Electric pressure washers

D

dsms

New member
Im looking to get a small pressure washer and found some good deals on a 1600psi McCulloch thats about 18lbs. I know gas is more reliable but I just want something inexpensive and compact for detailing. I dont know much about pressure washers but is 1600psi very underpowered? I would use find it really useful for wheel wells and wheels and I thought about getting a foam cannon attachment. Any advice?
 
Consider not only PSI, buy GPM (gallons per minute). I am not familiar with the McCulloch. I have a Camspray 1500A. I is a very small unit, buy weighs 60 poounds. It is around 1500PSI, buy flows 2.2GPM. Most small electric units only flow around 1.5GPM. The only draw back is it needs a 20AMP circuit to run properly. It will sometimes run on a 15A circuit, buy can have trouble starting up. Like most things, you get what you pay for. Make sure to get a heavy duty commercial unit if you will be using the machine daily.
 
Do you find a pressure washer helps remove some caked on brake dust also prior to using a P21S type product?
 
Brad, what kinds of problems do people run into trying to run an electric one off of a standard house outlet via extension cord? Any?
 
Check the amps of powerwasher. Normally you really should never run anything that draws that much amperage off a extention cord. If you do make sure you have one heck of a heavy duty extention cord and keep the cord as absoultly aas short as possible. (it the reason most powerwashers come with a longer cord in the first place) It's always better to run longer water hose than it is to run longer extention cord.
 
getcha said:
Brad, what kinds of problems do people run into trying to run an electric one off of a standard house outlet via extension cord? Any?
Click to expand...
The manufacturer does not recommend that the PW be run with an extension cord. As I stated above, it draws nearly 20amps on start up. It will sometimes trip the breaker if the circuit is not a 20A circuit.
 
Jakerooni said:
Check the amps of powerwasher. Normally you really should never run anything that draws that much amperage off a extention cord. If you do make sure you have one heck of a heavy duty extention cord and keep the cord as absoultly aas short as possible. (it the reason most powerwashers come with a longer cord in the first place) It's always better to run longer water hose than it is to run longer extention cord.
Click to expand...



Wow thats good to know, I have a 100ft. extension cord that I run my halogens and flex off of and adding a pressure washer to that mix might not be a good idea then.
 
Yea definately good to know. A PW and cannon are my next 2 buys. I just have figure out which PW to get that will match with a good quality foam cannon without being nickeled and dimed for spare parts to match it well. Thanks a ton guys
 
Personally I Wouldn't even try to run the power washer off an extention cord. But if you have to I would make it at the very minimum 12 gauge. Perferably 10 gauge and no longer than 25' at the most.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top