I need a low PSI power washer that will hold up

M

Maxima Lover

New member
Since I'm starting a mobile detailing business I've been looking for power washers. I wanted one that was gas, but with a low PSI and gallons/minute since I'm using a water tank. The gas ones I found are over 2.2GPM and more PSI than I really need. I'd be willing to use an electric PW since I have a generator, but I'm not sure the electric ones would hold up to daily use.

This is one that I was looking at because of the low gallons/minute. I think Karcher is a pretty good brand, but this unit just looks too cheap for continued usage. http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=207908-53576-K2.26M&lpage=none
 
I am in the same situation as you. As a matter of fact I was looking at the same PW. Home Depot has the Husky in which I wasn't sure about as far as quality & reliability. I will also be using a water tank. I would imagine the electric pw would be quieter then the gas.
 
I bought the 1500psi Home Depot electric and it blew up after a dozen uses. Piece of garbage.

I'm going for the gas 2150psi Craftsman 4HP Briggs & Stratton Clean n' Carry this weekend at Sears - On sale for $209.00.

I'm a weekend warrior detailer each weeked for profit and the electric blew chunks. Hopefully this will be a suitable replacement.
 
Spend the extra cash and get yourself a decent gas powered washer. 1500-2000 should be plenty enough. You can always dial down the pressure. The more GPM, the better.

Don't let it run for more then 30 seconds without pulling the trigger. You'll end up blowing the pump in no time like Spilchy did.

You should go to a dedicated pressure washer shop and get a valve like the one in the picture i will attatch, so that you can leave the pressure washer running and the water will recycle back into the tank. This will save your pump.

Here's a link to the shop that i got all my stuff from including the valve. They sell only the highest quality parts.

http://www.ameritechmfg.com/sitemap/


Picture0045.jpg
 
TrueDetailer said:
Don't let it run for more then 30 seconds without pulling the trigger. You'll end up blowing the pump in no time like Spilchy did.
Click to expand...

The motors on the electrics (the HD ones) only turn on *when* you pull the trigger so I didn't blow the motor, it blew itself up! Each time you pull on, and release the trigger is when the motor turns on and off. It doesn't run constantly.
 
Spilchy said:
The motors on the electrics (the HD ones) only turn on *when* you pull the trigger so I didn't blow the motor, it blew itself up! Each time you pull on, and release the trigger is when the motor turns on and off. It doesn't run constantly.
Click to expand...

I didn't relize you were talking about an electric one until now.

Did you get your money back on it?
 
Nah, not yet. I don't have the receipt for it. I'm ticked off, because I ALWAYS save all my receipts for all my stuff until the warranty runs out.

I e-mailed the company and they said they would take it back and fix it. So I have to pony up the cash to box it up and mail it back.

I'm thinking I should just roll that expense into getting that gas pressure washer I mentioned in my first post since the electric will just break again a few months from now.

Whatever anyone does, don't use an electric one for daily use. I had bum luck with just weekend use.
 
Spilchy said:
Nah, not yet. I don't have the receipt for it. I'm ticked off, because I ALWAYS save all my receipts for all my stuff until the warranty runs out.

I e-mailed the company and they said they would take it back and fix it. So I have to pony up the cash to box it up and mail it back.

I'm thinking I should just roll that expense into getting that gas pressure washer I mentioned in my first post since the electric will just break again a few months from now.

Whatever anyone does, don't use an electric one for daily use. I had bum luck with just weekend use.
Click to expand...
Spilchy i had this conversation with you, and you advised me at the time to stay away from the husky. Thanks for the heads as i also read that others had the same problem you explained to me.I invested in more products:D
 
hemin8r said:
I would imagine the electric pw would be quieter then the gas.
Click to expand...

True, but since I'm using a 3000Watt generator, it would probably be louder. If you have a place to plug in, it is much more quite.

I was really just looking at the electric because of the G/M being lower, so I could save on water. Same way with you.
 
TrueDetailer said:
Spend the extra cash and get yourself a decent gas powered washer. 1500-2000 should be plenty enough. You can always dial down the pressure. The more GPM, the better.
Click to expand...

I'm not to worried about the cash, I just didn't want to end up getting one that was way more than I needed and therefore a waste. Would I still want a high GPM while getting the water from a tank? I thought it would be the opposite.

TrueDetailer said:
Don't let it run for more then 30 seconds without pulling the trigger. You'll end up blowing the pump in no time like Spilchy did.

You should go to a dedicated pressure washer shop and get a valve like the one in the picture i will attatch, so that you can leave the pressure washer running and the water will recycle back into the tank. This will save your pump.

