[Spruce]

I wonder why the varistream costs so much if the regulator is less than £20?

Because this and other flow controllers also incorporate dead ending control (pressure switch) where these don't.

These are also mass produced, where the Varistream is produced for a specific market in much lower numbers. But on top of your imported controller, you need to add the cost of a moisture resistant box to keep your components dry.

If you are using a controller just to reduce motor speed, hence flow rate, then this has to be connected through the pump's mechanical pressure switch.

The idea of the Varistream was to replace the pump's pressure switch and incorporate it in with the electronics.
We have never had to replace a Varistream in 7 years of using them and have been generally very reliable, so they have well paid for themselves as far as we are concerned.

[Nathanael Jones]

I personally think the old method of using the pressure switch works better. No messing about calibrating, no adjusting the cal in cold weather,... its simple & it works!

A lot of the regulators mentioned in this thread previously aren't up to the job - the maplins one is only 3A, and the others don't have reverse polarity protection. This is one that I've used loads of & never had problems with:

http://www.ebay.ie/itm/12V-40V-10A-Pulse-Width-Modulation-PWM-DC-Motor-Speed-Control-Switch-Governor-UK-/290736054991?pt=UK_BOI_Industrial_Automation_Control_ET&hash=item43b13822cf

You need to put it in a waterproof enclosure, add a cable gland etc, but it does the job.

[Ian Sheppard]

I wonder why the varistream costs so much if the regulator is less than £20?

Because this and other flow controllers also incorporate dead ending control (pressure switch) where these don't.

These are also mass produced, where the Varistream is produced for a specific market in much lower numbers. But on top of your imported controller, you need to add the cost of a moisture resistant box to keep your components dry.

If you are using a controller just to reduce motor speed, hence flow rate, then this has to be connected through the pump's mechanical pressure switch.

The idea of the Varistream was to replace the pump's pressure switch and incorporate it in with the electronics.
We have never had to replace a Varistream in 7 years of using them and have been generally very reliable, so they have well paid for themselves as far as we are concerned.

It comes down to what you want from your system.

As spruce points out the controller does monitor DE water flow stopped and allows the system to operate more efficiently at lower pressure.
This lower pressure puts less strain on the connectors - hose - pump. With a pump running at a lower speed you also reduce the wear and tear on the pump motor and brushes. The slower the pump the less current you use and the longer your battery will last between charges.

We add a voltmeter - allowing you to monitor battery state and to help fault find
A Low battery cut off to extend the battery life
The new control has a low battery over ride to allow you to keep working and finish the days work

Relying only on the pressure switch works for some, bear in mind why controllers came about n the 1st place

   1. In running the pump until it hits the pressure switch you are running the pump as hard as it can possibly work. This means that the pressure in the system will be at its absolute maximum. This puts strain on the hoses, on the fittings and on the pump. It therefore increases the chances of split hoses, leaking joints and increases wear on your pump, shortening its life.

2. As the pressure switch cuts out the pump is at maximum, working as hard as it possibly can and therefore drawing maximum current from the battery. Hence as the switch opens it is under great strain. The high current and the fact that the pump is an inductive load (with stored energy) means that the pressure switch contacts are likely to arc and eventually they will fail.

In Short after 7 years continuous development the controller does far more than just control the pump speed.

We produce 1000,s of controls every year ranging from the Analogue - Hot water Charging + others  through to the Liquid logic V series and the Specialist 24V DC display panel manufactured for a dutch company.

In The end you have to do what is right for you

[Spruce]

Another point that Nat didn't mention is that he has reduced the pump pressure switch setting from 100psi to around 65psi and then set up his controller to suit.

[Nathanael Jones]

Another point that Nat didn't mention is that he has reduced the pump pressure switch setting from 100psi to around 65psi and then set up his controller to suit.

True - 60psi is more than you'll ever need as 1psi will pump water 2' vertically, so my sureflow 100psi pump is dialled down to its minimum (approx 65psi) its easy to do this using a using a small alan key. My pump is now 5 years old & still going strong, which I attribute mainly to the reduced strain its under.

[Tom White]

Have I mentioned in this post that it's been my experience that flow controllers are a waste of time, effort and money?

My suggestion is - if you already use one - wait till it conks out (I've had two different ones conk out within 18 months), or buggers you about till you want to hit it with a hammer, and then work without one.  Just connect the pressure switch back up and add a simple on/off switch; it takes about 10 minutes and even a Geordie can do it.

My battery and pumps work just fine this way; I love the fast flow 'cos it allows us to work fast.

