[easy clean]

Hi guys,

A few months ago I see some links for Diy controllers on eBay. Searched and searched but can't find anything, does anybody have a link for these please.

Thanks in advance

Jon

[Don Kee]

http://www.cleanitup.co.uk/smf/index.php?topic=192847.0

Tosh's handy work

[jk999]

If you read all the posts on that topic they also explain how to wire them as well good advice I made a full pump box and switch saved loads ☺

[Smudger]

Yes this is a great thread 👍

Darran

[Nathanael Jones]

They're MUCH cheaper, much more reliable & give much less issues with different hose sizes, jet sizes, temperature changes etc etc - - and if you buy the right one its as simple as popping it in a waterproof box (about £4) and connecting the wires! I'd never buy another pro one again.

[slap bash]

If you are going to make your own then do use a 20 amps unit as the 10 amp unit do not last on our pumps as they are on the limit if you pump is working hard. The ones I use are 40 amp with a 20 amp fuse so the unit does not take the shock if anything wrong it will hit the fuses.A lot of the chaps who build these use a 10 amp unit as they cost less but can burn out easily.

[jk999]

I have 40 amp so your saying it's best to go for 20amp fuse not 10 amp

[mark m]

I have been making controller for years now but when my boy asked me to make one for him a threw in a few extras
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EiMVG5WOX-Y

[Tom White]

They're MUCH cheaper, much more reliable & give much less issues with different hose sizes, jet sizes, temperature changes etc etc - - and if you buy the right one its as simple as popping it in a waterproof box (about £4) and connecting the wires! I'd never buy another pro one again.

+1

In about two years, my original one (which looks like something the Taliban made) has given me zero problems and is still going strong.  You don't even have to recalibrate these when the temperature changes by a few degrees.

[CleanClear]

I'd never buy another pro one again.

Me too. Not sure if its my imagination but they don't seem to use a lot of power i.e my battery lasts longer inbetween charges. Of course when they're running they're not trying to figure out pressure, voltage etc....they just run.

[Ian Sheppard]

A pump delivery system is more efficient with a controller than with out one. There are then a range of completed pro controllers that are fully backed with Independent CE testing, warranty and have added safety features engineered in.

Re the current draw from a battery a controller will reduce the current draw as the pump is now producing only the flow required at the glass.
I often run  tests in the workshop to compare various units and pumps. By far almost all the current drawn from the battery is drawn by the pump,  Some current will be lost in heating of cables and connectors and yes a controller does require some current. In a recent comparison of the V11 against a non spring manufactured controller. I found the following

Pump off V11 drew 0.1 of an amp.
Non Spring drew 0.3 of an amp

At a flow rate off 40 Spring V11 current draw was 1.46 of an amp per hour
Non Spring controller was 2.15 of an amp

At maximum flow the Spring controller and pump was pulling 4.7 amps an hour
Non spring controller was drawing 6.3 amps an hour

The Spring V11 is consistently more efficient in terms of managing current. The V11 actively returns unused current back to the battery. The V11 will also run much cooler for example after 1 hour of running at maximum the V11 was operating at 38C

In comparison the non Spring manufactured controller after 1 hour was at 70C

In the test I used a pressured live system with an aquatec 100 PSI 8 amp pump.

One of the biggest factors in components wearing and shorting over time is Heat. The less efficient the controller is the more current is wasted in heating components with less current available to the pump.
The V11 is engineered to be more efficient in terms of managing current to the pump and also will run significantly cooler than any other unit currently available. 

When looking at costs of controllers factoring in the time to build a DIY unit should be taken into account. Plus lack of warranty or support.
There are a number of products available in the market and this is a good thing as it keeps the market competitive and encourages innovation. There are differences however in the controllers available. A spring V11 will cost around £80 it will however last for some time. There are large number of V9 and V6 controllers out there still going strong after 5 plus years use £16 a year for a fully supported design for purpose controller is not a bad investment.

[CleanClear]

A pump delivery system is more efficient with a controller than with out one. There are then a range of completed pro controllers that are fully backed with Independent CE testing, warranty and have added safety features engineered in.

When looking at costs of controllers factoring in the time to build a DIY unit should be taken into account. Plus lack of warranty or support.

