Prosumer electric power washer advice

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B5visser

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Hello AGO,

I'm looking at purchasing a prosumer grade electric power washer to compliment the new shop I'm moving into. I really don't want to have a "gas vs electric" debate (I have a honda powered 2700psi unit at home which works great- no denying this will be more powerful). Electric makes sense for this shop. Also, I understand the "box store" units make sense to a lot of us on this forum for their relative effectiveness and cost for performance, but I want something that I'm using 5 years down the road- industrial build.

I'm also thinking that 120v makes the most sense as well (which will limit my max psi/gpm). I have 20A receptacles as well- no problem there. The "hottest" the input water will be is ~130 degF.

The three units I've been considering are:

1. AR630-TSS-HOT, 2.1gpm and 1900psi, AR triplex pump. auto on/off with trigger pull. ~$770

2. Northern Tool NorthStar 1573011. 2000psi and 1.5gpm. Leeson motor and CAT pump. Rollcart ~$680

3. Mi-T-M 1500psi, 2.0gpm, AR direct drive pump, rollcart. msrp $1100, found a "new" one on CL for $750

My initial top contender is the AR630 because of the size (more compact), the highest "cleaning units" of the bunch, Hot water capable (up to 180 degrees), and the TSS system engages the pump only when the trigger of the gun is pulled (the other two run continuously). I've spent a little bit of time with this unit in the past and it has plenty of power for detailing needs! I also like the adjustable nozzle on the end of the wand. No cart included so I would either need to build one, or mount it semi-permanently in the shop.

The NorthStar caught my attention because of the Leeson motor and CAT pump combo- both high quality companies from the USA. I also like the fact that it has a roll cart with a place to put coiled cord and hose. One notable drawback would be the overall size (compared to the AR) and the inability to take "hot" water, but again, it looks like its built like a tank and would last for many years.

The Mi-T-M unit looks great as well- I have similar feelings for this one and the NorthStar- size might be an issue, but looks to be built like a tank (another USA company). AR direct drive pump also gives it additional brownie points.

Sorry this post is long- any feedback or suggestions would be appreciated!
 
I would take a look at kranzle k1122tst 1400psi 2.1gpm 110v 15a

It's a consumer PW but the quality suits a shop also. They have industrial PW also k399tst and k499tst as 110v.

Kranzle is known for their great quality and will last you a long while. Just an input on another PW unit :)
 
SWETM said:
I would take a look at kranzle k1122tst 1400psi 2.1gpm 110v 15a

It's a consumer PW but the quality suits a shop also. They have industrial PW also k399tst and k499tst as 110v.

Kranzle is known for their great quality and will last you a long while. Just an input on another PW unit :)
Click to expand...


Good find! Ive seen some of their products and they look exceptional- I'd like to stick to units under $1k if at all possible though.
 
Yeah I understand that and they are pricey. Where I live se have 240v and that's a so different and I have even access to 440v in my garage at home. But if I would be working some where else the 440v PW would'nt fit every where. And the prices in Sweden is lower for the bigger PW. I went with a kärcher k7 premium plus flex pressure wash this black friday for 440$. The specs for that is 2600psi 2.6gpm 240v 16A the motor is at 3kw. It's the biggest before you have to go up to 440v outlet. I looked at kranzle also but with the same specs it's almost the dubble price. If I would have a shop and not as now washing and detailing my and familys and friends cars I would definitely go with the kranzle unit. I know understand why many uses the gas PW since the power from them is way different than from the electric PW.

One thing to have in mind with the kränzle is the quality of the hose and PW gun. You get really good quality in them. I don't know how the PW you looking at is in that part. If you are haveing to upgrade the hose and PW gun ad that to the cost of them also. Maybe the price difference is lower then. See if you can find them localy to get to feel them out. You are going to use the PW alot in a shop so you are spot on to look at the more industrial PW. Depending how your shop is and your wash bay you maybe want to look at a stationary PW with a hose setup that makes your work easier. And in the future adding a stationary foaming and chemical unit to that. Think to not be slobbing with dilution the foam and chemicals. Just switch with a button on what you will useing.

The specs for those you listed is great and I would look closer to the first and third option. As IME the higher gpm from the PW the more effective it is. Many only looks at the psi but the gpm does that you rinse faster with a pressure wash.
 
Kranzle K1622 is list $890. I don't know how much you can get off that on discounts.

1.6 gpm. Do you need more than that to rinse a car?
 
ducksfan said:
Kranzle K1622 is list $890. I don't know how much you can get off that on discounts.

1.6 gpm. Do you need more than that to rinse a car?
Click to expand...

I have the K1622 and it is the best pw I’ve ever used. Foam cannon works great with it and a 40 degree tip is perfect for rinsing.


