Pressure washing

polecat · Jun 1, 2004

it'd frame is literally falling apart as is the eng..probably a spun bearing which shouldnt b too much as i sut it down immediately after the knocking started....need to put bigger bolts in the frame and do a little welding but for $300.00 u couoldnt beeat it ..as i said b4..i always go used and u jist have to know a little bout engines and /or bring someone who does!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gifa little pocket compression tester will tellu a lot too..or jist pullin the eng. over slowly to se what kind o compression u havepull the plug and look at it..if the owner minds then move on!!..i wanted to see it in action so bring a hose to the guys house with u!!!

Ole_Hickory · Jun 1, 2004

I found USA Pressure Sytems on line and bought it a couple of years ago,it is a great pressure washer,I have gotten good product support from USA Pressure sytems,they can answer all of your questions about pressure washers and have the knowledge and support to back up their products,they sell all kinds of cleaners etc, a truly professional company. If I was looking for a pressure washer and or had questions about pressure washers/cleaners etc USA Pressure systems is where I would start.

Mrwurm · Jun 1, 2004

( Thanks for the response, but I think that one CFM of air is actually more than a gallon of water, therefore the simple product of the cfm and psi versus gpm and psi may not be accurate.
)

I'm confused by the question. My post did'nt mention CFM /forums/images/graemlins/confused.gif

KNotMe · Jun 1, 2004

My error, the air compressor I believe is also pushing out air at the rated volume per minute, will it not have any effect on the "impact force"?

TresCrows · Jun 2, 2004

"Any suggestions as to a reliable make of PW would be very much appreciated . John "

I think I already did. Let's go over it again--Honda engine, CAT pump. It really does not matter very much who puts their name on it if the frame is decent and it has ---- Honda engine and CAT pump.
In the higher dollar range you can find some General pumps that are decent or even great. The low end stuff will not hold up to all but the very lightest use.
Home Depot and Lowes and several places have pressure washers with 8/10 horse Honda engines with quality direct drive CAT pumps. Very high dollar stuff goes to a belt driven pump etc. J

BIGUN · Jun 2, 2004

I went top-o-the-line and it ain't Honda or Cat. /forums/images/graemlins/wink.gif

Top-o-the-line

Hey, it will destroy a new truck A/C condensor. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif

Moon · Jun 3, 2004

I sure don't have all the answers, but I'll tell you what I decided on.
I wanted the honda gas powered unit for a few years. Had a hard time justifying it. Always needed something else worse when 5 - 8 hundred bucks were to be spent.
Also I am afraid of the damage you could do with 2500psi. I used my dads 1300psi electric model and it worked fine. I ended up buying an electric one from Lowes for less than 200 bucks (169 i think). It does a fine job of getting mud off tires or cleaning up the brush hog. But you have to watch out cause it will knock off stickers if you spray at them. It also does an okay job on the siding / garage doors. I've only had it a few months, but so far so good. It also came with a special nozzle that holds soap, so that you can soap up and spray down a vehicle. This nozzle cuts the presure back to 900psi er so.

Moon of Ohio

Mrwurm · Jun 3, 2004

I have a few friends that have inexpensive electric models. They use them for similiar chores to the ones you described. They all seem to be happy /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif That's why they make so many different models, not everyone has the same needs.

deere_x475guy · Jun 4, 2004

I have the 13hp honda gx engine with a 5gpm minimum requirement. It is rated at 3500 psi. When I need to do light duty stuff I just adjust the psi down.

TresCrows · Jun 5, 2004

( I have a few friends that have inexpensive electric models. They use them for similiar chores to the ones you described. They all seem to be happy /forums/images/graemlins/smile.gif That's why they make so many different models, not everyone has the same needs.
)

Something about electrical cords and standing in water always made me nervous. /forums/images/graemlins/crazy.gif. J

rockyridgefarm · Jun 7, 2004

Two words: GFCI

PineRidge · Jun 7, 2004

I also had an electric pressure washer that I used for a couple of years. Once I used a gas powered unit and was able to compare I quickly sold the electric unit. There is little comparison between the two. I'm very happy with the Honda powered unit in general.

