Gas vs Electric Pressure Washer

[Gebo]

I have a Honda Gas Pressure Washer 3000 psi and 3 gpm. I decided to go the foam cannon route in washing my cars. I used the Gas PW one time and it blew foam on the side of my house, in the garage, in the bushes beside the driveway, everywhere including the car. I cannot adjust the pressure as the knob is frozen. It is stuck on wide open after 20+ years. Plus the noise and starting and stopping, etc all added together was more than I bargained for.

I went and bought a Westinghouse ePX3500 with 2500 max psi. Tried it out last night and was shocked at how little pressure I got vs my gas. It foamed fine but I could hold my hand directly in the spray and it only tickled. I tried different tips but still no real force. I sure couldn't do that with my gas pw. It would eat the hide off.

This electric model will make foam but there is no way I could use it for pressure washing anything and expect it to clean. I tried it on a few stained bricks near the garage and it didn't take hardly any of the green mold off the brick. Forget pressure washing the side walk or the deck...It won't get the job done.

The one thing I noticed at start up with the water running it was pulsating about as your lips vibrate when blowing air through your lips. Actually, it sorta sounded like that. Blowing a raspberry....

I have no experience with electric pw. I have no reference point so I need your knowledge. There may be showers with more pressure than this electric pw? Am I expecting too much?

 

[rstsco]

You stated the Honda is 3gpm, but what about the electric?

I have a 3600psi gas-powered and 1700psi electric. The electric is only used for washing the car, also used with a foam cannon.

 

[vwmaniaman]

You must have gotten a defective one because my Black Max a Ryobi clone is 1700 psi and does everything I need a pressure washer for. I also have a 2800psi from Home Depot that ruins wood when it is used on it. I very rarely use it.

 

[Gebo]

You stated the Honda is 3gpm, but what about the electric?

I have a 3600psi gas-powered and 1700psi electric. The electric is only used for washing the car, also used with a foam cannon.

The electric is 2500 peak pressure. 2000 rated max pressure. Max flow rate 1.76 GPM. Rated water flow rate 1.2 GPM.

 

[Gebo]

You must have gotten a defective one because my Black Max a Ryobi clone is 1700 psi and does everything I need a pressure washer for. I also have a 2800psi from Home Depot that ruins wood when it is used on it. I very rarely use it

I'm gonna go and try it one more time.

 

[Pablo]

For a car electric probably OK

For anything else, gas. You need more power.

 

[Gebo]

I have a video but I don't know how to attach it. The water coming out sounds like projectile diarrhea. It's not anything resembling
a steady stream.

 

[Cujet]

Before you take it back, try bleeding the air out of the pump by operating it without the nozzle on the end of the wand. On my electric PW, I must occasionally do this for a few minutes before using it.

If I don't, it operates as you describe.

 

[Gebo]

Before you take it back, try bleeding the air out of the pump by operating it without the nozzle on the end of the wand. On my electric PW, I must occasionally do this for a few minutes before using it.

If I don't, it operates as you describe.

Thank you! I let it run for 5 minutes without the nozzle. I ran the water through without having the PW running and it poured out just fine. I turned the PW on and it started that sputtering stuff. It's got to be bad PW.

 

[dogememe]

I just got a brand new Greenworks electric pressure washer for car washing although who knows, I might find other uses too. Maybe I can get the tire marks out of my driveway?

Haven’t tried it yet. But I’m really excited. Why? Because by using rewards points I only paid $40 haha.

 

[Bob in Utah]

Gas for my use…more convenient

Currently using a Honda with Karcher pump

Bought 20 years ago…do believe I did replace pump once

 

[zzyzzx]

Why not both? Electric for smaller jobs, and gas when you are going to do a lot?

 

[Gebo]

Why not both? Electric for smaller jobs, and gas when you are going to do a lot?

Having both is not my issue. I want both. I’m thinking my electric is defective. But if ALL electric pressure washers are like this one. I’ll only have one.

 

[Pablo]

Having both is not my issue. I want both. I’m thinking my electric is defective. But if ALL electric pressure washers are like this one. I’ll only have one.

They are weak. I like the recommendation, but it should come up to it's own personal top pressure in a short while. 1.2 GPM is pretty weak on the flow.

 

[chainblu]

But if ALL electric pressure washers are like this one.

No, it sounds like that one is defective. I have both types. I use my 1300 psi electric for smaller jobs and the gas one for the big work. When I use the electric one, 99.9% of the time it does what I want it to do.

 

[I<3oil]

Having both is not my issue. I want both. I’m thinking my electric is defective. But if ALL electric pressure washers are like this one. I’ll only have one.

They are not all like that. I have a smaller 1800psi Greenworks that will peel skin off no problem.

 

[loneryder]

You must have gotten a defective one because my Black Max a Ryobi clone is 1700 psi and does everything I need a pressure washer for. I also have a 2800psi from Home Depot that ruins wood when it is used on it. I very rarely use it.

Get a pack of assorted nozzles on Amazon. There are nozzles that don't etch wood.

 

[Nukeman7]

I'm 100% certain that your electric power washer is defective. By your description, either the pump's relief valve is sticking open or the electric pressure override switch is faulty. I've dealt with both scenarios over the past 18 months. FYI, a 2500 psi power washer can remove flesh from your appendages if working properly. The first time I used an electric 1500 psi Karcher unit (over 20 years ago), I unwittingly stripped the clear coat off my Honda Civic's hood.

 

[Gebo]

Thank you all! It’s boxed up heading to CVS for UPS to take back to Amazon.

I’m looking at an Ava.

 

[Nukeman7]

Thank you all! It’s boxed up heading to CVS for UPS to take back to Amazon.

I’m looking at an Ava.

This CAT Electric Pressure Washer is a steal if you are a Sam's Club member. 2200 psi is ideal for washing cars with a foam cannon.