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PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Initially Posted - 05/03/2011 : 13:44:43

Looking for a decent power washer now that it is spring and all the birds and bugs are back. These have good reviews:

http://www.amazon.com/AR-North-America-AR383-Electric/product-reviews/B002Z8E52Y/ref=dp_top_cm_cr_acr_txt?ie=UTF8&showViewpoints=1

This one is weaker but looks more portable

http://www.amazon.com/AR-North-America-AR112-Electric/dp/B003R1N4O8/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1304454753&sr=8-3

Any thoughts? Thought it might be nice for the cars, the grill, the patio and of course the boat.

Peter Powers
1979 TR/FK #1390
~Stephanos~
Bayview Marina,
Lake Ray Hubbard
Dallas, TX

Edited by - on

Joe Diver
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1218 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2011 : 13:56:41

Sounds good to me, but I can't be sure. You buy it....I'll borrow it....and let you know....

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2011 : 14:42:26

I've gotten a few of these cheap pressure washers. They work OK for what they are. I won't buy another one though. They last a year or two and then something starts to leak and parts cost more than it's worth to repair. My next one (I'm sure the one I have now will die soon) will be a gas powered model. Probably from Sears or Home Depot. Only around $100-$150 more if you look for end of season sales. That way, it'll also have enough pressure to be effective on my deck, driveway, etc.

Edited by - on

bear
Admiral

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USA
909 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2011 : 15:20:58

I have had a Sears gas powered washer for the last three years 2700 psi max. Have used it on "Brandy" fall pull out and spring cleanup. Good part it cleans the top side with no brushing, bottom side still needs a little chemical help in the fall. It does need an outside faucet to work. Have used it on the house,car, patio, pool covers etc. Saved a lot of elbow grease.

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2011 : 17:04:33

The key is to get as many gpm as possible. The psi is somewhat important but not as much so as the gpm.

A 1600 psi washer at 1.58 gpm will be much slower than a 1600 psi washer at 3 - 4 gpm.

As others have said, it depends on what you want to use it for. If your planning on doing small areas this unit would probably do a decent job. If you're planning on washing your driveway or house to get the dirt off you will be there forever.

The following is not a sales pitch and I won't tell you who I work for. Just another option to consider.

The top equipment rental companies in the U.S. (I work for one of the largest) sell off their older units after 2 -3 years. If you shop carefully you can get a good used unit at a reasonable price ($400 - $600) maybe less. The units are commercial grade units with high quality pumps and are designed to hold up under commercial use for many years. The units that Home Depot (I don't work for them) rents would be good units to look at too.

Another alternative, consider renting one when you need it. Then you don't have to trip over it the rest of the year. Sorry to many years in the business!

If I over-stepped any forum rules let me know and I will remove this post.

Edited by - GaryB on 05/03/2011 20:02:28

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2011 : 17:45:09

Karcher is a brand name you might explore.

http://www.karcherresidential.com/en/pressurewashers.php

If you go with a gasoline driven unit - I'd shoot for a Honda engine.

Edited by - OJ on 05/04/2011 11:22:25

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2011 : 17:46:19

Great advise Gary.

Edited by - on

GaryB
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4304 Posts

Response Posted - 05/03/2011 : 20:03:19

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by OJ
 Karcher is a brand name you might explore.

If you go with a gasoline driven unit - I'd shoot for a Honda engine.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Definitely go with a Honda engine. You will regret if you don't.

Edited by - on

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2011 : 06:20:52

I was concerned about too much PSI on the gelcoat and teak so went with a 1600 (maybe 1800psi)for $120 or so. It's also very light and portable and doesn't use gas

Works very well.

Edited by - on

NautiC25
Admiral

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USA
957 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2011 : 06:21:43

Is there one that has a filtered pump for drawing in lake water?

Edited by - on

PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2011 : 08:16:37

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by DaveR
 I was concerned about too much PSI on the gelcoat and teak so went with a 1600 (maybe 1800psi)for $120 or so. It's also very light and portable and doesn't use gas

Works very well.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Thanks everyone, so how many GPM does it use? And it does a decent job? Would it work to wash cars as well?

Edited by - on

aeckhart
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1709 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2011 : 09:02:32

I've been using a Karcher electric 1600 PSI for the past few years. I draw water from the lake at the boat ramp using an electric submersible sump pump. With the bottom still wet a 1600 PSI washer does a great job.

You'll pay up the nose for a washer with a Honda engine. The part that will ge first is the pump not the motor. Like a Honda,a good quality lower priced Briggs & Stratten powered washer will last as long as the pump. Then you have to find someone who repairs them. I ended up selling mine in a yard sale for the value of the engine.

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2011 : 09:17:42

I have a Karcher (?) 2400 PSI gas powerwasher that is about 8 years old (+/-). It has some ups and downs. I think a good wand is very important in order to both maintain pressure and keep things running. Our washer is powered by a honda engine (gas) and runs very well. The pump and wand have had issues that were repairable/replaceable.

In order to power wash the boat in teh slip, we have a 6hp sump pump with garden hose fittings. Our process is to tie off teh sump pump to a docking cleat, and plug it in to the 110VAC on the boat. Be VERY CAREFUL around any wood on the boat, and dial down the pressure if you can (throttle down the motor). Boats pull into the empty slip beside us and take turns once we are done. It can make for a busy day.

I have never brought the unit to haul out, but do wash down the hull in the driveway once we get home. I have been really happy, but the sump pump is definately necessary if you don't have water hookups at the dock.

Edited by - on

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2011 : 13:46:51

It looks like the Karcher I've got uses around 3.5 gpm Peter. Would do autos great. I also used it for my aluminum shed. I've got a 3600 psi I use for tougher jobs like concrete or industrial metal doors etc. but the little guy is easy to deal with and just right for the smaller stuff.