KISS

(Keep it Simple Stupid)

[Tom White]

Relying only on the pressure switch works for some, bear in mind why controllers came about n the 1st place

I've read on this forum that flow controllers came about when window cleaners were using garden hose; this caused their pumps to cycle repeatedly; burning out their pump pressure switches.

But with mini and microbore hose, this doesn't happen any more and not only that pressure switches cost pennies from Maplins.

Can I ask why you think controllers came about?

[SunShineCleaning]

I have just fit this to a backpack pump and it works perfectly as a speed controller.

http://www.maplin.co.uk/motor-speed-regulation-unit-9312

[Spruce]

Relying only on the pressure switch works for some, bear in mind why controllers came about n the 1st place

I've read on this forum that flow controllers came about when window cleaners were using garden hose; this caused their pumps to cycle repeatedly; burning out their pump pressure switches.

But with mini and microbore hose, this doesn't happen any more and not only that pressure switches cost pennies from Maplins.

Can I ask why you think controllers came about?

Tosh

This is a revelation. If it happens with 1/2" hose, why doesn't it happen with mini or microbore?

[Tom White]

Relying only on the pressure switch works for some, bear in mind why controllers came about n the 1st place

I've read on this forum that flow controllers came about when window cleaners were using garden hose; this caused their pumps to cycle repeatedly; burning out their pump pressure switches.

But with mini and microbore hose, this doesn't happen any more and not only that pressure switches cost pennies from Maplins.

Can I ask why you think controllers came about?

Tosh

This is a revelation. If it happens with 1/2" hose, why doesn't it happen with mini or microbore?

I dunno.  As I said, "I've read on this forum that flow controllers came about when window cleaners were using garden hose".

My pump doesn't cycle and I use microbore hose.

If I'm wrong, which I could well be (wouldn't be the first time, nor the last), why did flow controllers come into being?  A fast flow = fast work.  A flow controller = being buggered about.

[SunShineCleaning]

I had a regular hose when I started and it didn't cycle. I used a bypass as it used too much water then flow controller to slow the flow. When did this cycling stuff start Tosh?

[Tom White]

If you do a search of "cycling" in the window cleaning related topics there's a lot of posts there about it:

[rosskesava]

Blimey. I didn't realise that for nearly 20 months I'd been wasting my time using something like a voltage regulator with no problems what so ever at all and in any way that cost about a tenner. It's also strange that the pump is still working. I guess I must be one of the lucky ones.

Strange also that if I turn the voltage down, the battery last longer.

Perhaps I'd better throw it away and spend maybe £150 or more.

Sorry to sound sarcastic but that's the bottom line.

I can add a volt meter for less than a tenner also and I've had no battery problems either.

What actually bugs me is having something complex and expensive to do a very simple job.

For some people and industries, more complex systems may be needed but to pump water out of a brush on a long stick to clean windows?

[Dave Willis]

Most controllers are around the £80 mark. I think the idea of a controller is to give the same pressure and flow at all pole heights and hose lengths. Does a voltage regulator do this without adjustment?

[Nathanael Jones]

Most controllers are around the £80 mark. I think the idea of a controller is to give the same pressure and flow at all pole heights and hose lengths. Does a voltage regulator do this without adjustment?

No it doesn't - - but in a real life situation, do any of the pro flow controllers do this either without re-calibrating every time the weather changes? I use a DIY flow controller that I built myself & I can honestly say I've never noticed the flow slowing down when I do high windows - perhaps it used to be a problem years ago when ppl used weak pumps, but anything rated to 100psi shouldn't slow its flow rate when only 30psi of pressure is needed to pump 60' up a pole.

I believe the tech they use (a hal sensor I think) is actually a very accurate way to monitor & control liquid flow in larger volumes,.. but at the low flow rates we use it simply isn't up to the job.

[rosskesava]

Most controllers are around the £80 mark. I think the idea of a controller is to give the same pressure and flow at all pole heights and hose lengths. Does a voltage regulator do this without adjustment?

Yup. £80 - my mistake.

The hose length is the same all the time if it's on a hose real.

As above, I've never noticed any difference in flow rate regardless of the height although logic says there must be some difference but it's not noticeable. The voltage regulator doesn't adjust or alter anything by itself.

I didn't mention this before but I use two voltage regulators and a two channel remote. One regulator is set to full and the other about halfway. Then by using the remote remote I can change from full flow to half flow without moving from the spot, i.e. while actually cleaning the windows, (try doing that with a flow controller) which is handy for some jobs and first cleans. Plus of course I can if I want alter the voltage regulator to anything I want if needs be.