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For pressure washers, the biggest issue is that the US generally uses 120 volts*15 amps. There are 240 volt models that have competitive specs with gas-powered

For pressure washers, the biggest issue is that the US generally uses 120 volts*15 amps. There are 240 volt models that have competitive specs with gas-powered models, but since consumers generally don't have 240 volt outlets other than for specific appliances, they're geared for the commercial/industrial market, and are accordingly expensive. I've toyed with the idea of importing a 240 volt pressure washer from India (specifically: https://www.starq.in/collections/high-pressure-washer-1/products/starq-awp2-8-high-pressure-washer-adjustable-waterproof https://www.starq.in/collections/high-pressure-washer-1/prod...) since they use 240 volts there, and their consumer-grade pressure washers are thus more powerful. Weed wackers need to be cordless, though, so that's a different issue.

bbarn 4y ago
120 in the US is typically on a 15 amp circuit. 240 in Europe at least (and I'd assume most of the world) is generally on a 5 amp circuit. This is speaking in typical household voltages and amperages, so obviously someone will have outliers, but this has been my experience 120 * 15 = 1800 watts. 240 * 5 = 1200 watts. US circuits generally carry more power than their overseas equivalents. If you plugged that Indian 240v pressure washer into your 20 amp circuit, it wouldn't likely draw more current unless it was designed badly, and wouldn't perform any better.
- eurleif 4y ago
  The Indian pressure washer I linked is 2800 watts.
  - Gibbon1 4y ago
    A NEMA 6-15 outlet can deliver that.
    - eurleif 4y ago
      Right -- it's a chicken and egg thing where US manufacturers don't make consumer-grade 240v pressure washers because consumers don't have those outlets installed in the right places, and people don't have the outlets because there would be nothing to use them for.
      - Gibbon1 4y ago
        Back a while I tried estimating what it would take to make 'electric weed burner'. The answer was you could do it but it needed a 30 amp 240V outlet. One complaint I have in the opposite direction is hybrid water heaters. In heat pump mode they draw 500 Watts. But they require 240V @ 30 amps for the resistive heaters. Would be nice if they would run in heat pump mode only if connected to 120V single phase.
        Symbiote 4y ago
        There are 2500W electric weed burners for sale in Europe, but they have mixed reviews. https://bataviatools.co.uk/product/garden-tools/garden-machinery/maxxheat-4-in-1/ https://bataviatools.co.uk/product/garden-tools/garden-machi...
      - bryanlarsen 4y ago
        It's chicken and egg, but one relatively easy to break on both sides. - importing tools from Europe can kickstart the market and is a lot less risky than designing new tools - 240V garage & exterior outlets are becoming common for hot tubs, RV's and electric car chargers.
        idubrov 4y ago
        The problem with 240V is that there are few NEMA standards used is USA (although , they look bulky and are kind of unsafe around the kids. Which is not a problem for dedicated circuits (you could wire receptacle just for this specific dryer / hot tub / RV / whatever, plug it and never remove), but would be a bigger problem if 240V is shared between appliances. I think, NEMA 6-15 / NEMA 6-20 would be the best (they look very similar to standard 120V outlets; they have tamper resistance; 15A or even 20A should be plenty enough), but nobody wires them. Also, there are other minor differences like: 1. 50Hz in Europe vs 60Hz in USA. 2. The voltage between ground and "power" lines would be different. In Europe it would be 240v between line and ground and 0V between neutral in ground, in USA it would be 120V between ground and both power connectors, due to how 240V is typically delivered to single-family homes in USA (split phase). Should not make much difference (you are not supposed to have any current to ground anyway, and any short-circuit should trigger the circuit breaker), but maybe it will affect safety somehow? 3. Seems like in some cases in USA you can get 208V instead of 240V (and Europe is nominally 230V).
- blibble 4y ago
  20A is typical in 240V UK
  - Symbiote 4y ago
    No, 13A is the limit for a UK plug. You can buy a 3kW portable heater. Something wired in might be 32A or more, like a car charger or electric shower (7.5kW).
    - blibble 4y ago
      we're talking about the circuit, the bit between the distribution board and the plug I went and checked and mine are actually 32A
- stephen_g 4y ago
