electric pressure washer help

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Apr 26, 2004 | 06:19 PM

RICE H8R

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 890

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From: small town, north dakota

electric pressure washer help

well last year we went out and bought an electric, 1800 PSI pressure washer. it worked great last year...and since winter was coming...we put it away in our basement. this spring i took it out to wash my pickup...and it wouldnt work. right away, the pump would work, but no water would come thru. today i took it apart and cleaned all the gum out of it...and now i have good water flow, but no electricity goin to it.

the light on the plug comes on, but when i turn the switch, nuthin. all the plugs seem to be connected and all. maybe i burnt out the motor?? any clues what so ever would be helpful. thanx.

RICE H8R

Apr 26, 2004 | 06:43 PM

F2504x4

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Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 6,773

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From: On the road in Ohio

what brand is it? model# and where did you purchase it from? i sell pres. washers to tool rental stores, so i have some background, but need some info.

Apr 26, 2004 | 06:46 PM

rander101

Senior User

Joined: Mar 2002

Posts: 208

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From: Virginia

All of the electric powered pressure washers I've seen have a GFCI built in to them somewhere, usually on the plug into the wall socket. Are you sure that is activated? There is a test button on them that must be pushed. Also, GFCIs can be sort of delicate and if it got rapped a bit or corroded inside it can be non-functional and will not pass power.

RussA

Apr 26, 2004 | 07:29 PM

RICE H8R

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 890

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From: small town, north dakota

it is a Black Cat 1800 psi. not sure on model #. we got it from an area Menards. heres the link to what it is...:

http://www.black-cat-products.com/PW%20Products%202.htm

Apr 26, 2004 | 09:51 PM

F2504x4

Lead Driver

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 6,773

Likes: 7

From: On the road in Ohio

okay did you use any extension cords ? did you check the surge protector by pushing the test & reset button? next was the storage room, stay above 32 degrees? tapp the protector a couple of times. next do you know how to use a volt meter?

on edit: was there any smell of some thing burnt?

these are ?'s that will help in the problem solving.

Last edited by f=2504by497; Apr 26, 2004 at 10:23 PM.

Apr 27, 2004 | 12:02 AM

Mike W

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Joined: Apr 2002

Posts: 7,157

Likes: 1

From: Central Kali

I have a small belt driven washer, 3/4 hp motor. Water comes out but at line pressure. It may then start to build up pressure, not always. I forgot the pump brand, not a Cat. I looked inside the pump once and didn't see any obvious problems. The last time I tried it, no pressure again. Any hints? It worked fine for quite awhile, I got it used. Thanks

Apr 27, 2004 | 09:16 PM

RICE H8R

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 890

Likes: 0

From: small town, north dakota

Quote:

Originally Posted by f=2504by497

ill have to look at it again this weekend or whenever i have free time away from work, school, etc. yes, i did use an extension cord...but it had power thru the chord. i tryed something else and it worked fine. yes, i did push the test and reset several times and nothing seemed to work. it was stored in our basement over the winter. it was always above 32*. shoulda been roughly 50-60*. i tapped the protecter on the pavement (sidewalk) a few times and it never kicked in. i kinda half can use a volt meter....im gunna have my dad look at it eventually...he should be able to figure it out. if not ill try it out on my own.

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Apr 27, 2004 | 09:55 PM

F2504x4

Lead Driver

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 6,773

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From: On the road in Ohio

okay, i beleive the problem is in the GFI, when you push the test button, it should click and "pop" the reset button, if it didn't do that, then power is not flowing thru the GFI. common problem on inexpensive units {cheap} take apart the GFI if you can, test and check the contacts there, you might not be able to, if not then unscrew the pressure washer housing. test for voltage where the power wire goes in, if no voltage, buy a new GHI cord and plug, if you do have voltage then you "might have fryed the motor using a extension cord,which is why they gave you 35ft of cord. you might clean the motor contact brushes with a pencil easer, and get lucky.but the armature might be burned up, resistance test will verify that.
also spin the motor , it just might be stuck.

now if its fryed, go to you local indepent rental store and buy a used pressure washer from them it will be commercial grade and will last you a life time . just my .02's get a general pump or cat either one is top shelf even used.
on edit:Do Not Remove the GFI and operate unit without one, shock and death may result. sorry i had to post that to cover my 6.

Last edited by f=2504by497; Apr 27, 2004 at 10:17 PM.

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Apr 27, 2004 | 10:03 PM

F2504x4

Lead Driver

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 6,773

Likes: 7

From: On the road in Ohio

mike w. ,post a pic or a link to the pic and i'll try to help you, i got an ideal but i need to see what kind of pump it is .

Apr 28, 2004 | 02:56 AM

#10

Mike W

Post Fiend

Joined: Apr 2002

Posts: 7,157

Likes: 1

From: Central Kali

Thanks, it may take a couple of days.

Apr 28, 2004 | 07:54 AM

#11

RICE H8R

Thread Starter

Laughing Gas

Joined: Sep 2003

Posts: 890

Likes: 0

From: small town, north dakota

hmmm sounds interesting. thanx alot f=250

Apr 28, 2004 | 05:25 PM

#12

F2504x4

Lead Driver

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 6,773

Likes: 7

From: On the road in Ohio

mike w. i think your having problems with the unloader, but i really don't want to throw guess's till i can see what i'm dealing with.

rice h8r , keep me posted on your results.

Apr 29, 2004 | 03:40 PM

#13

Mike W

Post Fiend

Joined: Apr 2002

Posts: 7,157

Likes: 1

From: Central Kali

Don't have a pic yet but it is a Lear Siegler "Hypro", made in the USA. Trying to read the model number. It is blue and about 8" by 4".

Apr 29, 2004 | 05:10 PM

#14

F2504x4

Lead Driver

Joined: Dec 2003

Posts: 6,773

Likes: 7

From: On the road in Ohio

i think i found thier web site

http://www.rittenhouse.ca/asp/Menu.asp?MID=161

but i'm not sure which one it is.

skip the above link, try this one, it goes
directly to their pressure washers.

http://www.rittenhouse.ca/asp/Menu.asp?MID=228

or try this one

http://www.industrialtoolstore.com/e...els/index.html

let me know if it looks like one of these.

Last edited by f=2504by497; Apr 29, 2004 at 05:38 PM.