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The Pressure Washer Upgrade & DIY Setup Thread

278K views 425 replies 88 participants last post by  spyk3d 
#1 · (Edited)
So, there's been a lot of threads (and PMs!) about this topic - upgrading hoses, guns and lances on "normal" PWs, and extending home setups (hose reels, water butts and pumped water setups) etc. So I thought it was worth kicking off a thread where folks can post their own setups, ask questions about upgrades they're thinking about and get inspiration and ideas from what others are doing. I'll kick off by copying my post from this thread...

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Mine is a bit of a mongrel of a setup:

Kranzle HD7/122

Kranzle M2000 standard gun, adapted to 19.5mm inlet quick release and Kew outlet quick release
MTM Hydro "Astra" wash gun adapted to same connections as above

Standard Kranzle flat jet, Dirtkiller and underbody lances adapted to Kew quick release
Pressure Washer Parts UK "cranked" lance 450mm with interchangeable nozzles
DIY "Shortie" lance with female QR straight into Kew probe so interchangeable nozzles can be attached straight onto the end of either gun

Foam lance adapted to Kew QR (again, for use on either gun)

15m hose on a reel with Mosmatic swivel at gun end
Original Kranzle 10m hose with 19.5mm QR fittings - can be used standalone if I take the machine elsewhere or as an extension to hose on reel if needed.

DIY mobile platform for PW to allow for easier movement (some large castors attached to a piece of plywood, essentially)

All sits on / hangs off a DIY bracket / hanger / system organiser in the garage.

Pics:


DIY bracket


DIY bracket, other side.


Both guns


Lances - top to bottom, underbody, flat jet, Dirtkiller, cranked, shortie Vario, shortie (interchangeable nozzles)


Foam lance adapted for Kew QR


Platform rear view - shock cord secures the machine on top


Platform side view - the grubby MF is by way of insulation to keep the warmth in from the trace heating cable wrapped around the pump head


QR for machine outlet. You can see the camlock inlet and the trace heating cable as well


Original Kranzle hose adapted for 19.5mm QR


My Mosmatic swivel :argie: on the end of the 15m hose on the reel


Adapted hose so I can connect a normal hose to the machine (normally it runs off a 25mm ID hose from the water butts, to a camlock connector on the inlet)

Edit - I've added some of the recent (and not so recent!) threads that made me think to start this one, which may also be useful:

Rob D 88's K4 Change Of Gun Thread
andyfish's PW upgrade thread (specifically regarding DIY options for a new PW build)
Whizzer's shortie lance thread
steelghost's running a PW off a waterbutt thread (with particular emphasis on parts and fittings needed to achieve sufficient flow rate)
bigbruiser's K4 lance upgrade thread

Any others you think would be useful to include here, PM me and I'll edit this post.
 
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#66 ·
I've got a Nilfisk C110 and was thinking about upgrading the hose and the gun.

I was thinking of a 15m hose with BSP fittings at both end, gun, swivel fitting and the various angle/ spray fittings and a QR for my snow foam gun. To save changing the hose when I decide to move on from my C110. I was thinking of getting a 30cm length made up with the Nilfisk connection to the machine one side and a BSP fitting the other side to connect to my 15m hose. This way I will only need to change the 30cm hose if I change machines.

My only question is what sort of impact will a 15m hose have on the pressure on my machine and will it put extra pressure on the machine/ pump due to the length? Will having that 30cm connection between the machine and the hose cause any issues with pressure?
 
#68 ·
http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?p=5422821

My post #22 in this thread has a bit more detail about pressure loss in longer hoses.

Within reason, a longer hose won't do any harm to the pump, you just get a bit less pressure at the gun end.

A larger diameter hose will have less pressure drop for a given length, but is likely to be a twin wire hose and hence stiffer than a thinner, single wire hose.

What connection do you have at the machine end now? Is it threaded or some sort of probe / quick connect?
 
