electric pressure washers?

[moparfreak]

Does anyone have experience w/ these? I've seen quite a few different brands(sears, B&D, home depot) of electric pressure washers, ranging from about $70-$200. I am thinking of purchasing one, primarily for my car, but also because it could have other uses around the house.

But, I won't buy one if it doesn't do the job for my car(cleaning tough grime, cleaning parts). I don't want to buy one and find out it gives a little weak trickle.

Anyone have these?

My only other real option is to take what I need to a car wash...which is a pain.

Thanks,
Adam

 

[DynoDave]

I really prefer the gas powered ones. You can get them for around $200 on the bottom end. I like the portability of taking the gas one anywhere I want to use it. No extension cords wrapped half way around my house. No electric cord right in the wet work area. Just my 2 cents.

 

[Major Ramifications]

It is really a matter of how much time it takes to do the job. The more powerful the unit, the quicker the job gets done. After watching both my friend and my neighbor use their wimpy little electric ones, I am glad I got a gas one. I only wish it was bigger (more powerful). Get the biggest one you can afford.

 

[Glen]

I have a small electric one rated at 1350 PSI, it's made by Karcher and has worked well for a few years now. I've used it successfully to degrease an engine and front end undercarriage but I don't use it regularly to clean my cars. I've also used it to prep an old wood fence for paint and to clean the driveway. I think for the money, it was a good investment, however, if you intend to use it often for larger jobs, take the above advice and buy the most powerful one you can afford!

 

[moparfreak]

that's exactly what i want to use it for...just to degrease parts for me car. A transmission, an engine, maybe the underside once I get it on a rotisserie, and then a few things around the house too.

A gas one may be better, but there's no way I'm gonna spend $200+ to get one. I was thinking $130 or so for a decent electric one. I just didn't know if these things were worthwhile or not.

Adam

 

[Luckydevil]

Harbor Freight has one for $120 that appears to be just a couple hundred psi short of the low end gas powered sprayers.

http://www.harborfreight.com/cpi/ctaf/Displayitem.taf?itemnumber=2433

1800psi

Home Depot also has a Husky one that is probably more reliable and sells for $169.

http://www.homedepot.com Internet/Catalog# 165019

1750psi

 

[Glen]

Adam,
Based on your intended use, I'd say an electric one will work fine.

Glen

 

[SANDOVAL]

I went through 2 of the Karcher pressure washers at Costco over the last 3 years. The motor would turn on and off while using the PW. So I stepped up and went with the Gas powered Karcher. I have had 0 problems since I upgraded. It gets used just about every weekend. Costco has a great return policy (if you are disatisfied they give you a full refund or exchange there is no time limit too) so if you are set on the electric PW buy it from Costco so you can swap the PW if it fails with no hassles.

 

[moparfreak]

Costco, eh? I'm not sure we have any of those here in Wisconsin. But, I'll be in michigan this summer and I think there's a few of them there.

How much is the karcher electric? What's it's psi rating?

Thanks,
Aadm

 

[SANDOVAL]

$130 or so 1600 or 1800 PSI I

 

[gr8laker]

My $00.02: I've had a Karcher electric pw for about 5 years. The only problem I had was lack of water flow, which was resolved by cleaning the screen on the hose input fitting. My well water clogs it up pretty fast. It's good for general cleaning, degreasing, etc. The electric plug has a GFCI built in for obvious reasons. Overall, a decent unit, and good value. I bought mine at Costco.

 

[Plump]

I've used a Karcher before and like it....to a degree. Obviously, you're not going to get the psi out of an electric pump that you're going to get from gas. But, you can also hear what's going on around you, and for those more green than I, no emissions.

Think the one I use is about 2000 psi and cost about $130. It's cleaned the sidewalk, taken off house paint, cleaned the grill, washed the cars, everything I've asked. When I need something more robust, I call the brother or neighbor. No problems starting or winterizing the engine either!

 

[Sureshot]

Look at the volume more than pressure. You will also get what you pay for as a general rule.