TresCrows · Jun 9, 2004

( Two words: GFCI )

Many of those are trip prone due to low amp capacity. I will stick with what I said. J

rockyridgefarm · Jun 9, 2004

I am not trying to convince you to get an electric. The current ones have the gfci on the washer, and are sized appropriately.

I am actually leaning toward an electric for "regular" jobs around the place, but I can get my hands on a very big one for the 'un-regular" heavy duty stuff... I just never seem to have it for those little things that come up.

Of course there are electric units that are bigger than the smaller gas units. and some electrics are just plain puny.

So I am probably getting a Karcher 1600psi 1.6gpm for $150... But open to derision...

TresCrows · Jun 9, 2004

"I am not trying to convince you to get an electric. The current ones have the gfci on the washer, and are sized appropriately."

So then a frayed wire or connection in a puddle of water would not be protected by a GFI on the machine /forums/images/graemlins/shocked.gif.

I had a bad electrical shock once, went in one arm and out the other hand, about 1600 amps--hard to say how much went through me. Leaving burns on both arms and hands. I healed up nice and like they finally decided at work after that, I really am tough as nails /forums/images/graemlins/laugh.gif, good thing cuz I am very accident prone as well /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif. Be that as it may, I would prefer not getting anymore electrons flowing through me from an exterior source. You go ahead and play with electricity while standing in water, I will pass on that one. Thanks anyways. /forums/images/graemlins/tongue.gif. J

KNotMe · Jun 9, 2004

Any thoughts on a Karcher 2401OH, It is rated at 2400 psi and 2.5 gpm. It has a Honda engine.

fractal · Jun 16, 2004

( Ok, a couple points in response to Trescrows. Honda makes great engines, I have one on my power washer, but it should be noted that Honda has jumped on the bandwagon and now makes light duty engines to compete with Brigs and Tecumseh. Honda may be best, but the best Brigs is better than the light duty (Home Depot) Honda. )

I have to agree.

I bought a home depot special a couple of years ago. It has a honda cg190 on it. I bought it intead of the one next to it because it "had a honda motor" and I had heard such wonderful things about "a honda motor".

Lemme tell you. While the honda may seem like a good enough motor, it sounds like crap, it uses a honda only spark plug, and it is showing more rust and corosion after 2 years than the crummy b&s motors on my other power tools that are stored right next to it in the shed. Yeah, all my power equipment goes out in a shed when I am done with it. I don't clean, polish and lube it when I am done. They are tools. I too learned that just because it has the "honda" name on it, doesn't automagically make it a better motor.

_RaT_ · Jun 16, 2004

1600 amps through your body, well maybe that explains a few things. /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

Since the human body is a very poor conductor of electricity, it's resistance can be measured in hundreds of ohms. A wet hand will hlep overcome the resitance and allow lower voltages to penetrate the body more easily. If and this is a big if, you could possibly get your resitance down below 5 or 6 ohms, at 120V, the most you could pass is 3 amps. At 240V and the same resistance (which would no longer be the case), that figure is half. All that being said, a few milliamps can kill a person, even ones tough as nails as that has less to do with survivability and perhaps more to do with pure and simple luck. /forums/images/graemlins/smirk.gif

polecat · Jun 16, 2004

not even gonna touch this one .....3 birds...if u survived 1600 amps......then yer the toughest guy on the planet!!!bet that brought u down to 2 birds!!! /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif /forums/images/graemlins/grin.gif

MikePA · Jun 16, 2004

Two words: GFCI 
Not to mention the fact that the hoses and cords are long enough to allow the pressure washer to sit far away from whatever I am washing. As long as I've been using an electric pressure washer, I have yet to be 'standing in water' when using it. I make sure that the washer is sitting off to the side where it's not in my way and is not in the direct 'line of fire'.