Pressure Washer from a Tote?

[Whiskeymike]

I have a 2.8 gallon per min gas pressure washer and I need to spray the fence 1000 ft from the closest garden hose. But I have a 275 gallon IBC tote. If I can figure out how to convert the 2-3" spigot to a garden hose, is gravity (from a trailer to the ground) flow enough to run the pressure washer? Or do I need some type of pump as well?

 

[sberry]

It will most likely work gravity. If it has a cam lok you can get it at the farm store. I personally like to make most of the adapters with plastic coupling and bushing to get to the garden hose ******. Keeping the hose rather short helps.

 

[BukitCase]

I would be a little leary of starving out the PW pump; it takes 27.65 inches of head (with water) to get 1 psi of pressure. If you still have the manual for your PW it might tell you what input pressure is needed.

Or, you could cobble up adapters to hose and just see if your PW will be happy. The GOOD news - if you start with a FULL tote, that adds about 1.5 psi MORE (til the tote gets used up) -

If gravity doesn't cut it, 12 volt sprayer pumps can be had that'll put out 3-4 gpm @ 40 psi or more, for around $100 (I have one on my 12 volt boom spray rig that's 3 gpm@45psi)... Steve

BTW, that type pump usually has an automatic shutoff when it reaches pressure, so deadheading (NOT spraying for awhile) won't hurt the pump. (This is NOT "internet fact" - I worked industrial instrumentation/control the last 35 years before I retired...)

 

[rlitman]

...BTW, that type pump usually has an automatic shutoff when it reaches pressure, so deadheading (NOT spraying for awhile) won't hurt the pump...

I've seen automatic pressure based shutoffs on electric pumps, but not on gasoline driven pressure washers. On gas pressure washers, the pump will have an unloader to prevent overpressurizing the pump. The difference here is that pumps are water cooled, and while the unloader will protect the pump from almost instant failure, it will still allow it to overheat if driven for too long.

 

[BukitCase]

Sorry, I was referring to the 12 volt sprayer pump he might need to add if his PW starves out on gravity feed - I've always triggered the PW wand a couple times a minute if I have to stop spraying, the manual on my gas PW mentioned NOT deadheading for too long or it could overheat the pump. Mine's at least 20 yrs old, so maybe newer ones have changed (or not)... Steve

 

[rlitman]

Gotcha. Yeah, a sprayer pump would certainly work, but that's an expensive addition. As opposed to sprayer pumps, cheap 12V transfer pumps are generally centrifugal pumps, and those too will burn up if left without flow.

 

[ratdoggy]

I do it all the time at our plant...
Just crack the hose at the pressure washer inlet to make it quicker to prime

 

[ratdoggy]

It will most likely work gravity. If it has a cam lok you can get it at the farm store. I personally like to make most of the adapters with plastic coupling and bushing to get to the garden hose ******. Keeping the hose rather short helps.

That's what I use...

 

[sberry]

I have 2 tanks in an insulated truck. All cam lock together.

 

[BukitCase]

"cheap 12V transfer pumps are generally centrifugal pumps, and those too will burn up if left without flow"

To me, (if a "helper" pump is even necessary) $100 spent ONCE is cheaper than several "do-overs" - besides the eventual higher price of extra "burnable" pumps, this ain't beer, pizza or *** (the short list of things I wanna do more than ONCE) ...Steve

 

[theoldwizard1]

It will most likely work gravity.

Not most PW ! They always spec a minimum inlet flow and gravity is not going to get you there.

Battery operated pump, like a bilge pump ?

 

[BukitCase]

This
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B017XCQ7TA/?tag=atomicindus08-20

doesn't need a float switch, shut off @ 60 psi, deadhead it all day, doesn't care...

 

[MarlynOC]

Don't run from gravity feed. Must have pump to supply pressure. Jabsco or Rule pumps 12V

 

[sberry]

Its a pump, it pumps and these are hydraulic. I am not familiar with all the little ones but my pump isn't even gravity, sits a couple ft higher than the bottom of the tank.

 

[sberry]

They always spec a minimum inlet flow and gravity is not going to get you there.

I would be willing to read this if you are willing to post it. Is there a pressure requirement? 2 gallons a minute will drizzle out of a garden hose.

