PSI vs GPM

[Mike 64]

I've noticed alot of Equipment suppliers are pushing their products advertising 5000PSI and in fine print you see somthing like 3GPM, which to me from what I know so far is not that great. I'd rather have a machine with 2800PSI and 5GPM then a machine with 5000PSI and 3GPM.

[Bart 14]

Mike

Your right, its not to often that I use over 2500 psi unless Im stripping paint off cement, more water flow will clean faster and do less damage.

[Howard 50]

Mike your exactly right. I very seldom get over 2000psi unless like Bart said I'm stripping paint, cleaning boat bottoms or cleaning concrete. I'd chose GPM over psi any day.

[aph111 14]

True Mike.Unless you get into hood&duct cleaning,then you want the opposite..

[Ptsnorth 14]

I'm in the market for a new pressure washer. Let's say I opt for a portable, hot water unit (4 wheel cart) rated to deliver 5+ GPM. How realistic is it that most home's water supply will be able to handle the 5+ GPM supply requirements? Unrealistic to count on this? What about utilizing a portable 35 or 65 gallon float tank? I have a hang up dragging long hoses (hot water at that) from a trailer mounted unit across a customer's grass.

Thanks,

Scott

[Don Phelps 85]

You'll need a float tank for most situations. However, considering the weight of a 'portable' float tank, it seems like dragging hose might be the better option. Water=8.33lbs per gallon. 8.33X35=291.55lbs.

[VanDiesel99 14]

Plus those "portable" hot water units are not always so portable. I have seen two wheel units that are movable, and have owned a four wheeled unit that would move but it would usually take two people. Either setup your looking at 4-5 hundred pounds, and thats not a lot of fun if you have any type of hills or rough terrain. I would reccomend a skid unit and a good hose reel, it will save your back in the long run.

[newlook 265]

And along with the skid mount you can have a 275 galloon poly tank mounted.