HOW DO I MAKE THIS WORK & Eventual Product Review! (Pressure Washer/Foam Cannon)

Ohio Detailing

Ohio Detailing

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Gentlemen... who will help me solve the riddle of the AR Blue 383 1900psi Pressure Washer + Professional Foam Lance Adjustable Foam Cannon so I can throw up a good old fashioned review?

Before I get started with the awesome teeth-grinding conundrum, allow me to offer up the basics...

I'm just trying to get these two contraptions to play nice, the problem is that it's a little hard to figure out connecting the spray-gun that came with the pressure washer to a wand, and then finally to the Foam Cannon so I can just use the trigger to operate the foam spray.

1. Here's the pressure washer: AR Blue Clean Electric Pressure Washer — 1.63 GPM, 1900 PSI, Model# AR383 | Electric-Cold Water | Northern Tool + Equipment
2. Here's the foam cannon: Amazon.com: Professional Foam Lance Adjustable with 32 oz. Bottle: Patio, Lawn & Garden
3. Here's what I THINK will solve the problem: AR PW3300 - Blue Clean 20" Aluminum Fixed & Swivel Extensions For Brushes & Patio Cleaners

I spoke with Nick from customer service about the differences between the Auto Geek foam cannon and this foam cannon from Amazon, and he said they appeared pretty similar, so I went with the Amazon version. Still waiting to try it out, as soon as I get this figured out - then comes the review goodness.

Here's a few pictures of what I'm working with fellas...

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2012-06-05134027.jpg


Could this be the solution?

Extension.jpg


I already had to buy a new hose, and a few fittings from Home Depot (Here's the other adapters and couples made for the pressure washer if I need them AR Pressure Washer Adaptors @ Pressure Washers Direct.com - AR Hose Adaptors, AR Pressure Washer Hose Adaptor, AR Pressure Washer Adaptors, AR Hose Adaptor, AR Pressure Washer Hose Adaptors, AR Pressure Washer Adaptor, AR Pressure Washer Adapter, AR ). So what's the word - can it be done? THANKS GUYS, as soon as we get it all hooked up, I'll do a review and let everyone know how it works :) I'll be using DP Xtreme Foam Formula.
 
I have installed quick release fittings on all my pressure washers, hoses, and accessories.

Some of the fittings I had to make. I didn't want to have that six inch long stack of adapters like you show in one of your pictures. I had to drill and tap several of the fittings, plus one I had to braze up. Then re-drill and tap to get the size I wanted.

It took me several month to acquire all the adapters and bits but finally got them all done. Now every part attaches to every other part.

Too bad ALL the manufacturers don't standardize all their attachments.
 
oldmodman said:
It took me several month to acquire all the adapters and bits but finally got them all done. Now every part attaches to every other part.

Too bad ALL the manufacturers don't standardize all their attachments.
Click to expand...

YEAH, what is THE DEAL with that!? Ugh... I am so annoyed. I have no idea what to do.

130+ views, one reply, haha :(
 
Can you throw up a pic of your trigger/gun assembly for the pressure washer? Would be handy to see the action end where a lance, etc would normally connect... Don't think that wand is your answer.

To me it seems the gun uses a Karcher style (may not be identical) where the foam cannon is using a quick-connect Nitto style fitting.
Maybe there is an adaptor to suit your gun that will change it from Karcher style (or whatever it is) to a female Nitto connector?
 
neat e34 said:
Can you throw up a pic of your trigger/gun assembly for the pressure washer? Would be handy to see the action end where a lance, etc would normally connect... Don't think that wand is your answer.

To me it seems the gun uses a Karcher style (may not be identical) where the foam cannon is using a quick-connect Nitto style fitting.
Maybe there is an adaptor to suit your gun that will change it from Karcher style (or whatever it is) to a female Nitto connector?
Click to expand...

Sure! I'll snap some up-close pics asap... here's a post someone just offered up, going to read over it in more detail: http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...-mtm-hydro-foamer-mini-review.html#post689278
 
i have the same pw, and would like to get the same foam gun. interested to see how you get it working.
 
Dynamic_Detailing said:
Sure! I'll snap some up-close pics asap... here's a post someone just offered up, going to read over it in more detail: http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...-mtm-hydro-foamer-mini-review.html#post689278
Click to expand...

shadowpr said:
i have the same pw, and would like to get the same foam gun. interested to see how you get it working.
Click to expand...

