For the electric pressure washer, you will find different types of pumps available in the market. All the manufacturers do not use the same type of pump for their best pressure washer. Rather they use different pumps that feature differently. Moreover, the pumps are different from one pressure washer to another one.
So, how many types of pressure washer pumps? Our research team has come to a decision after long market analysis. According to the team and the pressure washer reviews, the pressure washer pumps are mainly three kinds. They are:
- Wobble Pump
- Axial Cam Pump
- Triplex Plunger Pump.
Alternatively, you might find two types of electric pressure washer pumps instead; Axial Cam Pump and Triplex Plunger Pump. Neither of the observations is a fact. One can categorize it into two but others can differ it into three and even more. However, whatever the types are, what is important is to know about them. Today, we will get you informed of these pressure washer pumps and their advantages and disadvantages for your electric pressure washer use.
General Types of Pumps- Positive Displacement Pumps
There are two classes of positive displacements pump. One is a reciprocating pump and another is a rotary pump. The reciprocating pump is equipped with pistons, diaphragm, and plungers. On the contrary, the rotary pump uses the screw, gear, lobe, and vane. Actually, two basic differences classify these pumps into two different categories. The reciprocating pump has the cylinder seal fixed to the piston to turn with it on every stroke, where another pump’s cylinder seal is set at the stationary point to turn with it through the strokes. The second difference is the drive feature. The reciprocating pump uses a drive shaft to drive. On the other hand, the rotary pump uses a crankshaft to drive.
Types of Electric Pressure Washer Pumps- Piston and Plunger Types
As stated earlier, for your better understanding, the manufacturers categorize the electric pressure washer pumps into three main types. Let’s look at these pumps’ configurations and specifications and know the pros and cons of every type of pump in detail.
Wobble Pump
A wobble plate pump is equipped with a wobble plate attached to the drive pole to force the piston back and thus create suction and push the water out consequently.
The wobble pump uses a big spring for every piston so that the plate can push against the pistons. As the wobble is responsible for driving toward the water and the spring, the pump cannot work more than 70% effectively. There are many intricate parts in wobble pumps that are sealed closed before leaving the industry. So, it is not economically repaired.
These types of pumps are used for the electric pressure washer in lower than 2500 PSI 2 GPM. If we compare this pump to some extent with the axial cam pump, its durability is at 200 to 400 hours. So, it may last 2 to 3 years.
The wobble pump is used in the electric pressure washer under 2500 PSI and 2 GPM.
Pros:
- Free from seals moving back and piston fort
- Self-priming
- Dry in operation
- High-pressure production
Con:
- Complexity because of lots of moving parts
- Lower flow
- Expensive replacement
- Poor efficiency
Axial Cam Pump
Axial cam pump or swash plate pump is an intermediate level electric pressure washer pump. It provides lots of benefits over the wobble pump. It is perfect for greater PSI and GPM. It seems to be similar to the wobble pump. The actual difference is in its piston that rotates around the swashplate. It allows the piston to stroke while moving one side to another side to suck the water and bump out the water respectively.
It has a bigger fuel reservoir and sturdy bearings that extend the pump’s life-span. The pump spins as at the equal rate as the driveshaft due to its direct connection.
Again, if we compare the pump with the wobble pump, it is better. Its approximate lifespan is around 800 hours that is double to wobble pump. The power washers lower than 3500 PSI uses this type of pump.
Pros:
- Small, lighter and compact in design
- Adjustable swash plate angle
- Variable displacement piston to vary the water flow
- Self-priming
- Long-lasting
- More efficient
Cons:
- Heat production with the cylinder rotating
- Vibration
Triplex Plunger Pump
This is the more powerful electric pressure washer pump. It is used in most of the professional level pressure washer machines. The triplex pump is ideal for industrial washers. It helps the machines generate higher pressure. Moreover, without any repair or with the minimum maintenance, the pump works for thousands of hours.
You will find a somewhat similar set up your car engine that drives piston to suck water and bump out water with every stroke.
The triplex plunger pump is the best in respect of efficiency and durability if we compare all the three pumps. It is approximately 90% of work efficient. The pump runs cooler because it runs at lower RPM than the engine runs. The plunger pump’s triple pistons can stroke about 120 degrees distant so that it can generate a smooth flow over the whole crankshaft.
Think about the life-span? It actually depends on how carefully you operate and maintain your machine. The theory goes the same with the triplex plunger pump. Its durability depends on your effective maintenance. However, the normal life-span of a triplex pump is 10 times longer than an axial pump. Furthermore, it is very easy to access the pump head and change the valves. So, it is really economical to repair and maintain the triplex plunger pump electric pressure washer.
The pump is used the pressure washers more than 3000 PSI limit.
Pros:
- Very efficient in working
- Stationary seals
- Longer life-span
- Less prone to leakage
- Higher pressure production
- Fantastic cooling facilities
- Lower operating, repair and maintenance cost
Cons:
- Expensive in respect of the acquisition of the unit
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