[Ian Sheppard]

My pump controller packed up in the middle of my final job of the day so I packed up and went home now its working fine?  The only explanation I can think is that it was in full sun with the back doors of the van open and it got too hot?  Anyone else had this happen.

Yesterday in the South saw temperature of 32 plus centigrade. Electronics struggle with high temperatures as it effects the processor and drive stages.
The controls are designed to operate in a temperature range between -5C and 40C on the PCB and pump drive stage

In direct sunlight in a metal box the temperature is going to exceed this by some margin. What you saw was the pump drive stage overheating and shutting down in these extreme temperatures. Once it had cooled down again it continued working.

Also be aware that these High temperatures will affect the pump in a similar way and could melt cables so its worth keeping these out of direct sunlight as well.

Temps are down a bit today so there should be less of an effect.

The advice given to people in hot extreme climates would be.

Keep the control out of direct sunlight and perhaps crack open the windows a little to get air moving around in the van.
I would advise against drilling holes in the bottom of the enclosure as this may expose the PCB to water vapor damage.

Why spend £100+ for the hassle?  Ditch the controller and go full flow.

As I am fond of saying a pump controller is doing far more than simply slowing the pump. after a number of years development and investment they also

Report and monitor battery state
Monitor system pressure
Automatically adjust the pump speed as the pole is extended or lowered
Reducing pump speed means the pump does not get as hot (the hotter the motor the less efficient)
monitors the pressure switch to reduce high conductive energy loads
operate with solenoids, float switches heaters
Frost protection
Manage water and battery resources
Monitor TDS
Auto calibration
Works with any 12V 9 amp pump

I accept this is not the only way and some prefer not to use them. I also agree with the comment that controllers are misunderstood.
I sometime hear they are to complicated, From an engineering and tech point yes they are complicated, However a great deal of time and effort has gone in to making them user friendly and provide meaningful information.

[Tom White]

However a great deal of time and effort has gone in to making them user friendly and provide meaningful information.

We don't need information; we need water flowing out of the brush head.  Quite often it's the flow controller that's preventing this.

I know my battery is good when water is flowing nicely; I don't need a gauge to tell me that.  And in fact, I'm still using my first battery directly with my pump, no problems at all, but my old flow controller wouldn't work with it.

[Ian Sheppard]

I respect your opinion Tosh and what works for you works for you, however it is not for everyone. The question really is about what is the most efficient may to manage the resources. The pump controls are designed based on feedback from users on the ground.

Our development is based around what people tell us they want. A controller in its self in can not prevent water flow it will point to what is though.

[Dave Willis]

My controller continued to play up today - stopping and starting, good flow, poor flow etc.

Eventually traced the problem to an inline fuse running from the van battery. The plastic had melted a little on one connector allowing the fuse to slop around a lttle. Quick squeeze with some mole grips and power has now returned.