Generac Power Systems 1455-0 Owner's Manual

Double Insulated Electric Pressure Washer
Owner’s Manual

GENERAC

Model No. 1455-0 (1400 PSI Electric Pressure Washer) Manual No. 185708 Revision 3 (5/25/2000)

Visit our Generac website: www.generac-portables.com

This is the safety alert symbol. It is used to alert you to potential personal injury hazards.
Obey all safety messages that follow this symbol to avoid possible injury or death.

The Reliable Ones

1400PSI

Problems?

Questions?

Before taking your unit

back to the store,

call the pressure washer

helpline at

1-800-270-1408

M-F 8-5 CT

Generac Portable Products 1,400 PSI Electric Pressure Washer

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EQUIPMENT DESCRIPTION

CONGRATULATIONS on your purchase of a

GENERAC electric pressure washer. It has been
designed, engineered and manufactured to give you
the best possible dependability and performance.

This manual contains information for an electric
pressure washer that operates at 1,400 PSI at a flow
rate of 1.5 gallons per minute. This high quality system
features a cart, pump with pressure activated
start/stop system, GFCI power cord, turbo nozzle,
utility brush, foamer bottle, safety goggles, 25 high
pressure hose, and more.

Please read and retain this manual. The instructions
will enable you to assemble your unit and maintain
your pressure washer properly.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the
information in this manual is both accurate and
current. However, Generac reserves the right to
change, alter or otherwise improve the product and its
documentation at any time without prior notice.

Should you experience any problem you cannot easily
remedy, call the pressure washer helpline at

1-800-270-1408.

CUSTOMER

RESPONSIBILITIES

 Read and observe the safety rules.
 Follow regular schedule in maintaining, caring for

and using your electric pressure washer.

 For off-season storage, review Storage on

page 11.

SAFETY RULES

WARNING! Risk of injury or injection  Do Not

discharge stream at persons.

WARNING! Risk of injury or injection  Unit

will start spraying when trigger is squeezed if
On/Off switch is in On position. Point spray
gun in safe direction.

WARNING! To reduce the risk of

electrocution, keep all connections dry and off
the ground. Do Not touch the plug with wet
hands.

DANGER! Risk of Explosion  Do Not spray

flammable liquids.

 Read all instructions before using this product.
 To reduce risk of injury, close supervision is

necessary when a product is used near children.

 Do Not allow children to operate the pressure

washer at any time.

 Stay alert. Watch what you are doing.
 Do Not operate the product when fatigued or under

the influence of alcohol or drugs.

 Keep operating area clear of all persons.
 Do Not overreach or stand on unstable support.

Keep good footing and balance at all times.

 Do Not by-pass any safety device on this machine.
 Inspect cord before every use. Do Not use if cord is

damaged.

 Do Not touch plug with wet hands.
 For outdoor household use only.
 Locate this pressure washer in areas away from

combustible materials, combustible fumes or dust.

 Do Not leave the spray gun unattended while the

unit is connected to power.

 Before starting the pressure washer in cold weather,

check all parts of the equipment and be sure ice has
not formed there.

 Units with broken or missing parts, or without

protective housing or covers should Never be
operated.

 Always wear eye protection when you use this

equipment or when you are in vicinity where the
equipment is in use.

 Use a respirator or mask whenever there is a

chance that vapors may be inhaled. Read all
instructions with the mask so you are certain the
mask will provide the necessary protection against
inhaling harmful vapors.

Generac Portable Products 1,400 PSI Electric Pressure Washer

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 Some chemicals or detergents may be harmful if

inhaled or ingested, causing severe nausea, fainting
or poisoning. The harmful elements may cause
property damage or severe injury.

 Keep water spray away from electric wiring or fatal

electric shock may result.

 High pressure stream of water that this equipment

produces can pierce skin and its underlying tissues,
leading to serious injury and possible amputation.

 High pressure spray can cause particles to become

airborne and fly at high speeds.

 Inspect hose each time before using it. Water

spraying from a leak is capable of injecting material
into skin. Check all hoses for cuts, leaks, abrasions
or bulging of cover, or damage or movement of
couplings. If any of these conditions exist, replace
hose immediately. Never repair high pressure hose.
Replace it with another hose that exceeds maximum
pressure rating of your pressure washer.

 Never move the machine by pulling on the high

pressure hose. Use the handle provided on the cart
or top of the unit.

 Keep the hose connected to machine and the spray

gun while the system is pressurized. Disconnecting
the hose while the unit is pressurized is dangerous.

 Never aim spray gun at people, animals or plants.
 High pressure spray may damage fragile items

including glass. Do Not point spray gun at glass
when in the high pressure mode.

 Hold the spray gun firmly in your hand when you

use unit. Failure to do so could result in an injury

from a whipping spray gun.
 Operate and store this unit on a stable surface.
 Know how to stop the product and bleed the

pressure quickly. Be thoroughly familiar with

controls.
 Store in a clean, dry and frost-free room.
 Follow the maintenance instructions specified in the

manual.

