Salt water in Pressure-washers???

[Robert Wilson]

Has anybody had experience of using a pressure-washer feeding from the sea/salt-water?
Or does anybody have any comments to make regarding doing this?

To powerwash below the waterline after haul-out I usually use a weelie-bin filling up several times from a fresh-water tap half a mile away (messy, tedious and time-comsuming) - the slipway where my boat comes out has no fresh-water tap.

I'm thinking of sucking seawater (very clean/clear) straight from the oggin, using my land-based generator to power my Karcher.
I have a feeling your responses will be that even after MUCH flushing through from my home tap/water supply the seawater may damage the insides of the Karcher.

Whadaya all think?

 

[pvb]

It's probably not strictly advisable, but I can't see that clean sea water would cause much damage your pressure washer. It would be worth flushing with fresh water afterwards.

 

[duncan99210]

The pumps used by pressure washers are almost identical to the pumps used in reverse osmosis plants so sea water in itself will not harm them, especially if you flush through after use with fesh water. What will knacker a pressure washer quite quickly is dirt: filters are used to remove the dirt from the sea water in reverse osmosis plants to protect both the pump and the membranes.

If you're in any way worried about killing your expensive karcher, then go down to Argos and buy a cheapo machine from them to use with sea water.

 

[oceanpilgrim]

i have used mine for the last seven years on sea water never had a problem yet,do flush it with fresh water
biggest problem is mine wont suck up the water so i have two low pressure pumps to suplie the water to the jet washer

 

[DownWest]

Be aware that the starting amps for a decent pressure washer might be too much for your generator. My 3.3kw one clocked 45amps on start up. So around 3x the rated amps.
DW

 

[nigelmercier]

Karcher sell a suck-up kit with a filter, I've used one in my pool. I would drain then flush with at least 10 litres immediately, then do a full flush at home.

 

[david_bagshaw]

perhaps one bin full to rinse the hull, & the washer at the same time!

 

[Robert Wilson]

Thank you one and all for your thoughts and suggestions.

It seems that my quest is a "runner" which will save me a huge amount of effort. I used my genny last year with the Karcher, so the ampage etc is ok. And a full bin of fresh water is an easy "flush" to arrange.
The suck-up kit is an interesting suggestion, which I shall investigate.

Then the next problem is finding the cash to buy the antifoulling - what's happeninmg to the cost of things?!!!

Hope all your over-wintering goes well.

Cheers
R

 

[Jim@sea]

If you're in any way worried about killing your expensive karcher, then go down to Argos and buy a cheapo machine from them to use with sea water.

Or go to a hire shop and rent one.

 

[Robert Wilson]

Or go to a hire shop and rent one.

Plainly, YOU are not a Hire-shop owner. C'mon, a bit of decency and honesty please.

 

[haydude]

Be aware that the starting amps for a decent pressure washer might be too much for your generator. My 3.3kw one clocked 45amps on start up. So around 3x the rated amps.
DW

The OP already told you that he uses it picking fresh water from a tank, so it works!

 

[oceanpilgrim]

Thank you one and all for your thoughts and suggestions.

It seems that my quest is a "runner" which will save me a huge amount of effort. I used my genny last year with the Karcher, so the ampage etc is ok. And a full bin of fresh water is an easy "flush" to arrange.
The suck-up kit is an interesting suggestion, which I shall investigate.

Then the next problem is finding the cash to buy the antifoulling - what's happeninmg to the cost of things?!!!

Hope all your over-wintering goes well.

Cheers
R

how much do you need ?,if you can collect or arange pick up i have three 2.5 ltr cans of hempel tigger extra going spare

 

[Robert Wilson]

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