Here's a link to the shop that i got all my stuff from including the valve. They sell only the highest quality parts.

http://www.ameritechmfg.com/sitemap/

http://i28.photobucket.com/albums/c231/truedetailer/Picture0045.jpg
Click to expand...

I've heard about not going over 1 minute, but 30 seconds is probably safer.

What PW are you using?

How much does it cost in parts to set it up to recycle?
 
I like electric for the pressure build up issue, but I need to find one that is HD/commercial rated.
Ideal: a quiet, efficient, 1700psi/2.0gpm machine that turns on when I press the trigger and is commercial rated.
Does it exist?
 
I have a Karcher 1750PSI that turns on when you press the trigger, it was like $70 at HD. It was a small unit, kind of a hassle to move around since it doesn't have wheels, but other than that, it's held up alright.
 
PEI Detail said:
I like electric for the pressure build up issue, but I need to find one that is HD/commercial rated.
Ideal: a quiet, efficient, 1700psi/2.0gpm machine that turns on when I press the trigger and is commercial rated.
Does it exist?
Click to expand...

That is exactly what I'm looking for. I don't think one does exist. The market is too small. People that want a commercial unit, want a big heavy duty one.
 
mrecktid said:
I have a Karcher 1750PSI that turns on when you press the trigger, it was like $70 at HD. It was a small unit, kind of a hassle to move around since it doesn't have wheels, but other than that, it's held up alright.
Click to expand...

Is that the one that is really short? I was at someone's house last weekend and they were using that one. It seem to be doing pretty well. I ask how it was holding up, but they said it was the first time they had used it.
 
Maxima Lover said:
That is exactly what I'm looking for. I don't think one does exist. The market is too small. People that want a commercial unit, want a big heavy duty one.
Click to expand...
Ditto: Don't know the brand, but the one my neigbor let me be try was pretty effecient. During the summer months he constantly has it in use around the house. He returned the one prior to the new one,because it didn't have enough cleaning power.
 
Is there a way to prevent blowing the pump (besides pressing the trigger) on a gas pressure washer if you don't have that water tank setup pictured above.

I've only owned an electric one.

For example, I spray my wheel and then go to clean them. But I take more than 30 seconds to clean a wheel/tire/wheel well. Do I have to shut off the gas PW and then crank it back on to rinse?

If so, then maybe I should stick with electric?
 
joe.p said:
Ditto: Don't know the brand, but the one my neigbor let me be try was pretty effecient. During the summer months he constantly has it in use around the house. He returned the one prior to the new one,because it didn't have enough cleaning power.
Click to expand...

Was it made out of plastic? What color was it?
 
Spilchy said:
Is there a way to prevent blowing the pump (besides pressing the trigger) on a gas pressure washer if you don't have that water tank setup pictured above.

I've only owned an electric one.

For example, I spray my wheel and then go to clean them. But I take more than 30 seconds to clean a wheel/tire/wheel well. Do I have to shut off the gas PW and then crank it back on to rinse?

If so, then maybe I should stick with electric?
Click to expand...

I think the only other way is to shut it off and on. A real pain in the @$$.
 
PEI Detail said:
I like electric for the pressure build up issue, but I need to find one that is HD/commercial rated.
Ideal: a quiet, efficient, 1700psi/2.0gpm machine that turns on when I press the trigger and is commercial rated.
Does it exist?
Click to expand...

Maybe this?? http://www.rapidreel.com/pw/karcherbrackets.aspx

This is a Karcher pictured on Rapid Reel's website portraying one of their mountable hose reel for pressure washers.

Maybe it is electric!

Hehehehehe, here is an electrical! http://www.karchercommercial.com/sh...special=true&areaID=12&typeID=26&seriesID=173
 
Spilchy said:
Is there a way to prevent blowing the pump (besides pressing the trigger) on a gas pressure washer if you don't have that water tank setup pictured above.

I've only owned an electric one.

For example, I spray my wheel and then go to clean them. But I take more than 30 seconds to clean a wheel/tire/wheel well. Do I have to shut off the gas PW and then crank it back on to rinse?

If so, then maybe I should stick with electric?
Click to expand...

Thats the only way to my knowledge.

Why are you cleaning your wheels with a brush or whatnot when you have a pressure washer? The whole point of owning one is to make things easier.

I never use a brush unless it is really needed and acid is out of the question. I'll hit the the wheels with the pressure washer to knock off any loose dirt. Spray on my APC or wheel acid, let it sit and work its magic and blast it all off with the pressure washer.
 
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