  I don’t know of anywhere where 5A is common, everywhere I know of is always 10A minimum (2300 W at 230 V nominal). Here in Australia 10 amp sockets are everywhere but it’s common to have at least one 15A (3450 W) outlet somewhere in the home too
- Dma54rhs 4y ago
  No way being on 5 amp circuit is normal. Matter of a fact I'd be interested to hear where can you find it in Europe.
  - Symbiote 4y ago
    In Britain (possibly also Ireland, Malta, Cyprus) lighting and sockets are usually on separate circuits. The lighting circuit has a 5 amp fuse or breaker, enough for 12-20 old incandescent bulbs. A typical house probably has one circuit for each floor. But that's certainly not where you'd connect a leafblower.
- butterknife 4y ago
  I don't know where you got 5A from? Most Europe radial circuits are sized for 16A. In the UK it is common that house sockets are on ring circuits sized for 32A.
- franga2000 4y ago
  I've never seen a 5A circuit in South-Eastern Europe, or even a 5A fuse for that matter (many buildings still have fuse blocks, not breakers, so that's what I'm familiar with). 6A fuses can be found in some stores, but 16A seems to be the most commonly used in apartments. Most places also have 20/25A lines for the washing machine and oven. Where in Europe have you seen 5A?
LorenPechtel 4y ago
Yeah, if we are going to avoid ICE engines around the house we need to modify the electric code. As it stands you can't get ICE-level power from anything electric because circuits of that power are not permitted for general use.
- eurleif 4y ago
  Is there actually something in the electrical code that prohibits installing a 240 volt outlet wherever you want? I know people often install them outdoors for EV chargers.
  - idubrov 4y ago
    (everything below assumes US and NEC / local electrical codes) I don't think code prohibits it, but in my (not very educated) opinion, you might get into some gray territory if you try install them everywhere. There are some safety related provisions which are mandatory for regular 120V (GFCI and/or AFCI), but I don't think they are required for 240V circuits. Building inspectors might have questions if you install these outlets everywhere. Although, again, I don't remember any limitation of where you can have them. Another issue is the type of the receptacle. Apparently, Leviton makes receptacle that might be allowed in US and is combination of regular 120V plus European style 240V. However, it is only limited to 2.5A, which is very little (I think, this receptacle is primarily designed for hotels / shared spaces where you only want to charge your devices). Also, I don't think it has ground for 240V. Probably, the best would be to use US 15A/20A receptacles (NEMA 6-15 / NEMA 6-20), which look very similar to the regular 120V ones (the difference is blades are horizontal). However, I've never seen any actual plug using them (even though I did install these 240V in my garage, expecting some 240V equipment). But you can rewire plugs on your "imported" equipment / appliances. There are also some interesting differences of the supply: in US it is typically split phase 120V+120V=240V, but sometimes (according to the internet) it could be 3 phase 120V with 208V between phases; in some parts of the world, it would be 3 phase 230V with 400V between the phases. This probably would cause some differences in how grounding works, might affect safety. But yeah, generally, 240V should not be a problem. Power-hungry equipment (water heater, range, electrical dryer, EV chargers) -- they all typically use 240V already.
Dylan16807 4y ago
How much power do weed wackers need? I have one with an 80 watt hour battery. The level of power seems just fine to me, for the moderate amount of time it lasts. And that's barely over one pound of battery. Add five more pounds and that's a ton of power while probably still lighter than a gas engine.
toast0 4y ago
> Weed wackers need to be cordless, though They don't really. I've had corded electric weed wackers. You've gotta be more careful, of course, and within an extension cord of an outlet, but that's fine for acheivable lot sizes in most of suburbia.
- hanche 4y ago
  > more careful Indeed. I did cut through one extension cord with my hedge trimmer already,
assttoasstmgr 4y ago
Please do post back here and let us know how long it took the 50 Hz motor to burn up from you running it at 60 Hz. They certainly do make 240V 60Hz 20A rated pressure washers for the US market that typically come with inline GFCIs as well. So you can feel good about saving the planet whilst cutting your toes off with the water jet.
- eurleif 4y ago
  It's not on their Web site, but the label on the device itself (visible here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCHvgkPXGMk&t=175s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCHvgkPXGMk&t=175s) says it's rated for either 50 or 60 Hz.

