Pressure washer info....

tod osier

tod osier

Well-known member
We are on well water and I just don't get the water pressure I'd like from the hose. Things like washing the salt off the boat and trailer and general cleaning the hose is fine, but not great.

Can you get an electric pressure washer that is worth it? I see tons of gas powered, but I really don't want to deal with another gas engine. What is the deal?

T
 
I have a Karcher 1800 electric pressure washer and I will not say that it can compare to gas powered washer but it does good job (if not a bit slow). It will take off most crap but not anything really attached - using the cleaners helps a bit.

I got mine from Lowe's for about $125 I think - I ad it for a while only had to replace the hose once.

Good luck
Dan
 
I haven't found one that is worth a crap yet. I too was wanting to avoid another gas engine, but the newer motors that have the enclosed carbs really run well and only require a shot of Stabil at the end of the season. I would be interested to hear if someone makes an electric washer that works well, but doesn't cost a fortune. dc
 
I see a lot of them but the electric ones are wimpy compared to the "concrete cutters" powered by a gas engine. I have an electric one at home and it barely cleans the deck off.
 
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Can you get an electric pressure washer that is worth it?
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Yep, just not at your local discount store. Yes there are commercial electric pressure washers. Same ones used at car washes and more to the point truck (semi-truck) washes. Years ago when I did maintenance for an equipment rental company, an electric power washer was what we used to clean and maintain all the rental equipment fleet.

You are going to want something with at least a 1 1/2 or 2hp electric motor on it. The wimpy ones sold at the box stores are just that, wimpy. Another option would be to buy a pressure pump and hook it up to the electric motor of your choice. The pump units themselves are fully self contained and it would be quite simple to couple them with any electric motor.
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Thanks guys good info there. I think I was being naive on price, wow you can spend some money.

I can't fathom spending more than $2-300 on a pressure washer for the minimal use I'd plan on. I'm really opposed to buying entry level stuff that is essentially disposible. The units that are starting to look good with real parts are way more expensive than I'd buy.

T
 
Todd, I use a product called "Salt Away." That stuff works. I hose down the boat, rinse the motor with it, wash down the trailer and the truck. You don't need much pressure, just spray it on and let it dry.

Dave
 
Tod,
I have a Karcher electric and it is a piece of crap. An 1800 I think, and it doesn't clean very well. I had a cheapo store brand electric PW before I bought the Karcher and I can't see any difference in performance. I had to take it in to the local shop for some repairs and the guy there said that the quality of the Karcher electrics was terrible and they are pretty much a disposable item....not worth the cost to fix them. My next PW will be gas powered. Yeah, you gotta fuel 'em but at least you aren't dragging 100' of extension cord around the driveway and the yard.
 
Todd, I use a product called "Salt Away." That stuff works. I hose down the boat, rinse the motor with it, wash down the trailer and the truck. You don't need much pressure, just spray it on and let it dry.

Dave
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Would this stuff work on removing dried on salt from my truck floor mats? This is some hard to remove stuff.

Mark W
 
I don't know about your floor mats. I talked to the inventer of the stuff once at a trade show. What this stuff does is prevent the salt from crystalizing. I really don't know chemestry, but I do know things do not rust when you use it. I have an adapter cup that I attatch to the motor when I flush it.

I suppose they have a web site. Maybe you can ask them???
 
Todd, be careful and check the specs before you buy, I'm pretty sure there has to be a certain amount of water pressure going in to them. I have a small gas powered one from Lowes that I spit the cost with a friend of , and it says in the manual what the minimum pressure should be.
 
I have a Campbell Hausfeld Mod. PW1686 electric and works alright for most things. You need at least 20 psi to run house hold appliances. If you have enough well pressure for this, then a small unit should work.

.
 
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