Converting Gasoline Pressure washer to Electric

[dremd]

My first ever Ben Nelson Style Gasoline to Electric conversion.

I've got a Gasoline pressure washer with a shot 3500 rpm (rated) gasoline engine, and a 3450 RPM 2HP continuos duty 110 volt motor from an old air compressor that blew a head gasket and was upgraded (now 16.9 cfm @100 psi).

I figure that they should go together, I'm guessing that I may need to run higher flow nozzles, but that is a bridge that I'll cross when I get there.

Pump has a female 3/4" keyed shaft input, and the motor has a 5/8" flat shaft.
I just ordered a 5/8" set screw type coupler and a 6" piece of 3/4" keyed shaft.
I am planning on turning down the 3/4" shaft on one end (in my lathe) to fit inside the 5/8" coupler. Then assembling as follows Motor with 5/8" male shaft->Coupler with 5/8" on both ends->Custom 5/8" male in 3/4" male out shaft-> pump with 3/4"female input.

Also Planning on making "L" Shaped braket to hold motor at bottom and pump on face with over size holes for adjustment.

Any ideas/ comments are highly welcomed.

Few Pics
Pump Top with adjustable bypass (probably will need to be turned down)



Pump input, feels like it has 2 bearings, anybody think I should tear it down to find out?


Old Air compressor Motor.

[Daox]

Cool project.

The pump looks like it has half of a lovejoy type coupler. Any chance you can just get a coupler for the electric motor that mates up? The coupler will dampen vibration which should increase the bearing life.

[dremd]

Just looked at pic and realized I chose a poor angle, what appears to be love joy jaws are actually not rotating. I'm not sure what the purpose is, any ideas?

[Daox]

Ah, I see. I'm sure they're just there to assist in orienting the engine to the pump.

[dremd]

Originally Posted by Daox

Ah, I see. I'm sure they're just there to assist in orienting the engine to the pump.

That would make sense.

[MetroMPG]

Neat project. Subscribed.

[oil pan 4]

I would like to make a hybrid pressure washer.
My pressure washer pump froze last winter (pressure washer was in side the house), found a new pump and put it on there and later on I was able to repair the old pump so all I need to do is find a 220v motor that is at least 5hp, I have 70 feet of 220 volt extention cord witch would be use full.

I have the same problem, 3/4'' keyed shaft hole on the pump and all the motors are 1/2'' or 5/8'' shaft. I don't mind buying the motor if they had a 3/4 shaft or an adaptor.

Would like to set it up so I could run gas or electric and change out the nozzle then run both if I really needed some cleaning power.

[dremd]

Still on hold, Grainger screwed my order up (wrong shaft, wrong coupler) and with the hurricane + holiday weekend, I still haven't seen my parts.

[dremd]

Grainger finally got my Shaft to me today, I turned it down, and slid everything together.
Next Step, Bracket to hold pump to motor.
I'll also need a new hose input washer, an outdoor switch, some pump oil does anyone think it would be ok to test with cheapo motor oil? I know low emulsifiers, but way cheaper.


Quick and Dirty pic.

[dremd]

It runs, Probably not an optimized component pair, but it does work.

Output appears slightly greater than typical electric pressure washers, however I'm still tuning the bypass valve (which is still sticking from years and years or rusting away).
To high and it will throw my 20 amp breaker, to low, and it is fairly useless. The breaker throws mainly when you release the handle / valve and the pump loads the motor very heavily until the valve pops all the way open.

I'd like to get a pressure washer (pressure) gauge so I had some idea of what was going on.

Much quieter than a gasoline pressure washer, but still rather noisy, the pump itself appears to be making the noise. this may resolve itself when I switch from motor oil to pump oil (soon).

I used it for about 1 hour washing away, I don't see any reason that once the bypass is tuned it will not run forever.

Powers up my homedepot foam cannon (with $4.99/ gallon Rain X foamy car wash) just as well as my Gasoline unit does with the official soap.