Cleaning - Hot water pressure washer

[1MOA]

Thank you!
Today I ordered a add on "hot Box", it will do 4.0 gpm at 250 degrees, just hook my pressure washer up and go. I am looking forward to trying the down steaming as it sounds perfect for my use. I appreciate all the input from everyone and look forward to learning more about pressure washing and cleaning.

One thing to remember with a hot box is the coil and the pump on the pressure washer can be easily damaged by freezing so either keep it above freezing or winterize it with antifreeze. above freezing. At a minimum take a air chuck and blow the water out of the coil and run the pump dry so it does not freeze and crack the seals or coil.

god luck with down streaming was glad I was able to help.

 

[Code54]

Thanks for the tip 1MOA! I plan on keeping it in our semi heated garage but draining it out is a great idea. What to the BEST way to run the pump dry, I am guessing just shut off the water supply and let it run until empty? May have to rig up a quick detach short air hose that will fit the coil input. THANKS

 

[fried1765]

Thanks for the tip 1MOA! I plan on keeping it in our semi heated garage but draining it out is a great idea. What to the BEST way to run the pump dry, I am guessing just shut off the water supply and let it run until empty? May have to rig up a quick detach short air hose that will fit the coil input. THANKS

I DO NOT think it is a good idea to "run/store the pump dry".
Go buy a gallon of non toxic anti-freeze and run that through the pump until you see pink, then there will be anti-freeze in the heating coil, and the pump.
Do not use Ethylene Glycol, as it is deadly for dogs/cats/animals.

 

[Code54]

Got it - Having something pet safe is important around our place! Thanks for the tip

 

[cayote1]

What did it run you?

 

[Code54]

It was 1399 but I got another $150 off in coupons so basically 1250 + shipping (think it runs around 400lbs and comes via truck, and that was $129 to WV)

 

[Dadnatron]

Code... how is the hot box working for you?

Would you do it again or purchase a combined unit?

I am thinking about doing something along this line, and am trying to figure out which direction to go. Is there a benefit, other than potential partial vs full failure, to having a 2 system setup vs a single combined machine?

 

[Code54]

Still working great. Went and bought a mini ex so I use it form time to time to clean it up and get the extra grease off.
As for would I do it again - yep. What I like is I have my normal pressure washer (Belt drive 4000psi, 4gpm) that I use more often as a cold washer. Figure if I ever have it break, I just replace it and still have my hot water unit. I also like the fact that I can just take it to a site and use a different washer with it and have my pressure washer still at the house.
It seems to handle my pressure washer really well, especially since I am at the top of the rated capacity. You learn really fast NEVER touch the metal part fo the gun if you are running the hot water at a full temp. it will burn you pretty much the instant yo bump it. I have an insulated gun but you still have fitting that get darn hot!
If you have any other questions just ask!!

 

[mikeman1]

I have hot water plumbed to a faucet outlet (where the washing machine used to be in the basement) not as hot as a hot pressure washer but is better than just cold water.

 

[Code54]

Just be careful as a LOT of residential (normal) pressure washer pumps are not rated for hot water (does something to the seals). The hot boxes come after the pressure washer and run the temp up to around 220 degrees but the water in the washer is standard cold water outlet temps.
At 220 degrees grease sort of melts off, works great on the car motors also!