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Small Cabin Forum / General Forum / Advice on pressure washing
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bobrok
Member
# Posted: 18 Aug 2020 11:19
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Has anyone here run an electric pressure washer off a 2-cycle fresh water pump?

I'm considering doing some work at camp and  I can see two possibilities for doing this.

First option is to to run the pressure washer off the generator while pumping from the lake. Pump is something in the area of 28 gpm but the washer is 1.2 gpm. I'd either have to station someone at the pump 100' away to cycle it on and off for me or else rig a relief valve at the washer itself so I don't damage the pump.

Second option is to run the pressure washer off my 1.8 gpm 12v. Shurflo camp water pump from my water reservoir.
This seems a better match but I don't want to waste my pump.

I'm planning on cleaning the siding on my 20x20 camp so it will be an hours long job.

Any suggestions appreciated and, of course, thank you.

Brettny
Member
# Posted: 18 Aug 2020 11:26
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A scrub brush will do just as good as a pressure washer. They make some decent siding wash stuff now I'm sure. White vinegar help kill organic growth if you want to go more natural.

Most of these diaphragm pumps like the shur flow ones dont mind being run a but dry. I would use the 12v pump.

KelVarnsen
Member
# Posted: 18 Aug 2020 11:32
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Quoting: bobrok
First option is to to run the pressure washer off the generator while pumping from the lake. Pump is something in the area of 28 gpm but the washer is 1.2 gpm. I'd either have to station someone at the pump 100' away to cycle it on and off for me or else rig a relief valve at the washer itself so I don't damage the pump.


This is exactly what I do. I have a garden hose Y valve on my small Honda pump and I just open up both sides. My pump has a throttle on it so that I can slow it down also.
Y valve
Y valve


FishHog
Member
# Posted: 18 Aug 2020 11:41
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As above or fill a container and run your pressure washer off of it. It will work fine with just a gravity feed

NorthRick
Member
# Posted: 18 Aug 2020 17:59
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I have a tote on a stand about 3 ft off the ground. I just gravity fed the water to a gas powered pressure washer and had no problems with that. Went through about 150 gallons of water.

darz5150
Member
# Posted: 18 Aug 2020 23:11
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I have a coleman, and a Campbell Hausfeld. I've ran them like mentioned above.
But I bought one of those Worx power shot portable power washers. I use it more than the others. Its rechargeable and uses a lot less water than the bigger ones.
It won't power wash your whole cabin. But its really handy to grab it and wash off the lawn mower, side by side, or patio furniture.
Very portable and handy. I was actually surprised it works a good as it does.

PA_Bound
Member
# Posted: 19 Aug 2020 11:51
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+1 to bobrok's and KelVarnsen's Y valve idea, above. If I hook the pressure washer straight to my well pump, the cheap hose I have at my cabin cannot handle the pressure (let alone what damage extended use would do to the well pump). I use a $6 Y valve, and open up the second side a bit, to reduce the pressure in the hose. Works without issue after that.

bobrok
Member
# Posted: 20 Aug 2020 07:46
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TY for the comments.

FishHog & NorthRick: I hadn't considered a gravity feed because I didn't think it would adequately feed the pressure washer. I guess you're proof that it does! Certainly makes the setup easier!

Just
Member
# Posted: 20 Aug 2020 10:31
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Actually Bob most washers will suck water up from a close by water source (a foot or two) !. You will need a suction line that will not colaps .

bobrok
Member
# Posted: 20 Aug 2020 11:01
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Quoting: Just
Actually Bob most washers will suck water up from a close by water source (a foot or two) !. You will need a suction line that will not colaps .




Gary O
Member
# Posted: 22 Aug 2020 01:17 - Edited by: Gary O
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Quoting: KelVarnsen
This is exactly what I do. I have a garden hose Y valve on my small Honda pump and I just open up both sides. My pump has a throttle on it so that I can slow it down also.

Y valve

I'm sorry, but that Y valve pic reminded me of somebody.....




Yes, I've lived in the woods a bit too long (and it's not even winter)

bobrok
Member
# Posted: 22 Aug 2020 08:12
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Gary, glad to hear you're ok what with those fires.

Gary O
Member
# Posted: 22 Aug 2020 10:14
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Not much happening with wild fires here, nearby.
We do cringe a bit whenever an elect storm blows thru.
Tinder dry this time of year.
No rain for several weeks.
Did get hail....with the last elect storm

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