 

[The Cobbler]

I would try it on gravity , you will know in short order if it is working properly , and , you could use a larger feed hose than a 5/8 garden hose , say 1" and rig up a garden hose coupler to it to feed the PW.

 

[rlitman]

I would try it on gravity , you will know in short order if it is working properly , and , you could use a larger feed hose than a 5/8 garden hose , say 1" and rig up a garden hose coupler to it to feed the PW.

As for knowing in short order, that I don't really agree with. I'd use gravity and time test filling a 5 gallon bucket to be more comfortable.

The issue here is that if the pump is cavitating, it will still appear to work, as it eats itself up from the inside.

 

[The Cobbler]

but if the pump is cavitating, you will here & feel it I think.

 

[rlitman]

but if the pump is cavitating, you will here & feel it I think.

On a gas pressure washer, I doubt you'd hear it over the sound of the engine. It would probably be audible on an electric, but I still don't think it would stand out enough to an untrained ear.

 

[The Cobbler]

fair enough assumption...

 

[Sevenhills1952]

I have a question. A landscaper friend used those totes in his business. I mentioned to him an idea I had which is drill a 1/2" hole in it, at top...possibly in cap, then install a tire valve. Fill with water then pressurize with air, maybe 50-100psi?

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[The Cobbler]

50PSI is a ton of pressure for something that wasn't meant to be a pressure vessel.
I bet at 5psi you get some very noticeable swelling and deformation

 

[rlitman]

50PSI is a ton of pressure for something that wasn't meant to be a pressure vessel.
I bet at 5psi you get some very noticeable swelling and deformation

Yeah, I'm with you. Considering the cube-ish shape and construction of these totes, I'd be uncomfortable around one at even 1 PSI.

 

[sberry]

It's probably got a couple # on the bottom when full. 5 would be a lot for one and could be near blowout at 10.

 

[jayfrank5074]

We will only sell you a belt driven pressure washer at work if you are washing out of a tank, if it’s direct drive..no.

I’ve been told that many times.


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[sberry]

I wonder how the pump knows the difference? I am curious now.

 

[Sevenhills1952]

Here's something you don't want to try at home[emoji23]. I made this discovery...but don't do it![emoji16]
Drill a 1/2" hole in top of a 2L soda bottle (empty one), pull a tire valve through it. Screw it on tight. Using a locking type air chuck first I tried 150 psi shop air. It swelled tight, wouldn't blow. So I used one of those little cheap 200 psi compressors. At about 175 psi they'll blow, like a cannon.

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[theoldwizard1]

I would be willing to read this if you are willing to post it. Is there a pressure requirement? 2 gallons a minute will drizzle out of a garden hose.

Briggs & Stratton Professional 4000 PSI (@ 4.0 GPM) Pressure Washer

Page 12 of the Operator's Manual "... water source capable of supplying water at a flow rate greater than 5.0 gallons per minute at no less than 20 PSI ..."

Maybe the pumps you use are better, but those numbers are pretty common for most consumer/prosumer models.

 

[sberry]

Yes, I have 2, both **** their own water. My shop unit has a tank like a toilet tank with a float. I have used a couple cheap units but really don't know much about them. More about pumps in general. Even a common centrifuge pump pull 10 or more ft of head.

 

[Whiskeymike]

Here's the manual for my washer. I searched for some keywords and didn't see a spec for incoming pressure.

http://www.generac.com/service-supp...ba4a-4727-ad51-40dd83e49421&isBaseModel=false

Tried to attach, but it's too big.

 

[BukitCase]

From page 10 of the manual -
"IMPORTANT - Do NOT siphon standing water for the water supply. Use only COLD water (less than 100F). Water supply must be able to handle greater than 3.8 GPM and no less than 30 PSI."

I looked @ Amazon, looks like Everflow 12 volt pumps are crappy QA. more than one wuz either DOA or died soon. If you decide to chance it, don't buy unless you're ready to USE (or at least test) it. (Couple reviews didn't try theirs til it was too late to return)

Sorry, wish I had better news... Steve

 

[jubilee]

Sureflo 12 volt rv pump is what I use to precharge pressure washer. $80. 40 psi. Auto shut off. Can run dry for days. Able to withstand freezing.

 

[BukitCase]

Yeah, that's what I have on the small boom sprayer I'm re-working, same pump for several years, no prob; Mine is 3 gpm, shutoff #45... Steve