Karcher power washers

[Champagne Murphy]

I have a power washer which I usually use every year, just before launching the boat, to blast clean the treadmaster on our deck. This spring I didn’t largely because the boat next to ours was a beautiful construction of perfectly varnished and polished teak etc and I didn’t want it to get the fallout all over the deck. We’re on a mooring so I got to wondering about using a generator and bucket of seawater but I don’t know if the Karcher HAS to have water under pressure for it to function.
Anyone else tried this? And yes, I know I could get it out of the shed and try but someone might know!

 

[pvb]

We’re on a mooring so I got to wondering about using a generator and bucket of seawater but I don’t know if the Karcher HAS to have water under pressure for it to function.
Anyone else tried this? And yes, I know I could get it out of the shed and try but someone might know!

It depends on which model Karcher you have. Some can suck water in from containers; some need a mains-pressure feed. Check the model type and look for the owner manual on the Karcher website, it should tell you in there.

 

[Graham376]

My petrol driven one would suck water up but the small mains one won't. On mooring, I use generator for power and seawater through small Karcher via the deck wash pump and then flush with pressure potable water via taps.

 

[anoccasionalyachtsman]

I have a K4 mains one which does a pretty good job with the pathetically low pressure and flow I access to. It'd be worth trying it from a bucket.

 

[lw395]

My old electric one will suck from a bucket, provided it's primed by raising the bucket initially.

 

[Old Bumbulum]

I,m not sure why you think delivery water pressure cf. bucket has anything to do with overspray.

The karcher is no more than a pump that wallops up the pressure, that's what makes it a pressure washer...does the supply pressure have a material effect on this? I'd be surprised.

The way to keep overspray under control and more to the point avoid lifting your treadmaster is to use the correct attachment on the end of your lance. A bare pressure jet is all but guaranteed to lift anything glued on, but there is a Karcher option for a rotary sprayer attachment in a circular housing a foot across with brushes around it's base that keeps the spray-jet both vertical to the surface and completely contained, it prevents overspray almost completely.
Get one of those and your problem is over I suspect. I think they call it a patio attachement. It works a treat.

edit...here it is...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/b/Karcher-Patio-Cleaner-Attachment/50388/bn_7023546975

 

[coopec]

We used to see cheap Karcher/X-Bull/? high pressure washers on eBay but not anymore. It has crossed my mind that people are buying them for use in boat de -salinators.
Having used one around the home I imagine you'd have to be pretty wary of damage to sealants and paint-work on a boat.

 

[Champagne Murphy]

I,m not sure why you think delivery water pressure cf. bucket has anything to do with overspray.

The karcher is no more than a pump that wallops up the pressure, that's what makes it a pressure washer...does the supply pressure have a material effect on this? I'd be surprised.

The way to keep overspray under control and more to the point avoid lifting your treadmaster is to use the correct attachment on the end of your lance. A bare pressure jet is all but guaranteed to lift anything glued on, but there is a Karcher option for a rotary sprayer attachment in a circular housing a foot across with brushes around it's base that keeps the spray-jet both vertical to the surface and completely contained, it prevents overspray almost completely.
Get one of those and your problem is over I suspect. I think they call it a patio attachement. It works a treat.

edit...here it is...

https://www.ebay.co.uk/b/Karcher-Patio-Cleaner-Attachment/50388/bn_7023546975

Perhaps my OP wasn’t clear; I’m not concerned about lifting the Treadmaster, simply whether the Karcher will function using a bucket as a water supply.
I already have a patio attachment.

 

[Concerto]

Karcher do a hose to connect to water butts. So I expect you should have no problem from a bucket or water carrier.
https://www.kaercher.com/uk/accessory/sh-5-handheld-suction-hose-26441240.html

 

[pvb]

Karcher do a hose to connect to water butts. So I expect you should have no problem from a bucket or water carrier.
https://www.kaercher.com/uk/accessory/sh-5-handheld-suction-hose-26441240.html

Yes, but did you notice the mention of "compatible machines"? As I said in post 2, some Karcher models will suck water in, others need a pressure feed.