Electric Pressure Washer

[FMC1959]

I've had many over the years. I had gas and I do not care for them. I am tethered by the hose already, so an electric cord doesn't bother me, and I do not need another gas engine to maintain.

I can't recall if I have ever had one go more than 5 years; usually 2-3 years , then they start leaking, or they are dead, or some other problem. I keep them inside my basement for winter. I don't need super powerful. 1.7-2 gal/minute and 2000 psi is plenty for my needs.

I have had Karcher, Bosch and some in house brands, nothing has been reliable. Is getting 10 years or close to 10 years asking too much on a pressure washer?

Any suggestions as to brands or models, and am I doing something wrong?

 

[gizardlizard]

Are you properly maintaining it while it’s stored? Do you use pump saver after its last use for a few months?

 

[FMC1959]

What is pump saver? Aside from keeping it from freezing, I didn't know there was anything to maintain. I know the basics like don't run it without water and stuff like that.

 

[mike93lx]

I've had a sunjoe for 8 years now. Works fine, but for any real cleaning, using it is a massive waste of time. My gas unit can get the job done probably 3-4x faster.
None of the portable 120v units can do 2gpm at 2000psi. The flow is far lower at that pressure

 

[FMC1959]

Any brands to stay away from? Like Sun Joe or Greenworks, are these cheaper brands? Anyone familiar with BE? Some on sale in my are and they have hundreds or thousands of reviews; all 4 stars and up.

 

[FMC1959]

I've had a sunjoe for 8 years now. Works fine, but for any real cleaning, using it is a massive waste of time. My gas unit can get the job done probably 3-4x faster.
None of the portable 120v units can do 2gpm at 2000psi. The flow is far lower at that pressure

I have had gas beasts that had over 3 gpm, but for my needs, 2gpm and 2000 psi is just what I need.

 

[FMC1959]

I've had a sunjoe for 8 years now. Works fine, but for any real cleaning, using it is a massive waste of time. My gas unit can get the job done probably 3-4x faster.
None of the portable 120v units can do 2gpm at 2000psi. The flow is far lower at that pressure

Just curious, what is your SJ a waste of time on that the gas unit is needed?

 

[SouthernIllinois]

IMHO 99.9% of the problems with electric pressure washers can be traced back to the POS, made in China GFI plug.

 

[mike93lx]

Just curious, what is your SJ a waste of time on that the gas unit is needed?

Any cleaning that is beyond a rinse. The electric is fine for washing a car, but if I really need to clean my driveway, pool deck, trailer or house, the gas absolutely kills it on both flow rate and pressure.

 

[mike93lx]

I have had gas beasts that had over 3 gpm, but for my needs, 2gpm and 2000 psi is just what I need.

You won't get that on a 120v unit. If you really want 2gpm at 2000, you need a 240v PW. A 120v will be more like 2gpm at ~800psi

 

[imagineer]

I have one of these and it works OK for infrequent projects.

https://shopjoe.com/products/sun-joe-spxfoam-bdl-foam-cannon-starter-bundle-w-electric-pressure-washer-34-oz-foam-cannon-and-auto-wash

On occasion, it seems to struggle to make pressure, but that might be due to our water pressure off the well pump.

 

[FMC1959]

You won't get that on a 120v unit. If you really want 2gpm at 2000, you need a 240v PW. A 120v will be more like 2gpm at ~800psi

What is interesting, as I was looking at some, this brand Spyder (and a couple of others) will have very high psi...2300 or 2750, but gpm are way down like 1.2 or 1.4. Then others are more like what I was looking for, 1.7 to 2 gpm with around 2000 psi.

I guess the high psi is good for removing stuff but low gpm takes longer, or not relevant.

 

[mike93lx]

What is interesting, as I was looking at some, this brand Spyder (and a couple of others) will have very high psi...2300 or 2750, but gpm are way down like 1.2 or 1.4. Then others are more like what I was looking for, 1.7 to 2 gpm with around 2000 psi.

I guess the high psi is good for removing stuff but low gpm takes longer, or not relevant.

None of those are gpm at the stated pressure. Look at it as either/or

Gpm is what really does the cleaning

 

[Tchicken]

I have one of these and it works OK for infrequent projects.

https://shopjoe.com/products/sun-joe-spxfoam-bdl-foam-cannon-starter-bundle-w-electric-pressure-washer-34-oz-foam-cannon-and-auto-wash

On occasion, it seems to struggle to make pressure, but that might be due to our water pressure off the well pump.

I bought that same unit in 2017, have used it most frequently for a foam gun on the car. It works on my patios and siding, and good enough that my shiftless neighbor borrows it repeatedly to do his deck and outdoor furniture. It makes lots less noise than the gasser that the lady on the other side hires annually ... But it does require "rests" every so often - seems to me you are supposed to give it 5 every 30 minutes, that isn't an issue for my uses around the house.