bbarn 4y ago

120 in the US is typically on a 15 amp circuit. 240 in Europe at least (and I'd assume most of the world) is generally on a 5 amp circuit. This is speaking in typical household voltages and amperages, so obviously someone will have outliers, but this has been my experience 120 * 15 = 1800 watts. 240 * 5 = 1200 watts. US circuits generally carry more power than their overseas equivalents. If you plugged that Indian 240v pressure washer into your 20 amp circuit, it wouldn't likely draw more current unless it was designed badly, and wouldn't perform any better.

eurleif 4y ago
The Indian pressure washer I linked is 2800 watts.
- Gibbon1 4y ago
  A NEMA 6-15 outlet can deliver that.
  - eurleif 4y ago
    Right -- it's a chicken and egg thing where US manufacturers don't make consumer-grade 240v pressure washers because consumers don't have those outlets installed in the right places, and people don't have the outlets because there would be nothing to use them for.
    - Gibbon1 4y ago
      Back a while I tried estimating what it would take to make 'electric weed burner'. The answer was you could do it but it needed a 30 amp 240V outlet. One complaint I have in the opposite direction is hybrid water heaters. In heat pump mode they draw 500 Watts. But they require 240V @ 30 amps for the resistive heaters. Would be nice if they would run in heat pump mode only if connected to 120V single phase.
      - Symbiote 4y ago
        There are 2500W electric weed burners for sale in Europe, but they have mixed reviews. https://bataviatools.co.uk/product/garden-tools/garden-machinery/maxxheat-4-in-1/ https://bataviatools.co.uk/product/garden-tools/garden-machi...
    - bryanlarsen 4y ago
      It's chicken and egg, but one relatively easy to break on both sides. - importing tools from Europe can kickstart the market and is a lot less risky than designing new tools - 240V garage & exterior outlets are becoming common for hot tubs, RV's and electric car chargers.
      - idubrov 4y ago
        The problem with 240V is that there are few NEMA standards used is USA (although , they look bulky and are kind of unsafe around the kids. Which is not a problem for dedicated circuits (you could wire receptacle just for this specific dryer / hot tub / RV / whatever, plug it and never remove), but would be a bigger problem if 240V is shared between appliances. I think, NEMA 6-15 / NEMA 6-20 would be the best (they look very similar to standard 120V outlets; they have tamper resistance; 15A or even 20A should be plenty enough), but nobody wires them. Also, there are other minor differences like: 1. 50Hz in Europe vs 60Hz in USA. 2. The voltage between ground and "power" lines would be different. In Europe it would be 240v between line and ground and 0V between neutral in ground, in USA it would be 120V between ground and both power connectors, due to how 240V is typically delivered to single-family homes in USA (split phase). Should not make much difference (you are not supposed to have any current to ground anyway, and any short-circuit should trigger the circuit breaker), but maybe it will affect safety somehow? 3. Seems like in some cases in USA you can get 208V instead of 240V (and Europe is nominally 230V).
blibble 4y ago
20A is typical in 240V UK
- Symbiote 4y ago
  No, 13A is the limit for a UK plug. You can buy a 3kW portable heater. Something wired in might be 32A or more, like a car charger or electric shower (7.5kW).
  - blibble 4y ago
    we're talking about the circuit, the bit between the distribution board and the plug I went and checked and mine are actually 32A
stephen_g 4y ago
I don’t know of anywhere where 5A is common, everywhere I know of is always 10A minimum (2300 W at 230 V nominal). Here in Australia 10 amp sockets are everywhere but it’s common to have at least one 15A (3450 W) outlet somewhere in the home too
Dma54rhs 4y ago
No way being on 5 amp circuit is normal. Matter of a fact I'd be interested to hear where can you find it in Europe.
- Symbiote 4y ago
  In Britain (possibly also Ireland, Malta, Cyprus) lighting and sockets are usually on separate circuits. The lighting circuit has a 5 amp fuse or breaker, enough for 12-20 old incandescent bulbs. A typical house probably has one circuit for each floor. But that's certainly not where you'd connect a leafblower.
butterknife 4y ago
I don't know where you got 5A from? Most Europe radial circuits are sized for 16A. In the UK it is common that house sockets are on ring circuits sized for 32A.
franga2000 4y ago
I've never seen a 5A circuit in South-Eastern Europe, or even a 5A fuse for that matter (many buildings still have fuse blocks, not breakers, so that's what I'm familiar with). 6A fuses can be found in some stores, but 16A seems to be the most commonly used in apartments. Most places also have 20/25A lines for the washing machine and oven. Where in Europe have you seen 5A?

