How to Adjust the Unloader Valve on Your Pressure Washer
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- čas přidán 28. 07. 2014
- Some people believe that you can turn an unloader valve to reduce the pressure output of your machine. This is not the correct way to adjust pressure. The unloader valve is designed to allow water to bypass through the pump when the trigger is not engaged. If you turn the unloader to reduce pressure, you are also reducing GPM, and reducing cleaning power. Cleaning power = GPM X PSI. So if you have a machine that runs at 4 GPM and 4000 PSI, your cleaning power is 16000. If you change your nozzle to a 2000 PSI nozzle, your machine is still going to output 4 GPM. Your cleaning power is 8000. Lets say that turning the unloader down to 2000 PSI will reduce your GPM on this machine to 3 GPM. This would result in a cleaning power of 6000. Less power means longer cleaning time. Longer cleaning time means higher labor costs. Nozzles are less expensive than labor. Messing with your unloader valve can also put undo wear on your machine. Nozzles are cheaper than buying a new machine. Do it the right way, and life will be easier!
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For Unloaders www.powerwash.com/pressure-wa...
Awesome video. Looks like I need to rig up a gauge & go experimenting with my equipment. Thanks again!
You definitely should! Thank you for the words of encouragement!
Thanks for the tip This will help me in my adjustments .
Always glad to help
now you got me wanting to do your course >:D
- Thanks for the great content
Of course! Glad we could help!
Tip size plays a huge role in this adjustment, if the tip is too large you will get the high differentiation, if the tip is too small, your differentiation will be much lower. I recommend using 0.5 gpm below the max rating of a 4.0 gpm and smaller, 1.0 gpm smaller above that to a 10 gpm machine.
Thanks for your video. Wonder how to dismantle the valve on a Karcher K1900. Any cues?
I have a belt driven 3500psi/3.5gallon washer. I have adjusted the unloader to the point where I have 2500psi. I reduced it to wash cars and to lower the gallons per minute. Will having this adjusted at low settings damage the engine or pump? Mind you I have a bypass hose from the unloader that shoots back into my water tank.
Dosnt it all depend on the nozzle size your using as well?
pro indeed
That kid is one tough gal! 💪
Can you do a video showing how to do adjust the flow actuated type...thanks
It would adjust it the same way but we can do one as well
@@Powerwash thanks very much
Hello Mike, do you recommend stainless steel fittings for the pressure gauge for higher PSI machines?
They will last longer but it is not necessary.
I have tried to adjust the unloader on my 4gpm 4000PPSI machine but unfortunately with the unloader turned all the way up I get a reading of 3400PSI (when running) and a spike of 3700. Could I be doing something wrong to not be able to reach the 4000PSI max pressure?
There are several things it could be. Wore out nozzle, pressure gauge not accurate, packing needs replaced, unloader not functioning properly, get a trained professional to diagnose it.
Y got two hoses of 50 feet, can I put them together?
Where is recommended for put the pressure valve, on the machine or in the end of the hose?
Yes, you can couple 50 feet hoses no problem. Put the pressure valve as close to the pump as possible. You will always get a pressure loss the further away from the pump you put the pressure valve so the get it as close to the pump as possible. I like mounting it on the pump but for quick test that is not practical for doing a quick spot test.
I added a pressure gauge to my pressure washer, I installed it after the pump but before the unloader.. is that OK? Will it show accurate pressure? Or should I have installed it after the unloader?
You want it after both the pump and the unloader. Great question!
will a 40degree size 9 nozzle allow me siphon detergent to softwash & rinse with my 2900psi 2.3gpm pressure washer?
If referring to the use of a down stream injector, Yes
Can you describe to me what connections are on the psi gauge? So I can replicate that for my roof washes
Do you mean the use of the 3/8 quick couplers?
@@Powerwash yes. I usually have trouble finding them at home Depot
@@miggys2853 we sell them
When setting your unloader what tip should be in your wand
any high pressure tip that came with the machine
Friend I'm confused, I have a 2400psi annovi reverberi pump, when the trigger is open it should read the specified pressure on the gauge and when I close the trigger at what appropriate pressure should I leave the pump?
