Excellent content. This is by far the best TH-cam video on fixing these clever hose reels. When removing the cartridge from the housing, it can sometimes be very difficult to push it out. Another TH-cam video showed that often it's because one of the internal o-rings is hanging up on an opening in the housing. The solution is simple--just rotate the cartridge a bit so that the o-rings don't pass over an opening while being slid out. We have two of these reels, purchased from Costco a few years ago. After a couple of years, I discovered that the gears feeding the hose guide were dry and hanging up, so heavy use of grease fixed that issue. Then this year one of our reels would "click" and hang up while rewinding the hose. Complete disassembly showed the "motor" was completely without lubrication. Again, a liberal greasing of all moving parts (pistons, crankshaft, bearings) made the reel work like new. This thing is like a miniature steam engine! Surprised at the end of the video that the creator was cynical about these reels. Yes, they will need very occasional greasing, but I am impressed by the design and think our reels will last for many years. Also, I don't think plumber's grease is needed, since I suspect o-ring swelling will be minimal with conventional grease. But if you plan to take a drink from the hose then use plumber's grease. Oh, and you don't need to hammer the case apart. Just insert a flat screwdriver at the ends and pivot up. Once that joint "snaps" you do the next joint. After a minute or so the whole thing is apart. Thank you again for this video. Surprised there isn't a repair manual covering these reels.
I found this video very helpful. I had no idea how the sides were attached and this showed how to take the reel apart. After cleaning and regreasing all the seals and o-rings it worked like new. Great job on this video.
You showed us all how to disassemble/reassemble this Suncast product - amazing, given Suncast's website is pretty much worthless and we've been waiting 2 days (and counting) for a email request to be answered. Not sure we wanna try to repair ours (bought at Costco, hence Costco will take it back at no cost, even after several years) based on the complexity u reveal. Might give it a try tho, thanx to ur detailed guidance. U did a FINE JOB both in excellent step-by-step instruction and in the video production!
Received a rebuild kit from Suncast last year. Worked fine for a few months then got really hard to rewind again and sluggish on hose return. Didn't know about the motor part and adding extra valve grease. Thanks for posting a big help!
I didn't know this should be greased or that there were hidden o rings. I thought my hose reel was going in the trash after the handle broke. I couldn't find another one to purchase so I continued to look for a way to fix it when I found your video. I was able to take it apart following your detailed video and replace two o-rings that were worn and grease it up as you directed. I ordered the new handle from Suncast. Works good as new. Thank you so much!
Now I know how this comes apart. My mom has one of these and it really isn't winding back up very well. I plan on taking it apart and fixing what I can if it isn't too bad. Thank you for the video.
Good video. Thank you. Ours needs rebuilding after 4 seasons. In Michigan it is used about 6 mo/yr. We blow it out and store it inside for winter. Suncast discontinued their water-powered reels. I would not have bought it had I known it had pistons, crankshaft and soooo many moving plastic parts. I assumed it was a turbine motor.
I have one of these and it's been acting up. You've given me the drive and confidence to take it apart and try and fit it. Probably just needs a lot of fresh lube
Nicely presented, good pace, good material. I spent an enjoyable half-morning rebuilding mine and it makes a world of difference, retracts and extends much easier. I couldn't snap the pistons from the crankshaft so I didn't do that part but I am still seeing the benefits. Thanks!
Thanks for the great video. I was never able to get the spool valve out of the valve body but I had a complete spare valve assy. I have three of these going back over 10 yrs (from before Suncast bought the rights to make and distribute the product). I bring the whole unit into a garage space over the winter. I've always found Suncast to be top notch in terms of customer support. I was able to buy a few of every spare part available from their website up until a few years ago at a very reasonable cost. The motor assembly parts were never offered as far as I know. They no longer sell the product and it's shame they don't offer parts anymore. 'm reluctant to shell out $150 bucks for the battery powered version. I now have the motor disassembled and trying to find replacement seals. So far no luck. I think maybe the shaft seals are leaking and maybe an O-ring could be used there instead of the lip seal. I'm getting ready to reassemble the motor and hook it to a water supply outside of the housing so I can see exactly where the leaks. What is the device on the hose that comes into view as it is rewinding at 34:18? It looks like a "wiper" to clean the hose as it rewinds.....mine does not have that!
6 days later ... The valve assembly was rock-solid tight, and suspected this was our unit's problem. Nonetheless disassembled the Aquawinder apart down to the pistons (cleaned but did not disassemble). No slugs. Loosened up the valve unit, re-greased everything, and put it all back together with no 'spare' parts remaining. Attached the hose, turned on the faucet and voila ... the Suncast Aquawinder works like a charm, again. :) Now, no addition (yet) to the landfill and no need to spend $140 at Costco for a replacement. Could not have done it w/o ya. THANX!
