Want a power washer but no way to connect to a tap?
Discussion
Right feeling smug as had a brainwave. I’ve got a really basic Kärcher, a K2 compact.
The problem:-
I don’t have an outside tap as is quite common with a lot of new builds. Also my indoors taps are a funny shape so no connectors will fit and also you risk a swimming pool inside of connectors fail. I checked and all the Karcher range from K3 up can suction feed from buckets or a water collector. I tried it with my K2 and it sort of does it out of a bucket but wheezes a bit as it’s motor is a little asthmatic.
The buggyjam solution!:-
Bare with me. I remembered from school and days of siphoning fuel for my crosser bike as a tike that a good head of water will create pressure and flow. I checked the K2 manual and it doesn’t need that much pressure on its supply. So, I’ve got an upstairs bath tub. Well, I filled the bath, dipped one end in the bath ensuring it sank to the bottom, then ran the hose down the stairs and out the door. Bingo! Instant head of pressure. K2 took a few seconds to prime itself and draw the water through the pipe. Ran faultlessly on my last two washes!
So there you go. Also another benefit is you can fill the bath with warm water so you have a warm water supply on these cold months unlike all those external tap suckers
The problem:-
I don’t have an outside tap as is quite common with a lot of new builds. Also my indoors taps are a funny shape so no connectors will fit and also you risk a swimming pool inside of connectors fail. I checked and all the Karcher range from K3 up can suction feed from buckets or a water collector. I tried it with my K2 and it sort of does it out of a bucket but wheezes a bit as it’s motor is a little asthmatic.
The buggyjam solution!:-
Bare with me. I remembered from school and days of siphoning fuel for my crosser bike as a tike that a good head of water will create pressure and flow. I checked the K2 manual and it doesn’t need that much pressure on its supply. So, I’ve got an upstairs bath tub. Well, I filled the bath, dipped one end in the bath ensuring it sank to the bottom, then ran the hose down the stairs and out the door. Bingo! Instant head of pressure. K2 took a few seconds to prime itself and draw the water through the pipe. Ran faultlessly on my last two washes!
So there you go. Also another benefit is you can fill the bath with warm water so you have a warm water supply on these cold months unlike all those external tap suckers
Nice idea! The ZS household has the same problem, all the plumbing is the wrong end of the house so an outside tap would be a PITA, and I don't trust indoor connectors (used them in a rented place a few years ago and they kept coming off and soaking the kitchen).
If I can get sign off from Mrs ZS to run a hose through the house I might have to give this a go. How quickly does it empty the bath?
If I can get sign off from Mrs ZS to run a hose through the house I might have to give this a go. How quickly does it empty the bath?
Zetec-S said:
Nice idea! The ZS household has the same problem, all the plumbing is the wrong end of the house so an outside tap would be a PITA, and I don't trust indoor connectors (used them in a rented place a few years ago and they kept coming off and soaking the kitchen).
If I can get sign off from Mrs ZS to run a hose through the house I might have to give this a go. How quickly does it empty the bath?
My bath is quite small, prob filled it to a foot of water maybe. The Karcher K2 used suprisingly little, but suppose it’s pretty weak. I had enough to do a pre wash spray and wash off the wheels after rinsing. I checked it after that and still no where near the hose end, prob used a few inches worth, so I just topped it up again and that did me for the rinse after the wash. The end of the hose stays submerged on my reel, just make sure the one you use doesn’t float If I can get sign off from Mrs ZS to run a hose through the house I might have to give this a go. How quickly does it empty the bath?
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