power washer trips supply at yard

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steveeasy

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Ive Husquavarna 350 power washer think rated at 9amps. use it all the time at home and other locations. never had a problem. used it at the boatyard and it trips the supply. Guy said he may have a plug to put inline to reduce draw but then didnt. Is there something I can buy to reduce the draw. Dont really want to buy another small power washer just to use on my boat. I understand yards have sensitive supply .

Any suggestions appreciated
Steveeasy
 
You don't say if it is tripping the RCD or the MCB or if this occurs instantly or after a short period of operation

If the RCD then your pump and extension lead need to be checked. Have you tried it on other supplies at the yard?

If it is tripping the MCB then maybe its current draw exceeds the MCB rating or perhaps it is the wrong type to stand the high starting current your pump draws . Perhaps a type B when a type C or even D is required
 
Never heard of an adapter than can reduce power draw. have you checked the rating of the tripping circuit? Have they fitted lower rated mcbs to try and stop boaters using larger heaters or your pressure wash tripping the rcd which you may not have on the circuit your using at home
 
Motors draw considerably more amps on start up. I have a motor that draws 14 amps, but up to 45 amps briefly when switched on.
On that basis, yours could be drawing 29 amps.
 
Well its a run of access points for electric. Its tripping at the fuse box end if you get my meaning!!. Lots of other things plugged in for other boats. Actually it worked fine for a few mins then tripped the breaker. I only tried a couple more times. Its fine back at home. I was thinking I just need to get a smaller one, but given Ive just thrown one out when I bought this new one im a bit reluctant. Heaven forbid perhaps ill have to use a brush instead!!
Id not heard of a plug but the man seamed to think he had something. He could not find it.
Steveeasy
 
The supply at my current yard is only 6 amps. If above that it trips in a short time then automatically comes back stew minutes later, suggesting some sort of thermal device.
I don't think any washer pulling less than 6 amps would be worth having. Is there a petrol one you can borrow from the yard?
 
Boater Sam said:
Run it on the boat inverter or generator? Get some others to unplug whilst you use it?
Click to expand...
Dont think ill do that. ill quickly upset other boat owners. Dam new car has blown up and the little Chev spark hire car struggles to cope with flat roads let alone a 5kva generator. Ive just had two new hips as well so cant lug that arround quit yet.!!

Steveeasy
 
DownWest said:
Motors draw considerably more amps on start up. I have a motor that draws 14 amps, but up to 45 amps briefly when switched on.
On that basis, yours could be drawing 29 amps.
Click to expand...

Yep .... gone are the old motor days .... about 15yrs ago - I had a 800W Wolf Genny that was happy to power my B&D Chainsaw ... when the chainsaw finally gave out - I bought similarly rated new one ... genny failed to start it ... I had to use my larger genny due to the start up draw ... which was easily 2x its running rating ...

OP's washer is easily exceeding pontoon power rating on start up ..... IMHO.
 
VicS said:
You don't say if it is tripping the RCD or the MCB or if this occurs instantly or after a short period of operation

If the RCD then your pump and extension lead need to be checked. Have you tried it on other supplies at the yard?

If it is tripping the MCB then maybe its current draw exceeds the MCB rating or perhaps it is the wrong type to stand the high starting current your pump draws . Perhaps a type B when a type C or even D is required
Click to expand...
+1 I would place a £10 bet to Hamble Lifeboat this is a B rated MCB. Ask if the yard will change it to a C or D rated will resolve the issue. Some washing machines can trip B rated MCBs.

(NB the Lifeboat will get the £10 anyway !)
 
I had an excellent 2500W (10A) pressure washer which tripped the marina pontoon MCB every time. Had to change to a 1400W washer for use on the boat. Works OK for cleaning decks etc but would not be any use for cleaning hull on lifting out.
 
I don't know about your Marina / Berth arrangements ..... but I know that when I was UK based - they frowned upon such machines due to the load placed on the pontoon supply .... maybe because they wanted the power wash work ??
 
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