My cheap system experiment.

So how cheap CAN you do water fed pole window cleaning?

[@davidsmillie7173]

Fantastic , just shows how cheaply you can do it ! 👍 Smilewindowcleaning 😊

[@strumbadstroller7350]

An old mate mine was made redundant & decided to start a w.c business. He blew over £20k on a van + fitted system. I tried to talk him out of spending so much. Anyway, he's doing ok but could have set up for under 1k easily & bought a decent round.

[@kavostat8130]

I didn't get it , why do you have so many of these 25litre containers, looks like 12 off them , it takes all the space of the vehicle like this, do you take them out one by one for a job, kind of back up for your back pack etc. Am i missing some thing here

[@ashhoward7744]

hi m8 sorry to bother i got my licence back and iv'e ordered a load of stuff aka water genie pump n controller 100 m hose 25 ft slx and 250 litre water tank and leisure battery and then i realised i only have a car iv'e asked about everyone is using barrels n backpack from a car n there saying its really unsafe for a car to be carrying a tank n iv'e spunked all my cash on the system any advice on how to make it work if it can work?

[@robertwilliams2323]

Hi could you tell me what pick up truck and model that is . . .I'm not keen on a van and looks perfect for what i want.

[@Jack-Surreal_Panes]

still use my 150. over 3 years old and now at 3 ppm. Got 99% rejection. Works better than my 4040 or 3 14" membranes. I have 2 55 gal barrels and fill them every weekend or so. takes all day but who cares. like you, tanks are OK but if use auto for other things, easier to use smaller tanks vice a large one bolting or strapping in and out. Another option is a larger sprayer tank. I use a 25 gallon tank and bring refills. good set up

[@steviekeane]

If It earns a crust that's all what matters. I use a back pack but only fill barrels 2 thirds to save back injury. I would never get a van set up for domestic windows.

[@raombaenrdta]

Just a quick question... why would you not charge your battery off your alternator on your truck? A quick easy improvement that would eliminate the need to charge nightly. Unless you are not driving enough to charge both, in which case you could consider a secondary alternator. Just a thought...

[@stevenhensman2541]

Won't last your five minutes That water pump. And the motor controller is totally rubbish

[@matthewoconnell4700]

The pump lasted 18 months of daily use the controller adjusted the flow to what I wanted and lasted two years.

[@wayneosullivan1549]

Top man nice ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

[@rickyjones9545]

Hi buddy. Really impressed with your setup and how cheap you did it all. I was wondering if you could help me with setting it all up please 🙏 my main concern is does the outside waterbutt freeze in winter?

[@poolekdx]

Great video, just goes to show! Fancy is fancy but can be done on a shoe string with the same results, well done Matthew, I liked it

[@matthewoconnell4700]

Thanks Mark, have actually upgraded my pump box to a bigger tool box with two pumps in it now, so we run two poles off it, also added quite a few more 25l barrels, might do another short update video soon.

[@kenostubbs5356]

How much was the entire system,prise wise

[@EricThomasBland]

Keno Stubbs Hey I just subscribed to you would you please subscribe Thank you! 😊👍🏼

[@colonynaut1627]

I like the submersible pump. I have a solution for you which I'm about to try myself. It's possible to convert each tank into a modular system. What you do is get cheap bulkheads from Aliexpress. Then you use the DIY rainbarrel technique beloved of cheap gardener KZbinrs (professional rain collection is not cheap). Then you place a backpack on the ground. The gravity flow refills the backpack as you work and it doesn't overflow because the backpack has been modified with a cheap Torbeck toilet fill valve. The problem with traditional van tanks isn't just that they are expensive. The cost of shipping and taxes doubles the cost. Then you buy the tank size to optimize for not running out of water - except that you've inserted an opportunity cost into your business because you have reduced storage for items like pressure washers as you mentioned. I think the solution is to have a modular system and optimize refilling techniques on the move but that's another topic.

[@danielsdecorating3937]

This is brilliant, When you brought it into perspective when you mentioned that all your doing is pumping water to the end of your pole. Then there's me considering to spend over £1000 on a van system. I'm looking at window cleaning part time. Is it possible to get your guidance if i need help. I'm not a very technical guy. cheers

[@matthewoconnell4700]

Hi there, of course, no problem, its pretty straight forward though, I now have two pole system, exactly the same just running two pumps from one box, I was using pulse wave modulators as flow controllers, but we have done away with those now and just use a flow controller tap on the hose at the pole end so you can clean with low flow and rinse with full flow, works like a charm.

[@EricThomasBland]

Daniel's Decorating Hey I just subscribed to you would you please subscribe Thank you! 😊👍🏼

[@EricThomasBland]

Matthew O'Connell Hey I just subscribed to you would you please subscribe Thank you! 😊👍🏼

[@ianmetcalf3692]

Hi Mathew love the video very very helpfully. Could I ask you a question. Which flow controller do you use at the bottom of the pole to control your flow and where could I get one? Thanks again

[@hillysextractorcleaningser8934]

What about the reverse osmosis? How did you make that? Or did I miss that part?

