Recommend an electric pressure washer?

[Recoil Rob]

My 15 year old Karcher just bit the dust. Or rather I put the last nail in the coffin. The motor was "seized" and while removing the shroud to spin it I must have nicked the hose. I got it to start up and then the hose blew out and it's not a quick connect. When I removed it to see if it could be replaced I saw they male fitting on the pump housing is corroded. After 15 years it doesn't owe me anything and probably cheaper to buy a new one. I was surprised how long it lasted given the hard use I gave it, everything from cleaning the boat to washing siding. It did well for a 1300psi machine.

I have a gas Dewalt 4500psi machine for heavy work but damn if the little Karcher wasn't convenient, throw it in the back of the car and take it to the dock, etc.

Karchers are still available but there seem to be a lot of new players in the game. My old Karcher was made in Italy, new ones are made in Mexico, everything else looks like China.

Anyone had good experiences, or bad for that matter with some of the other brands like Sun Joe, AR Blue Clean, or should I stick with Karcher. Looking for 1300-1600psi.


thanks,

Rob

 

[Theruse]

Coincidentally, my electric Karcher broke today. A plastic part in the trigger handle cracked and water was leaking everywhere. I went to the Karcher site to buy a spare part and they had a statement that they no longer sell spare parts. They cited that since opening the housing voids the warranty, they couldn't sell parts. Well that doesn't account if your product is out of warranty and the handle is not part of the housing. Pretty bad policy. Karcher is now off my list.

 

[txvwnut]

I've got an AR Blue Clean 390, it's been a good unit and their customer service is great. I had an issue with the no run motor feature and they sent out a whole new unit instead of a replacement part. For the price and features I believe it's good little unit for the money.

 

[thesilverone]

Disposable society = disposable electric pressure washers, unfortunately

 

[dnschmidt]

I think AR is unbeatable. They are now selling these at Costco for $147.99 or something like that. Good unit and outstanding customer service.

 

[Recoil Rob]

Costco doesn't show the AR on the website but I'll stop in the store tomorrow and see what they have.

The Hammacher Schlemmer model looks exactly the same as the Sun Joe Lowes is selling, they have free shipping too. Will be about 25% more than the AR but gotta love the lifetime warranty.

OTOH I like the AR's hose reel, the hose was always a PIA with the Karcher because it was rigid. What type hose on the AR? HS?

Will report back.

 

[Monte]

These are among the best: www.kranzleusa.com

 

[Recoil Rob]

The Kranzle does look nice but overkil for my needs, as I said I have a DeWalt 4500psi gas power, I want something small and convenient.

I ended up going with the Sun Joe from Hammacher Schlemmer, actually had some better independent reviews than the AR, and more of them, we'll see. I could have gotten the same unit for about $40 less from Walmart but the HS LIFETIME guarantee sealed the deal.

Thanks to all for the insights.

 

[Recoil Rob]

Just got the Sun Joe SPX 3000 From Hammacher, put it together but didn't get a chance to start up.

The build looks as good as my old Karcher. The old pressure hose on the Karcher was 25ft, this one is only 20. It does have a much longer power cord. I was under the impression it's always better to have a longer hose and shorter cord, it makes setup easier, the water hose needn't be pulled so far, less voltage drop.

Will try it out this week.

 

[rcktpwrd]

I picked up a little Ryobi unit a couple months ago, it has worked quite well for me so far.
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-1600-PSI-1-2-GPM-Electric-Pressure-Washer-RY141600/205566079

I also picked up a can of pump saver from Sears, under 10 bucks for the 10+oz can not the little 4oz can. http://www.sears.com/briggs-stratton-pump-saver/p-07174403000P?prdNo=1&blockNo=1&blockType=G1

 

[boomer12831]

I picked up the same little Ryobi model that Rcktpwrd has and so far it is fine. Its not a heavy duty unit but it will fit my needs. I have seen the real powerful pressure washers cause damage and I just needed a simple one to get mud off of the truck and to wash the house down with. I did not want another gas driven machine that I had to worry about gas going bad in it if I didn't use it very often.Ed.

 

[Recoil Rob]

I've never used a machine with a soap dispenser, the manual says to only use special soaps.

Any recommendations for a soap to use for washing cars? I don't suppose I can just use the Gliptone PH neutral Wasg n' Glow I use now?


thanks,

Rob

 

[kctyphoon]

this is where i go for anything pressure washer related:

http://www.pressurewashersdirect.com/

and this is suppose to be a good electric model:
http://www.pressurewashersdirect.com/AR-AR390SS-Pressure-Washer/p15092.html

there are a couple different models from AR blue.. my father has the $189 model and likes it very much... some electric craftsman models also offer a steam cleaner feature as well.

 

[Vinko]

thread bump

A pressure washer is on my list of stuff. I'd love one to clean concrete (and occasionally masonry or asphalt) that's covered with oil-based coolant and steel turnings and other residue. Some of the AR Clean's at about $800 look like they can do the job. But the Kranzle for about $1600 -- I wonder if they're twice as good? I've used a Generac with a Honda engine and an electric model branded SnapOn kinda like this one:

https://www.menards.com/main/outdoo...81F6EB6EFF118CDD.eklka-prodapp3-external-mcom

I don't know the particular specs on either one (just have borrowed them on occasion). Didn't feel the Snappy worked for us on everything.

Wouldn't mind getting our own.

 

[LawnBoy-5247]

If your looking for a good power washer I would look at a north star unit from northern tool, I have one of their gas units and it is fantastic. they are quality machines with serviceable pressure pumps, you just have to be willing to pay for it.

here is a 1700 psi unit
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200350514_200350514
here is their 2000 psi unit
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200350515_200350515