 

[signcrafter]

The couple electric ones I have used were junk. I bought a gas one with a honda motor on it a few years back and it's been great. The unloader valve started sticking this summer so I took the pump apart and cleaned and greased it and it works great.

You can get an electric one that will pump out a few PSI and last a little while for your price range but personally I try to buy something I little nicer that will last longer and be more powerful and useful.

 

[Big-Foot]

From my experience, the electric ones will not move the volume of water at the same pressure as the gas washers..

I had a Campbell Hausfeld electric that was 1750 PSI and it worked fine for smaller things and washing the car. I was very good at draining it after use and made sure it never froze up in the winter. It lasted 2 years before the internals (pump was pot-metal) froze up from corrosion.. I guess you need to run WD 40 through them too?
Anyways - the one I have now is a 2500 PSI Honda powered washer from Northern Tool.. Never skips a beat and yes, I care for my tools pretty well..

 

[RKA]

Look at the volume more than pressure. You will also get what you pay for as a general rule.

Agreed on both counts. The benefit with electrics is no gas engine to maintain (I've got too many already) or fix, but you don't get the power you'll get out of the gas motors (assuming we're talking about a standard 110v). The con is in the price range the OP was looking at you get a lot of plastic junk that will fall apart (look at amazon reviews on anything sub $300 and you'll see plastic parts breaking off). The good electrics are more than a gas pw. Can't have your cake and eat it too.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Pressure is not the issue. It is VOLUME !

If it can put out over 2.0 GPH forget it. The price will shock you !

 

[Monte]

gph

gpm

 

[theoldwizard1]

Whatever you do, remember that there is ALWAYS a small amount of water left inside the pump/hose/gun. If you live where it can get below freezing, the ice will ruin your unit.

 

[Az Scooter]

If you are buying electric, I recommend one of these...http://www.google.com/products/cata...=X&ei=Pk3ZT4HyG-fg2wX60diCBw&ved=0COoBEPICMAU

If you are intent on buying gas, get something with a horizontal shaft, because those are typically better pumps, a rectangle pump, and preferably a belt drive.

I might not know what I am talking about. I only have 20 of them, or so...

 

[homesale]

Does any one have the Costco Snap On (Karcher) 2000 psi electric pw? Is it worth buying?

 

[skruft]

Years ago I bought a Karcher electric washer and it was no good. It failed about the 10th time I used it.

 

[Mister Moose]

I used a friends electric pressure washer last year. It worked, but low flow and low pressure translated to ploddingly slow results. You can wash your car with a spray bottle too, but who's going to do that??? That experience convinced me gas driven models were the go-to choice. If you don't use one very often, rent it.

 

[lestat]

I bought a Kärcher electric and I'm liking it. Used it 4 hours continuously the first day, and another 3 hours the next to clean a deck. No sweat.

 

[MattPersman]

i have had 3 in the last 10 years, first was a black and decker maybe $90-100, got many years out of it, great unit, think i killed the motor using too long of a thin gauge extension cord on it, they like power. could have just died from old age. dont know.

next I spent more and got a great looking Briggs and Stratton brand electric, looked great, lasted 1 year + a few months, was giant and didnt have that great of power.

then a couple years ago now, bought a Karcher from amazon and its been super ever since. plenty of power, the turbo nozzle makes a huge difference on this thing. really nice unit, would be another one today if i needed it.

 

[Monte]

if you spend more they last longer...

 

[MattPersman]

actually i think on the most part they are a roll of the dice. adequate electric supply might be an issue if using some long 14 gauge extension cord

 

[wesalexleft]

I have a Greenworks 1.4GPM 1700 PSI from Lowes for $179.00. The first one lasted about 7 months with 3 months of that being not used in the winter. It was kept in the heated garage. There was a small plastic fitting that failed under pressure. I returned it to Lowes and then re-purchased the same unit. I too wanted electric due to maintenence and lack of noise. It's mainly used just to wash cars and household items. I'm hoping this one holds together, but if not, will return it again.

 

[Danglerb]

Buy cheap, use it immediately, sell it on CL, repeat as needed.

Unless your a frequent user with lots of space, then I would buy the best I can and follow directions on keeping it in good shape.