[@DiamondJoe_]

Thanks for the vid been very helpful 👍

[@michaelmantlepro-vacgutter4397]

Great video made me laugh it certainly is cheap but in the long run very very expensive slx18 pole Will last twice as long as a CLX 18 you get what you pay for also if it takes you 4to5 hours with two of you to do 15 to 18 houses with good equipment you should do that amount on your own if you are charging say £10 at house I would say that it is costing you at least £250 per week in lost revenue over a year that’s €12500 you could lease a brand-new van and buy state-of-the-art equipment and still be quids in . I would also be very wary of driving about with that many barrels not tied down in the back of your motor in an accident they are potential missiles The old saying is you have to speculate to accumulate

[@matthewoconnell4700]

Both CLX are still going, they are years old and still fine, I see people snapping carbon poles all the time and have hands covered in black, quite happy with them thanks. I have no idea how a different system would make cleaning windows faster, how does a different system pump water any differently? and its a pick up, they are designed to have things in the back like that, there is absolutely no way anything can get to us in the event of an accident.

[@MV12379]

Great video, is the battery you have used an Ultra Max np9- 12.

[@mackthomas8750]

How much does the iPhone system cost and do you need to buy new filters every now and again

[@matthewoconnell4700]

Hi, not sure what Iphone system you are referring to? and yes the RO filters need changing when they start degrading.

[@wolfee101]

does your outside tank freeze in the winter?

[@ijustwanttoaskaquestion106]

What did the 25L containers used to have in them and where did you get them from?

[@josephvega3513]

very nice set up. have you tried hooking up a univalve to it to stop waterflow or will the pump burn out if you try to stop water flow?

[@matthewoconnell4700]

You can get triggers similar to a petrol pump which I know people use but never tried it myself, not sure if the pump carries on if blocked or not

[@here-is-my-profile]

I only work 3 days a week LOL (10am-2pm) 3 half days you mean - I hope you stop for lunch

[@matthewoconnell4700]

Be better if I went on the sick? most people do with health issue like mine.

[@JBIRD575]

What does the clean water do not bead on the glass ??

[@1381432]

Dear Mattew, Thanks to share your experience. Just a question, With that pump How hight the pole working fine ? 5mt 12mt 24mt ? Also surely the distance between the pole and the pump also is affected. As also surely affect how may metters of hose has the reel. I look forward hearing from you right?. Thanks in advance

[@matthewoconnell4700]

60 meters of hose on the reel, I have worked with it up to 4 stories no problem and only had the pump at around 60%.

[@valsej2751]

Can you do a video of on the pump box ??

[@karl9460]

I looked on ebay and found some remote control switches for 12v and costing about £9. They also have some that have 2 or even 4 relays. Now, my idea is, if you got a 4 relay one, you could wire it so that one of the relays sent electricity into the PWM, a second relay bypassed the PWM and effectively got full power, and a third relay just wasn't wired to anything. The thing here is now via the magic of a remote control on a lanyard you could have low flow through the PWM, high flow direct, and also off via by switching to an unused relay. If you wanted I guess you could also add another PWM and have that on a medium flow. Do you think this idea is any good?

[@EricThomasBland]

Karl Jones Hey I just subscribed to you would you please subscribe Thank you! 😊👍🏼

[@steviekeane]

How often do you need to change filters and how much to run a month plz . I only use 100ltr a day with a back pack . I get my water off someone now but get fed up of filling up sometimes as I'm lugging barrels in and out of car . I'm thinking of getting a 200ltr barrel for filtering into ,then Gravity to fill barrels . Regards .

[@matthewoconnell4700]

We are not on a water meter (shhhhh) so no expense there, and only recently looking to change RO filter, resn is changed when the ppm starts to rise, change it maybe once every 6 months?

[@thecouncellor3540]

I have used two of those pumps £10 each had no problems then i brought shurflow for no reason only thing is the price and the sound is a little louder That's it... works well even at three story houses.

[@matthewoconnell4700]

After maybe two years of constant use one did pack up and the other is getting a bit noisy, can't complain lol

[@mazman4318]

Hi Mark I have just finished my waterfed box like yours I can't get the Flo controller to work I'm not much of a electrical man . there is mark Munro on the net it's not a lot of help just wondering could you please help

[@matthewoconnell4700]

On holiday at the moment when I'm back email a pic of your controller and I'll help np

[@brianbasta293]

Ok a good way to start out, i did trolley at first, but as soon as you develop a large round it gets hard work a van system is way way better, believe me i have been water fed poling for 15yrs plus. And forget adding anything to your pure water its a waste of cash.

[@Diwrnach69]

Brian Basta we don't have a trolley

[@dkscou]

watched your video brilliant idea just wondering how did you connect your reel to your hose as the hose reel connectors look big for a normal microbore did you convert beacause was thinking of getting a hose on a reel but seemed expensive thanks from donald

[@matthewoconnell4700]

I used a small length of normal hose then a reducer connector from Gardiner, I forget the exact dimensions but it would also depend on your microbore size, if in doubt give gardener a ring.

