Pressure Washer questions...

[Mtb-Sam]

So i just bought this pressure washer:

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B007QDYQEK/?tag=atomicindus08-20

I'm upgrading from a cheaper residential unit so this one is very nice, GX engine better bump, rubber tires etc.

Fired it up for the first time the other day and had trouble starting it, i kept relieving pressure out of the hose but its like it would try to start but not all the way. I eventually figured out if i keep the trigger open it starts much easier ( makes sense the motor is not working against the pressure of the pump ) Is this normal for a commercial unit? I don't ever remember having to hold the trigger open during starting on my residential units. Once its running it runs great though.


It came with a 25ft hose so i'm planning on upgrading to a 50ft. Also are the quick disconnects for the hose worth it? Anything else i should purchase to go along with? Extensions? tips?

Thanks!
Sam

 

[CutterFarms]

We have a couple commercial units that are started off a battery and pulling the trigger on the gun is what starts it. If the battery goes dead the only way we can get them started is to tie a rag around the trigger so there is no pressure on the pump at all and it starts right up. Hope that helps.

 

[Mtb-Sam]

Thanks! Yea that does seem to be the trend of what i researched, pulling the trigger while starting..

 

[theoldwizard1]

...Is this normal for a commercial unit? I don't ever remember having to hold the trigger open during starting on my residential units.

I think you need to let the motor break in a bit. My homeowner model is easier to start withe the trigger on, whick kind of takes 3 hands (hold the unit, pull the cord, hold the trigger

It came with a 25ft hose so i'm planning on upgrading to a 50ft. Also are the quick disconnects for the hose worth it?

Let me know how that works. My 25' is also too short !

 

[cbones62]

Yes, hold the trigger while starting. That is normal.

 

[fatfillup]

32 years in the business. Always hold the trigger open when starting.

Honda GX's seem to need a short break in period not to stall when first starting. Normally after and hour or so of running, they will stay started easier.

The pump on that machine is better then home owner quality, but not real repairable IMO. We just replace them.

Most important, DO NOT LET THE MACHINE RUN IN BYPASS for more then a minute.

Bypass is with the motor running and the trigger shut off. The water inside the pump will heat up due to friction and start deteriorating the seals in the pump. Keep the trigger pulled.

Never loan out the machine, even to your best friend. Go clean whatever is needed with them.

 

[burleyfarm]

Do you experienced fellows have a recommendation for a good vinyl siding cleaning product?


Sent from my tractor seat.

 

[fatfillup]

I have no recommendation of a product that is available nationally. I would visit the local industrial pressure washer store and ask what the pros use on vinyl siding. The product we sell is dark brown truck wash soap, called either panel bright or Sizzle plus. Works well.

 

[Git]

Looks like a decent unit - but I did not see anything about a 'thermal relief valve'

Keep in mind one of the worst things you can do to a pressure washer is to leave it running for than a minute or two and not actually using it. (spraying water from the wand)

The pump continues to pump water but it has no place to go and just circulates in the pump (called bypass condition) - which causes things to heat up, the internal seals may melt, oil breaks down, excessive wear, etc etc = cooked pump. A thermal relief valve can help by blowing off the hot water

It is a good habit to get into to just shut it down if your not actively using it. Another thing to think about is if your unit can spray 2.8 gpm - you need to be able to supply 2.8 gpm of water or the pump can cavitate (not enough water).

ooops - I started this post and got *******, I see fatfillup covered my point also

 

[signcrafter]

Do you experienced fellows have a recommendation for a good vinyl siding cleaning product?


Sent from my tractor seat.

I think I posted about this on here a few years back and a few guys said they use pool shock and some dish detergent mixed with water. I have been doing this since then and it works great. A million times better then the **** you can buy at the box stores and a lot cheaper. My wife also has plants everywhere and as long as I wet the plants with water first and then spray the house and while the house is soaking I rinse off the plants again and then one more time after I rinse off the house they have been fine. I was a little worried the first time it was going to kill the plants and she was going to kill me.

 

[kunkernator]

I have that same exact Simpson model, except with a Kohler engine. The pump is excellent that comes with it, kinda a step below a Cat pump. As another member mentioned, dont leave the pump deadhead in bypass for much longer than a minute, shut the unit off, and start it back up when you need it. It is a bit of a hassle, but it extends the life significantly.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Mtb-Sam]

Thanks for all the comments - i believe my unit has a thermal relief valve.

Do you guys have any recommendations for the quick disconnects for the hose? worth it?

 

[fatfillup]

Almost guarantee you unit has a thermal relief valve, almost all do now, but don't trust them 100%

As far as quicks, I like US made hanson. But for your use, most any will do. Keep them lubed and use a steel plug (male side of the quick) not brass. Brass will distort under pressure and the coupler will become slow and make you cuss.

If you do go foreign on the quicks, General pumps seem ok.

As far as are quicks worth it, it makes rolling up the hose much easier. I would at least put quicks between the machine and hose and I personally would have them between the hose and gun, but its easy for me, I just go in the parts room and grab what i need.

 

[craftsman47]

I bought this simpson. Model # MSH3125-S http://www.homedepot.com/p/Simpson-...5-GPM-Gas-Pressure-Washer-MSH3125-S/203177499

home depot matched the Lowes 10% off coupon.

2 questions.

1. I am thinking of upgrading to a 3/8 hose, instead of the 5/16 hose it has , so that I can get a better metal braid rubber hose and run the better couplers.

Should I expect pressure loss? From what I read, larger hoses offer LESS pressure drop.


2. The chemical dispensor looks like it after the pump and works like a siphon. This means no harm to the pump from detergents and or a 10-20% chlorox mix?

 

[kctyphoon]

Pressurewashersdirect.com