Power Washing and Roof Cleaning Forum

BlueRidge · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Adding a generator

Philip McCullough · RIP

Looks like a great price! What size/brand booster have you decided to run?

....I must have more volume for rinsing our roof jobs...

On a side note, I bought the HF 3000/4000 last year, havent even put oil in it yet.

BlueRidge · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Philip McCullough wrote:
Looks like a great price! What size/brand booster have you decided to run?

....I must have more volume for rinsing our roof jobs...

On a side note, I bought the HF 3000/4000 last year, havent even put oil in it yet.

I'm using the Flotec Multistage Booster I hope to have everything finished inside the truck this weekend. I have to build a slider to mount the generator under the truck unless I can find one from a junked RV.

Fred W · Guru

Brett, since you will be done this weekend I really feel bad for you. I mean you'll be so bored with nothing to do and all.
Oh, wait, I just had a thought. I guess I could be nice enough to let you come down here and help build my new rig.....so....come on down!

BlueRidge · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Baton Rouge Roof Cleaner wrote:
Brett, since you will be done this weekend I really feel bad for you. I mean you'll be so bored with nothing to do and all.
Oh, wait, I just had a thought. I guess I could be nice enough to let you come down here and help build my new rig.....so....come on down!

That is so kind of you to offer my services Doug but I didn't mention there is another truck that needs all new that will keep me busy for quite some time.

Michael Hickey · Approved Exterior Cleaner

l seem to be missing something here, why do you all use booster pumps? Is it for applying more chemical or rinsing or both. I use the pw for rinsing when I need to and it works fine.

Diamond Roof Cleaning · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Brett if thats 3/4 hp 2000 watt generator might not be enough. I would go 3000/4000.

Bryan P · Approved Exterior Cleaner

I got a 4750 from a company called WEN. It's electric start and about $400. It works great, but it isn't lightweight. I mounted it to a wagon for moving it around.

www.wenproducts.com/store/WEN-4750-Watt-Electric-Start-Generator-56475

Michael Hickey · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Any of you use a suitcase generator to keep your 12v system batteries topped up on a big job? If so what one would you recommend?

Bryan P · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Michael Hickey wrote:
Any of you use a suitcase generator to keep your 12v system batteries topped up on a big job? If so what one would you recommend?

I don't, but my pressure washer has a charging system and cranks from the same battery. Since we started rinsing with the pressure hose I never have to charge my battery anymore. It charges while we pressure wash or rinse. I thought all electric start washers did this, but I could be wrong.

Michael Hickey · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Thanks Bryan, we have hooked up jump leads to the battery on our power washer when we were in a jam. Is it ok to have the pw running idle for a couple of hours?
Used to run the van but the fly wheel failed after 40000 miles and the mechanic said that having the van running idle regularly caused the problem. Cost €1500 to replace including the clutch.

BlueRidge · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Diamond Roof Cleaning wrote:
Brett if thats 3/4 hp 2000 watt generator might not be enough. I would go 3000/4000.

I spoke to a friend of mine who knows electric way better than me and said 2000 watt should run the pump fine but now that you bring it up, I'll have to make sure because I don't want to do this twice. If going up another 1000 will make life easier then that is what I'll do. Thanks Mike.

Bryan P · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Michael Hickey wrote:
... Is it ok to have the pw running idle for a couple of hours?

I don't think you want to do that. But mine is being used a lot on the jobs so it's running anyway.

Diamond Roof Cleaning · Approved Exterior Cleaner

A 2000 watt generator is the peak rating. I never have a problem with the 3000/4000.

-- Edited by Diamond Roof Cleaning on Thursday 9th of February 2017 06:23:04 PM

BlueRidge · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Diamond Roof Cleaning wrote:
A 2000 watt generator is the peak rating. I never have a problem with the 3000/4000.

-- Edited by Diamond Roof Cleaning on Thursday 9th of February 2017 06:23:04 PM

Thanks Mike. I'll add the 1000 so there is no issue.

Maverick Contracting · Approved Exterior Cleaner

Just stay away from Champion generators or power washers.
Have a pw that has a Honda engine but everything else on it is total crap. Everything broke esp electric start.