This is a great writeup -- will be taking care of mine before I bring it out this season! Has anyone found a good how-to for disassembling/lubricating the gears and axles? Mine clunks and creaks as it reels the hose in and could benefit from a good lubrication but I can't figure out how to access everything.
Hey,, very good video, I am looking for the kit to change all the o rings and especially the (V seals of the pistons and the shaft) they exit you a kit, if so I take it on which site tank you.
Super helpful! In taking apart my winder I found that one of the gears had broken on the mechanism at bottom front. Any idea where to get another to rehabilitate the winding bar?
Unfortunately, Suncast does not carry parts for these any more. Your best bet would be to cannibalize another Aquawinder, but finding them is a challenge. Most have ended up in landfills by now.
Excellent video. I need help the valve assembly clips broke that holds the lever in place. I'm trying to find a replacement part on-line for the valve assembly and I'm having no luck. I even contacted Suncast however no luck.If anyone can help it would be greatly appreciated thank you
Great detailed instructions, after putting it back together it still did not work, would stop winding after each turn. Took it back apart, Discovered that the small part where the large screw goes in on the back of the reel had broken off. I was able to glue it back on with superglue and added UV glue for extra support, now works like new. One sign that this could be the problem is when that screw (first step in the video) keeps turning and does not come out.
Suncast should send you a nice check. I have had one for 2 seasons and it stopped working. Tossed that sucker in the recycle bin and bought one of those Kevlar fabric hoses from Costco.
Following up on some old comments: does anyone have the specs for the various o-rings? We have tried a few diffferent ID and OD size o-rings and have yet to find a perfect match.
Appreciate this video. But it seems there would be fewer issues with the binding O-rings if the core was rotated all the way around so they weren't exposed to the openings in the housing while sliding the core. This should be done upon both removal and reinsertion in the housing.😉 I've had several of these automatic hydro reels, since the first one came out from an Israeli company, before Suncast took over. I've had the original apart but it was no fun, and no videos back then like this to help figure out their engineering. Getting the outer plastic cases apart was always the worst part. They need tear-down again as the old one has slowed in the rewind and needs O-rings cleaned and lubed, and the wicker one just like yours has given me fits for 2 years not pulling out but 10 feet then seizing up; it clicks when turned by hand... a real pita. May be a stripped or blocked gear. But your video will help in getting the case apart. Thank you. I've been tempted to replace it with a Hoselink brand (Australia) reel like I bought for the garden. It uses a spring mechanism instead and is ridiculously easier to use than these water powered ones, in several ways. Their nozzles and accessories are quality and work better than stuff commonly found here. But they ain't cheap. Still, I'd never have to spend hours tearing another Suncast apart.
It's been a while and still haven't found the perfect sizes of the various o-rings needed for the rebuilds. No help from Suncast. Anyone determined the specs?
Anyone have any luck getting the specs on the various o-rings needed for a rebuild? I tried quite a few but the ID, OD and thickness were never correct. Suncast was totally unhelpful in providing the specs, let alone a repair kit.
Will be nice to know how many years Aquawinder worked good before it beginning to fail, thank you .. You video very good I will keep it in cas I go for this type of Automatic Hose Reel
Ours needs rebuilding after 4 seasons. In Michigan it is used about 6 mo/yr. We blow it out and store it inside for winter. Suncast discontinued their water-powered reels. I would not have bought it had I known it had so many moving plastic parts. I assumed it was a turbine motor.
I'm having trouble finding the correct sized o-rings and Suncast only wanted to sell me a complete assembly. Does anyone know the exact sizes for OD, ID and thickness? Mine are deformed and flattened so it's hard to measure them properly.
I am impressed and wonder if you might know someone in Des Moines, Iowa that I could hire to do this for me. Is there a company I could call locally. Thank you !!!
Mine has shown problems after using for a year. The handle broke off and water leaks from the center. I opened it and there re lots of O rings which you can not find in the market. I asked Suncast, they asked for receipt from where I bought it. Who would save the receipt for a year? Bad customer service.
Excellent content. This is by far the best TH-cam video on fixing these clever hose reels.
When removing the cartridge from the housing, it can sometimes be very difficult to push it out. Another TH-cam video showed that often it's because one of the internal o-rings is hanging up on an opening in the housing. The solution is simple--just rotate the cartridge a bit so that the o-rings don't pass over an opening while being slid out.