I'm working on it obsessively, haha, I'm even going BACK to Home Depot today... we'll get it going! I really like the AR Blue Clean Model 383 Pressure Washer, so I really want to get this to work.

Don't forget to check this thread out I'm also a part of, there's a REALLY helpful guy in there who made this work with a Karcher, something else the owner/manager "Bill" claimed "couldn't be done" over on Power Washer's Direct website, SO WE'LL MAKE IT HAPPEN!

Here is that other thread link to make it easy for you: http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum...-mtm-hydro-foamer-mini-review.html#post689278
 
Have 383 myself and here is what you need.

Up until recently Home Depot had it in stock but now it's not listed on the Web Site. You might be able to find it locally.

PowerCare Quick Connect Wand with adapters.

PowerCare Quick Connect Wand with Adapters for Pressure Washers AP31021 | eBay

The included adapters will not fit the AR383 so you will need to order an adaptor.

AR Blue Clean Bayonet Adapter

A.R NorthAmerica :: Product Details

The adapter is also included in the brush kit sold at most local ACE Hardware stores but I ordered the adapter from AR direct.

Now you will be able to use any 1/4 inch quick connect device!

Hope this helps.
 
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stibuki said:
Have 383 myself and here is what you need.

Up until recently Home Depot had it in stock but now it's not listed on the Web Site. You might be able to find it locally.

PowerCare Quick Connect Wand with adapters.

PowerCare Quick Connect Wand with Adapters for Pressure Washers AP31021 | eBay

The included adapters will not fit the AR383 so you will need to order an adaptor.

AR Blue Clean Bayonet Adapter

A.R NorthAmerica :: Product Details

The adapter is also included in the brush kit sold at most local ACE Hardware stores but I ordered the adapter from AR direct.

Now you will be able to use any 1/4 inch quick connect device!

Hope this helps.
Click to expand...

THANK YOU! I am so excited to try this out.

Can you please explain to me the order of assembly for these pieces, and how they hook into each other, as well as possibly snapping a picture with your cell phone of your completed assembly and uploading it to your post?

I am extremely thankful for your help, I just can't envision how all these parts fit together. Worse case scenario however, I'll order everything online and have to wait 4-5 business days for the parts to come in the mail - because you're saying once I order the two kits/parts you linked above, my AR Blue 383 Pressure Washer will then work DIRECTLY with the MTM Hydro Foam Cannon instantly (or do I need to order some type of third part not mentioned to make it all happen)?
 
Dynamic_Detailing said:
THANK YOU! I am so excited to try this out.

Can you please explain to me the order of assembly for these pieces, and how they hook into each other, as well as possibly snapping a picture with your cell phone of your completed assembly and uploading it to your post?

I am extremely thankful for your help, I just can't envision how all these parts fit together. Worse case scenario however, I'll order everything online and have to wait 4-5 business days for the parts to come in the mail - because you're saying once I order the two kits/parts you linked above, my AR Blue 383 Pressure Washer will then work DIRECTLY with the MTM Hydro Foam Cannon instantly (or do I need to order some type of third part not mentioned to make it all happen)?
Click to expand...

If you have a 1/4" male quick disconnect already attached to your foam cannon the two parts listed are all you need. It took a fair bit of leg work to find a decent solution. You use the lance from the PowerCare kit and the gun end will screw into the adapter you order from AR or buy in the brush kit (its the single brush with adapters) from ACE hardware. Then the adapter with attached lance twist into the AR gun. Just like you would attach the lances included with the AR383. If you currently have a 1/4" male quick connect installed on your MTM cannon then your good to go as the PowerCare lance has a 1/4" female quick connect on the end. So in order AR gun, AR adapter, lance, foam cannon.

Hope that clears things up.

Cheers,
Rich
 
Ha... check this out.

I went to Home Depot looking for part 1 of 2 of the suggestions you gave me to make my AR Blue 383 work with the MTM Hydro Foam Cannon, and the ONLY one they had in the store was cut open and someone had stolen pieces from it - unreal.
 
stibuki said:
If you have a 1/4" male quick disconnect already attached to your foam cannon the two parts listed are all you need. It took a fair bit of leg work to find a decent solution. You use the lance from the PowerCare kit and the gun end will screw into the adapter you order from AR or buy in the brush kit (its the single brush with adapters) from ACE hardware. Then the adapter with attached lance twist into the AR gun. Just like you would attach the lances included with the AR383. If you currently have a 1/4" male quick connect installed on your MTM cannon then your good to go as the PowerCare lance has a 1/4" female quick connect on the end. So in order AR gun, AR adapter, lance, foam cannon.

