew

[neil100]

Their is no pressure relief return, Their is just an inline flow reducing device at the end of the hose reel. The company who fits them said  the Flojets on demand switch can cope ok with the valve. they run a window cleaning company as well, and thats how they set all their van systems up.They tryed vairstream control devices, but it just gave them extra problems.

I think shurflow pressure sitches  struggle more, or so I am led to beleive.

Nel.

[Alex Gardiner]

Hi Neil,

The flow rate for your microbore is spot on for standard cleaning.

We also don't feel the need for a varistream as the microbore combined with a flow control valve does the job for you, as long as you have a decent Flojet pump. I'm not knocking Shurflo pumps at all but I have heard that they just don't cope with years of hard use like a flojet would.

Alex

[Jeff Brimble]

In domestic situations with regular cleaned windows I use 1/2 litre per min max and have done for years. I evolved my own system I could use 1.5 litres but hey I like to be economical. In the summer sometimes I go down to 1/3 litre per min.
You are not just trying to just quickly wet the windows you HAVE to agitate the dirt to free it from the glass first and then flush it away. So you need to use enough water, not too much and not too little. How much you get to know with experience. So try loads of water first clean then back off till you get the right ammount for you.
If the inbuilt cut out pump is cutting in and out a lot you will eventually burn it out. If this happens you need to increase the output to allow more water. Or you could build a simple by pass so that the pump system is always running a little water even if the brush supply is switched off.