We have two of these reels, purchased from Costco a few years ago. After a couple of years, I discovered that the gears feeding the hose guide were dry and hanging up, so heavy use of grease fixed that issue. Then this year one of our reels would "click" and hang up while rewinding the hose. Complete disassembly showed the "motor" was completely without lubrication. Again, a liberal greasing of all moving parts (pistons, crankshaft, bearings) made the reel work like new. This thing is like a miniature steam engine!
Surprised at the end of the video that the creator was cynical about these reels. Yes, they will need very occasional greasing, but I am impressed by the design and think our reels will last for many years.
Also, I don't think plumber's grease is needed, since I suspect o-ring swelling will be minimal with conventional grease. But if you plan to take a drink from the hose then use plumber's grease.
Oh, and you don't need to hammer the case apart. Just insert a flat screwdriver at the ends and pivot up. Once that joint "snaps" you do the next joint. After a minute or so the whole thing is apart.
Thank you again for this video. Surprised there isn't a repair manual covering these reels.
30-40 minute round-trip to complete this job. Good as new. Thanks for the well-presented video!
I found this video very helpful. I had no idea how the sides were attached and this showed how to take the reel apart. After cleaning and regreasing all the seals and o-rings it worked like new. Great job on this video.
You showed us all how to disassemble/reassemble this Suncast product - amazing, given Suncast's website is pretty much worthless and we've been waiting 2 days (and counting) for a email request to be answered. Not sure we wanna try to repair ours (bought at Costco, hence Costco will take it back at no cost, even after several years) based on the complexity u reveal. Might give it a try tho, thanx to ur detailed guidance. U did a FINE JOB both in excellent step-by-step instruction and in the video production!
Received a rebuild kit from Suncast last year. Worked fine for a few months then got really hard to rewind again and sluggish on hose return. Didn't know about the motor part and adding extra valve grease. Thanks for posting a big help!
I didn't know this should be greased or that there were hidden o rings. I thought my hose reel was going in the trash after the handle broke. I couldn't find another one to purchase so I continued to look for a way to fix it when I found your video. I was able to take it apart following your detailed video and replace two o-rings that were worn and grease it up as you directed. I ordered the new handle from Suncast. Works good as new. Thank you so much!
Now I know how this comes apart. My mom has one of these and it really isn't winding back up very well. I plan on taking it apart and fixing what I can if it isn't too bad. Thank you for the video.
Thanks, saved me plenty and was a simple rebuild.
Good video. Thank you.
Ours needs rebuilding after 4 seasons. In Michigan it is used about 6 mo/yr. We blow it out and store it inside for winter.
Suncast discontinued their water-powered reels.
I would not have bought it had I known it had pistons, crankshaft and soooo many moving plastic parts. I assumed it was a turbine motor.
Excellent video, wouldn’t be able to do maintenance without it.
I have one of these and it's been acting up. You've given me the drive and confidence to take it apart and try and fit it. Probably just needs a lot of fresh lube
Nicely presented, good pace, good material. I spent an enjoyable half-morning rebuilding mine and it makes a world of difference, retracts and extends much easier. I couldn't snap the pistons from the crankshaft so I didn't do that part but I am still seeing the benefits. Thanks!
Thanks for the great video. I was never able to get the spool valve out of the valve body but I had a complete spare valve assy. I have three of these going back over 10 yrs (from before Suncast bought the rights to make and distribute the product). I bring the whole unit into a garage space over the winter. I've always found Suncast to be top notch in terms of customer support. I was able to buy a few of every spare part available from their website up until a few years ago at a very reasonable cost. The motor assembly parts were never offered as far as I know. They no longer sell the product and it's shame they don't offer parts anymore. 'm reluctant to shell out $150 bucks for the battery powered version. I now have the motor disassembled and trying to find replacement seals. So far no luck. I think maybe the shaft seals are leaking and maybe an O-ring could be used there instead of the lip seal. I'm getting ready to reassemble the motor and hook it to a water supply outside of the housing so I can see exactly where the leaks.
What is the device on the hose that comes into view as it is rewinding at 34:18? It looks like a "wiper" to clean the hose as it rewinds.....mine does not have that!
Excellent video! Thank you for doing this! It prevented me from doing further damage to my unit.
This is a very nice video with details.
6 days later ... The valve assembly was rock-solid tight, and suspected this was our unit's problem. Nonetheless disassembled the Aquawinder apart down to the pistons (cleaned but did not disassemble). No slugs. Loosened up the valve unit, re-greased everything, and put it all back together with no 'spare' parts remaining. Attached the hose, turned on the faucet and voila ... the Suncast Aquawinder works like a charm, again. :) Now, no addition (yet) to the landfill and no need to spend $140 at Costco for a replacement. Could not have done it w/o ya. THANX!