Edited by - on

PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2011 : 15:02:35

After reading more reviews and looking at your feedback I will be getting this for my birthday.

http://www.amazon.com/AR-North-America-AR383-Electric/dp/B002Z8E52Y/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=I2ACDON63QRVYN&colid=2TKLW5KPQNEJW

I'll let you know how it works.

Edited by - on

John Russell
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3444 Posts

Response Posted - 05/04/2011 : 16:13:20

I like the hose reel makes transporting a lot easier than mine.

Edited by - on

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 05/05/2011 : 06:07:02

based on yours being 1.5 gpm I'm thinking my Karcher couldn't be 3.5. And it didn't actually state that it was, the 3.45; 3.5 etc was in the name. Just looked further and it's more like 1.25 or 1.5. Hard to tell cause there's so many different models and I'm not sure which I have.

Edited by - on

keeldad
1st Mate

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84 Posts

Response Posted - 05/11/2011 : 07:50:40

I had an electric Karcher that I bought at Home Depot (Lowes?) a few years ago. It was a piece of junk. Some guy actually tried to talk me out of buying it while I was standing in the checkout line. I should have listened. I ended up giving it to someone who I figured would have the time and skills to get it to work properly and he ended up throwing it away. Last weekend I bought a Troy Bilt gas powered at Lowes that was on sale for 260. I haven't used it yet and I really didn't buy it to clean the boat(the bottom gets powerwashed by the marina when she's pulled for the winter), but can you use a 2,700 psi powerwasher on the topside without damaging the gelcoat?

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 05/11/2011 : 08:31:09

With a gas washer, you can throttle down the RPMs to reduce the pressure. The pressure rating is usually max pressure. Get a scrap piece of lumber and blow the crap out of it at various throttle settings to see what you like. Also, the behaviour of the washer has a lot to do with the tip you have on it. They can be changed out at a low cost.

Edited by - on

pastmember
Master Marine Consultant

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2402 Posts

Response Posted - 05/11/2011 : 08:35:11

You also change out the tip to protect gelcoat.

Edited by - on

OLarryR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
3466 Posts

Response Posted - 05/11/2011 : 08:55:22

I have a pressure washer story... First of all, I am not sure how large my unit is but it is a pretty large Sears unit and use it for deck cleaning and house exterior cleaning. Works fine...estimate it is about 5-6 years old.

When I first bought my unit, I was going to clean the exterior of my house. I installed a sprinkler system around my house eons ago (installed it myself) and as a result, I really do not have much need for external water hoses which is what you need in great lengths if you are to pressure wash the house exterior. So, I dug out up whatever hose lengths I could and strung them together hooking to the pressure washer.

Most important direction: Always have the outdoor faucet supplying water to the pressure washer "ON".

Okay, so far, so good. Everything ready to go. I start up the gas powered pressure washer and this thing is really kicking ass ! Got to be real careful since it will damage almost anything you pressure wash if you hold the wand too close or do not use a wide enough spray pattern ! All of a sudden, I notice that no water is coming out of wand ?? I then realized that one of my derelict outdoor hoses had ruptured and so I then shut off the pressure washer and went about replacing the damaged hose with another slightly better condition water hose. I then turned the water back on and started up the pressure washer...which worked for about 5 seconds and then "kerplunk". The pump fell right right off the bottom of the pressure washer.

I called Sears and told them...My unit stopped working and it looks like the bottom works have fallen off ! I was asked if I had the outdoor faucet water on while running the pressure washer and I answered..."Yes" (technically that was true, the water was on but the hose was squirting in all directions !). SO, they told me to come in and they would give me a new one.

When I brought it in, it was apparent that the pump bolts had snapped and that probably occured when the unit overheated and then when I had the hose replaced and restarted the water, the bolts were subjected to a cold shock. Anyway, inorder to give me a new unit, their policy was to first refund me the old one that I bought last week and then ring up the new one (same price) but this week they had a sale going on which entitled me to a free ($50-$75) purchase and so I got a new hose for free !!!

1) Always use hoses that are in good condition
2) Always have the outdoor water faucet on so the unit will be cooled.
3) If for some reason, the water flow stops while unit is running, immeditely turn off the unit and do not attempt to restart until it is apparent the unit has cooled down.

Edited by - OLarryR on 05/11/2011 08:57:44

keeldad
1st Mate

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84 Posts

Response Posted - 05/11/2011 : 09:10:40

OK, I'll put a proper tip on, throttle down the engine and practice on a scrap piece of wood before putting it anywhere near gelcoat. Good ideas all around. Thanks.

Edited by - on

DaveR
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
2015 Posts

Response Posted - 05/11/2011 : 09:28:18

Make no mistake though, a Karcher is cheap and quiet in comparison, will last for several years with average usage, doesn't use gas so no carb probs or stabil and is easy to transport.

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PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1225 Posts

Response Posted - 05/11/2011 : 09:33:20

Well so far so good, although I have to say, it was very irritating putting the unit together as the directions were outdated and they had changed some of the pieces. I put it together and I'm not happy with the quick connect to the hose but the unit does a pretty respectable job. It's strong enough to peel wood off my fence and my back yard patio area is way cleaner. Looking forward to seeing what it does for the boat, naturally I'll be very careful around any wood.

Edited by - on

Prospector
Master Marine Consultant

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Canada
3159 Posts

Response Posted - 05/11/2011 : 11:01:13

Glad its working for you Peter!

Edited by - on

OJ
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
4382 Posts

Response Posted - 05/11/2011 : 11:17:33

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by PCP777
 . . . naturally I'll be very careful around any wood . . . <hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
Yes, careful around your wood Peter . . .

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