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Old 07-01-2020, 11:55 AM   #1
Skoolie
 
Join Date: Jul 2019
Location: Houston
Posts: 105
Year: 1997
Engine: Cummins 8.3
Can you run a pressure washer pump from the serpentine belt?

Hi all,

Is this a dumb idea?

I was looking at this pump from grainger that is a belt driven pressure washer pump. While I'm adding the extra alternator for charging 'house' batteries, I was considering throwing one of these pumps on the serpentine belt to allow me to have a pressure washer available.

Since I'm new to this "Modifying the serpentine belt" thing, I figured you guys might have some input on this and see if anyone else has done this in the past.

Edit: The engine is a Cummins 8.3

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Old 07-01-2020, 02:45 PM   #2
Bus Nut
 
Join Date: Jan 2020
Location: Wild Wild West
Posts: 691
Year: 1999
Coachwork: Blue Bird
Chassis: TC RE
Engine: 8.3 Cummins MD3060
Rated Cap: 84
I guess with enough money and fab skills anything is possible.

You would need to find a clutch driven pulley, like something from an A/C compressor, so the pump only runs when you tell it to. Then you would need to fab a mount for that pulley to mount to the pump. Fab the mount for the pump to the engine. Size the belt right. Make sure you get the right size pully for the pump and figure a way to stabilize the engine RPM when using the pump so you don't over rev the pump. Then all the plumbing for water supply & delivery.

For the cost of that pump alone, I think you could get a pretty decent portable pressure washer that would be much more versatile for other than bus use.
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Old 07-01-2020, 04:39 PM   #3
Bus Nut
 
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Location: mid Mo.
Posts: 869
Year: 1976
Coachwork: bluebird
Chassis: F33695
Engine: 427 chevy converted to 466
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If you really wanted to run a pressure washer off your bus motor I would think the Allison PTO would be the way to go. You can get one that shifts into and out of gear. I have one off my 3060 but it's full time which wouldn't work in your situation or you would be able to use it assuming it would fit your tranny. Manual transmission are a cake walk on the PTO idea.
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Old 07-01-2020, 07:10 PM   #4
Bus Crazy
 
Join Date: May 2018
Location: topeka kansas
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Year: 1954
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power take off

Yea I agree with this one...... use a pto driven pump..... should be around just have to look.

william
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Old 07-01-2020, 09:30 PM   #5
Bus Geek
 
Join Date: May 2016
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Year: 2002
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Chassis: All American RE (A3RE)
Engine: Cummins ISC (8.3)
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Belt driven "pressure washer" pumps are fairly common item in marine applications. They use the same sort of pump for marine watermakers.

Google "DIY watermaker" and you will see several examples.
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Old 07-02-2020, 09:06 PM   #6
Almost There
 
Join Date: Apr 2020
Location: St. Louis
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Year: 2003
Coachwork: Thomas 4-Window
Chassis: 2003 Ford E350
Engine: 7.3L Powerstroke
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I guess the big question is "why?" I mean... A small gas or electric powered pressure washer is a third the cost of this before you get into fancy fab work, clutched pulleys, hoses, and other pressure washer accessories. Then you need 50 feet of hose just to get to the back of the bus. On top of that, it adds one more thing to the engine that can go wrong... I want my engine to move the truck and maybe run the factory A/C. That's about it.
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