Sent from my iPhone using Autogeekonline mobile app
 
ducksfan said:
Kranzle K1622 is list $890. I don't know how much you can get off that on discounts.

1.6 gpm. Do you need more than that to rinse a car?
Click to expand...

For a weekend warrior and just to use on your cars. No.
If you have a shop and want to be as effective as possible. Yes
I went from about 1.1-1.2gpm to 2.6gpm and that has cut down the useing time with the PW alot. When doing the final rinse before I would skip the PW and use the water outlet to rinse the car schampo most of the time. Know I don't do that be cause of the water amount combined with the water pressure is faster to rinse of the car schampo. I see many that don't see the point in useing their PW so it will be sitting unused. Think that has to be the effectiveness from their PW is not high enough.

This is just my thought of this and how to be more effective especially for shop owners. I recommend to reach out and get to try different PW to see what suit your needs. See if their is a difference from 1.6-2.1gpm and what you think is the one that is for you. The most thing I would say that don't judge a PW from the difference in the psi. But the difference in gpm is what makes the biggest impact to the effectiveness when useing a PW.
 
Talked to a rep at powerwashersdirect today for about 20 minutes about the Mi-T-M, AR630tssHot and also the kranzle k1622.

Right away her recommendation was the kranzle unit. I talked to her a bit longer and weeded out the Mi-T-M. She mentioned that for the price, the other two units incorporate more features and would make more sense in my application. Upon further discussion, I've decided to go with the AR unit after all. It's a little cheaper, has hot water (180 degree) capabilities, and also a "siphon tube" for soap (which I probably won't use since I have a designated foam cannon).

The AR machine is the only PW I have used in the past and specifically remembering it packing a pretty big punch for its relative size.

Thanks for your input- I'm excited to get it set up and start washing!
 
Great that you found out what suits your needs and budget. And that you have used it before you know how it works.

The excitement when ordered something and the waiting to get it seems to never end. Would be fun to see a little review of it. If you want to and have the time to it.

Good luck and foaming is fun :D
 
Just an update-

I've used my new AR630 TSS Hot now a handful of times and am very impressed. Its super quiet. I can hardly hear the machine humming unless I am washing right next to it- even then its difficult to distinguish the pump noise over the pressured water spray. I upgraded all the fittings to QD (after finding out the hard way that AR uses the less common M22-14mm washer hose connection) and also fitted a 3/8" 50ft QD hose.

One thing I noticed as well (for those of you with higher end power washers- no new news here), is the lack of vibration at the wand. My other PW is a 2700psi 2.1gpm Honda-powered troy built, and while it does a fantastic job, I notice the gun/wand does vibrate during use- not horribly, just noticeable. No vibration here, at all.

I haven't used it with water hotter than ~120 temp, and really don't intend to, but with the 120deg water it made short work of Michigan road salt!

I use an amazon special foam cannon (dusichin?) with good results, but noticed the foam isn't quite as clingy with this unit compared to my more powerful gasser. Just ordered a couple 1.1mm orifices that should get that shaving cream consistency down again! I will also be switching to Megs D110 hyper wash here when my other soap supply runs out.

One other thing I'd like to add (not really a necessity, but a definite upgrade), is a swivel at the junction between the hose and the gun. Moving that larger 3/8" hose combined with off-axis washing would be easier to handle with a swivel connection.

Overall, I had right around $800 spent on the entire washer and accessories and am quite happy with the bang/buck thus far! Also snagged a few bottles of AR pump oil. It ended up being a little cheaper than the Kranzle unit, has the auto on/off feature (which is nice) and could take hot water (<180 degrees). Perfect for my application!

Thanks for your suggestions and happy detailing!
 
The 180 degree water option on your AR is great to have. No better way to blast away winter slush/ice. But, im stuck on where one gets 180 degree water. Do commercial water heaters have the ability to heat water this hot?

Did you get any attachments to flush out the undercarriage? If I had a heated garage and your AR washer, I would be tempted/Obsessed with flushing out my undercarriage way too often.
 
Truthfully, I don't anticipate running any water hotter than ~120 for the foreseeable future. I spoke to a rep at powerwashersdirect and she mentioned that even "hot" 120 degree tap water can damage some "cold" units internally, since the washers list the MAX TEMP of the incoming water. The TSS HOT was ~$50 more than the cold model, so IMO well worth the cost for a little more flexibility.

I did not purchase any undercarriage-specific attachments. In the future well add a two-post hoist which ought to cater to undercarriage washing. I do have a cheapo amazon trigger with no wand that I can use to get into tighter areas as well- might also work decent for undercarriages.
 
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