#77 · (Edited)
For information purposes for anyone with karcher looking to upgrade their hose and have it Re useable to another machine. Here is what I have ordered from Damian at Qwashers. (Please bear in mind I have already upgraded my lance here) http://www.detailingworld.co.uk/forum/showpost.php?p=5419267&postcount=109

1 X 15 METER HOSE 1/4 1 WIRE BLACK WITH CUFFS 3/8 MALE X 3/8 FEMALE £42. 05
1 X KARCHER BRASS MALE PROBE X 3/8 MALE £7. 80
1 X POSTAGE £9. 00
1 X PAIR BRASS MIDI QUICK RELEASE £6. 57
TOTAL £65. 42
 
#78 ·
If Damian isnt assembling it all you'll need some PTFE tape (or more preferable blue threadlock, NOT red threadlock) and bonded seal washers (or Dowty seals) for each of the screw threaded joints.

Is the QR at the gun end, added to the swivel , or at the PW end for removing the hose for storage ?
 
#82 ·
Thanks SG.

I was thinking of a QR at the machine and the gun so its easy to store it. Is it worth it? Also where is the best place to have the swivel on the gun? or the machine? or both?

I'm not interested in the long lances so I'm thinking of getting the short gun with a QR stubby connection and the different fan nozzles.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271361791487
I'd say definitely worth a QR at each end of the hose - makes coiling it up when you're done much easier, even if you're using a reel.

Having been given a Mosmatic swivel for Christmas, my view would be to get the best swivel you can afford and put it at the gun end. I have mine on the end of my hose just before the QR, so that both the guns I have can benefit from it.

I don't think the eBay link you posted is for a gun - I get a very clunky looking M22 to 11.6mm QR thing?

Almost every gun on the market has an inlet thread of 3/8" BSP, so I would get the male probe half of the QR with a male thread to screw directly into that, then fit the female side of the QR onto the end of the hose, or onto your swivel if you're using one.
 
#84 · (Edited)
If all you want a very short gun With interchangeable nozzles then this set .

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/272098939181

Together with a male male 1/4" adaptor

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/362196238017

will screw directly into the outlet socket (1/4" female) of most trigger guns.

Don't forget you'll need to order the correct nozzle orifice size, based on your PW flow and pressure soecs

Or if you wanted something a little longer but not unwieldly (if you have limited space in your wash area), then a 450mm steel lance (with 1'4" male thread to screw directly into the trigger gun outlet) with a quick release and interchangeable nozzles is also available from the same seller.
 
#86 · (Edited)
By way of putting some visuals to some of the components discussed so far, these bits arrived this morning...



Top left (1/4" BSP) and middle left (3/8" BSP) are Dowty seals (sometimes called bonded seal washers) - basically a steel washer with oversized inner diameter to which is bonded a rubbery seal, that ensures a seal to whatever screw thread you are using on a joint.

Bottom left a 19.5mm male probe for quick release, coupled to a 3/8" BSP Male to 3/8" Male BSP nipple connector. you can see a Dowty seal at the joint.

Another photo showing a new Dowty on the 3/8" BSP thread which will be connected to the 3/8" female inlet of the trigger gun (1p piece for scale reference - 19.5mm QR are quite chunky)..



and loosely fitted to the integral swivel in the trigger gun..


The threads will need PTFE tape or threadlock for the final joint assembly.

the final item botom left is a 1/4" BSP female to 1/4" BSP female connector - i will be using this to couple the final steel section end of my lance to a 330mm short handle (so that when in use i have a thicker, insulated part of the lance to hold with my other hand)

You get an idea that integral swivels built into the guns, whilst not as free and fancy as the mosmatic external swivel, does reduce the amount of metal components. Both my trigger guns have intergral swivels, so the mosmatic for me is a nice to have but not essential item in my set-up. If you want to have a single gun with multiple attachments at the outlet side then the mosmatic is a nice item and you can save ca £8-10 on the cost of the trigger gun (non swivel gun versus swivel gun).

the trigger gun shown is the one i linked to in post #30, botttm of page 3 - its not quite as 'lary' in the flesh as the original photo suggested. Its a Suttner EasyWash 365+ (basically a commercial jet wash quality gun, equivalent to the ST-2600/ST-2700 ranges), with stainless inbuilt swivel and internal pipework. 3/8" BSP Female inlet, 1/4" BSP female outlet.
 
