Karcher Pressure Washer won't start
#1
09-07-10, 06:34 AM
Karcher Pressure Washer won't start
I was using my Karcher 350M pressure washer working fine but it just stopped having tripped the power board circuit breaker. The breaker now trips each time I switch on the washer. There is no smell of burnt motor and the electric did not get wet when last in use. Appreciate any suggestions or tests that can be made. I have a decent multimeter. Thanks.
#2
09-08-10, 06:45 PM
Forum Topic Moderator
Sorry, you might try this in the appliance forum? We are geared more towards gas powered equipment here. Is the breaker that trips on the unit itself, or the household electrical panel? Have you opened it up to see if the motor is stuck? You can open it and while using the meter, check trace down the short.
#4
09-09-10, 05:31 AM
Hey Marty_47,
I strongly suggest you post this in the Electrical A/C & D/C Forum. There have been several people killed in a situation like this where an electrical PW was being used.
I don’t want to be an alarmist, but you should step back, think this through w/ help of an inside electrical pro, and not be focused on progressing the job at the moment. I think you should disconnect the plug for this machine from the receptacle . . . however, using an abundance of safety, even though the breaker seems to be tripped and not feeding electricity to this receptacle, you should treat it as possibly being live. Make sure your shoes are not wet, and use rubber or thick leather gloves to remove the plug. Then you can go into troubleshooting mode more safely.
I’m not an inside electrical pro, but my gut tells me that you should be plugged into a ground-fault interrupting (GFCI) receptacle which should have tripped rather than your circuit breaker at panel. There are a number of things that could be going on . . . a faulty circuit breaker (highly doubtful) . . . a cord in water if using an extension cord . . . a motor ground fault (short circuit) . . . clogged pressure hose or spray tip overloading the motor.
Here are a few links I suggest your read as they provide insights as to safety issues, proper electrical use, and what to look for in diagnosing your problem. Once you’ve got the PW disconnected from its power source, I would look for a possible clogged hose or spray tip and analyze whether your electrical arrangement meets safety requirements.
Commission Issues Pressure Washer Warning
Forensic Casebook: The Case of the Shocking Power Washer
I strongly suggest you post this in the Electrical A/C & D/C Forum. There have been several people killed in a situation like this where an electrical PW was being used.
I don’t want to be an alarmist, but you should step back, think this through w/ help of an inside electrical pro, and not be focused on progressing the job at the moment. I think you should disconnect the plug for this machine from the receptacle . . . however, using an abundance of safety, even though the breaker seems to be tripped and not feeding electricity to this receptacle, you should treat it as possibly being live. Make sure your shoes are not wet, and use rubber or thick leather gloves to remove the plug. Then you can go into troubleshooting mode more safely.
I’m not an inside electrical pro, but my gut tells me that you should be plugged into a ground-fault interrupting (GFCI) receptacle which should have tripped rather than your circuit breaker at panel. There are a number of things that could be going on . . . a faulty circuit breaker (highly doubtful) . . . a cord in water if using an extension cord . . . a motor ground fault (short circuit) . . . clogged pressure hose or spray tip overloading the motor.
Here are a few links I suggest your read as they provide insights as to safety issues, proper electrical use, and what to look for in diagnosing your problem. Once you’ve got the PW disconnected from its power source, I would look for a possible clogged hose or spray tip and analyze whether your electrical arrangement meets safety requirements.
Commission Issues Pressure Washer Warning
Forensic Casebook: The Case of the Shocking Power Washer