Hope that clears things up.

Cheers,
Rich
Click to expand...

Hi Rich,

I just have the MTM Hydro and the AR Blue 383. I don't have any special hoses or additional fittings/couplers/adapters etc (I took them all back today to start from scratch), so I just have those two stock items as they were in the box.

So, if I just buy...

A) Power Care Pressure Washer Wand w/Adapters AP31021, Model# 719-379
- Power Care Pressure Washer Wand w/Adaptors, AP31021, Model# 719-379 on eBay!
- PowerCare Quick Connect Pressure Washer Wand with Adapters for Electric Washers | eBay

and...

B) AR Blue Clean Bayonet Adapter
- AR Blue Clean Bayonet Adapter | AR PW40788
- A.R NorthAmerica :: Product Details

I'll be good as gold!?

:buffing:

AR Blue 383 + one of the adapters from the Power Care set + AR Blue Bayonet adapter + MYM Hydro Foam Cannon = DONE?
​
 
what i did i went to northern tool and got a new hose.trigger gun,quick connects both female and male -1/4 inch male into the foamer and 1/4 female on the new trigger.just take it into a place that sells tools and power washers.thats the easiest thing to do with the ar power washers in order to hook up a foam cannon
 
john b said:
what i did i went to northern tool and got a new hose.trigger gun,quick connects both female and male -1/4 inch male into the foamer and 1/4 female on the new trigger.just take it into a place that sells tools and power washers.thats the easiest thing to do with the ar power washers in order to hook up a foam cannon
Click to expand...

Did you end up combining the AR Blue 383 and MTM Hydro Foam Cannon successfully? Would you mind listing the exact parts in order you purchased if so please, that would be hugely helpful. The new hose and gun and adapters could cost $100 though easily, which kind of defeats the purpose in a way, but please still share your solution details if you don't mind in more detail or perhaps with a picture of two :)
 
you can get a standard pw hose and trigger gun for 50$.YOU could also just take your mtm into a tool store and show them what you need to do.its the easiest way to do it with all ar powerwashers.for whatever reason you will have a very very hard time finding a transition fitting to go to the ar wands.been down the road you are on.not sure what stores are close to you butt you could go to northern tools .com
 
john b said:
you can get a standard pw hose and trigger gun for 50$.YOU could also just take your mtm into a tool store and show them what you need to do.its the easiest way to do it with all ar powerwashers.for whatever reason you will have a very very hard time finding a transition fitting to go to the ar wands.been down the road you are on.not sure what stores are close to you butt you could go to northern tools .com
Click to expand...

No Northern Tools in my state - but I will brain storm about a local tool shop to take my pieces to and try to have them figure something out.

So, you're thinking a need a new hose and gun, just as long as the pressure washer hose hook up to the machine is a standard m22 hose fitting which I think most are, including my AR Blue 383, I should be good to go just hooking directly up to the MTM Hydro Foam Cannon?
 
Dynamic_Detailing said:
WE GOT IT ALL FIGURED OUT!!!!!

AR Blue Clean 383 + MTM Hydro + AR Blue Clean Adapter + 1/4'' Double-Male brass coupler = WIN (and a win, for $5 no less!)

I LOVE THIS SITE/FORUM, and the people who make it so great :)

Check the thread/solution out here: http://www.autogeekonline.net/forum/product-reviews/51331-mtm-hydro-foamer-mini-review-2.html

Im the MANIm the MANIm the MANIm the MANIm the MAN
Click to expand...


Happy to hear you figured out another way to do it. The adapter is really the key. However I would still incorporate a 1/4 inch quick disconnect as its much easer to twist the adapter onto the gun without the bottle attached or trying to screw a full bottle onto the gun. Just a thought. As I am sure you already found out replacing the hose and gun is not as easy as a trip to home depot due to the AR's 15mm hose opposed to the standard 14mm one along with the non standard gun connection. Anyway enjoy your new MTM Hydro!

Cheers,
Rich
 
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