electric to gas powered washer

[troyt 14]

I inheritied an electric powered Alkota pressure washer and would like to convert the pump to run on a gas engine. I once saw a conversion chart, but I can not find it anymore. Anyone seen one around?

[Russ Johnson 141]

First, you will need approximately 2x the gas horsepower than the electric motor. Then, I assume your machine has a 1725 rpm motor, you will need to change the pulley on the pump or engine to reduce the speed. Write back on here or pm me with motor pulley diameter, pump pulley diameter, motor hp, and pump model, and I'll help you get it together.

[troyt 14]

Thanks for the help here is the information.

motor pulley diameter(3"), pump pulley diameter(10 1/4"), motor hp(8HP), and pump model(TS1511).

Now is there also a way to remove the need for the K7 unloader with the use of a gas engine? And will I be able to keep the HotBox in the new design. This Alkota is a nice setup, needs some cleaning of the coils, but is almost useless for me in a mobile operation simpley for the fact that it requires a 220 connection. I have a 16hp gas engine that I can put on this systme, of course I will have to build a new frame. The reason I want to get rid of the K7 is because I don't understand it. When I received the Alkota it was missing the unloader. I ordered one, installed it, and had troubles. The K7 kept cycling over and over, non-stop. Some people on the board helped me find the fix to that problem there was a nozzle missing on the bypass outlet (easily figured out by compressing the bypass hose), I insertet the nozzle, fired up the Alkota, and quickly blew one of the o-rings between the Valve housing and the piston housing. So far I have not replaced this o-ring to figure out the problem, and from what everyone says on this board the K7 is a real treat to work with, not much motivation, lol.

[troyt 14]

Here is a link to the Alkota model I am talking about if that will help. http://www.alkota.com/products/showProduct.asp?CategoryID=192&ProductID=3102also rap this around your brain if you are willing to think about it. Is it possible to turn this in to a horizontal hot box,, or would it be cheaper to buy a new one instead, lol.

[Russ Johnson 141]

I have turned a machine similar to that into a horizontal hot box to exhaust out of a pickup with a topper. If you're going to do that, though, you will have to build a completely different pump / engine unit. Do you know any decent welders? Moving a few of the pieces of the frame around and relocating the fuel tank will give you your hotbox base. Is the burner 220 volts? You will have to change that to 12 volt to run off the battery or 120 volts to run off an extension cord or plug in to a generator. Looking at the motor pulley diameter, I can tell you have a 3450 RPM motor, so that pulley diameter is what you want. However, the motor has a 1 1/8" shaft, where the gas engine has a 1" shaft. If the pulley isn't a taper lock, you'll have to buy a new pulley. If it is taper lock, you'll only have to buy a bushing. Now you need a base for your pump / engine and a belt guard...safety first. Sounds like a pretty big project to me. You'd probably be well off to use what you've got as a trade in on a new or good used unit already set up for your purpose.

The K7 is an excellent unloader if it's plumbed and sized properly.