Gardiner V3 Backpack - I take it all back

["H"]

Vari-flow stops working on my Gardiner V3 Backpack.

Was very happy that they sent me a replacement. Fitted it today! It STILL does NOT work.

To add insult to injury, the second brand new back pack that was ordered off them, that DOES NOT work either!

A complete waste of time and effort.

I've quite a few jobs that I will have to miss next week as I need a back pack due to access. Plus all the hassle of having to pack it all back up and arrange a courier to collect it!

Useless!

Rant over!!!

 

[Solarpanelcleanington]

Where are you amigo? Wales somewhere?

 

["H"]

Where are you amigo? Wales somewhere?

Hello, Yep! Over on Cardigan Bay.

 

[Solarpanelcleanington]

I've a spare but that's too far. I'm between Abergavenny and Hay.

 

["H"]

I've a spare but that's too far. I'm between Abergavenny and Hay.

Thank you for the offer. Well appreciated. They are both going back to Gardiner and I will be insisting in 2 new ones in exchange. Both are still under warranty.

Thanks again. /emoticons/smile.png

 

[Poles Apart]

I wish someone would bring out a quality Backpack.

Sent using the Window Cleaning Forums mobile app

 

[Cristian]

I was thinking about buying a Gardiner backpack but after reading this I'm going to look elsewhere for one.

 

[Alex Gardiner]

Vari-flow stops working on my Gardiner V3 Backpack.Was very happy that they sent me a replacement. Fitted it today! It STILL does NOT work.

To add insult to injury, the second brand new back pack that was ordered off them, that DOES NOT work either!

A complete waste of time and effort.

I've quite a few jobs that I will have to miss next week as I need a back pack due to access. Plus all the hassle of having to pack it all back up and arrange a courier to collect it!

Useless!

Rant over!!!

Shame the replacement flow controller has not worked - that would have been the usual cure. When we get the backpack we can sort this for you. Please ring Customer Services (01726 66400) to be given a returns number before sending back.

With the new backpack not working something must happened in transit as each one is fully tested before being sent out.

If you have work that needs these on Monday it may be worth checking a few things today to see if it is a simple issue that can be corrected. Of course if you do not want to try these please send it back for us to sort/replace.

1. Check the fuse on the side.

2. If the fuse is ok switch the unit on to position 2 and see if the voltmeter lights up. If the voltmeter lights up but the pump does not pump then (a) check that the pole is correctly plugged in to the backpack female connector and the pole valve is open (backpack will not pump if it is up to pressure with nowhere to pump to), (b) open the base of the unit and check for a broken wire from the voltmeter to the pump.

3. If the voltmeter does not light up then plug the charger in and see if the voltmeter now lights up and the pump works. If so there will be a loose connection to the battery. This would usually be found by removing the base and undoing the battery tray and sliding the battery out. This may be able to be temporarily repaired if needed for work.

The above will help find out if the issue is a simple fault that could be sorted out quickly.

 

["H"]

Shame the replacement flow controller has not worked - that would have been the usual cure. When we get the backpack we can sort this for you. Please ring Customer Services (01726 66400) to be given a returns number before sending back.
With the new backpack not working something must happened in transit as each one is fully tested before being sent out.

If you have work that needs these on Monday it may be worth checking a few things today to see if it is a simple issue that can be corrected. Of course if you do not want to try these please send it back for us to sort/replace.

1. Check the fuse on the side.

2. If the fuse is ok switch the unit on to position 2 and see if the voltmeter lights up. If the voltmeter lights up but the pump does not pump then (a) check that the pole is correctly plugged in to the backpack female connector and the pole valve is open (backpack will not pump if it is up to pressure with nowhere to pump to), (b) open the base of the unit and check for a broken wire from the voltmeter to the pump.

3. If the voltmeter does not light up then plug the charger in and see if the voltmeter now lights up and the pump works. If so there will be a loose connection to the battery. This would usually be found by removing the base and undoing the battery tray and sliding the battery out. This may be able to be temporarily repaired if needed for work.

The above will help find out if the issue is a simple fault that could be sorted out quickly.

Thanks for the reply,

I've done all that you have mentioned as matter of course. The brand new one is displaying exactly the same symptoms as mt original one.

When I opened the packaging I tried it, pump worked on both modes.

Filled it with water, pure and no chems, as I had a first clean a hotel yesterday morning. Switched it on to mode one to control the flow, nothing.

Clicked to mode two and full flow worked perfectly.

Emptied the back pack of water and put it to one side of my van. Was not used after that.

At home I looked at it again with a fresh pair of eyes. Clicked again to mode two with the hose disconnected and the voltmeter showed a full charge.

This is exactly the same problem as the first one which was diagnosed by your staff as a dodgy flow controller.

So to me, through this experience, your flow controllers are the weak point. Two back packs in my possession with the same fault?

A gent on this forum also claimed he owns two of "your" back packs and he too has the same problem.

Greatest respect, BOTH back packs are going to be returned to you and the situation resolved. I am not prepared to be using my time to repair items that should not be failing,least of all on the exact same problem.

Would you expect to buy a T.V off Currys and then be advised to take the back off and see if you can fix a problem with it?

Not trying to be a muppet here but I have a job in the following week that requires the use of two back backs and where I need to employ someone to help me complete the job, hence the purchase of the new and second back pack.

I will be driving up to Barry first thing in the morning to the Window Cleaning Warehouse to buy 2 back packs from them to complete the job.

That would weaken my profits from the said job but needs must.

 

[Solarpanelcleanington]

Faulty switch?

In defence of the Gardiner backpack, I've two and they've been seriously abused, done loads of hours, exposed to hard frost and still charge and work fine.

I had a shurflo before, which was better built, but this was reflected in the price ( and the on/off button was underneath?).

Hope you get it sorted.