Karcher Pressure Washer as Tig Cooler

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These POS selled used by me for under $50.  Has anyone ever modified a pressure washer pump to operate at a much lower psi?I'm not sure what king of pump they use, but generally, PW pumps are the piston type with a step up in pressure with each piston.  I'm wondering if I could modify one to work as the motor and pump.  This stems from buying a bad motor with a Procon pump off eBay.  I believe the seller is going to refund me some mony for it.  The shipping cost prohibits me sending it back.  The pump is good, but I can't find a decent motor for it for under $50.Last edited by Drf255; 09-03-2012 at 08:22 AM.TA Arcmaster 300CM3XMT 304S22P12 suitcase feederX-Treme 12VSOptima pulserTA161SMaxstar 150STLHypertherm PM45OP setupStihl 020AVP, 039, 066 Magnum
Reply:Pretty much any pump can be "turned down". Like you already seem to know you can pull out a couple valves to lower the pressure or simply pull a couple springs. It will take some testing to get it just right though and even then it may not be very efficient driving a 'big pump' for a needed 'little flow'. But I can also be wrong and it may work out great in which case I would like to hear about it!
Reply:I just got a home made TIG cooler with a 330abp I bought,   I was gonna offer it her for $50  plus shipping...  i it works and squirts water,    Ill get a weight on it and pics if you are interested, it s a Daton motor.  mounted on a frame and a 5 gallon paint bucket for the tank..would just ship the motor and pump assembly...Last edited by soutthpaw; 09-03-2012 at 10:50 AM.Tiger Sales:  AHP Distributor    www.tigersalesco.comAHP200x; AHP 160ST; MM350P,  Spoolmatic 30A; Everlast PowerTig 185; Thermal Dynamics 60i plasma.  For Sale:  Cobra Mig 250 w/ Push-pull gun.  Lincoln Wirematic 250
Reply:If the pump will provide 50 psi and flow 3-4 gal per minute through 1/4 tubing without overheating the motor it should make a good TIG cooler. You will need to adjust the pump pressure down to about 50 psi. with a piece of 1/4" tubing hooked to the output side of the pump. Then see how much of the 5 gallon bucket you can fill with it in a minute.  It should be easy to tell if  it will do the job or not.CharleyMiller MM252Miller Bobcat 225NTMiller DialArc HF / DIY Cooler2 Victor O/A TorchsetsMilwaukee 8" Metal SawMilwaukee Dry Cut "Chop" Saw 5 Ton Wallace Gantry Various Grinders, Benders, etc.
Reply:Holy cow talk about the most wrong pump you could possibly use lol...and 3-4 gallons per minute? lol wtf, that would be an unbelieveable jet of water. That would be a healthy garden hose through a tiny nozzle (aka 100ft jet of water). To cool a measly tig torch (not put out a campfire in 10 seconds) you need more like 1-2 liters/min.You only need a very small amount of power to pump the required amount of water. My pump is using around 10 watts (1/75 of a HP) to make >40psi and about a liter/min, and it's never even got warm to the touch.Last edited by MikeGyver; 09-04-2012 at 03:14 AM.Welding/Fab Pics: www.UtahWeld.com
Reply:Originally Posted by MikeGyverHoly cow talk about the most wrong pump you could possibly use lol...and 3-4 gallons per minute? lol wtf, that would be an unbelieveable jet of water. That would be a healthy garden hose through a tiny nozzle (aka 100ft jet of water). To cool a measly tig torch (not put out a campfire in 10 seconds) you need more like 1-2 liters/min.You only need a very small amount of power to pump the required amount of water. My pump is using around 10 watts (1/75 of a HP) to make >40psi and about a liter/min, and it's never even got warm to the touch.
Reply:I had one of those little Karcher PWs that ate the pump rams and was not worth rebuilding.  I did however salvage the motor for later projects and the good news is that the motor uses the same blade drive as most ProCon pumps so I am guessing that you have your motor already.As far as flow rate and pressure goes?  I find my home made cooler runs quite well at 50 PSI and a 1 quart per minute volume.RogerOld, Tired, and GRUMPYSalesman will call, Batteries not included, Assembly is required, and FREE ADVICE IS WORTH EXACTLY WHAT YOU PAY FOR IT!Dial Arc 250HFThunderbolt 225 AC/DCAssorted A/O torches
Reply:Originally Posted by Drf255These POS selled used by me for under $50.  Has anyone ever modified a pressure washer pump to operate at a much lower psi?I'm not sure what king of pump they use, but generally, PW pumps are the piston type with a step up in pressure with each piston.  I'm wondering if I could modify one to work as the motor and pump.  This stems from buying a bad motor with a Procon pump off eBay.  I believe the seller is going to refund me some mony for it.  The shipping cost prohibits me sending it back.  The pump is good, but I can't find a decent motor for it for under $50.
Reply:Originally Posted by Drf255The Procon pump calls for .25-.50HP to drive it as per their website.  I've found some appropriate motors at surpluscenter.com, but I'm unsure on how to adapt them to drive the pump.
Reply:Originally Posted by soutthpawI just got a home made TIG cooler with a 330abp I bought,   I was gonna offer it her for $50  plus shipping...  i it works and squirts water,    Ill get a weight on it and pics if you are interested, it s a Daton motor.  mounted on a frame and a 5 gallon paint bucket for the tank..would just ship the motor and pump assembly...