A flow controller makes so much sense for so many reasons. The spring V16's are fantastic controllers and at around £100 really are a no brainer. Many negatives to not having one and many positives to having one. Not even worth arguing about!😎👌
Educate me why I would be better off with one.
I get the feeling that the last sentence in my post above may come back to haunt me, and I should know better. 😁
My first pump, without a controller lasted 4 years. My second pump (same pump) with a controller lasted 14 years!
The controller allows full and fine control over pressure and flow rate- both of which are pretty major fundamental factors in the working harmony of a well balanced, reliable and economical delivery system!
I run my pump direct from the van's own battery, all day with no issues. Before I had a controller, this wasn't possible- battery failures were common. The unit micro adjusts to allow for differences in pole height (resistance) so no matter what height I work at, my predetermined flow rate remains exactly the same. I also have full and very accurate control of pressure. All my connections on my reel and pole hose (univalve etc) are all retained only by plastic cable ties- no jubilee clips, metal bands etc. I set the pressure cut off value so fine that I can choose the amount of seconds the pump runs before stopping upon activating the univalve! No leaks, no connectors popping off, no air ingress, no huge splurge of water on reconnection, no requirement to waterproof the van floor etc etc. All the above working in complete harmony means that the pump is only ever working as hard and fast as it absolutely has to in order to supply the pre set, perfect amount of flow and pressure. Which, in turn, equates the minimum wear on the pump and minimum power draw off the battery. In conjunction with a univalve, a considerable saving on water consumption too. I also use a swivel like you but with a gardiner 'water through' neck and a univalve. It's like comparing the smooth guaranteed comfort of a rolls royce to that of a reliant robin.... and all for massive sum of a hundred smackers!
Last year, I replaced my 14 year old one with a new, pre wired V16 spring and shurflo on a back plate from pure freedom. Red wire to van batteru and black earthed to van body (lashing point). Simple, easy, reliable with total and complete control of some of the most important factors at end of delivery.
You choose, but I would never want to work without one, ever.😎👌