Generator and pump Q's

M

Moneyz

New member
Hello all,
My name is jared and I'm in the process of putting my mobile detail business in action, so thankful for this forum and all of your knowledge and advice supplied to all us newbies and veterans too.

I was hoping someone could tell me the smallest wattage generator you would suggest for my new mobile business. I plan on starting out with 1600 psi electric pressure washer. Mytee lite II, shop vac, DA polisher, and vapor steamer. Also does anyone know if I will need a pump in order to get water from tank to pressure washer or if 50 gallon tank will allow enough gravity pressure to feed electric pressure washer and extractor? Thanks for any advice.
 
My best advise is to get the generator you really need the first time. Good extractors like that pull some major power and your going need a good sized generator to run it. Theres no sense in buying a small one just to find out its not big enough to do what it needs to do. I would also say that yes, you'll need a pump. Gravity will feed it to an extent, but your going to run the chance of burning the power washer pump up by starving it for water. Also, why not step up to a 1800 or 1900 psi model? I have a 1900 psi AR Blue electric, and imo its the perfect pressure for doing what we do.
 
Thanks for the advice. I will look into a pump and larger psi model washer. I was looking at some 1800 watt small generators for aprox $300 and thought that would be perfect to haul around everyday but didn't know if that would be enough juice. Thanks again
 
Two things make you mobile, water and power. Don't skimp out on either of them. I have a 4000 watt generac generator, it gives me enough power to run everything from the air compressor to 2 buffers, and I'm pretty sure I can run some more things. The pressure washer can get tuned up to 3900psi if needed. You can always pressure wash houses and decks if you have the power.

One thing ived learned through time and going on the forums is, too do plenty of research and don't go out buying everything under the sun. You'll learn what you need and what you don't. If you don't have a pop-up tent get one I have a 12x12. It's awesome and pretty reasonable when you start using it on a lot if details.
 
If you get a generator I suggest getting at least a 2000 watt. A 2000 watt puts out just enough power to power a small extractor, not a large one! But for a 1 man operation it makes the cut.

I suggest getting a pressure washer with a decent amount of power. You will find ways to make your work faster and better. Yeah, you can get by with a small low powered pressure washer, but you will pay for it in little ways too. If you have a pressure washer with decent power, you will find that with the right chemicals, it will cut your work in half.
 
If you really want to be accurate, you need to figure out how many Amps all your equipment will be drawing at the worst case scenario. Or even if they are all on at once and being used like crazy.
Then find a generator that will tell you exactly how many Amps it will deliver constantly.

My big Mytee HP60 Spyder with the inline 1200watt heater likes it best if its plugged into a 20Amp circuit. If I throw on my VX5000 Steamer at the same time the Extractor is running, no 15Amp circuit will be able to handle it and will throw the circuit breaker in the Panel.
This is why I always wire in a separate 20Amp circuit to the Panel in my garage and use that one for Detailing equipment.
Good luck with this !
Dan F
 
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