Pressure that draws water from a tank

[Monsterdetail]

Hello everyone, I am new to the forums. Quick little about me: I am from jersey looking to open a detail this coming april. I am 25 years old and i am a car enthusiasts.

Now to my question, I am looking for a pressure washer that will be able to draw water from a tank it can be either electric or gas does not matter to my opinion since i am just getting started. I am looking to purchase 100 gallon tank and it will be placed inside a trailer. I do want to run a gravity feed system. I emailed a few companies about power washers that can pull water and they are all telling me i need something that is runs a belt and there like 1200 dollars. I want to stay below 500 will go into 600 if i have to. Anyone know i good power washer that will pull water from a tank that is under 500?

 

[ScottH]

Hello everyone, I am new to the forums. Quick little about me: I am from jersey looking to open a detail this coming april. I am 25 years old and i am a car enthusiasts.

Now to my question, I am looking for a pressure washer that will be able to draw water from a tank it can be either electric or gas does not matter to my opinion since i am just getting started. I am looking to purchase 100 gallon tank and it will be placed inside a trailer. I do want to run a gravity feed system. I emailed a few companies about power washers that can pull water and they are all telling me i need something that is runs a belt and there like 1200 dollars. I want to stay below 500 will go into 600 if i have to. Anyone know i good power washer that will pull water from a tank that is under 500?

Before I put running water in my garage, I pulled water from a 10 gallon tank with a regular run of the mill Karcher 1,800 psi power washer. Worked absolutely fine - and the tank was on the ground. Sounds like your tank will be a little higher on the floor of a trailer - that may benefit you. But what you want want to consider is placing a small pump inline between the tank and the power washer. In such a case, you would have to supply electric to the water pump, which may not be an option while on the road unless you bring a small generator.

ScottH

 

[Monsterdetail]

Before I put running water in my garage, I pulled water from a 10 gallon tank with a regular run of the mill Karcher 1,800 psi power washer. Worked absolutely fine - and the tank was on the ground. Sounds like your tank will be a little higher on the floor of a trailer - that may benefit you. But what you want want to consider is placing a small pump inline between the tank and the power washer. In such a case, you would have to supply electric to the water pump, which may not be an option while on the road unless you bring a small generator.

ScottH

I do not want to have to run a pump seems like a lot of work. I want to be able to just have the power washer. I plan on buying a 4000w generator to power some of my smaller tools.

 

[Upwardly Mobile Detailing]

I ran a honda pressure washer with a cat pump i got from home depot (maybe $800) for about 10 years before it finally went out. I then got another honda with i believe an AR pump ($900) which has been going strong for the past 6 years. I ran a 100 gallon tank and now 160 gallon. I have ran the pressure washer till almost empty on several occasions and never noticed a dip in pressure, but if I even thought it was not getting enough water I would stop it. My advise would be to spend the money right the first time and save yourself the headache. I believe there are electric pumps that are gravity fed for cheaper but i dont think they produce as much psi. It all depends on what you are using it for, but I always liked having the option of cranking up the psi for certain jobs.

 

[KirkH]

You will likely need a pump to keep the pressure high enough for the pressure washer. I have a 270 gallon tank in the truck bed, with a harbor freight DC water pump on the ground going to my pressure washers, a Generac gas model and a Greenworks electric model. I have not seen a setup where gravity will keep the PW pump from cavitating. A check valve on the suction side would help.

 

[Monsterdetail]

I ran a honda pressure washer with a cat pump i got from home depot (maybe $800) for about 10 years before it finally went out. I then got another honda with i believe an AR pump ($900) which has been going strong for the past 6 years. I ran a 100 gallon tank and now 160 gallon. I have ran the pressure washer till almost empty on several occasions and never noticed a dip in pressure, but if I even thought it was not getting enough water I would stop it. My advise would be to spend the money right the first time and save yourself the headache. I believe there are electric pumps that are gravity fed for cheaper but i dont think they produce as much psi. It all depends on what you are using it for, but I always liked having the option of cranking up the psi for certain jobs.

