The importance of pressure washer shutdown timers

A shutdown timer is a small yet vital component of your pressure washer. These timers play a crucial role in preventing costly damage to your equipment and ensuring your safety. Here’s why pressure washer shutdown timers are so important.

What happens when your pressure washer idles

 When you run your pressure washer without engaging the trigger, the water remains trapped inside the pump. The idling motor heats the water to a point that can melt the pump seals and O-rings, leading to leaks and costly repairs. Additionally, when you eventually pull the trigger again, cold water rushes into an excessively hot pump. This abrupt temperature difference can lead to internal parts cracking due to rapid expansion and contractions.

For these reasons, it’s best to never let your pressure washer sit idle for more than two or three minutes without activating the trigger, which is why shutdown timers are so crucial to safe operation. All permanently installed pressure washers over five hp should have a shutdown timer.

How shutdown timers work

 Shutdown timers act as a fail-safe mechanism, automatically turning off the pressure washer after a set period of inactivity. Here are some ways shutdown timers help:

• Prevents catastrophic failures. Imagine this scenario: an employee in your wash bay puts down the pressure washer wand for a moment to go to the washroom and forgets to turn the pump off. In just a matter of minutes, if the gun remains closed, the seals will be damaged. This can result in expensive repairs or, even worse, injured staff members.
• Protecting pump parts and seals. As explained above, extended periods in idle can cause damage to the seals, leading to leaks, pressure loss and premature wear of the pump manifold. Shutdown timers prevent unnecessary wear and tear by shutting down the machine after a specified idle time. This mechanism helps extend the lifespan of your equipment and reduce the need for repairs, ultimately saving you money.
• Promoting safety and efficiency. Pressure washer shutdown timers also ensure that the machine runs only when actively in use, reducing the risk of accidents caused by unintentional activation. Furthermore, you won’t waste time manually turning the pressure washer on and off, allowing you to complete cleaning tasks more efficiently.

Hot water pressure washers in Western Canada and North Dakota

At Hotsy Water Blast, our hot water pressure washers are designed with safety and longevity in mind. We can customize your wash bay system to include shutdown timers to prevent costly damage and downtime. Contact us today to get a quote on your wash bay system.