[CraigBlues]

Morning all!

Go easy on me.

Well in the next week I plan to make the jump to WFP as currently I'm all traditional but I want to speed up my round a little allowing space for new work and be safer, two feet on the ground more often.

I am planning on a DIY type kit therefore allowing me to build it how I want to in the van and garage.

I plan to have the system in the garage filtering the water 24/7, one so it is 24/7 but also allowing more space in the van. Needing a IBC, RO Unit and DI.

I am thinking of a 350L system in the van, leisure battery, pump and controller.

but I think I'm missing something...

Do I need a water softening vessel before my RO? and what else am I missing?

I've researched thoroughly but everyone is only human.

Thanks in advance.

[Lee GLS]

Morning all!

Go easy on me.

Well in the next week I plan to make the jump to WFP as currently I'm all traditional but I want to speed up my round a little allowing space for new work and be safer, two feet on the ground more often.

I am planning on a DIY type kit therefore allowing me to build it how I want to in the van and garage.

I plan to have the system in the garage filtering the water 24/7, one so it is 24/7 but also allowing more space in the van. Needing a IBC, RO Unit and DI.

I am thinking of a 350L system in the van, leisure battery, pump and controller.

but I think I'm missing something...

Do I need a water softening vessel before my RO? and what else am I missing?

I've researched thoroughly but everyone is only human.

Thanks in advance.

A pole and a hose 

water softeners are suppose to prolong the life of the membrane, but unless you are going for a 4040 ro, i wouldnt bother.

[Lee Pryor]

Do you mean MINE field? lol

I would go for a bigger tank than that. I know people on here get away with small tanks but really you dont want just a dribble coming out. Go for a 5-650 and work faster and achieve better results through greater water flow.

[CraigBlues]

A pole and a hose 

water softeners are suppose to prolong the life of the membrane, but unless you are going for a 4040 ro, i wouldnt bother.

Left myself open to that one didn't I, ha! Yes a hose and a pole obviously.

[CraigBlues]

Do you mean MINE field? lol

I would go for a bigger tank than that. I know people on here get away with small tanks but really you dont want just a dribble coming out. Go for a 5-650 and work faster and achieve better results through greater water flow.

Only have a small berlingo, therefore 400L is the biggest I would be able to get, my round is close to home therefore worse comes to worse, some days I can pop home and top up the tank whilst eating my lunch. 

Its a Mind Field as its like a mine field but in my mind. 

[Lee Pryor]

sell the van. get a transit or something similar. I only go for 1000l twin operator systems in our vans. The last thing you want is your equipment restricting your income. And as I said the flow of water is a big factor in the quality of the clean. I really think this is why alot of the public dont like wfp because their cleaner didnt have the guts to get the proper kit and therefor has to use I dribble to make their tank last all day. proper rinsing is so important to achieve a spot free finish.

The static filter system is a good move, however wfp will alow you to grow more customers and you may go further afield to do this. the poping back to refill becomes a major issue of time and money. I have been through all these stages myself. When it comes to equipment and things like that my motto has always been too much is always better than not enough.

I suppose it all depends on what you want from your business in the long term. I always wanted several vans out with staff and for me to be off the tools and running the office. I always wanted to earn more money. I respect that other people have other goals.

[richywilts]

lee has made some valid points there its so frustrating having to refill, knocks you off your stride,lads wana chat in office, having to come bk and go bk to the area could take 30-40 mins if your not too local including filling time, all this time could make you and extra 40-60quid

i bought what i thought was a 650 litre system second hand but when we began filling from 1000 litre ibc we realised it was on ly a 500 no where near enough for two men and even one man has to refill again most days

[richywilts]

lee what system do you run and in what vehicles

[SB Cleaning]

sell the van. get a transit or something similar. I only go for 1000l twin operator systems in our vans. The last thing you want is your equipment restricting your income. And as I said the flow of water is a big factor in the quality of the clean. I really think this is why alot of the public dont like wfp because their cleaner didnt have the guts to get the proper kit and therefor has to use I dribble to make their tank last all day. proper rinsing is so important to achieve a spot free finish.

The static filter system is a good move, however wfp will alow you to grow more customers and you may go further afield to do this. the poping back to refill becomes a major issue of time and money. I have been through all these stages myself. When it comes to equipment and things like that my motto has always been too much is always better than not enough.

I suppose it all depends on what you want from your business in the long term. I always wanted several vans out with staff and for me to be off the tools and running the office. I always wanted to earn more money. I respect that other people have other goals.

Sorry but I disagree, I have a 350 van mount and always get good results, lasts me all day no problem.

[Lee Pryor]

we have a 3000 litre twin 4040 static system.

Renault mater with 1000l twin pump and controller x2 batteries (Ionic) goes out 8am-4.30pm with 2 guys and lasts all day.

Also have Renualt traffic with twin 800l (ionic)

Getting another van and 1000l in 12 months time

[AS Window Cleaning]

I have a 650 litre tank, which if filled would over load my vw caddy and it's 750kg payload.

I use 250 litres by myself. and normally use 300 to 350 max with my wife, in the summer, on about a 250 quid day. so if you work like a trojan you can add to those figures, but on need IMO to use vast amounts of water otherwise.

home luck, and be prepared for a few 'twists' in the changeover! and lots of frustration. but it will be worth it.

[CraigBlues]

Its only me and my brother helps me occasionally.

I may do WFP on tops and trad on bottom to start with, we will see. My windows at home will be especially clean through practise, practise and more practise with the system. 