I only drained it that first winter, have used the commercial anti-freeze since. Still runs well

 

[gizardlizard]

What is pump saver? Aside from keeping it from freezing, I didn't know there was anything to maintain. I know the basics like don't run it without water and stuff like that.

https://www.jackssmallengines.com/jacks-parts-lookup/part/generac/6151?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=16705372762&gclid=cj0kcqjw5jxfbhcrarisal1ckptp4zpkposq1bmxvwwkyfnpxxf8nqrkxqms_6wfckqswx3a-3h0s3oaav02ealw_wcb

99% of pressure washer pump issues can be prevented by using this stuff. When done using the pressure washer, unhook water supply and remove as much water as possible, then, hook the can of pump saver to your water inlet on your pump and push the button until all remaining water is out and the foamy pump saver is coming out. It’s a VERY thin weight oil that displaces the water and coats seals with lube to protect them. Without it, the water leaves behind minerals in the pump as it dries out and destroys seals and wreaks havoc with pumps. One can of this stuff last many years. Best thing for pressure washer maintenance.

 

[FMC1959]

https://www.jackssmallengines.com/jacks-parts-lookup/part/generac/6151?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=16705372762&gclid=cj0kcqjw5jxfbhcrarisal1ckptp4zpkposq1bmxvwwkyfnpxxf8nqrkxqms_6wfckqswx3a-3h0s3oaav02ealw_wcb

99% of pressure washer pump issues can be prevented by using this stuff. When done using the pressure washer, unhook water supply and remove as much water as possible, then, hook the can of pump saver to your water inlet on your pump and push the button until all remaining water is out and the foamy pump saver is coming out. It’s a VERY thin weight oil that displaces the water and coats seals with lube to protect them. Without it, the water leaves behind minerals in the pump as it dries out and destroys seals and wreaks havoc with pumps. One can of this stuff last many years. Best thing for pressure washer maintenance.

Thanks for the link and explanation

 

[FMC1959]

I have one of these and it works OK for infrequent projects.

https://shopjoe.com/products/sun-joe-spxfoam-bdl-foam-cannon-starter-bundle-w-electric-pressure-washer-34-oz-foam-cannon-and-auto-wash

On occasion, it seems to struggle to make pressure, but that might be due to our water pressure off the well pump.

I bought that same unit in 2017, have used it most frequently for a foam gun on the car. It works on my patios and siding, and good enough that my shiftless neighbor borrows it repeatedly to do his deck and outdoor furniture. It makes lots less noise than the gasser that the lady on the other side hires annually ... But it does require "rests" every so often - seems to me you are supposed to give it 5 every 30 minutes, that isn't an issue for my uses around the house.

I only drained it that first winter, have used the commercial anti-freeze since. Still runs well

Good to here that you both have a Sun Joe and are happy with them. Curious, the link brings me to the Sun Joe page and shows the model to be "Sun Joe SPXFOAM-BDL ". Lower down the page the description is for the "Sun Joe® SPX3000".

I did a search for the Sun Joe SPXFOAM-BDL, nothing comes up except for the SJ page. The Sun Joe® SPX3000, many places sell it.

Do you guys have the Sun Joe® SPX3000 or the FOAM model that maybe was a limited time model when you got it?

 

[cashishift]

look at the Kranzle models. 1122TST or 1322TS

german made, built to last.

obsessedgarage.com sells them, as well as a million videos on youtube.

 

[Tchicken]

Good to here that you both have a Sun Joe and are happy with them. Curious, the link brings me to the Sun Joe page and shows the model to be "Sun Joe SPXFOAM-BDL ". Lower down the page the description is for the "Sun Joe® SPX3000".

I did a search for the Sun Joe SPXFOAM-BDL, nothing comes up except for the SJ page. The Sun Joe® SPX3000, many places sell it.

Do you guys have the Sun Joe® SPX3000 or the FOAM model that maybe was a limited time model when you got it?

Mine's as said from 2017 - Model is SPX300

 

[mike93lx]

Good to here that you both have a Sun Joe and are happy with them. Curious, the link brings me to the Sun Joe page and shows the model to be "Sun Joe SPXFOAM-BDL ". Lower down the page the description is for the "Sun Joe® SPX3000".

I did a search for the Sun Joe SPXFOAM-BDL, nothing comes up except for the SJ page. The Sun Joe® SPX3000, many places sell it.

Do you guys have the Sun Joe® SPX3000 or the FOAM model that maybe was a limited time model when you got it?

Spx3000 is the pressure washer. The other is a Kit part number with the foam cannon

 

[FMC1959]

Mine's as said from 2017 - Model is SPX300

Spx3000 is the pressure washer. The other is a Kit part number with the foam cannon

Got it, thanks

 

[FMC1959]

look at the Kranzle models. 1122TST or 1322TS

german made, built to last.

obsessedgarage.com sells them, as well as a million videos on youtube.