I was looking at the following 3

Honda Pressure washer with protective cage and hose reel Honda GC190

SIMPSON ALH3228 ALUMINUM 3200 PSI 2.8 GPM HONDA GX200 CAT GAS PRESSURE WASHER MANUFACTURER RFB
Or
Honda GX200 6.5HP-AR Pump-2.8GPM-3300PSI


I will be doing cars on a daily basis and eventually hopefully moving into offering powerwashing to homes and sidewalks etc, buts in the future got dream big lol. I was looking more for gas. I heard Honda motors with cat pumps are the best way to go. I just wanted to check with people to make sure I can just run a power washer and a water tank.

 

[ScottH]

I do not want to have to run a pump seems like a lot of work. I want to be able to just have the power washer. I plan on buying a 4000w generator to power some of my smaller tools.

Try one without a pump and see how it works. Then you'll know for sure ....

ScottH

 

[Monsterdetail]

Try one without a pump and see how it works. Then you'll know for sure ....

ScottH

I think I worded that wrong I dont want to buy a extra pump I want the pw to have a strong enough pump to be able to pull the water.

 

[FUNX650]

I was looking at the following 3

Honda Pressure washer with protective cage and hose reel Honda GC190

SIMPSON ALH3228 ALUMINUM 3200 PSI 2.8 GPM HONDA GX200 CAT GAS PRESSURE WASHER MANUFACTURER RFB

Or
Honda GX200 6.5HP-AR Pump-2.8GPM-3300PSI

I will be doing cars on a daily basis and
eventually hopefully moving into offering
powerwashing to homes and sidewalks etc,
buts in the future got dream big lol.

I was looking more for gas.

I heard Honda motors with cat pumps
are the best way to go.

I just wanted to check with people to make
sure I can just run a power washer and a
water tank.

Yes, it’s possible to run a PW from a
water tank (gravity fed).

•One of the keys is to find a pressure washer
that the Manufacturer states will work via
gravity-feed.

•The other key is, that, once you find such a
gravity-fed pressure washer, make sure that
its pump meets the following criteria: has a
“AAA industrial triplex plunger pump”.

Just as a FYI:
•The Honda GX200 6.5HP-AR Pump-2.8GPM-
3300PSI that you listed above does have a:
“AAA industrial triplex plunger pump”.


{The other two PWs you listed will need
further “pump type” researching.}


Hope this helps.


Bob

 

[KirkH]

A PW that can be used via gravity feed is over $1000.

My harbor freight pump was less than $80. With that pump I can use my PWs that each cost less than $300, and I have used them almost 3 years, for cars and decks/sidewalks, etc..

:dunno:

 

[sudsmobile]

This is EXACTLY what I was talking about in the other thread where the guy had a bad pump. You want to be a professional. Buy professional tools. You have to add a pump. You've had several pros tell you that it will work but it won't work good. The pressure washer will occasionally sputter. You'll need to keep the flow from getting interrupted by the lack of drop in the hose, the pressure will drop when the tank empties. All of these things are controllable in your driveway, not on a jobsite. BUY A PUMP. You want to be a pro, look and act like a pro. A Shurflo pump you need is less than $60 on Amazon

 

[WindyCity]

BUY A PUMP. You want to be a pro, look and act like a pro. A Shurflo pump you need is less than $60 on Amazon

+1

Plus you could also use the pump without the pressure washer to do a standard wash or if you want to be more gentle than using a pressure washer...




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[Monsterdetail]

+1

Plus you could also use the pump without the pressure washer to do a standard wash or if you want to be more gentle than using a pressure washer...




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So if I go with a pump can I buy anytype of powerwasher or does the power washer still need a pump on it. Also to be honest I wanted to go the gravity fed way because i do not understand how to set up the pump and the tank lol. If you guys can explain that set up to me i would appreciate it. if i can save a tone of money and just run a pump i will just do it that way.

