Author Topic: Foot switch on/off for pressure washer??  (Read 7701 times)

Offline screenprintguy

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Foot switch on/off for pressure washer??
« on: February 11, 2014, 02:14:35 PM »
Is anyone using a water proof foot pedal or button type switch for their pressure washer instead of always having to bend over. I think the ease of the foot switch would make it more attractive and of course easier for someone to not be lazy and switch off the washer during moments when it's not necessary for it to be on. If you use one, what type. Thanks!!! We added this pressure washer a few months ago, it's awesome, but like any heavier duty unit, the motor is always on when the switch is on.
http://www.wayfair.com/Campbell-Hausfeld-1-850PSI-1.35GPM-Electric-Industrial-Pressure-Washer-CP5101-L768-K~CHP1985.html?refid=GX21919343940-CHP1985&device=c&ptid=38676934500&gclid=CIWTo5HkxLwCFZDm7AodqUcAAA
Evolutionary Screen Printing & Embroidery
3521 Waterfield Parkway Lakeland, Fl. 33803 www.evolutionaryscreenprinting.com


Offline mimosatexas

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Re: Foot switch on/off for pressure washer??
« Reply #1 on: February 11, 2014, 02:29:35 PM »
I'm not sure this is at all helpful as I'm not familiar with the model you linked, but I've been using this for the past 3 years: http://www.lowes.com/pd_55986-53393-51142_4294612661%2B4294796166__?productId=3606942&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNs%3Dp_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&facetInfo=Light-duty

I think it has only been turned off once when we moved shops...

Online Evo

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Re: Foot switch on/off for pressure washer??
« Reply #2 on: February 11, 2014, 02:36:28 PM »
I'm not sure this is at all helpful as I'm not familiar with the model you linked, but I've been using this for the past 3 years: http://www.lowes.com/pd_55986-53393-51142_4294612661%2B4294796166__?productId=3606942&Ns=p_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&pl=1&currentURL=%3FNs%3Dp_product_qty_sales_dollar|1&facetInfo=Light-duty

I think it has only been turned off once when we moved shops...


I'd avoid it. We killed one in just a few months.

Glad you are having success with it but it just didn't stand up to day-to-day use with us.


Currently using an AR630-TSS. This is a step up from the other AR models as it has a pressure activated switch. Also, it has adjustable pressure output which makes it great for developing but not annihilating stencils.


Best price on it was here: (about $150 less then elsewhere)

http://www.pwmall.com/p-140316-ar630_tss-ar-blue-clean-15001900-psi-electric-pressure-washer-21gpm-115v-tss.aspx

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Offline screenprintguy

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Re: Foot switch on/off for pressure washer??
« Reply #3 on: February 11, 2014, 02:45:28 PM »
Let me clarify, sorry guys. The link is to the new washer we bought, it's awesome. No problems, but since it uses an internal centriphical clutch between the motor and the pump. If someone is back there all day using the unit, I'm trying to encourage them to turn it off if it will be sitting there idle for a few minutes. Easy enough, ben down and click the switch, but I'm just thinking a foot pedal switch to have inline with the powercord of the washer would be nice and wanted to see if anyone has been using a foot switch to control their power for their washer. Sorry if my original post was confusing.  :o
Evolutionary Screen Printing & Embroidery
3521 Waterfield Parkway Lakeland, Fl. 33803 www.evolutionaryscreenprinting.com

Offline mimosatexas

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Re: Foot switch on/off for pressure washer??
« Reply #4 on: February 11, 2014, 02:51:30 PM »
My concern with a foot switch would be water.  I don't know what your setup is, but I know water drips on the ground when we take screens out and put them in and what not.  Might be a bad combination.

Offline tonypep

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Re: Foot switch on/off for pressure washer??
« Reply #5 on: February 11, 2014, 02:57:57 PM »
Use a waterproof wall switch if thats possible.

Offline Screened Gear

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Re: Foot switch on/off for pressure washer??
« Reply #6 on: February 11, 2014, 02:58:54 PM »
I have my pressure washer and washout booth light hooked up to a power stripe hanging on the wall. This way I have one "switch" for booth. It also makes sure I don't leave the Pressure washer power on.. light off/power to the pressure washer off. Honestly would turning it on and off be better for it then just let it stay on for a few minutes not spraying?

That is a good deal. If I was in the market I would pick one of those up.

Offline bimmridder

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Re: Foot switch on/off for pressure washer??
« Reply #7 on: February 11, 2014, 03:07:36 PM »
We have a foot switch wired to our pressure washer. Doing between 80 and 150 screens a day and its worked great since putting it in a few years ago. Water proof pedal and a GFCI (is that right?) outlet. 
Barth Gimble

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Offline 3Deep

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Re: Foot switch on/off for pressure washer??
« Reply #8 on: February 11, 2014, 03:19:54 PM »
not to derail the thread, but I would like to add a foot switch to my home made spot remover exhaust...right now we are using a small wet dry vac and turn it on by hand, would love to just hit a foot switch.  I know I could just let it run, but spraying first then hitting the vac does a nicer cleaner job.

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Re: Foot switch on/off for pressure washer??
« Reply #9 on: February 11, 2014, 03:21:44 PM »
Use a waterproof wall switch if thats possible.

Or a motion sensor/occupancy switch. Pump will shut down if no one is at the sink.

 :D
There is scarcely anything in the world that some man cannot make a little worse, and sell a little more cheaply. The person who buys on price alone is this man's lawful prey.
John Ruskin (1819 - 1900)

Offline mk162

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Re: Foot switch on/off for pressure washer??
« Reply #10 on: February 11, 2014, 03:24:12 PM »

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There is scarcely anything in the world that some man cannot make a little worse, and sell a little more cheaply. The person who buys on price alone is this man's lawful prey.
John Ruskin (1819 - 1900)

Offline jsheridan

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Re: Foot switch on/off for pressure washer??
« Reply #12 on: February 11, 2014, 04:22:59 PM »
Used many a foot switch in my years and I could never get it in just the right place or my stance was off from having to step on that switch all the time.

now I just prefer a good pressure bypass and let the pump run while I'm working. Once I finish, I shut the pump off.

Oh yeah... i've used flow switches before and they work great but cost to much.
« Last Edit: February 11, 2014, 04:25:37 PM by jsheridan »
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Offline dirkdiggler

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Re: Foot switch on/off for pressure washer??
« Reply #13 on: February 11, 2014, 05:19:37 PM »
I use my foot to turn it on and off.  Very easy!  This one here and its awesome.

http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200347872_200347872
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Offline ebscreen

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Re: Foot switch on/off for pressure washer??
« Reply #14 on: February 11, 2014, 05:39:10 PM »
We use an air activated foot switch for our developing pressure washer. Works great, totally safe.

The main cleaning pressure washer is switched on and off manually. I think it's bad to cycle a motor that frequently.
It has a bypass but even then letting it run for too long without using it (more than ten minutes) is bad news.

The developing pressure washer is a cheapie that the pressure switch failed on, so it was a candidate for foot control.

Like John says, you can't stand comfortably on one of these switches, though they are the safest option.