I think a 400L will be right but I won't ever completely fill it. Some of you are running 1000L with two chaps so thats 500L, to be honest they probarly work quicker than me. I'm not in a rush really, I like to give a good clean rather than rushing around just to collect money.

Not everyones thoughts but I much prefer to give a good job. Ideally I just want to do less ladder work to ensure my life is slghtly safer. 

[CLEANCARE WC]

sell the van. get a transit or something similar. I only go for 1000l twin operator systems in our vans. The last thing you want is your equipment restricting your income. And as I said the flow of water is a big factor in the quality of the clean. I really think this is why alot of the public dont like wfp because their cleaner didnt have the guts to get the proper kit and therefor has to use I dribble to make their tank last all day. proper rinsing is so important to achieve a spot free finish.

The static filter system is a good move, however wfp will alow you to grow more customers and you may go further afield to do this. the poping back to refill becomes a major issue of time and money. I have been through all these stages myself. When it comes to equipment and things like that my motto has always been too much is always better than not enough.

I suppose it all depends on what you want from your business in the long term. I always wanted several vans out with staff and for me to be off the tools and running the office. I always wanted to earn more money. I respect that other people have other goals.

Or another way to look at it ...the last thing you want is driving around everyday in a van too big for your needs costing you more in running costs with a twin operator that may not be used very often.

[CraigBlues]

Or another way to look at it ...the last thing you want is driving around everyday in a van too big for your needs costing you more in running costs with a twin operator that may not be used very often.

My thoughts exactly. 

So am I on the right track with equipment? Not missing anything?

[CLEANCARE WC]

Or another way to look at it ...the last thing you want is driving around everyday in a van too big for your needs costing you more in running costs with a twin operator that may not be used very often.

My thoughts exactly.  

So am I on the right track with equipment? Not missing anything?
[/quote

sounds like you got it covered.

[Lee GLS]

400L will be plenty for 1 man, we have a 650L tank, 2 men with controllers set to 50, and we never run out.

[AS Window Cleaning]

you may need a booster pump, depending on what RO system you get and water pressure (I got mine from Gaps water, they have a DIY package that is easy to put together and all you need).

You may also need a length of preferrrably 1 inch hose to move water from IBC to van, depending on distance and height, you may also need a transfer pump (available from B and Q for about £35), I use my booster pump which transfers about 90 litres per minute 100 feet to the van.

We also got some bollards to put out if you are in public areas, to cover yourself in case of accidental trips by members of the public!

Also an electric fan heater or oil filled rad for the van/tank storage area.  Guessing you have 12 volt charger for recharging leisure battery (just checking, you had earlier forgotten poles and reel) 

Is handy having some spare connectors too, if you break one part it can scupper you for a couple of days, when i ordered poles etc from gardiner poles i also got a spare of everything that was likely to get damaged.....

[andyM]

Yeah if your work is not far from home a static system in the garage should work well.
A half decent submersible pump and 1"1/4 transfer hose will speed things up nicely, my one pumps over 100 ltrs a minute and so only takes me 5 minutes to pull up re-fill water tank and get going again.

[Lee Pryor]

sell the van. get a transit or something similar. I only go for 1000l twin operator systems in our vans. The last thing you want is your equipment restricting your income. And as I said the flow of water is a big factor in the quality of the clean. I really think this is why alot of the public dont like wfp because their cleaner didnt have the guts to get the proper kit and therefor has to use I dribble to make their tank last all day. proper rinsing is so important to achieve a spot free finish.

The static filter system is a good move, however wfp will alow you to grow more customers and you may go further afield to do this. the poping back to refill becomes a major issue of time and money. I have been through all these stages myself. When it comes to equipment and things like that my motto has always been too much is always better than not enough.

I suppose it all depends on what you want from your business in the long term. I always wanted several vans out with staff and for me to be off the tools and running the office. I always wanted to earn more money. I respect that other people have other goals.

Or another way to look at it ...the last thing you want is driving around everyday in a van too big for your needs costing you more in running costs with a twin operator that may not be used very often.

Your right. What the hell do I know? You probably should have also highlighted my very last sentence of that post.

This is exactly why this forum has gone down hill and the reason I hardly ever post now. The fact is I have reached a level not many have on here in my business and in fact I gave this young man some very good advice there based on alot of experience. As I said I respect that people have different goals. If he wants to remain a one man band window cleaner thats fine. Personaly I preffer my warm office on days like this while other people earn my money for me.

Good luck to you Craig.

[Window Washers]

lee has made some valid points there its so frustrating having to refill, knocks you off your stride,lads wana chat in office, having to come bk and go bk to the area could take 30-40 mins if your not too local including filling time, all this time could make you and extra 40-60quid

i bought what i thought was a 650 litre system second hand but when we began filling from 1000 litre ibc we realised it was on ly a 500 no where near enough for two men and even one man has to refill again most days

Richy, turn the flow down a little 500l is plenty for one guy unless it is day in day out new cleans, or get 4 barrels and add them into the van, you should know the amount of water needed, if not monitor it.

I have 500l systems in my vans and these are fine for single user, can get away with 2 users on compact new builds. I have the option to add some barrels into the vans if needed, I hate comign back to base to refill.


as for the guy changing over ask away dude, we will all help you, you don't need to sell your van just yet, but you will should you want to expand (then thats obvious anyway )

My best advice is scrub rinse scub rinse and rinse rinse rinse if you have not done wfp before. if your anywhere near me, your welcome to come over and I will give you some hands on training to help you out, done it for loads of people off here now  .

Ian