[Ian101]

One of my 2 pumps been running slow for ages so thought I would take it apart and give it a clean out.

Now having never done this before I undid the top plate in error and thats where the magnets that spin the motor are housed - I now know this- anyways the magnets are held in pace against the motor rotor by little springs that push the magnets against the motor rotor to make it spin ... as soon as top plate was removed they sprung out and couldnt get em back in until realised a little slot just big enough for a toothpick to slide in and keep em in place whilst motor refitted then pulled toothpicks out and now all good.

Photos below will show better than I can explain

http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/qq291/rideforrotary/Window%20Cleaning/pump001.jpg

http://i457.photobucket.com/albums/qq291/rideforrotary/Window%20Cleaning/pump003.jpg

[Simon@ Clearview contractors]

Ive had to do a repair on this also ...what you need to do is use either cotton or really five fishing line say 1lb to keep the tension on the strings whilst you reconnect the top.  I did this by wrapping the line around my thumb and second fingerand stretching them out.

Good luck mate, you won't do that again

[Ian101]

tried cotton 

no fishing line 

electrical tape .... dont ask 

ribbon from Christmas present 

Toothpicks 

[Ian101]

to top it all pump all clean inside but date stamp puts it at 3 year old so maybe needs replacing ?

[Simon@ Clearview contractors]

oh dear...

the toothpick thing won't last mate, correct me if im wrong but arn't they bushes?

[Ian101]

all back together and refitted to system and working ,,, toothpicks just held em back whilst I refitted the top plate then pulled em out and guessing the magnets contacted the motor rotor as all working

[Simon@ Clearview contractors]

Good man! what a result,

When i had to domine the red wire had been rived out by mr nobody staff, leaving me with the taskof sorting it...wadda sh** job that was

[Spruce]

I found this interesting from another persons perspective and really got me thinking.

Having been in the power tool industry for many years this is the recognised way of fitting a motor together with brushes that's stator is incorporated in a cylinder housing. It is also the way to reassemble vehicle alternators (generators before then) and starter motors in the good old days when we used to have to repair them. I also remember using the same technique on a washing machine when changing brushes not so long back. We just take it for granted that this is how you do it in the same way that we just pick up the right size spanner to undo a bolt and nut. If I had to write out an assembly explanation I don't think I would have included a method of using stiff wire to reset the brushes in the same way as I wouldn't have told you to undo the nuts or bolts with a spanner.

I guess this is why a computer geek can't write an instruction manual on how to use a computer program that a novice would understand.

Well done for using your ingenuity to solve the problem.

Spruce

[rscleaningservices]

wouldnt bother messing around just buy new one !!!!!!!!!

[alanwilson]

30 mins will rebuild the pump, reseating the valves etc.  probably do it in less.

so you wouldn't bother doing 30 mins for £80?

you must be making great money.

[Spruce]

wouldnt bother messing around just buy new one !!!!!!!!!

IMHO, this is indicative of the throw away society that the marketing guru's have created. While I wouldn't criticise rscleaning for his comment, I have also experienced the other side of the proverbial coin from a manufacturers point of view.

The only way to keep production costs down is to mass produce product. If he were to send that pump in for repair, it would cost him postage of say £7.50 each way, parts (a new pressure switch costs £23.00), labour of say half an hour + VAT. So by the time he gets it back a week later, it has cost him nearly 75% of a new one. He is still left with an old pump and hasn't worked for a week if that was the only pump he had.

Personally, being of the old school, I would strip the pump down and try to find the problem - I would do this 'after hours' in my own time. In the meantime I would take the brand new pump I have in the cupboard in the office and fit it so we don't loose any working days. If the failure was something small and 'cheap' to repair then I would do it and keep that pump as a spare.

If the pump was well worn (I have 2 which are 7 years old) then I would probably use it as spare parts and order a new replacement. I certainly wouldn't send it away for repair. It would be uneconomical to do this.

Spruce

[alanwilson]

spruce - the replacement pressure switches are the biggest con.

for anyone wanting to repace a pressure switch, look on rs-components for the replacement switch, I haven't got the product code to hand but it was in a thread recently.  They are about £1.80 each, of course the window cleaning equipment suppliers all charge £23 because they supply the switch body with it (which never needs replaced)

[rscleaningservices]

Well Alan my old son I wouldnt get out of bed for less than £500 so spose I am making good money not that I couldnt be bothered soding around with pump dont have the time need my time sleeping and chilling but if it goes I cud always send it on2 you if you forward me your address and give ya £40 what do you say !!!!!!!

[alanwilson]

no problem, you pay the postage.

saying that you would be cheaper with a vyair pump, but if you are emotionally attached to the pump then feel free to post it to me.

[rscleaningservices]

To be honest my pump went on my ro which id had for 7 years I dont know much about them so bought same one well an upto date one fro omnipole cost me £180 put it straight on morks fine alot quieter i feel 7 years was good to last so wasnt worth the hassle in getting it fixed !!!!!!!!!

[rscleaningservices]

Alan I did buy a new pump in my van I use a flojet 60psi which find it very good this is my second pump in 7 years I know omnipole are not the cheapest but they seem to last, Ill pay the postage next time it goes to send to you lol ...cheers Rich ...

[Spruce]

spruce - the replacement pressure switches are the biggest con.

for anyone wanting to repace a pressure switch, look on rs-components for the replacement switch, I haven't got the product code to hand but it was in a thread recently.  They are about £1.80 each, of course the window cleaning equipment suppliers all charge £23 because they supply the switch body with it (which never needs replaced)

Yes, thank you. I have also used a Maplin microswitch and have a few spare somewhere. I use a Varistream now so the pressure switch is redundant.
The reason why I used that as an example is that is exactly what the repairers would do. Fit a £2.00 switch, charge £23.00 and labour to fit it.
We saw it in the automotive trade everyday - motorfactor parts charged at main dealer pricing.

Spruce

[CLEANCARE WC]

Call me a maverick, but how about a strainer? and a new pump every couple of years? and whack the still working old pump in your shed just incase your new pump should stop working, buying you time for a new pump to be delivered. repeat process until retirement then die.

[Simon@ Clearview contractors]

A new pump every couple of years? 

I've had 3 shurflo pumps running practically every day for the last 6 years, they're bombproof...

I also run flojet pumps in my omnitrolley 125's, they've never missed a beat either...

Buy quality, buy once.

[Spruce]

A new pump every couple of years? 

I've had 3 shurflo pumps running practically every day for the last 6 years, they're bombproof...

I also run flojet pumps in my omnitrolley 125's, they've never missed a beat either...

Buy quality, buy once.

Spot on.

The first pump I had was in a sealed pump box. The plastic hose developed a small leak and filled the pump box full of water.
I replaced the pump, then stripped this one down, left it to dry out (it was about 3 months later) oiled the bearings and put it together. That was 6 years ago and that pump is still working today.

Spruce