DIY WFP Set Up Beginner on a budget

[ShaunWilliams97]

Hey guys, 

Thinking of installing an 350l upright water tank (caged in), shurflo 100psi pump, unger hydropower, facelift digital controller, a bolted down hose reel with 100m of 6mm microbore and unsure of what battery I am going to get at the moment. 

I currently have a backpack that I hook up to the hydropower for the odd jobs that I cant clean trad but wanting to make my life easier and get a van system. Trying to do it as cheap as possible for the time being, hence why im hoping to use the hydropower for now rather than having to buy a DI/RO.

Just wanting your guys thoughts on if you think it would work for the time being or am i missing anything and also what battery I should get? AI also have peugeot bipper so probably wont be much room in the van but it is what it is.

Will only be using the system for around 3/4 houses a day maybe and then do the rest trad for the time being so hoping that the hydropower will do the job for the next few months.

Help would be much appreciated.

 

[ched999uk]

Without knowing your tds, water pressure and if you can park next to house it's difficult to say but the Hydropower isn't cheap to run. For the number of houses you are starting out with a small RO would have been cheaper than the Hydropower and a lot cheaper to run although your water costs would increase but not much considering how much water you are intending to use at start.

As for battery - a leisure battery about 100Ah and a Class B or A is best. They can be difficult to get at times but Halfords prices aren't that bad and easy warranty as some windys can hammer batteries. remember not to pull more than 50% power out of it before recharging.  

 

[Part Timer]

Rather than the Hydropower I'd just get a DI full of resin. You can use the vessel when you get your van system so not wasting the purchase cost of the Hydro

 

[Inked]

If you find a battery you want on Halfords then give me a shout and I'll see how cheap I can get it for you on trade ?

 

[ched999uk]

I also have peugeot bipper so probably wont be much room in the van but it is what it is.

Watch the weight limit. 350lts of pure is about 350kg Plus frame, battery, reel, and you!!!!! Some vehicle weight limits include the driver others allow an additional 75kg for driver so watch out!!!

That said I think weight limits are on plate either on door pillar or under bonnet. I would guess you will be OK weight wise if you are reasonably careful as Bippers have about 650kg max load. You might not be able to get a 350 lts upright tank in if you want to fill at top!!

 

[Iron Giant]

Watch the weight limit. 350lts of pure is about 350kg Plus frame, battery, reel, and you!!!!! Some vehicle weight limits include the driver others allow an additional 75kg for driver so watch out!!!

That said I think weight limits are on plate either on door pillar or under bonnet. I would guess you will be OK weight wise if you are reasonably careful as Bippers have about 650kg max load. You might not be able to get a 350 lts upright tank in if you want to fill at top!!

Bipper payload is 610kg if that doesn't include the driver he will be over or extremely close to been with a 350ltr tank

 

[ShaunWilliams97]

Thank you all for the replies. Thinking of maybe going for a 250l tank instead of the 350l due to the max payload (and getting a new van isnt really an option at the moment) then the payload should be okay, as ill probably be carrying around 450-500kg including myself.

Do you think 250l will be big enough? I'm mainly traditional so it wont need to last a full days work, just the odd few houses with no awkward windows. 

Also after reading the replies, thinking of getting rid of the hydropower and getting a DI vessel. My water reads at around 70ppm so assuming a DI alone would be sufficient. Would it be better to fill the water tank with pure water or purify the water on exiting the tank?

Cheers

 

[Deleted member 257]

250l will be ok, you'll be wanting a bigger tank once you get in the swing of things though. Make sure it's an upright, don't get a flat tank, its a pain in the **** for air locks and getting all the water out. If you park on a slope you might only be able to use 200l.

 Fill your tank with pure the evening before, no DI is one less thing to carry and go wrong! 

I drove a bipper with a 350l and a full RO system + trad gear and it handled itself surprisingly well. I would consider one if i wanted a smaller van again. 

I dont know how they'd fit, but id look at the Facelift Compact 325. 

https://windowcleaningwarehouse.co.uk/collections/facelift®-compact/products/facelift-compact-van-mounted-system?variant=29418273734725

 

[Part Timer]

Thank you all for the replies. Thinking of maybe going for a 250l tank instead of the 350l due to the max payload (and getting a new van isnt really an option at the moment) then the payload should be okay, as ill probably be carrying around 450-500kg including myself.

Do you think 250l will be big enough? I'm mainly traditional so it wont need to last a full days work, just the odd few houses with no awkward windows. 

Also after reading the replies, thinking of getting rid of the hydropower and getting a DI vessel. My water reads at around 70ppm so assuming a DI alone would be sufficient. Would it be better to fill the water tank with pure water or purify the water on exiting the tank?

Cheers

I'd always purify into rather then out of your tank. Then if something goes wrong you have time to rectify it. 

 

[ShaunWilliams97]

Okay cheers for the help guys, much appreciated. 

 

[ShropsWindowCleaner]

Thank you all for the replies. Thinking of maybe going for a 250l tank instead of the 350l due to the max payload (and getting a new van isnt really an option at the moment) then the payload should be okay, as ill probably be carrying around 450-500kg including myself.

Do you think 250l will be big enough? I'm mainly traditional so it wont need to last a full days work, just the odd few houses with no awkward windows. 

Also after reading the replies, thinking of getting rid of the hydropower and getting a DI vessel. My water reads at around 70ppm so assuming a DI alone would be sufficient. Would it be better to fill the water tank with pure water or purify the water on exiting the tank?

Cheers

I built a van system last year (with lots of help from friends and this forum). It’s a 250 litre tank, with RO and DI in the van, along with all the other usual gubbins. Cost me £1700 all in. 

250 litre isn’t quite enough though. Il be changing to a 350 litre tank in the summer. 

With it being my first van mounted system (i transitioned from using a backpack on a trolley) I purchased new and second hand parts. It’s still all working very well. I got a very good deal on a pure freedom pump and controller, along with a 100m steel reel off ebay. A chap had bought the kit to start up but his circumstances changed. The kit was new but sold as ‘used’. I use a Merlin RO. Not the best, but does the job for now. I get a 97.5% rejection rate. 405ppm down to 10ppm, into a Unger resin DI. I have to use a booster pump though to up my water pressure from 45psi house tap, to 80psi after booster pump. 

Im really glad I changed to a van system. You might have a few leaks along the way, but it’s worth it!

 

[HWCS]

Define 'budget' youll not be getting change from £1000 and thats with a 2nd hand tank.

For just 3-4 houses a day id say 500ltrs a week would be more than enough, if i was you id do as i did when starting out.

Get yourself a dozen 25ltr containers and use a spotless if theres one close or if not tap up a local windy and buy pure from him at 5ppl, and stick to your backpack, until you realise trading is time consuming and profit hindering.

Pretty sure once you start wfp youll see the benfit or being safe, quick and richer and will soon find a way to afford a bigger van to increase time utilisation and profitability.