[Flash..]

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.

[home6442]

Could be a loose wire somewhere.

[DG Cleaning]

You did what?
Ever thought of coupling straight through to the battery?
Back up and earning in 15 mins.

[rosskesava]

Maybe cut a hole in the casing at the bottom, glue on a small 12v computer fan, wire it up, and drill a small hole in the side of the casing to create an air flow.

[MATT BATEMAN (OWC)]

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.

this happened to us yesterday.

All fine once the van doors were closed and the sun was off the kit.

[Dave Willis]

I had the same too - checked all the connectors, fiddled with the settings a bit couldn't find anything wrong. Then the pump kicked in again 

So hot that the roads were melting around our way.

[ascjim]

Siesta I reckon

[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.

[Tom White]

Bin the controllers; just work full flow.  100 meters of microbore will slow the flow all by itself.

I really don't see the point of these temperamental, sensitive, delicate, over-engineered things that just mess us about.

[DG Cleaning]

I worked full flow today and cleaned 22 houses and used
about 300 litres.
Why would I need a controller?

[rosskesava]

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.

In this weather? 

[♠Winp®oClean♠]

Bin the controllers; just work full flow.  100 meters of microbore will slow the flow all by itself.

I really don't see the point of these temperamental, sensitive, delicate, over-engineered things that just mess us about.

You don't see the point because you don't understand them Tosh. Where controllers are concerned you are a cave-man!!

[DG Cleaning]

Bin the controllers; just work full flow.  100 meters of microbore will slow the flow all by itself.

I really don't see the point of these temperamental, sensitive, delicate, over-engineered things that just mess us about.

Obviously use less water but is there anything else?

You don't see the point because you don't understand them Tosh. Where controllers are concerned you are a cave-man!!

What is the point then mate?

[rosskesava]

I've posted this on here before. I don't use a flow controller, I use a voltage regulator to slow the pump down when needed. I've been using it for about two years or maybe a little bit longer with no problems what so ever.

I can't remember how much it cost but it was well under a tenner. I put it in a £2.99 waterproof box and stuck a £2.49 12v computer fan for hot days to keep it cool and have had no problems with 'water vapour' during that time. The whole thing is turned on by a 99p switch.

Flow controller are a complete waste of money. I cannot understand why anyone uses them.

As posted by Tosh, full flow rate does the job quicker and easier and like Tosh, if I want to stop the flow, I kink the hose which becomes second nature after a while and no aquadapter needed.

Not only that, I use the hose outside the pole as well.

[♠Winp®oClean♠]

I've posted this on here before. I don't use a flow controller, I use a voltage regulator to slow the pump down when needed. I've been using it for about two years or maybe a little bit longer with no problems what so ever.

I can't remember how much it cost but it was well under a tenner. I put it in a £2.99 waterproof box and stuck a £2.49 12v computer fan for hot days to keep it cool and have had no problems with 'water vapour' during that time. The whole thing is turned on by a 99p switch.

Flow controller are a complete waste of money. I cannot understand why anyone uses them.

As posted by Tosh, full flow rate does the job quicker and easier and like Tosh, if I want to stop the flow, I kink the hose which becomes second nature after a while and no aquadapter needed.

Not only that, I use the hose outside the pole as well.

Why do you use a voltage regulator if you work on full flow?

[rosskesava]

Why do you use a voltage regulator if you work on full flow?

Sometimes for first cleans a high flow rate isn't needed as it's just wasting water scrubbing the frames especially if I have a lot of other work afterwards. Same for huge dollops of seagull poo. Same sometimes for giving upvc doors a good scrub, or for sofits and fascias.

There's a whole variety of reasons but it's nice to have the choice.

[formb]

Surely a flow controller is just that? A jumped up voltage regulator? Not really anything else it can do to slow the pump down is there?

[Geoff]

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.

[heath verrall]

Bin the controllers; just work full flow.  100 meters of microbore will slow the flow all by itself.

I really don't see the point of these temperamental, sensitive, delicate, over-engineered things that just mess us about.

you are right there tosh , thats why im selling one, I used to turn it up full flow every time, cant see the point in one.

[Roy Harding]

I have had 2 flow controllers over 10yrs, one manual and new digital one. And they have never played up at all, the manual one I gave to Roger (squeaky) when I upgraded to the digital one.

As I say never had a problem, perhaps I have been lucky! But you use less water and have full control over flow. Also prolongs the life of the pump. The flow jet pump I have, has run 2 people for 10yrs and is still good. Having said this the controller will play up now and the pump will burnout as if I have put a curse on it. 

As has been said before, there is the flow to set as well as cut off pressure, and I know one window cleaner who if things don't go right from word go, he would throw his poles to the ground in a rage. Why would you do that!

As my experience has been good using  flow controllers, if mine did pack up. I would not hesitate to get another.

Roy