[andyM]

Have you seen the price of pork pies lately?
Extortionate! 

[Deangsi]

THIS ONE LOOKS GOOD
http://coolpc.com/Manual-12V-DC-Variable-Speed-controller/M/B002D3DK1I.htm?traffic_src=GB&utm_medium=CSE&utm_source=GB&id=uk

does look tidy could do with knowing what amp its rated to good find tho

[Deangsi]

or go for this one, i see them on ebay from wfp suppliers,  for near 30 quid, all they are is 12v dimmers
http://www.suntekstore.co.uk/goods.php?id=14001498&utm_source=gbuk

i bought 5 of these of ebay from hong kong at £3 delivered and they all broke straight away

[Nathanael Jones]

or go for this one, i see them on ebay from wfp suppliers,  for near 30 quid, all they are is 12v dimmers
http://www.suntekstore.co.uk/goods.php?id=14001498&utm_source=gbuk

i bought 5 of these of ebay from hong kong at £3 delivered and they all broke straight away

Dimmers will not work, you need a 12v PWM speed controller. They are cheap (less than £10 on ebay) but by the time you add the waterproof box, the waterproof on/off switch, the cable gland and the time it takes messing around assembling them,.. its really is better to buy one ready made,

[Ian Sheppard]

While I can see the argument on cost may influence a start up cleaner.

Both Craig and Nat are right on the development side and cost.

Development is done with the cleaners in mind and the features they look and ask for - Hence controls with Volt meters and battery warnings ECT there is a significant investment in time and testing to get to where we are.
The latest controls can take 6 months to get to production ready so we are confident they will perform in the field.

The low cost controls - dimmer switches ECT have technology that is 7 - 10 years old. these were not designed with WFP in mind as Nat points out.
If you have a 5 amp rated controller and a 7 amp rated pump run your pump close to full speed and you will burn out the controller. Ok you can replace it for peanuts, that said replace it 3 or 4 times in quick succession and the Peanuts add up.

These controls are cheap because as soon as the (overseas company who has copied old technology that might work for a bit) has your money that,s the last you hear from them.

Unlike our Distributors who will give support to the product as do we.
 

[H S and Son]

The cheapest way is to not have a controller at all. Once you've worked without one you wont be going back. And it saves water.


I call that win win.

[Ian Sheppard]

Interesting point - How do you control your water flow? With no controller the pump works flat out pumping the maximum volume of water per minute - how does this save water when compared to a regulator of some kind?

[Deangsi]

he has a t piece with a tap that you can let so much of the flow return to the tank. thats a guess. thats what i am using at the moment untill my van is fixed

[Nathanael Jones]

he has a t piece with a tap that you can let so much of the flow return to the tank. thats a guess. thats what i am using at the moment untill my van is fixed

That works,.. but running your pump flat out will shorten the lifespan of the pump & drain your battery a lot quicker,..

[H S and Son]

he has a t piece with a tap that you can let so much of the flow return to the tank. thats a guess. thats what i am using at the moment untill my van is fixed

No, you rinse at 100% flow-rate.

Interesting point - How do you control your water flow? With no controller the pump works flat out pumping the maximum volume of water per minute - how does this save water when compared to a regulator of some kind?

Because with a controller you ponce around, sorry but thats what it is, with the water dribbling down the window at 55% its potential. With a controller you rinse as quickly as is feasibly possible and move on.

You earn more money, everyday, because your not standing waiting to finish one piece if glass before you can move on to the next.

Never had any of the problems Nat has suggested. My battery lasts a year, which is reasonable and my pump is 3 years old.

[Deangsi]

the pressure you get in your hoses must be alot, and iv noticed some cleaners say they are saving water matt and mark lwc hehe but it takes alot longer with a slow flow so to be honest u mite aswell have a fast flow clean quicker and earn more per hour! but it can get to the point where its is squirting out that fast it doesnt make a difference need to find the happy medium.

[Ian Sheppard]

Thanks for the info Matt.  You could say the only rule when it comes to flow rate is that there is no rule.
Every one has their system set as they like it, Controllers are not for everyone. They can offer some extra flexibility to those who do.

Deangsi point about pressure build up is a valid one running the pump at maximum will build pressure. The Pump pressure switch will cut in if it gets to high. It is possible the pressure switch will fail if it is relied on as the sole means of stopping high pressure build up.

Failed pressure switches and worn pumps were among the reasons controllers came about. and why we continue to develop the control to give as much flexibility as possible.

It is why our controls are designed to work with a pump pressure switch and we advise to leave them in line. The control can do more than just regulate water flow.

[♠Winp®oClean♠]

I couldn't work without a controller. In 8 years wfp I've worked without one & I've worked with a bypass too.

Without doubt using a controller is the only way for me & the list of benefits are too long for me to be arsed to write!

[LWC]

I use one of these cheap controllers deans put up, been on system about a year and really pleased with it!

I have it turned right up with 2 reels going off it, and about 1/2 for one reel, plenty of water coming out.

Dean we DO NOT have the water coming out slow lol, we are concerned about saving water yes only having 350 litres on board, but like you say if you have it on quicker you get the work done quicker.

Anyway, thumbs up to the cheap controller.

[Deangsi]

i like your system matt what happens when the pressure builds up on the shurflo ? does it just shut down ? i have managed to fix one of our old pumps me and mark had and i mite use that in the same way as you. if i have two pumps on the go will i have to have two outlets of the tank or would a simple t piece work from the one outlet?

[LWC]

On the vivaro i had there was a simple T, dont need 2 outlets. And yes the shurflo shuts off when it builds up.

[H S and Son]

i like your system matt what happens when the pressure builds up on the shurflo ? does it just shut down ? i have managed to fix one of our old pumps me and mark had and i mite use that in the same way as you. if i have two pumps on the go will i have to have two outlets of the tank or would a simple t piece work from the one outlet?

Pumps have a built in pressure switch, it turns the pump off anyway when you reach that pressure. So you're installing something that you already have in the system, whats the pojnt of that?

[LWC]

i like your system matt what happens when the pressure builds up on the shurflo ? does it just shut down ? i have managed to fix one of our old pumps me and mark had and i mite use that in the same way as you. if i have two pumps on the go will i have to have two outlets of the tank or would a simple t piece work from the one outlet?

Pumps have a built in pressure switch, it turns the pump off anyway when you reach that pressure. So you're installing something that you already have in the system, whats the pojnt of that?

Think he was asking if it still switches off with the controller matt

[Craig Trevain]

i like your system matt what happens when the pressure builds up on the shurflo ? does it just shut down ? i have managed to fix one of our old pumps me and mark had and i mite use that in the same way as you. if i have two pumps on the go will i have to have two outlets of the tank or would a simple t piece work from the one outlet?

Pumps have a built in pressure switch, it turns the pump off anyway when you reach that pressure. So you're installing something that you already have in the system, whats the pojnt of that?

Ive had 3 people come in this week whos pressure switches on their pump have gone due to cold, Ive by passed it and got them running, because they have one of our digi flow controllers, so instantly saved cost of a new pump, happy days.

[andyM]

Sainsbury's and Waitrose seem to be offering the best deals at the moment 
http://www.mysupermarket.co.uk/grocery-categories/fresh_pork_pies_in_tesco.html