Ian just take this as some feedback, rather than a critiscism. I started off using your controllers and varistream controllers. Never had any problems initially and they where everything you could want. To be fair any  problem i did have, flashing batt, or off on always turned out to be a dodgy connection from me. So i got that bit. A crimp and a damp environment was never gonna cut the mustard. I now solder and use shrink tube. And keep the wires as short as possible. Also changed from croc clips to clamps.
 Varistreams, not your department i know, early ones..brilliant. I got extra ones after that.....total pants.....flashing on off at the drop of a hat, etc..turns out that they eat the electricity after they are switched off.  Spruce might (or might not) tell you more about his experiences with them. I found them that bad i wouldn't use them again.
  Yours.....i've one of yours Cleaning Warehouse Branded, with split relay charge from vehicle . Been great for five years and still going strong. ( got a good few more that i can't document their usage)Thats a plus. I've recently disconnected it and i'll put it on ebay !! 
 Problem i have with it? Its flashing "batt" and showing 12.2v or something from my fully charged batteries. Run it at 45 (say) and its cutting out every few seconds giving you in reality "15" or "20" or what looks like that. Turn it up to 60/70 goes great then runs down quick cutting in and out, and it'll do this all day. Change to one of my diy ones i don't have this problem.
  Point is , and i realise i've gone all around the houses to say it is..the manufactured ones are too complex, not for the user per se, but they're performing functions that the [average* ] user does not require. I mean who actually knows what PSI they are pumping out?  "Calibrate it" has become a term not that anyone understands in reality, other than "calibrate it" to get it working again.  "Darran !!!! Knock that pump controller up an extra 20 PSI, i'm going upto three storeys !!! "  is not something you're going to hear in reality.  "Mick !!! Knock it down to about 30 on these two up two downs for now , thats enough" is something you'll hear even less.
 Most [or at least the popular ones we use] pumps have built in pressure switches already. And they are adjustable. If the suggestion is they're not adjusting or working as they should we need to take it up with the pump manufacturers. We don't need your controllers switching off everytime they suss a hard time...............

[Tom White]

^^^Agree with the sentiment.   In two years I've not had a single problem with my DIY controller; not one. 

I just switch it on and it does what I want it to do.  I want a higher flow rate, I just turn the knob up a bit.

Keep it simple.

[Ian Sheppard]

Hi Clean clear

Thank you for your comments.

Debate and feedback in what ever form that may be is a good thing. Over the 11 years we have been producing controllers it is this feedback that have led to changes innovations and some of the features that are on the V11 today. I have to be honest I do not quite get the " it has to be simple argument" any controller will need some degree of set up.

Most of us these days have Iphones or android phones that have more computing power than ever before these devices are running multiple back office functions. These phones require some set up before use. 

The V11 is running a number of back office functions to monitor and mange, the majority of the time the user would not even know it.
That your own V9 charger has lasted 5 years is in its self proof of the durability of the controllers and shows the value of a design for purpose unit. 
My Initial response was to correct some inaccuracies in terms of how much current a controller will draw.  . In an open market with a range of products people will have preferences as to equipment and this is a good thing as my comment in the post above.

I have long advocated that a pump controller makes a system more efficient than with in the controller market there are options and choices. I will within that context point out differences between controllers, that allows people to make the choice that suits them.

The V11 does a number of things no other unit does for example the electrical test which shuts down the pump in the event of a fault. Pressure switch detection is on the controller because of feedback received in the past.  In the early days of pump controllers pump pressure switches were burning out due to the high conductive load across them as the pump stopped. Managing this conductive load reduced the incidence of pressure switch failure.

I welcome feedback however I will respond if I disagree with some of the comments. This is the beauty of an open forum where differing points can be raised, information and experience shared. For my part long may it continue.

[Plankton]

My Avon analog controller packed in after a year! The fuse had melted casing but hadn't burnt out so no idea what went wrong. It works for on and off when some wire was disconnected but not for the flow control.
I've just been running the Shurflow pump from a simple rocker switch with no flow control and I DON'T use any more water!!
I've also got a backup cheap parts from china diy pump box with a volt metre and flow control, which is adequate.
For now my window cleaning budget is ZERO, but my next upgrade will be another shurflow with a Spring controller.
Would like to take on some contract work next year so reliability would be top of my list.