[Never_Enough]

I've been meaning to get a power washer for a while, but keep forgetting about it. It'll be used for washing cars, washing house, etc.

Also, after the alternator going out in the Miata, it's time to stop procrastinating on getting a jump starter to carry around. Thankfully, I wasn't far from my destination & my friend came & jumped me. I've seen a ton of them online for under $50 so what is good & reliable?

[Never_Enough]

No one huh?

[to_riffic]

I have one of these portable jump starters. Really multi-functional.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B015TKUPIC...s_ad_dp_asin_1

As for washer. I didn't heavily invest into one, but got this one for $60 a while back as a deal, and it has been great so far power washing the cars.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[bb1857]

I have a gas pressure washer for the house and cleaning the deck, sidewalk, etc around the house and bought an electric Ryobi for washing the cars with a foam cannon. The gas washer is way to cumbersome and loud to drag out for cars and most electric ones don't have the oomph needed for house stuff unless you spend over $1000 and then I'm not even sure.

As for the jump starter, I have one of those little lithium ones as well and it works great plus it can charge phones and has a flashlight for emergencies.

[Never_Enough]

Originally Posted by bb1857

I have a gas pressure washer for the house and cleaning the deck, sidewalk, etc around the house and bought an electric Ryobi for washing the cars with a foam cannon. The gas washer is way to cumbersome and loud to drag out for cars and most electric ones don't have the oomph needed for house stuff unless you spend over $1000 and then I'm not even sure.

As for the jump starter, I have one of those little lithium ones as well and it works great plus it can charge phones and has a flashlight for emergencies.

Which jump starter do you have?

[bb1857]

Originally Posted by Satan'sChariot

Which jump starter do you have?

I have this one....used to keep it in my sons Jeep and it worked really well when we went off roading

https://www.walmart.com/ip/PowerAll-...liath/51232584

[Never_Enough]

Originally Posted by bb1857

I have this one....used to keep it in my sons Jeep and it worked really well when we went off roading

https://www.walmart.com/ip/PowerAll-...liath/51232584

I'm keeping this buy under $50.

[Never_Enough]

Anyone using the Harbor Freight jump starter?

[n55x3]

Under $50 is gonna be tricky. You want to buy the most peak amps you can find.

I bought several of these last year as gifts and kept one for myself. 800 Peak amps.

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I've used it on our Land Cruiser and it worked just fine.

Regarding the power washer, it all depends on what you need. i've gone through 2 junky electric ones (probably ~ $80 each, lasted 1 year max) and finally ponied up for a gas unit. Couldn't be happier. I'd just look for one with a Honda motor for piece of mind. Lots of different pump designs though so you have to pay attention to that as well.

[MightyMouseTech]

As for the pressure washer, one small tip. The "pressure rating" is pretty much meaningless, what really matters is the GPM rating. High pressure and low GPM and you are using the equivalent of a waterpic.

[Never_Enough]

Looking at these washers at Home Depot
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Sun-Joe-P...3000/204202850
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-170...4122/203800590
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Briggs-St...0600/300423908
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Briggs-St...0654/300382834
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Campbell-...0100/207085884
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Sun-Joe-P...1500/300349610
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Campbell-...0100/207085885
http://www.homedepot.com/p/AR-Blue-C...R527/204072257

[Amused]

Go with a gas pressure washer. Electric ones just don't push the GPM for washing cars, houses, decks etc....
You generally want one that is 2.5gpm+.
I have a Generac 5993 and it works great for washing cars, the driveway, deck and other things that you want a lot of water flow.

[nano10]

Is it true that anything over 2500 psi is bad for paint? Most gas pressure washers push 3,000+ psi correct. Is this true? Sorry for dumb questions, new guy just learning vehicle maintenance as I am in market for my first pressure washer.

[JerryW235]

Originally Posted by nano10

Is it true that anything over 2500 psi is bad for paint? Most gas pressure washers push 3,000+ psi correct. Is this true? Sorry for dumb questions, new guy just learning vehicle maintenance as I am in market for my first pressure washer.

A high PSI can strip off paint, damage wood and concrete, if not used properly. However, the good thing about a higher powered gas pressure washer is that since they have a pressure adjustment valve, you can dial down the pressure. The other positive is that although you probably could wash a house or driveway with an electric, it will take a longer time to do so than with a higher powered gas one. As with many other powered tools and toys, there's no substitute for cubic inches, horsepower, torque, PSI, etc. If you can, borrow or rent an electric washer, and a gas washer and do a side by side comparison, and see what best fits your need.

[JerryW235]

Originally Posted by Never_Enough

Looking at these washers at Home Depot
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Sun-Joe-P...3000/204202850
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Ryobi-170...4122/203800590
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Briggs-St...0600/300423908
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Briggs-St...0654/300382834
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Campbell-...0100/207085884
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Sun-Joe-P...1500/300349610
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Campbell-...0100/207085885
http://www.homedepot.com/p/AR-Blue-C...R527/204072257

Out of these, I'd go with the first on, it's got the highest PSI rating, and the highest GPM rating. The GPM or how much water volume it pushes is just as important as the pressure, You need as much water volume as possible to not only wash the dirt off with soap or cleaner, but also rinse everything off afterwards. If they can be believed, the reviews for it at Home Depot and Amazon are pretty good.

[Ian1973]

I personally have had this one since like 2010. Just simple maintenance and running perfect. Starts on the first pull still.

https://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...4735_200594735

[Clark_Kent]

Kranzle 1122TST. It's pricey; however, it's well crafted and offers great performance.