 

[KirkH]

So if I go with a pump can I buy anytype of powerwasher or does the power washer still need a pump on it. Also to be honest I wanted to go the gravity fed way because i do not understand how to set up the pump and the tank lol. If you guys can explain that set up to me i would appreciate it. if i can save a tone of money and just run a pump i will just do it that way.

I have a 270 gallon IBC tank in my truck bed. I have plumbing pieces to run 1" hose to the harbor freight 12V clear water pump that sits on the ground. I have a check valve installed before the pump. From the pump I have plumbing pieces to convert from 1" hose to garden hose. I use a quick connect to connect to the pressure washer.

All pressure washers have a pump. The expensive ones are self-priming and don't cavitate (condition when pump doesnt have enough water-it is damaging to the pump.) I use basic store bought pressure washers. One is electric for quiet situations. One is gas for good foam and for gutters and sidewalks.

 

[Monsterdetail]

I have a 270 gallon IBC tank in my truck bed. I have plumbing pieces to run 1" hose to the harbor freight 12V clear water pump that sits on the ground. I have a check valve installed before the pump. From the pump I have plumbing pieces to convert from 1" hose to garden hose. I use a quick connect to connect to the pressure washer.

All pressure washers have a pump. The expensive ones are self-priming and don't cavitate (condition when pump doesnt have enough water-it is damaging to the pump.) I use basic store bought pressure washers. One is electric for quiet situations. One is gas for good foam and for gutters and sidewalks.

I would be running 100-150 gallon tank in a trailer. So if i go with a pump setting i would have to figure away to run a battery in the trailer to power the pump correct?

 

[WindyCity]

I would be running 100-150 gallon tank in a trailer. So if i go with a pump setting i would have to figure away to run a battery in the trailer to power the pump correct?

I had a wire run from my truck battery that automatically connected when I plugged in my trailer lights. I changed the 4 prong plug to a 6 prong trailer connector


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[Upwardly Mobile Detailing]

I don't get how being a pro means buying a pump. I'm a pro and I bought the right pressure washer for the setup. I would think you would look less like a pro cause you have to rig something extra up to get your pressure washer to work. I get saving money but you can't compare a setup to being a pro. Almost all detailers here in so cal run their setup with the right gas pressure washer with a hose line coming from the tank and another bypass hose line also so that the pressure washer can stay running even when you are not using it.

 

[Monsterdetail]

I had a wire run from my truck battery that automatically connected when I plugged in my trailer lights. I changed the 4 prong plug to a 6 prong trailer connector


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WindyCity I have seen this before i just bought the 6 prong for my trailer. So to move forward to see if i am getting the hang of this. I can get like a 300 dollar PW and a 12V pump to me able to run water from the tank to the PW or i can just use a garden hose?
How big of a battery would i need to to be able to power this pump? i was reading i can just get a 12v car battery and if this is fine how would i run the battery to the 6 prong?

 

[Monsterdetail]

I don't get how being a pro means buying a pump. I'm a pro and I bought the right pressure washer for the setup. I would think you would look less like a pro cause you have to rig something extra up to get your pressure washer to work. I get saving money but you can't compare a setup to being a pro. Almost all detailers here in so cal run their setup with the right gas pressure washer with a hose line coming from the tank and another bypass hose line also so that the pressure washer can stay running even when you are not using it.

How big of a tank are you running and what kind of pressure washer if you dont mind me asking?

 

[WindyCity]

WindyCity I have seen this before i just bought the 6 prong for my trailer. So to move forward to see if i am getting the hang of this. I can get like a 300 dollar PW and a 12V pump to me able to run water from the tank to the PW or i can just use a garden hose?
How big of a battery would i need to to be able to power this pump? i was reading i can just get a 12v car battery and if this is fine how would i run the battery to the 6 prong?

I did not have a pressure washer, my pump was used just with a garden hose which provided great pressure. I also did not have a separate battery in the trailer, the power came directly off the main battery in my truck

But yes if I had a pressure washer the pump would feed water pressure from the tank to the pressure washer And I would have a garden hose connected to it as well so I could either use the pressure washer or a garden hose


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