Is anyone selling a used 8 gallon liquidator? Upgrades?

[DaveAZ]

I'm interested in buying an 8 gallon liquidator, but the price is a bit much.
As I read through this forum, I saw that a lot of people on here purchased them and have since given up on them.
If you'd like to sell me yours, click on "PM" on the bottom of this post and send me a message. Considering the amount of expected upgrading, I'd be tolerant of a missing part or two.

In reading the forum I have noticed many upgrades that people have done to the kit, and some tips:
3/8" line for flow increase http://www.troublefreepool.com/lq-3-8-line-conversion-how-to-increase-flow-t8337.html
Other tips: http://www.troublefreepool.com/tips-and-reminders-for-new-liquidator-users-t35932.html
People are replacing the control valve with $50.00 needle valves?
http://www.drillspot.com/products/562596/hayward_nv10025t_globe_body_needle_valve
The flow meter has fictional increments and it may lose it's ball, but no one has found a replacement for it?

Why doesn't this thing have a FAQ sticky with all the tribal knowledge yet?

 

[carlscan26]

PM sent

 

[texasdad]

I don't own a Liquidator but after reading all the threads trying to fix them maybe they aren't That great of a product? Other then the tank itself is there any part of the system that doesn't need upgraded.
Perhaps you could strait from scratch and build one.

I started out wanting a liquidator and am about to add a stenner pump instead.

 

[keithw]

As with any device, some people will like it and some won't. I am going on my fifth year with my LQ and have had no issues with it. Best purchase I have made for my pool.

 

[Bama Rambler]

Actually you don't really upgrade that much of the system. The only thing you really upgrade are the valves and the connections.

 

[DaveAZ]

Actually you don't really upgrade that much of the system. The only thing you really upgrade are the valves and the connections.

So the tank, tubing and the floats are great! LoL

It looks like a great idea with a satisfactory (weak) execution by a company that is too big to be interested enough in this product to improve it.

I shopped around and found all the individual components and would be able to build it from scratch with what appear to be the ideal parts for significantly less than the current retail price. I'm at work, but I could post details later if anyone is interested. I will most likely still use their product out of convenience.

 

[Bama Rambler]

I looked into it and the hardest and most expensive parts for building it yourself are the float valves. Everything else is pretty easy to find and not too expensive.

 

[DaveAZ]

Grainger has the float valves for 9.99 each. I'll post the link later. There is also an ebay seller in China, but Grainger is 4 miles from my house. Shipping vs. sales tax...

 

[Bama Rambler]

If they're the ones I'm thinking about they only have a 0.093" (3/32") orifice which isn't enough flow at the low pressures the LQ sees.

 

[DaveAZ]

These?

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/KERICK ... Pid=search

http://www.grainger.com/Grainger/KERICK ... Pid=search

 

[keithw]

I concur that there is not a lot to the design. But it works well in it's simplicity. And I never found the need to upgrade to 3/8" myself. After removing the check valves (my LQ is above water level), I had a great flow and I never experienced the "white stuff". Guess I am just lucky.

 

[DaveAZ]

The manual with parts list: http://www.pstpoolsupplies.com/pdf/hasapool/lq_manual.pdf

Container sources- http://www.chemtainer.com/opentop/buy.aspx
Example of container: http://www.tank-depot.com/product.aspx?id=280

The ebay float valve I mentioned: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=320765929669

A few flow indicators:
It comes with this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/220848209533
Not sure about these:
http://www.ebay.com/itm/170701870846
http://www.ebay.com/itm/300602484274
http://www.ebay.com/itm/160655568543

 

[Bama Rambler]

The ebay float valves might work. I'd be interested to know if they would.
The Pentiar rotameter is the exact replacement as you said.

 

[Smykowski]

How about these float valves?

http://www.usplastic.com/catalog/item.aspx?sku=23077

 

[Bama Rambler]

Those have the .093" orifice also. They would be ideal if the orifice was large enough.

 

[carlscan26]

These guys carry all th eparts http://www.poolandspawarehouse.com/search.asp?pg=1&stext=liquidator&sprice=&stype=&scat= but those floats are mighty spendy

 

[DaveAZ]

I have purchased my used liquidator! Thanks, Neil!
It came already upgraded with barbed fittings for 1/2"OD (3/8"ID) tubing.

Quick advice to anyone shipping these: Use shrinkwrap, or just tape the lid on. The 8 gallon liquidator outer dimensions are (22.5 rounds up) 23" x 15" x15". Adding one more inch increases your shipping price to oversized freight prices if using UPS.

I'd like to reverse-engineer the tank float situation. I don't understand why it uses two different float valves- one type at the inlet and another at the outlet. It seems like TFP members have figured out how to upgrade every part of this thing except the floats, and they demand repairs or replacement too often.

 

[Bama Rambler]

There are actually a few different float valves that will work on the unit but they're more expensive than the OEM parts.

 

[joel0711]

Second year with the 8 gallon liquidator,no problems. I omitted the flow indicator using testing to get proper chlorine level. Took just a few days adjusting the needle valve (think it cost 25 bucks or so) to get the ppm I wanted and I havent touched it all season. Used 12.5% chlorine since it's less bottles to haul away and supply is just a 5 minute drive. No white deposits. Done the upgrade from the start,never used the tubing provided.
Used the check valves but my pump is above pool level so next season I'll omit them, Float valves,,needle valve and quick connects will be the only parts I use. I'm happy with it so far.