#87 ·
Right so this is probably overkill but I've got round to ordering my Gun and Mossmatic swivel and the QR for my machine.

Gun
https://www.mosmatic-spareparts.eu/High-Pressure/HP-Guns/Gun-HP-Mosmatic----Relax-Action----blue----Mosmatic-Nr-29-094.html

Swivel Fitting
https://www.mosmatic-spareparts.eu/...em--ss-----mosmatic-nr-32-534.html&no_boost=1

M22 to QR fitting for my pressure washer.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271361791487

So I'm thinking I now need a couple 3/8 m to 3/8 m nipple to connect to a 3/8 f QR which will attach to the hose. I also need to figure out my hose bore and flow rate so I can get the correct hose ordered.

If my thinking is correct I should get the hose with 3/8 f fittings on both ends so I can use the nipples to connect the QRs to each end.

If I get this set https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/272098939181?ul_noapp=true I could then just attach a QR fitting to the end of my PA Lance as well and that should hopefully be me good to go?

Do I need to use the Dowty washers that percymon has bought?

Also is everything I've put right or have I missed something?

Thanks again guys. You've all been a massive help so far. Shame its all going onto a C110 for now.
 
#88 ·
Right so this is probably overkill but I've got round to ordering my Gun and Mossmatic swivel and the QR for my machine.

Gun
https://www.mosmatic-spareparts.eu/...lax-Action----blue----Mosmatic-Nr-29-094.html

Swivel Fitting
https://www.mosmatic-spareparts.eu/...em--ss-----mosmatic-nr-32-534.html&no_boost=1

M22 to QR fitting for my pressure washer.
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271361791487

So I'm thinking I now need a couple 3/8 m to 3/8 m nipple to connect to a 3/8 f QR which will attach to the hose. I also need to figure out my hose bore and flow rate so I can get the correct hose ordered.

If my thinking is correct I should get the hose with 3/8 f fittings on both ends so I can use the nipples to connect the QRs to each end.

If I get this set https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/272098939181?ul_noapp=true I could then just attach a QR fitting to the end of my PA Lance as well and that should hopefully be me good to go?

Do I need to use the Dowty washers that percymon has bought?

Also is everything I've put right or have I missed something?

Thanks again guys. You've all been a massive help so far. Shame its all going onto a C110 for now.
Have you ordered these parts yet, or are these the ones you're thinking of?

I ask because there is a Mosmatic gun (which is a rebadged Suttner really) but it comes with a Mosmatic swivel built in. So you get arguably the best gun, with arguably the best swivel - https://mosmatic.co.uk/product/hp-gun-310-500-bar - part # 29.131.

Regarding the M22 to QR fitting, I would say you want a bit beefier QR for a hose, something like a 14.8mm or even 19.5mm one (see links / posts further up in the thread).

I would get the hose with male connectors to screw into the 3/8" female threads you'll likely find on the back of many QRs. You want to minimise the number of couplings, adapters etc as they add mass, cost and complexity (ie more joints = more chance of leaks).

You don't *have* to use dowty washers, but they are a very good way of making a seal if the parts you're joining have flat faces to compress the rubber seal between them. Just need some spanners to torque them up properly. You can just use PTFE tape, but dowty washers are quicker and easier to get right.

Yes, the nozzles you link to can be joined on the end of your gun (you will need a 1/4" male/male nipple for this), and if you then put an 11.6mm QR plug in your foam lance, that will work just as before.
 
#91 ·
Hi Steel,

Would love to know some more info on the shortie vario, exactly what I've been looking for!

Thanks
Glen
Hi Glen

Pretty simple - it's a Vario nozzle (not actually the one I've linked, it's a Kränzle one but they don't sell a huge range of nozzle sizes).

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/172789772757

This has a 1/4" female thread, so you need a male to male nipple (1/4" BSP both sides) to allow it to attach to the QR plug of your choice - mine is using the "Kew" QR standard.

I didn't build this one, so it's "all of a piece" having been assembled with thread lock. You can see on my shortie QR lance it's a DIY job and I've used bonded seals for that one.
 
#90 ·
Thanks SG.

I've not ordered them but been doing some digging. Where would you say the best place is to get the gun with the swivel from? Its £84 from Mosmatic UK.

So RE the M22 would the below be fittings be the one?

M22 Fitting
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/271417204010?ul_noapp=true

19.5mm QR Fitting
https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Pressure-Washer-Quick-Release-HP-Coupling-19-5-mm-3-8-F-x-M22M/281871500858?hash=item41a0d9c63a:g:X9EAAOSwH09ZEaRi

I'll keep looking for the 19.5mm male to male nipples as I couldn't see any on the bay.

I'll get some Dowty washers then as it seems ideal.

I've got to be honest, its all a bit above me at the minute but finally think I'm starting to understand it all. Just need to understand what hose I need.
 
#96 ·
Based on your flow rate and pressure then yes, I'd concur 025 nozzle size.

However, are you sure those numbers are correct ?

A Nilfisk C110 for example is 110Bar, 440l/hr (or 7.3l/min max). If your PW is genuinely only pushing out 80Bar and 5l/min then I'd question whether a better hose / gun, or a new PW with more power, is the better buy?
 
#105 ·
You should generally size nozzles for the nominal values, not the maximum. The nominal values for your C110 give an orifice of 025; I suspect you may find the 030 orifice reduces the pressure too much.

As percymon points out though, at this level of performance a new machine is also worth considering. That said, given you're replacing your hose and gun, in due course an upgraded machine will give a new level of performance to the improved hardware you'll be enjoying in the meantime.
 
#97 ·
Well I downloaded the manual from here and 7.3l/min @ 110 bar seems to be the max.

The theory is to upgrade the hose and lances as its all a bit unwieldy and keeps kinking and then I'll look to upgrade the machine later in the year in the sales.

Hopefully I wont need to change the hose if I change machines.
 
#99 ·
I read back a few pages after I posted to see your aims / plans.

So you've taken the nominal values rather than the maximum the pump can deliver - I can see some merit in that but if you spec a nozzle size based on those numbers you may potentially create more load on the pump.

If you oversize a nozzle , assuming a PW does deliver what it says on the tin, but in reality its down on performance you will end up with a poor cleaning performance.

I'd say you are falling between 025 and 030 nozzle sizes..

Pressure in Bar 80. 90. 100. 110. 120.

Nozzle Size 025 5.0 5.3 5.6 5.9 6.1
Nozzle Size 030 6.1 6.3 6.8 7.1 7.4
Nozzle Size 035 7.0 7.4 7.8 8.2 8.6

So personally I'd go with 030 size. Thats the same size that a lot of the Karcher's work out at (K2-K4)
 
#106 ·
Here is my new set up for my K5. Bought everything with the mindset that it will outlast my PW so I can transfer to a new static system sometime later this year.

Total cost was £139 however I didn't plan on doing the hose so soon so I bought a karcher QR attachment for the end of the gun that cost £10 that is now redundant.

The hose set up is 3/8" male on one end and 3/8" female on the other with a karcher attachment to connect to the machine.



Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#114 ·
I've been looking at various stand alone options, so I spoke to Damian (via email) regarding a stand alone PW set up.

He gave me the following advice.

"Always buy a setup that is a well known make, interpump, kranzle.
They keep every thing the same and are still able to be repaired in 10 - 15 years not like some suppliers that supersede stuff.
Annovi good but parts are a nightmare to get hold of and change."

I'm looking for a minimum 10L/min flow and 110bar pressure.
 
#116 · (Edited)
I've been looking at various stand alone options, so I spoke to Damian (via email) regarding a stand alone PW set up.

He gave me the following advice.

"Always buy a setup that is a well known make, interpump, kranzle.
They keep every thing the same and are still able to be repaired in 10 - 15 years not like some suppliers that supersede stuff.
Annovi good but parts are a nightmare to get hold of and change."

I'm looking for a minimum 10L/min flow and 110bar pressure.
I would suggest the Kränzle HD 10 but you've just bought a new hose and gun, I don't suppose you really want another one of each!

The AR combo that percymon has will likely run for years with average home detailing use, so at £200+VAT that would still be an option in my book.

You could keep an eye out for a second hand unit on eBay, they do come up from time to time.

Otherwise you're looking at combos from Interpump, who are very good but not cheap! Do you have a budget in mind?

Edit eg https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/263443293414

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/173106608788

https://rover.ebay.com/rover/0/0/0?mpre=https://www.ebay.co.uk/ulk/itm/112751755413
 
#119 · (Edited)
I thought I would share my setup as it may give someone some ideas.
I have posted about it before so some of you may have seen it.
The idea behind it is my garage is down the drive at the back of the garden but the car gets its TLC at the front of the house and carting the PW, DI vessel and hose etc etc was a pain in the ass and used up valuable time to do and set up.



I wheel it up and just connect a shot length of hose to the 4 way inlet and the other end to a second outside tap I plumbed in at the top of the drive.



The trolley now sits next to the car and never has to move as the PW hose is plenty long enough to get all around the car.
The reel with the hose on is unwound and Connect's directly into the DI vessel and is used solely for final rise with a little tap connector on the end for your open hose effect. The inlet for the DI vessel is connected permanently via a short length of hose to one of the outlets on the 4 way splitter.



If I want normal water for buckets or anything else I have another short length of hose with a gun on it connected to the 4 way splitter.



I can have permanent water to everything with independent control without having to ever connect or disconnect a single thing once set up which takes minutes.

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
 
#135 ·
I just installed one of these from B&Q (about a third cheaper than eBay sellers !)..

https://www.diy.com/departments/verve-metal-hose-hanger/1578086_BQ.prd



easily accomodates 15m of high pressure hose and more (although for 25m you might want to think about larger circles of hose to keep the volume of hose in contact with the hanger down).

Not bad for under a fiver :D
 
#136 ·
I just installed one of these from B&Q (about a third cheaper than eBay sellers !)..

https://www.diy.com/departments/verve-metal-hose-hanger/1578086_BQ.prd



easily accomodates 15m of high pressure hose and more (although for 25m you might want to think about larger circles of hose to keep the volume of hose in contact with the hanger down).

Not bad for under a fiver :D
For a 25m hose I would defenitively bet on a hose reel, I only have a 15m hose but I have a hose reel, do not even know if I had been washing the car without it
 
#137 ·
A reel is a huge benefit if you can find the space (and budget!) for one. Of course to make it really worthwhile it needs (semi) permanently attaching to the PW outlet with a link hose which increases the cost that bit more. But it means getting the PW going is as simple as water, power, unwind hose, off you go.
 
#139 ·
Hi,
I'm looking to upgrade the hose on my Kranzle k7 from 10m to 15m, what is the correct size? Most I have seen are 3/8 or 5/16. I don't want to lose too much pressure.
Cheers
Most hoses are I've seen are either DN06 (approx 1/4") or DN08 (approx 5/16).

I've a HD7 (aka K7) and I'm running 17m of DN08 hose (2m from the PW outlet to the reel, and 15m on the reel) and I'm not seeing any noticeable drop in performance compared to the standard hose. The DN08 hose is noticeably thicker and stiffer than the stock Kranzle hose, so I presume there is an increase in internal diameter that is offsetting the frictional losses from the increased hose length.

3/8" hose would be 9.5mm ID, which would be pretty chunky stuff, but it would certainly minimise pressure loss. For a 15m hose on a relatively low flow machine like a HD7 though, 9.5mm ID hose feels like overkill, unless you're planning on a pretty serious upgrade in the future.
 
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