fractal
Gold Member
I read somewhere that "cleaning" = PSI * GPM
Too much PSI can damage what you are cleaning, so the only way to safely get more cleaning is to increase the GPM.
Cheap pumps don't have (I don't remember the name, but a valve to make sure you don't have back pressure on the pump when the hose isn't squirting) so will burn out VERY quickly. They are designed that way for two reasons - one is they are cheaper and second - to make you buy another unit.
I have a small costco special electric unit. It was marginal at the old house but did a fair job at washing down the house and the cars. It is too small for cleaning patio's or getting to a second story house wall.
I already have too many "small gasoline motors". I don't want to buy another. I have looked at the combination units that have a gasoline motor that you can "attach" generators, pressure washers and other attachments but they typically cost at least as much as the individual components so saving the maintence of extra motors is traded against the convenience of not having to swap attachments.
So, I guess I would suggest you look around and see if you think you can get by with the largest GPM electric you can find. If so, go with it. If not, then you are stuck with yet another noisy, smelly, maintence load gasoline motor to service every time you use it and at least one more time a year.
Too much PSI can damage what you are cleaning, so the only way to safely get more cleaning is to increase the GPM.
Cheap pumps don't have (I don't remember the name, but a valve to make sure you don't have back pressure on the pump when the hose isn't squirting) so will burn out VERY quickly. They are designed that way for two reasons - one is they are cheaper and second - to make you buy another unit.
I have a small costco special electric unit. It was marginal at the old house but did a fair job at washing down the house and the cars. It is too small for cleaning patio's or getting to a second story house wall.
I already have too many "small gasoline motors". I don't want to buy another. I have looked at the combination units that have a gasoline motor that you can "attach" generators, pressure washers and other attachments but they typically cost at least as much as the individual components so saving the maintence of extra motors is traded against the convenience of not having to swap attachments.
So, I guess I would suggest you look around and see if you think you can get by with the largest GPM electric you can find. If so, go with it. If not, then you are stuck with yet another noisy, smelly, maintence load gasoline motor to service every time you use it and at least one more time a year.