OUTSTANDING Video
This is a great writeup -- will be taking care of mine before I bring it out this season!
Has anyone found a good how-to for disassembling/lubricating the gears and axles? Mine clunks and creaks as it reels the hose in and could benefit from a good lubrication but I can't figure out how to access everything.
Hey,, very good video, I am looking for the kit to change all the o rings and especially the (V seals of the pistons and the shaft) they exit you a kit, if so I take it on which site
tank you.
Super helpful! In taking apart my winder I found that one of the gears had broken on the mechanism at bottom front. Any idea where to get another to rehabilitate the winding bar?
Unfortunately, Suncast does not carry parts for these any more. Your best bet would be to cannibalize another Aquawinder, but finding them is a challenge. Most have ended up in landfills by now.
Excellent video. I need help the valve assembly clips broke that holds the lever in place. I'm trying to find a replacement part on-line for the valve assembly and I'm having no luck. I even contacted Suncast however no luck.If anyone can help it would be greatly appreciated thank you
Great detailed instructions, after putting it back together it still did not work, would stop winding after each turn. Took it back apart, Discovered that the small part where the large screw goes in on the back of the reel had broken off. I was able to glue it back on with superglue and added UV glue for extra support, now works like new. One sign that this could be the problem is when that screw (first step in the video) keeps turning and does not come out.
Suncast should send you a nice check. I have had one for 2 seasons and it stopped working. Tossed that sucker in the recycle bin and bought one of those Kevlar fabric hoses from Costco.
Following up on some old comments: does anyone have the specs for the various o-rings? We have tried a few diffferent ID and OD size o-rings and have yet to find a perfect match.
Appreciate this video. But it seems there would be fewer issues with the binding O-rings if the core was rotated all the way around so they weren't exposed to the openings in the housing while sliding the core. This should be done upon both removal and reinsertion in the housing.😉
I've had several of these automatic hydro reels, since the first one came out from an Israeli company, before Suncast took over. I've had the original apart but it was no fun, and no videos back then like this to help figure out their engineering. Getting the outer plastic cases apart was always the worst part. They need tear-down again as the old one has slowed in the rewind and needs O-rings cleaned and lubed, and the wicker one just like yours has given me fits for 2 years not pulling out but 10 feet then seizing up; it clicks when turned by hand... a real pita. May be a stripped or blocked gear. But your video will help in getting the case apart. Thank you. I've been tempted to replace it with a Hoselink brand (Australia) reel like I bought for the garden. It uses a spring mechanism instead and is ridiculously easier to use than these water powered ones, in several ways. Their nozzles and accessories are quality and work better than stuff commonly found here. But they ain't cheap. Still, I'd never have to spend hours tearing another Suncast apart.
If the o-rings are damaged, can you get the right size from Suncast?
It's been a while and still haven't found the perfect sizes of the various o-rings needed for the rebuilds. No help from Suncast. Anyone determined the specs?
Anyone have any luck getting the specs on the various o-rings needed for a rebuild? I tried quite a few but the ID, OD and thickness were never correct. Suncast was totally unhelpful in providing the specs, let alone a repair kit.
Will be nice to know how many years Aquawinder worked good before it beginning to fail, thank you .. You video very good I will keep it in cas I go for this type of Automatic Hose Reel
I have two of these and both required rebuilding within 3 years. They work great when new but it doesn’t take long for them to lose efficiency.
Ours needs rebuilding after 4 seasons. In Michigan it is used about 6 mo/yr. We blow it out and store it inside for winter.
Suncast discontinued their water-powered reels.
I would not have bought it had I known it had so many moving plastic parts. I assumed it was a turbine motor.
I'm having trouble finding the correct sized o-rings and Suncast only wanted to sell me a complete assembly. Does anyone know the exact sizes for OD, ID and thickness? Mine are deformed and flattened so it's hard to measure them properly.
Waaaaaay cool! Thanks for making this video!
just rebuilt mine and still does not retract ?????
what if i needed seals ??
Unfortunately, parts are not available from the manufacturer so you can try a good hardware store or scavenge parts off another bad aquawinder.
I am impressed and wonder if you might know someone in Des Moines, Iowa that I could hire to do this for me. Is there a company I could call locally. Thank you !!!
Mine has shown problems after using for a year. The handle broke off and water leaks from the center.
I opened it and there re lots of O rings which you can not find in the market.
I asked Suncast, they asked for receipt from where I bought it. Who would save the receipt for a year?
Bad customer service.
Suncast junk and no repair parts avelabel
Hi Sir,
My handle is broken, l called Suncast, they don’t have it. Pls let me know where I can find it ? Thanks.
Sorry, but I can't help you with that if Suncast no longer produces it.