To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Need a pump for a DIY pressure washer

bandit25

Active member
Joined
Mar 2, 2015
Messages
40
Location
Troy, MI
Hey all,

I'm getting a air compressor that's powered by a gas 9hp engine. I'm going to build a pressure washer by taking off that engine and powering some type of a belt-driven pump.

Any recommendations? No idea on GPM or psi that I need, the hardest it will need to be will for cleaning gunk off car frames.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

zkling

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 23, 2007
Messages
16,939
What is your budget? Cat makes very nice pumps, but are pretty expensive. For your application flow rate is going to be more important than pressure.
 

theoldwizard1

Well-known member
Joined
Feb 22, 2011
Messages
43,216
Location
SE MI
What is your budget? Cat makes very nice pumps, but are pretty expensive. For your application flow rate is going to be more important than pressure.

GPM is ALWAYS more important the PSI !

If you are going to do a belt drive, you will need multiple sheaves. Not sure how many, but likely more than 2 !

Find a pump that is "rebuild-able". Most "homeowner" pumps don't even have gaskets available !
 

Zrexxer

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 23, 2007
Messages
5,058
Location
Pflugerville, TX
By the time you've bought a hose, a trigger/wand assembly, nozzles, sheaves, belts, etc., you're already losing money on this proposition.

Sell the gasoline compressor and you'll have enough money to buy a real pressure washer on Craigslist.
 
OP
B

bandit25

Active member
Joined
Mar 2, 2015
Messages
40
Location
Troy, MI
Haven't really thought through a budget yet... $200? Not sure what's really out there or their prices.

Having a 9hp engine, would the pump need to have a minimum spec so that it isn't over-powered and burn up? (don't know much, if anything, about pumps!).

Lastly, is the pump the only thing I need? Any shut off valves or anything else to keep the pump from over pressurizing when it's not spraying?
 
OP
B

bandit25

Active member
Joined
Mar 2, 2015
Messages
40
Location
Troy, MI
GPM is ALWAYS more important the PSI !

If you are going to do a belt drive, you will need multiple sheaves. Not sure how many, but likely more than 2 !

Find a pump that is "rebuild-able". Most "homeowner" pumps don't even have gaskets available !

Rebuildable? As in craigslist: "I'm selling this pump that doesn't work but you can probably fix it"?
 
OP
B

bandit25

Active member
Joined
Mar 2, 2015
Messages
40
Location
Troy, MI
Searching craigslist, though, it looks like I can get a pressure washer for less than the $200 pumps, and they come with all the gizmos. Yeah I'll probably just do that. Just without selling the compressor :p
 

Jere

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 26, 2011
Messages
708
$200 will get a nice gas pressure washer or 2 off of craigslist in good working order.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
OP
B

bandit25

Active member
Joined
Mar 2, 2015
Messages
40
Location
Troy, MI
I just found this video,

The guy has the same engine on a pressure washer, but it is direct drive and not belt driven. I really like this set up, and so if I can find a good pump, is there anything I need to watch out for in order to make it direct drive and not belt? e.g., operating rpms, shaft diameter.
 

gungatim

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 8, 2013
Messages
8,101
Location
west mich
if all you want is to clean up greasy motors and cars, assuming you spray them with gunk or degreaser first, even a cheapo electric pressure washer would work..I get pumps given to me all the time, last one was like new but just stuck valve, gas engine homeowners are fairly decent like 2400 psi and <$300 new, but the HF electric 900psi one is the one I pull out for jobs like that...can get it for $80 with coupon, the one i hve is the older red one, new blue one is 1650 psi it says...just a thought...
 

gungatim

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 8, 2013
Messages
8,101
Location
west mich
I just found this video,

The guy has the same engine on a pressure washer, but it is direct drive and not belt driven. I really like this set up, and so if I can find a good pump, is there anything I need to watch out for in order to make it direct drive and not belt? e.g., operating rpms, shaft diameter.

The ones I worked on just have a keyed coupler, pump bolts direct to engine. usually vertical shaft...go to the northern industrial website, they sell all kinds of pumps and parts

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...ure-washer-accessories+pressure-washer-pumps?
 
OP
B

bandit25

Active member
Joined
Mar 2, 2015
Messages
40
Location
Troy, MI
I might be able to get a T-47 Series TS2021 General pump for dirt cheap at a local auction, and so I think I will go for that. (dirt cheap being I will bid up to the price of a simple used pressure washer). Or I could just sell that pump (it's more than I need) and buy a pressure washer... Profit!
 

strutaeng

Well-known member
Joined
Dec 12, 2011
Messages
2,282
Location
Dallas, TX
By the time you've bought a hose, a trigger/wand assembly, nozzles, sheaves, belts, etc., you're already losing money on this proposition.

Sell the gasoline compressor and you'll have enough money to buy a real pressure washer on Craigslist.

This!

