[mr D]

  i'm afrade ive used my dads 45 ft up a ladder b4 i wont tell you how high because 1. you wont belive me 2. people on her think i'm nuts as it is.

i'm gonna prob go 4 the 17' as i hate when the pole is as you put it 'whippy' anoying so i'd rather wait a month and buy a better pole and sell the other. they hold there money so well i've noticed.

[Sir Squeaky]

I had a 20-odd foot X-tel and I used it for one window before putting it back in the box.

Horribly whippy, almost bends 45 degrees.
Very heavy.

I wouldn't recommend one.
Fibreglass extender or superlite for me.

[Clive McDonald]

Don't think that the 17'xtel  is a second rate pole. Even when you've got an slx (24) you will still use the 17' most of the time because it's lighter and smaller.

But this is a detail as Alex pointed out.

Your main decision is what size tank? flat or upright? keep or get rid of the racks?
(get rid, remember the difference between the chicken and the pig in the bacon and egg cooked breakfast? The pigs commited.)

Further down the line the problem will be finding more work. Tank first.

Andrew mentioned a flowmaster (I have a varistream) I don't know what the difference is?

[NWH]

The flowmaster needs a pressure switch in order to work me thinks,in that case it should be avoided.

[mr D]

as i said i'm a not gonna be going 100% wfp. i've looked for a 350 tank on ebay and found one at £165. i think that is quit dear so gonna shop around.

[Nathanael Jones]

Bit smaller,.. bit cheaper,.. but FREE shipping!
www.surecleansystems.com/proddetail.asp?prod=85

[mark dew]

I had a 20-odd foot X-tel and I used it for one window before putting it back in the box.

Horribly whippy, almost bends 45 degrees.
Very heavy.

I wouldn't recommend one.
Fibreglass extender or superlite for me.

I used a 12ft extender as my main pole until i got a 17ft xtel. The extender was or is, a cracking pole as well for the price.

And andrew is right about info given on the basis of old poles. My 25ft is a 1 1/2 years old universal. And there have been so many pole innovations since then. The standard and choice now is much much better.

A flow controller is certainly a good thing to have if you want to conserve and have the cash. Although i have one 1, i run my van mount straight off a flojet pump most of the time now. And prefer it as i find it quicker to use a higher flow rate. I do have a plastic on/off valve between the tank and the pump which i use to adjust the flow to the pump.

Mr d, you say have 1k to spend. You are lucky that you can probably get yourself up a good set up with quality basics.
As suggested, getting the tank in the van done properly will be the most important single item. And getting the floor protected 1st will also make things easier for you.
You won't have to take your van out of action at a later date. A battery, pump, hose and pole are very quick to replace.
I notice many suppliers only sell shurflo pumps and not flojet. Maybe the deal isn't as profitable? I have had both for over 2 years and not had a problem with either.
But, whenever there have been pump problems posts on here, the vast majority seem to be with shurflo pumps.
Finally, if money is an issue, after a few cleans you will learn better what is required to suit your needs. I have 4 poles sitting in the shed that never really served their purpose from the beginning. But were the best of a limited option at the time.
You won't need to make that mistake, cos the choice is better.
A 17ft xtel or an extender will get you through until you have the cash to make a purchase that will last a few years.

[mr D]

cheers NJ but thats longer in lenth than the 350 ive seen and holds 100lts less water. i've thought about a 250ltr alreadt but feel i should use as much of the small space i have.

[mr D]

mark that is great advise buddy. your not the only one who has pointed out the problems with surflow pumps are commen so i shall defently be looking at flowjet's pumps.

as you said getting the van prepted is my 1st priorty as an ex-serviceman i follow the princibal pre planning and preperation prevents pi ss poor performance. so i'm making a check list of things to do 1st is resurch and 2nd is prep van.

[Andrew McCann]

I've been keeping quiet about this but I can tell you that you will struggle to get a 350 into that Kangoo and have any space for anything else much at all..let alone that racking.

The Kangoo is a wierd layout Look at your bulkhead and you will see that it is shaped kinda like this >  Not so prominent but it is. It sticks right into the available load space. I've looked at your pic and I honestly think a 250 upright is at the limits of what you will be able to fit in. Dont forget pump,battery piping and the rest and the reels take up quite a bit of space. I would seriously measure up again and look at tank dimensions.

Sorry to put a damper on your enthusiasm but I don't want you to try and fit a quart into a pint glass. 

Hope you prove me wrong though.

Andrew

[mr D]

no dont apolagise Andrew thats what i'm here for.

i'd noticed the > as you put it and your right it is a royal pain in the 'bulk head'

i shall measure and measure again. i'll post on here tomorow the diamentions of the avalabe space in the back. and i mean avalable so i'll not fool my self by measuring floor space just from the tip of the point in the bulk head if you catch my meaning.

i did this last time but i'll do it again and again just to make sure.

[Andrew McCann]

No prob 

I can tell you that the Kangoo is a nightmare to fit a decent size tank into properlyand have much room left at all.

AND..  I would hate you to get a 350 and it wont fit... coz...  it was me that convinced Wydale to make the 350   lol.. honest 

[mr D]

no worries Andrew thank you for all your help so far. ive added a new page to the site i'm building as part of a diary to what i'm doing. feel free to check it out. its not 100% wfp related but just exsplaines my reasons for heading in that direction.

ht tp:// www.freewebs.com/ waterfedpole/

just feel the gaps. the new page is intro to me

[Alex Gardiner]

Don't think that the 17'xtel  is a second rate pole. Even when you've got an slx (24) you will still use the 17' most of the time because it's lighter and smaller.

But this is a detail as Alex pointed out.

"We use the 13ft Xtel poles as they are very light, quick to use, very compact and will still reach 90% of standard two storey houses." 

[sjm]

Don't think that the 17'xtel  is a second rate pole. Even when you've got an slx (24) you will still use the 17' most of the time because it's lighter and smaller.

But this is a detail as Alex pointed out.

"We use the 13ft Xtel poles as they are very light, quick to use, very compact and will still reach 90% of standard two storey houses." 

How much please ? 

[macmac]

A 400ltr lay flat tank fits perfectly in a kangoo & still leaves about 3" either side of the wheel arches.

Tony

[Clive McDonald]

Cheers MacMac mate, ive got a spare flat 400l tank in perfect condition  if anyone wants one £50 plus carriage.

[mr D]

ta for the offer Discount but my mate has offered me one same price but i didnt want to take out the racking. been thinking long and hard today and i'm thinking more on the side of removing the racking and fitting a 400ltr now. i cound always build new racking above the tank couldnt i?

[Clive McDonald]

Yes.

What actual tools do you like to stow? I saw the wellies. Shall I tell you what i have.
Tool bag, with tools spanners etc
different types of glue   

If i break anything custy's pot or gutter or window bar, I like to be able to fix it fast. Same with my system (hoselock connections mean you can make a switch in seconds )

I carry loads of microfibre, three applicators, several sqeegies, a bucket, a tray for carrying tools,limescale remover,cellulose thinners,green scourers,scrapers,fiairy,rubber gloves.....

On the roof rack steps and ladders.

I haven't got protectocote in my van. Are you sure it will be a benefit, and in what way?

[Clive McDonald]

What I mean is how long are you likely to own the vehicle and what difference will this make to it's residual value?

you are going to spend £100 on 'stuff and spend a working day doing it (how much do you normaly earn?) then the van will have down time that in turn will cost you money.'