If your pressure gauge is after the unloader, then it should be around 2400psi when you squeeze the trigger and when you let go of the trigger it should jump up to about 200-300psi and then go back to 2400psi. If you still have questions give us a call at 1-800-433-2113
Why when you release the trigger the motor stops running, or trying to start motor…. Can’t pull the cord easily
Sounds like an issue with the unloader
I have a male connector coming from my pump that connects to a female hose, does the direction of the water through the gauge matter when using the gauge? I can't figure that out. It seems like the ones I always see are males connecting to a female pump. I need to buy one that will work for that setup. Thanks!
Direction of flow does not matter
Doug Rucker says different… 😮
I need to talk to yal I got a Ryobi pressure washer that is barely putting out pressure until I adjusted the plastic screw now it's got a crap ton of pressure but it still dies down and doesn't do right
What plastic screw?
So I don’t want to have a pressure spike and I want my washer to be running just below it’s maximum pressure yes?
You will have a pressure spike of about 300 to 400 psi. That is OK. You won't always get you exact pressure so usually within 200 to 300 PIS is good.
😊
I have a ryobi 3300psi. I have to start it with the trigger pulled and when i let off the trigger it loads up pressure untile it stalls the engine. Bad unloader?
Yes
Sorry for the late response. Rarely check my msgs. Thank you for the info. I'm gna order a new unloaded and hope for the best. Thanks again
What if my machine is building pressure and makes it very difficult to start? Where would I start troubleshooting?
Hold the trigger open with the nozzle out when you start it. After it starts, replace the nozzle. You will be good to go.
Squeeze the handle while you pull the start cord
Hi Mike my honda gc 190 when i start i have around 1600 rpm on the motor when i pull the triger it drop to around 1300 then die after a while any idea thank u
Sounds like the motor needs to be tuned
@@Powerwash I did change the carb new plug valve is adjusted now my new Chinese knock off does have 2 screw to adjust the idle speed and a fuel mixture on my oem carb there where no screw to do ajustement
I have a 2700 psi pump. When the trigger is not actuated, the pressure is 2700 at the pump. When I pull the trigger the pressure drops to 300-500 psi depending on the nozzle. Any idea what's going on?
Check that your pump is not cracked from being stored outside in freezing temps with water still in it. Mine had a bad leak but a replacement online was ~$60
@@wiredChamberlain I actually have a 2400 PSI pump. I got some new parts today. I replaced the 3 intake valves and got the pressure up 1200 PSI. And I replace the other 3 valves in the top and got the pressure up to 2100 psi. I guess I'll consider it fixed.
Mine seems to spike.I pull trigger on wand then it’s suddenly kicks off after only 3 seconds.
Sound like a bad unloader
I notice you didn’t say what tip to put at the end of the gun. Correct me if I’m wrong but I’ve always been told to have the red tip on the gun when adjusting the unloader (0 degree)
The size of the nozzle is important. Use any degree pattern you choose. It make no difference.
@@Powerwashreply to me is kind of contradictory. You say the size of the nozzles important but then later say it makes no difference. I'm confused
@metal422life The orifice size/hole.
The pressure is at the discharge of the pump. The nozzle wont change that. Their orifice diameters are all equal
My washer spikes from 3000 to 5000+ . .meter blown. What could that be
Sounds like the unloader is not set correctly or you need to replace or rebuild it.
@@Powerwash yes...fixed it. The unloader was the problem
Aaaaaa steam away fort worth 😳
At that time the PoweWash.com was in the same building. Today PowerWash.com is across the street in a much bigger and nicer location. Come visit us.
What are you cleaning at that much pressure? Geez.
Is it ok to leave the washer running while not using it. Or do you constantly have to be spraying? I have a Dewalt. Psi 3200 I think
Most are not designed to be left running. We have builds that are. Yours is not.
@@Powerwash thank you. I’ve been lucky so far for some reason.