I just completed a project like you have in mind, except I had a 5 Hp Baldor motor sitting around. While it was fun, I spent more money than I had hoped and would buy a new/used P.S. if I had to do it again. Here is the breakup with rough estimates of costs that I spent:

CAT belt drive pump $400
Unloader valve $80
Sheave $45
Belts $40
3/8"x50' Goodyear hose $75
Hose wand with tips $75
GFCI breaker $60
Misc. brass fittings & electrical connectors $45
I built a steel skid/platform from angles and tube sitting around
My system provides 2.8 GPM @ 2800 psi

Granted, I have seen 5 HP heavy-duty electric belt-driven pressure washers that sell for at least $1500. Obviously, no need to worry about electrical components if you are going gas-driven.

Either get a good, used unit or check out Northern tool for gas or electric units.

Good luck
 
OP
B

bandit25

Active member
Joined
Mar 2, 2015
Messages
40
Location
Troy, MI
This!

I just completed a project like you have in mind, except I had a 5 Hp Baldor motor sitting around. While it was fun, I spent more money than I had hoped and would buy a new/used P.S. if I had to do it again. Here is the breakup with rough estimates of costs that I spent:

CAT belt drive pump $400
Unloader valve $80
Sheave $45
Belts $40
3/8"x50' Goodyear hose $75
Hose wand with tips $75
GFCI breaker $60
Misc. brass fittings & electrical connectors $45
I built a steel skid/platform from angles and tube sitting around
My system provides 2.8 GPM @ 2800 psi

Granted, I have seen 5 HP heavy-duty electric belt-driven pressure washers that sell for at least $1500. Obviously, no need to worry about electrical components if you are going gas-driven.

Either get a good, used unit or check out Northern tool for gas or electric units.

Good luck


Yeah I'm starting to learn not to listen to my gf when she says I need to "sell all this junk cluttering the garage". At one point in time I had a new 200' reel of Goodyear 250psi hose that I didn't have a use for and couldn't sell, so I just got rid of it. :lol_hitti
 
OP
B

bandit25

Active member
Joined
Mar 2, 2015
Messages
40
Location
Troy, MI
(sorry to hijack my own thread) I got a used General 47 series TS2021 (3500 PSI 4.5 GPM) for cheap last night. How would you recommend I sell it? I can't really verify that it works...
 
OP
B

bandit25

Active member
Joined
Mar 2, 2015
Messages
40
Location
Troy, MI
Actually, I think I changed my mind and I'm going to build the pressure washer. Here are some more questions my friends...

Do I need to get a certain rating for my unloader valve?

While using the pressure washer, to increase pressure/gpm do I increase engine rpm? Or does the engine always stay at idle?

I am trying to determine the gear reduction needed, and I found a chart (http://www.pressurewashersdirect.com/manuals/gppumpmanual_2.pdf). I am 1, assuming that the engine rpm is going to be my engine idle rpm, and 2, I don't know what my "required pump rpm" is. From the pump specs, it can handle 1750 rpm. So do I just keep it below that? Is there a range that the pump should spin within, can it spin too slowly, etc?

I am sure I will have more questions later, but this is it for now. Thanks!
 

redmondjp

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 25, 2014
Messages
2,318
Location
Redmond, WA
You are going to need a bypass/unloader valve (this is the valve the shunts the flow of water from the pump's output back to its input when you release the trigger on the nozzle handle). That can run between $150 - 250 right there. I have a Graco pressure washer that has a pump very similar to what you just purchased. It is powered by a 18HP Briggs Vanguard V-twin engine. It's a beast, but $$$$$$ (see below).

You need to look up the technical specifications for your pump to determine what HP it needs at what pump speed. You can back off the pressure of any pump (around 2K PSI is typically sufficient for most cleaning applications) which will reduce the HP needed somewhat.

My hunch is that you might be able to run that pump with your 9HP motor if you run the pump slower than its maximum ratings, and run at a lower pressure as I stated above. You will then have to determine what your output flow is in order to select the proper nozzle size.

I'm with the others here - I'd just scour CL for a good deal, after you have spent more time online researching good pumps. Do you have any professional pressure washer sales/service dealers in your area? That would be an excellent place to start. They can teach you a lot about what is out there and what would be best-suited for your needs.

Even having the motor and (unknown-condition) pump already, you're looking at probably at least $600 worth of additional items (a few hundred more if you have to go through your existing pump) to get a functioning unit, assuming that you know how to put everything together. Shoot, you can spend $150 just on the belts and pulleys!

A couple of years ago, I had to replace the unloader valve on mine ($250 just for that one part). After walking out the door of the local place, I had a bill of over $600 for everything else (parts, accessories, turbo nozzle, etc) and I already owned the pressure washer, hose, and gun! A high-quality pressure washer is not inexpensive.

Good luck!
 
OP
B

bandit25

Active member
Joined
Mar 2, 2015
Messages
40
Location
Troy, MI
That's nuts, I thought I only had ~$100 more to go... That's too bad. Maybe it's worth trying to sell the pump? From what I've seen, it's a rebuildable unit so I could rebuild it and then get rid of it (it ***** that I won't have a way to test it, though!)
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom