[Carl2009]

Hi guys,

If I do go down the water butt and submersible pump route for pressure washing have you any ideas of a well-priced submersible pump. I'd need 1.5 bar and around 18lpm. Oh, and 12 volts.

Cheers

[Rob_Mac]

Carl

What will you be using the pump for?

Rob

[Carl2009]

To supply water from a water butt or wheelie bin to the pressure washer where there is no garden tap or where the garden tap pressure is too low.

[Rob_Mac]

You will be using a petrol pressure washer? - they draw their own water.

Rob

[Rob_Mac]

Which pressure washer have you got?

Rob

[Carl2009]

But water needs to be under pressure I think. My washer instructions say, "NOTE: Water source must provide a minimum of 5 gallons per minute at 20 p.s.i." 20psi = 1.5 bar (like a tap) but 5 gpm is 22.7 litres per minute flow - greater than most taps. I have a Clarke PLS 260 3600 psi / 18lpm 13hp machine.

[Rob_Mac]

From Clarke @ Machine Mart

Superbly powerful, this tough and rugged petrol driven pressure washer is built specifically for use by garages, fleet operators, plant hirers and contractors. Highly efficient direct drive means there are no belts or pulleys to replace and the overall reduction in vibration means longer service life. Powered by a highly reliable petrol engine, the PLS260 Power Washer is built into a tough all steel frame with extra large 13" pneumatic tyres for easy mobility across uneven ground.
•Maximum 250 bar (3625 psi) pressure
•Maximum water flow 18.2 litres per minute (1092L/hr).
•13Hp Petrol engine
•Professional lance with protective shroud
•Adjustable high pressure output
•Detergent pick-up hose.

It will draw its own water from a barrel. Just stick a hose in your barrel and attach your pressure washer to the outlet!!

Rob

[Mike Halliday]

try and fit a hose tail to the bottom of your water butt so you feed the water from the bottom of the butt (rather than hook it over the top) this will help stop air trapping.This will also increase the pressure and flow rate.

 Also if it hasn't got one fit a release tap on the spare pump outlet port this will make the machine easier to start and will bleed the pipes when you begin the work

[Carl2009]

Cheers guys, i'll give it a go!

[BDCS]

I use a wheelie bin and have 3/4"bulkhead fitting in the bottom, inside I have a and a short piece of hose with the strainer on and outside I have another tail and the 3/4" suction hose and a low pressure QR which fits onto the suction filter.
The return just just a 1/2" tank fitting and a hose tail