Pressure washer GFCI issues

[EP3]

I have a Campbell Hausfeld 1600 psi pressure washer that kept immediately tripping the GFCI when I plugged it in. (This is two wire, and double-insulated insulated. Not that that means anything to me.) I went to multiple plugs around the house, inside and out. Each time it had the same results. So last weekend I decided to replace the plug. Home Depot had the exact match. After replacing the plug, the pressure washer ran like it was brand new, and I used it for about 45 minutes.

Now here comes the interesting part. Today I start to use it, and once again it immediately tripped the plug. Once again I made the rounds to multiple plugs, and all had the same results as before. So I tore down the washer hoping to find the culprit, but still don’t know what my problem is. The guts are basically the on/off switch, and the pump. I didn’t meter the switch because I don’t know the reading I’m looking for.

Does anyone have any suggestions as to what I can do to resolve my issue?

 

[u2slow]

Is this on several different GFCI receptacles, or all std ones on the same GFCI breaker? Try the receptacles with other power tools. See what happens.

In my experience, GFCIs don't last forever. Motor loads seem especially hard on them.

I run most power tools - including pressure washer - on non-GFCI circuits. YMMV.

 

[EP3]

Not all of the plugs that I’m trying the washer on are GFCI...to my knowledge. Some are in the garage, some in the house, and some outside. I’ve tried about 5 different plugs in different areas of the house.

Other tools work just fine on the same plugs that I’m trying; drill, circular saw, trimmer. They might not be putting the same amount of draw on the system, though.

The part that really throws me is how it worked perfect after replacing the plug, and now this weekend it is acting up again. It’s almost like I didn’t replace the plug.

 

[u2slow]

Sounds like it is the pressure washer itself.

Try metering between metal parts and the cord for continuity (while unplugged of course.) Keep checking as you take things apart and re-assemble. Odds are something is chafed or corroded and causing a trace current to 'leak'.

I have a cheapo pressure washer myself. I'll simply replace it when it dies.

 

[EP3]

Thanks. I should probably just buy one as well, but I just feel the need to figure this out.

 

[sberry]

Is it tripping breaker or gfci?

 

[teamextreme]

Not all of the plugs that I’m trying the washer on are GFCI...to my knowledge. Some are in the garage, some in the house, and some outside. I’ve tried about 5 different plugs in different areas of the house.

Other tools work just fine on the same plugs that I’m trying; drill, circular saw, trimmer. They might not be putting the same amount of draw on the system, though.

The part that really throws me is how it worked perfect after replacing the plug, and now this weekend it is acting up again. It’s almost like I didn’t replace the plug.

But you said it was tripping the GFCI on all the recep's you tried. How can you be unsure if it's on GFCI if you say it's tripping them? Like sberry asked, is it tripping the GFCI or the breaker?

 

[sparky 1971]

It may be a gfci that is built into the cord end.

 

[EP3]

Is it tripping breaker or gfci?

Just the GFCI on the washer. It worked perfect initially after replacing the GFCI plug. The following weekend it started the same issues as before.

 

[EP3]

It may be a gfci that is built into the cord end.

That’s what I just replaced. Work fine initially. The next weekend it was giving me the same problems.

 

[EP3]

But you said it was tripping the GFCI on all the recep's you tried. How can you be unsure if it's on GFCI if you say it's tripping them? Like sberry asked, is it tripping the GFCI or the breaker?

Just the GFCI on the cord of the washer.

 

[yatg]

Just the GFCI on the cord of the washer.

Put a regular plug on it, plug into GFCI receptacle, if it trips the receptacle your pressure washer has a problem.

 

[AntonLargiader]

If the GFCI is tripping as soon as you plug it in, then there's leakage somewhere. You say two-wire; there's no ground from the washer itself? Can you post a link to the replacement plug you bought?

 

[bmxr4life87]

Those cord end GFCI units are sensitive to water intrusion. I work for Hotsy and see it from time to time. Occasionally they just **** the bed for no real obvious reason

 

[Shiftless]

A friend gave me her light duty Craftsman pressure washer because one of the wheels was off. It had a plug with GFCI built in. That GFCI tripped regularly even though it stayed dry. Since I’m the only user and I always plug into a GFCI protected circuit, I simply cut off the factory plug and changed it over to a high quality replacement plug. Never a problem any more. But I realize that I have voided the UL listing of the machine.

 

[Bogie1632]

Just curious, so I'm asking for clarification.

The GGCI tripping as soon as you plug it in, before you turn it on? After plugged in and you reset it, does it run as normal?

Just wondering because I've had many GFCI cord ends that would automatically trip when plugged in (as designed, but I dont recall the manufacturer). Hit the reset button and the devise ran fine until unplugged/plugged back in. Had to have them on all our shop stationary equipment and that's how they all worked. Kinda sounds like what your cord is doing.

Just curious so following this one.

V/R
Bogie

 

[EP3]

If the GFCI is tripping as soon as you plug it in, then there's leakage somewhere. You say two-wire; there's no ground from the washer itself? Can you post a link to the replacement plug you bought?

Nope, just a black wire and a white wire. This washer is double insulated (but that’s above my realm of understanding.)

 

[EP3]

This was the exact plug that was originally on it.

 

[EP3]

Those cord end GFCI units are sensitive to water intrusion. I work for Hotsy and see it from time to time. Occasionally they just **** the bed for no real obvious reason

I can guarantee that the replacement plug had NO water intrusion the one and only time I used it. I was approx. 20 ft away AND around the corner when I was using the washer.

 

[EP3]

Just curious, so I'm asking for clarification.

The GGCI tripping as soon as you plug it in, before you turn it on? After plugged in and you reset it, does it run as normal?

Just wondering because I've had many GFCI cord ends that would automatically trip when plugged in (as designed, but I dont recall the manufacturer). Hit the reset button and the devise ran fine until unplugged/plugged back in. Had to have them on all our shop stationary equipment and that's how they all worked. Kinda sounds like what your cord is doing.

Just curious so following this one.

V/R
Bogie

As soon as I plug it in, it trips before turning it on. Every time I push reset, it trips.

After replacing the GFCI plug, on the cord, it worked perfectly from the start. I used it once for about 45 min. That was weekend before last. Last weekend it wanted to act up again.

I’ve been on 3rd shift this week so I haven’t dealt with it. I’ll get back in to it this weekend. I’m tempted to try putting a regular plug on it like a couple others suggested.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Only way to properly diagnose this is to remove the GFCI plug and meter from frame to neutral and see if you get potential.

I assume its on rubber wheels.

If so, then leakage current would have no where to go and thus something else is going on here.