[@ashhoward7744]

Hi m8 looking for advice I lost my licence and then my job I was thinking of setting up a 85 litre tank on a cycle trailer n use a 50 meter hose do u think it's doable and does it matter what pump n battery used

[@matthewoconnell4700]

Completely doable but you probably won't get many houses done with that amount of water, in your situation I would either go full traditional or you could water fed pole the tops and traditional the bottoms. There's no difference in set up really, we run 80m of hose no issue.

[@matthewoconnell4700]

As for pump and battery it doesn't matter much no, I think ours are 8lpm but not entirely sure tbh, battery is entirely down to how long you want to run the pump for.

[@ashhoward7744]

Ye I was thinking just pole the tops and trad the bottoms and when it gets to lunch time go home fill up n go back out I'm just paranoid I'll wire it up wrong so from what I guess I need a 12 volt pump with 100 psi n 4ltr flow? And a 12 volt battery? With the controller and on and off switch I'm confused about the wiring

[@ashhoward7744]

And with ladders I ain't going up there for no amount of money haha

[@matthewoconnell4700]

@@ashhoward7744 where are you based?

[@MrAlexdavies89]

This video gave me anxiety

[@michaelmantlepro-vacgutter4397]

Most professional window cleaners I know do25 to35 houses a day you said you’re doing 15 my point was it’s a great cheap system but if you invested in a professional van or trolley system with a good pole you could quite easily double your profit clx poles are great I’ve used loads but an slx will out perform it by a mile and last twice as long therefore making it a cheaper pole in the long run

[@matthewoconnell4700]

If I wanted to do 25 to 35 houses a day I would, the system doesn't stop me doing that, I don't WANT to do that amount of houses I have health issues and could of gone full disability at the age of 27, instead I work.

[@matthewoconnell4700]

May I ask how a "professional system" pumps water to a brush better?

[@matthewoconnell4700]

Ah you're a troll, got it, professional trolley system would be better, missed thatvthe first time, that's what I had before they are crap

[@deborahrountree1774]

Lol

[@ianmetcalf3692]

Hi Mathew absolutely love this video. I’ve built something similar just adding a trolly into it but I’m struggling on one point I’m wondering could you help? I’m wondering could you point me in the direction of the connector that comes off the ro filter and into the di? My di is a hose pipe connector. If you could help with this that would be great

[@Diwrnach69]

When I bought the DI vessel I had the option of either connector type, I would give Gardiner poles a ring or check their website I'm sure they will have what you need.

[@ianmetcalf3692]

Thank you Mathew with a few more internet searchers I got fixed up 👍🏻

[@moldprintsrl]

all good as long as it does the job - but you will bin most of the setup when u ll get busy . I started with 25 jerry s but had a proper pump , hose reel and a great pole and when the time came I only swapped the 25 L containers for a big tank

[@matthewoconnell4700]

Window cleaning isn't our main business, we only do 3 days a week max, for that its fine and no need to upgrade, I did mention this in the video, we do maybe 40-50 houses a week the rest of the time is spent pressure washing. This was also done as an experiment and to help those on a window cleaning forum get into water fed pole as cheaply as possible.

[@EricThomasBland]

Stran I Hey I just subscribed to you would you please subscribe Thank you! 😊👍🏼

[@stevenhensman2541]

I do not understand how some people can live in s*** pits

[@l.bcleaningservices]

Trying to do that my self. But the pump is not drawing the water up from the drum it's a 6mm hose going from drum to pump It works then stops again lol

[@matthewoconnell4700]

Have you got the hose attached to the hose reel? it will struggle to prime itself if that's the case, unplug the hose reel, also check length of hose as well some pumps have a limit to how far they can draw water from, failing both of those its possible one of your connections isn't air tight and its sucking air in.

[@l.bcleaningservices]

@@matthewoconnell4700 I'm thinking could be the amount of hose going from drum to pump But when i had it working seemed very hit and miss with the water flow so mite be air aswell

[@matthewoconnell4700]

@@l.bcleaningservices air getting in somewhere would be my guess.

[@allclearwindows572]

@@l.bcleaningservices I've got a similar set up for when I have someone working with me, we had the same problem so we went from small hose going in to the pump to standard size coming out which fixed the issue. We just used an off cut of hose reel hose to draw water from the barrels. Also make sure that the hose isn't bending round to much inside the barrel which will stop it drawing water.

[@davef9929]

Matthew O'Connell hi there, Do you have a list of all the parts required to make this, great idea 👍. Also a photo showing the charger connection in the tool box would be great 😊

[@kiwikarlos1]

i need the toilet now

[@EricThomasBland]

Karl Christophersen Hey I just subscribed to you would you please subscribe Thank you! 😊👍🏼

[@mazman4318]

Thanks mate

[@Diwrnach69]

Sorry maz I forgot about you asked for help, email pics to [e-mail] and I will see if I can help.