[Jonny D]

I'm having  a problem with my system and i dont know what to do to fix it. The problem is that i only get a few hours work then the water slows right down then stops. At first i thought it was my batteries, that they weren't holding a charge but today when it happened i just went to my step dads to see if he could have a look and he said one battery was full and the other one was nearly full so it cant be that. So i dont know if its the pump or what it could be. Any help would be appreciated

[Tom White]

It really sounds like the battery to me.  When it runs down can you attach you system to your van battery?  I can do this with some elongated wires I have.

If it then works fine, you know the fault is definitely with the batteries.

I'm no expert though.

Oh, one thing that happens with my system is that I have a two man system, two pumps and two flow controllers (one flow controller is from cleaning warehouse and the other I can't remember - but they're two different types), and when my battery is low, the pump attached to the cleaning warehouse flow controller  works great, but the other pump attached to the other flow controller doesn't; it stops with a "L" flashing (I guess it means 'Low Battery'.

[Smudger]

sounds like battery - what controller do you have ? - most will display a code ( or an LED will flash ) =- if your on a split relay
start up the van if the flow returns then it's the batt.

other things ( but sound unlikely ) is an airlock - but i would expect you not to get water flow and then slowly increase after a minute or two

Darran

[Ian Sheppard]

Can I ask Are you using a controller? and what type? EG analogue - Digital?

I would also suggest you want to check the voltage at the pump if you have a voltmeter. This is because due to resistance in the cable voltage will drop along the cable.
This means you may see 13V or more at the battery but at the pump this voltage can be much less.

You need the cables to be as short as possible check for any damaged or corroded connections or damaged cable as these will increase the volt drop.

[SherwoodCleaningSe]

Have a check on all of the wiring especially the connectors. What is the battery reading? It really needs to be somewhere near 13v if it's closer to 12 then it is probably your battery. You say you have 2 how are they wired? A worn battery can kill a good battery if they are wired together as one will take the charge from the other and if that happens fast it will ruin the battery unless it's a car battery.

Simon.

[LWC]

Just a question, where is your pump positioned, is it higher than the outlet of the tank?

Are you finding that the pump works better when the tank is full or does that not make a difference?

[Jonny D]

I dont have a controller at the minute. In the back of my van i have my tank connected to my hotwash trolley and then to the hose reel. My step dad is just putting a split relay that plugs into the cigarette lighter in the van the now.

When i checked one was at 13 and the other was just under but i had been out working for a few hours. I dont have them wired together i got one with my trolley and when i first started to get this problem one of my customers game me another battery but i just switch between them when one runs out

[Jonny D]

the pump is higher than the outlet as its still on my trolley but i plan to take everything off the trolley this weekend and set it up but i havent noticed a difference with that tank full or empty. Does it make a difference where the pump is positioned?

[Tom White]

Does it make a difference where the pump is positioned?

Yes, they should be as low to the floor as possible.  I had allsorts of problems when I put them about two foot from the van floor; air locks.

But I don't think yours is an air lock problem, otherwise when you disconnect the main hose from the reel, it'll work again - for a short period - before you get another air lock.

[LWC]

It might not be pump position but when i had mine higher towards the end of the day the pump definately slowed down until i moved it lower down.

[AJ]

I had a problem like this a while back. It turned out that there was no air getting back into the tank when the pump was drawing water out. I used to loosen the cap a bit which resolved it. i now have an overflow pipe fitted at the top which allows the air in.

Its worth a shot.

Alan

[C-Thru.]

Might be a silly suggestion but is your tank 'Vented'?
I had problems similar to what your experiencing, went through whole system and realised my tank lid had no 'Vent' which causes a vacuum within the tank as the water level drops and isnt getting replaced with air causing the flow to stop.
next time it happens, release lid of your tank and if you get a big sound of air rushing in then this could be the cause..... Might be worth a look...

Good luck.

[stuart mc]

I had a problem like this a while back. It turned out that there was no air getting back into the tank when the pump was drawing water out. I used to loosen the cap a bit which resolved it. i now have an overflow pipe fitted at the top which allows the air in.

Its worth a shot.

Alan

+1 got be worth a try

[Tom White]

I had a problem like this a while back. It turned out that there was no air getting back into the tank when the pump was drawing water out. I used to loosen the cap a bit which resolved it. i now have an overflow pipe fitted at the top which allows the air in.

Its worth a shot.

Alan

+1 got be worth a try

Yep, this sounds good.

I drilled a small hole in my cap and just pushed a bit of pole hose into it and taped it in a circle.  It lets air in, but no water sloshes out when I'm driving.

[Jonny D]

I did drill a hole in my lid and put a bit of hose in it but maybe its blocked so al give it a try tomorrow thanks for the help and al let you know how it goes.

[kevinc]

hi jonny,worth a shot but have a look at the filter/strainer on the pump-might just be covered in crap,happened to me last year