Looks very nice, but costs too much. I do not use pressure washers enough to justify anything like the price of these. As my buddy would say, these cost as much as the down payment for a divorce lawyer.

 

[Sumboodie]

The Landa I have is electric. It's 240v, but I'd imagine they make ~20amp 120v models too.

 

[FMC1959]

The Landa I have is electric. It's 240v, but I'd imagine they make ~20amp 120v models too.

They also look nice but like the Kranzle, very much overkill for my needs...and too expensive for my wallet.

 

[imagineer]

Do you guys have the Sun Joe® SPX3000 or the FOAM model that maybe was a limited time model when you got it?

Mine is the SPX3000 and was purchased in '19. It did come with the soap bottles & soap nozzle.

 

[FMC1959]

I just wanted to follow-up.

I ended up purchasing the SunJoe SPX3000. Yesterday I took it out of the box and assembled it. Then I had a few things that needed washing, so off I went. It works pretty good, with just enough power to do the jobs I encountered. The last thing I cleaned was a small cement slab and it did the job well, although not terribly fast. I can see where a decent gas model would do this faster.

There were many models I could have gone with but 3 people responded to having a SunJoe, two the same model I bought. They seem to have lasted for these people, even if this model is not the most powerful.

I also bought a bottle of the B&S pump saver. I saw in the instructions for the pressure washer that it says to use this type of product when putting it away for the winter. Of the responders on this thread, at least one person said, or so I understood, that the use this product after every use.

What do most of you that use one of these pump saver products do; use it after every use or only when storing it for the winter?

 

[MileHighRover]

If you're like most people that own a pressure washer, use it after every use since it's usually months (or even years) between uses. If you're using your PW weekly, use the pump saver when you winterize it.

 

[danski0224]

Of the responders on this thread, at least one person said, or so I understood, that the use this product after every use.

What do most of you that use one of these pump saver products do; use it after every use or only when storing it for the winter?

Use it after each use, before putting it away. When the water starts to dry inside the pump, it will leave deposits that will ruin the pump (damage the metal parts) and the seals (when the seals go over the damaged metal).

If you live where it freezes, odds are that forgetting to winterize the pump are high. Using the pump saver each time minimizes this risk.

You can also use RV antifreeze.

 

[danski0224]

I would like to build an electric pressure washer after my employer paid $2,400 for a 120V coil washer setup from Goodway, that doesn't even shut off when the trigger is released. The employer has a couple of slightly smaller and cheaper ones that DO shut off when the trigger is released. The Goodway does work better than the less expensive ones, but IMHO, the price difference is a bit much. The Goodway is only sold through Trane distributors and Grainger, so that explains the price.

But, after my recent experience of building a gas pressure washer, I think I'll hold off a bit. Just a decent electric motor is almost a grand, and the lower RPM version is more AND heavier (2 pole vs 4 pole, IIRC).

 

[cherrybomb]

IMHO 99.9% of the problems with electric pressure washers can be traced back to the POS, made in China GFI plug.

We have a Karcher,probably 20 years old ,good machine but temperamental to cords and outlets.About 10 years ago took that factory plug off and wired a quality plug.The situations been fixed,And don't ever store where it could freeze.Dont run pure water thru it as the pump needs the solution for lubrication

 

[LOW1]

I have a stihl electric that I am happy with.

Also, if you are cleaning concrete and steel more water and more pressure is good. Otherwise consider whether you will damage what you are cleaning

 

[M Fan]

Have you tried Kranzle pressure washers? They are a bit pricey since they are made in Germany, but the nice thing is they are rebuildable. I've had my K1322TS model for about 5-1/2 years and just replaced the seals on the pump this week. I do use mine about 3-5 times a week so it gets quite a workout. The K1322TS isn't a super high-pressure unit, but it can run on a standard 110VAC outlet and supply about 1400 PSI and 1.7 GPM, which I do like for washing cars.

 

[FMC1959]

Have you tried Kranzle pressure washers? They are a bit pricey since they are made in Germany, but the nice thing is they are rebuildable. I've had my K1322TS model for about 5-1/2 years and just replaced the seals on the pump this week. I do use mine about 3-5 times a week so it gets quite a workout. The K1322TS isn't a super high-pressure unit, but it can run on a standard 110VAC outlet and supply about 1400 PSI and 1.7 GPM, which I do like for washing cars.

Someone else also mentioned Kranzle. They are pricey and overkill for me. I will use a PW maybe 2 times one year and as much as 5-6 times others years. Paying the price for Kranzle and other high quality PW;s, which can handle being used daily is fine if you need it. I don't. The SunJoe SPX 3000 is just right. Like the previous poster mentions, too much pressure can ruin many things. Mine is just right, I can clean cement or decks, not as quickly and easily as your Kranzle, but it gets the job done for the few times I would do that. For other smaller jobs, it is strong enough to clean well and not destroy what I am cleaning.