LorenPechtel 4y ago

Yeah, if we are going to avoid ICE engines around the house we need to modify the electric code. As it stands you can't get ICE-level power from anything electric because circuits of that power are not permitted for general use.

eurleif 4y ago
Is there actually something in the electrical code that prohibits installing a 240 volt outlet wherever you want? I know people often install them outdoors for EV chargers.
- idubrov 4y ago
  (everything below assumes US and NEC / local electrical codes) I don't think code prohibits it, but in my (not very educated) opinion, you might get into some gray territory if you try install them everywhere. There are some safety related provisions which are mandatory for regular 120V (GFCI and/or AFCI), but I don't think they are required for 240V circuits. Building inspectors might have questions if you install these outlets everywhere. Although, again, I don't remember any limitation of where you can have them. Another issue is the type of the receptacle. Apparently, Leviton makes receptacle that might be allowed in US and is combination of regular 120V plus European style 240V. However, it is only limited to 2.5A, which is very little (I think, this receptacle is primarily designed for hotels / shared spaces where you only want to charge your devices). Also, I don't think it has ground for 240V. Probably, the best would be to use US 15A/20A receptacles (NEMA 6-15 / NEMA 6-20), which look very similar to the regular 120V ones (the difference is blades are horizontal). However, I've never seen any actual plug using them (even though I did install these 240V in my garage, expecting some 240V equipment). But you can rewire plugs on your "imported" equipment / appliances. There are also some interesting differences of the supply: in US it is typically split phase 120V+120V=240V, but sometimes (according to the internet) it could be 3 phase 120V with 208V between phases; in some parts of the world, it would be 3 phase 230V with 400V between the phases. This probably would cause some differences in how grounding works, might affect safety. But yeah, generally, 240V should not be a problem. Power-hungry equipment (water heater, range, electrical dryer, EV chargers) -- they all typically use 240V already.

Dylan16807 4y ago

How much power do weed wackers need? I have one with an 80 watt hour battery. The level of power seems just fine to me, for the moderate amount of time it lasts. And that's barely over one pound of battery. Add five more pounds and that's a ton of power while probably still lighter than a gas engine.

toast0 4y ago

> Weed wackers need to be cordless, though They don't really. I've had corded electric weed wackers. You've gotta be more careful, of course, and within an extension cord of an outlet, but that's fine for acheivable lot sizes in most of suburbia.

hanche 4y ago
> more careful Indeed. I did cut through one extension cord with my hedge trimmer already,

assttoasstmgr 4y ago

Please do post back here and let us know how long it took the 50 Hz motor to burn up from you running it at 60 Hz. They certainly do make 240V 60Hz 20A rated pressure washers for the US market that typically come with inline GFCIs as well. So you can feel good about saving the planet whilst cutting your toes off with the water jet.

eurleif 4y ago
It's not on their Web site, but the label on the device itself (visible here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCHvgkPXGMk&t=175s https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iCHvgkPXGMk&t=175s) says it's rated for either 50 or 60 Hz.