Extension Cords

We Do Not recommend the use of extension cords
with this device. If it is necessary to use one, however,
then you must use only extension cords that are
approved for outside use. These extension cords are
identified by a marking ACCEPTABLE FOR USE
WITH OUTDOOR APPLIANCES. Also observe the
following specifications:

Cable Length: Wire Gauge:

Up to 25 feet (8m) 14 AWG

50 feet (15m) 12 AWG

Ground Fault Circuit Interrupter

Protection

To provide protection from the risk of electrical shock,
this electric pressure washer is equipped with a
ground fault circuit interrupter (GFCI). Read the
instructions on the plug for use or see Before Starting
Pressure Washer on page 8. The GFCI device will
disconnect both power conductors to the load circuit in
the event of an interruption in either or both supply
circuit power conductors. If power is interrupted in the
line, the GFCI provides protection even if neutral is
also grounded at the load.

IMPORTANT: The GFCI device will not automatically
reconnect the circuit to the load after power is
restored. After correcting any shorting problem, you
must manually press the reset button to restore power
to the pressure washer.

Servicing of a DoubleInsulated

Appliance

In a double-insulated product, two systems of
insulation are provided instead of grounding. No
grounding means is provided on a double-insulated
product, nor should a means for grounding be added
to the product.

Servicing a double-insulated product requires extreme
care and knowledge of the system, and should be
done only by qualified service personnel. Replacement
parts for a double-insulated product must be identical
to the parts they replace. A double-insulated product is
marked with the words Double Insulation or Double
Insulated. This symbol   is marked on the product.

Generac Portable Products 1,400 PSI Electric Pressure Washer

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Bayonet Adapter (not shown)  Connector
accommodates the connection of a utility and rotating
brush to the spray gun.

Foamer  Used to apply detergent. Mixes water and
detergent in outlet water flow.

Goggles (not shown)  Always wear eye protection
when operating your pressure washer.

Grip Start System  Pressing and releasing the
spray gun trigger starts and stops the electric motor in
the pressure washer.

High Pressure Hose  Connect ends to spray gun
and high pressure outlet.

High Pressure Outlet  Connection for high pressure
hose.

Master On/Off Switch  This switch ONLY enables
the Grip Start system to function.

QuickConnect (not shown)  Allows rapid
connection of your garden hose to the water inlet.

Spray Gun  Controls the application of water onto
cleaning surface with trigger device. Includes safety
latch.

Turbo Nozzle/Wand  Always attached to wand.
Allows you to clean or rinse surfaces at high pressure.
You cannot apply detergent using the turbo nozzle.

Utility Brush  Attaches to the spray gun with the
bayonet adapter. Use this brush to scrub a variety of
surfaces.

Water Inlet  Connection for garden hose.

KNOW YOUR HIGH PRESSURE WASHER

Read the owners manual and safety rules before operating your pressure washer.

Compare the illustrations with your pressure washer to familiarize yourself with the locations of various controls
and adjustments. Save this manual for future use.

Spray Gun

Grip Start System

Master On/Off Switch

High Pressure Outlet

High Pressure Hose

Water Inlet

Utility Brush

Turbo Nozzle/

Wand

Foamer

Generac Portable Products 1,400 PSI Electric Pressure Washer

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REMOVE PRESSURE

WASHER FROM CARTON

 Remove main unit.
 Remove cart base.
 Remove parts box.

CARTON CONTENTS

The following parts are shipped loose with your
pressure washer:

 Main unit
 Cart base
 Owners manual
 Parts box (includes items listed below)

 Safety glasses
 Oring kit
 Spray gun
 Foamer bottle
 Turbo nozzle/wand and utility brush
 High pressure hose
 Cart hardware parts bag
 Cart handle, axle, wheels, and wire form
 Garden hose quick connect fittings
 Bayonet adapter

Become familiar with each piece before assembling
the pressure washer. Check all contents against the
illustration on page 4. If any parts are missing or
damaged, call the pressure washer helpline at

1-800-270-1408.

CART ASSEMBLY

To assemble your cart you need the following
tools:

 Hammer
 Adjustable Wrench
 Phillips Screwdriver
 Wood Block

Assemble cart as follows (refer to Figure 1):

1. Place wood block (not supplied) on hard surface.

2. Place axle (Item 5) on wood block and tap axle
cap (Item 3) onto axle.

3. Install wheel (Item 4) on axle with raised hub away
from axle cap and insert axle through mounting
holes on cart base.

4. Turn cart base on its side, resting axle cap on
wood block.

5. Install wheel (Item 4) on axle with raised hub
toward cart base. Tap axle cap (Item 3) onto axle.

6. With the holes highest in the cart handle (Item 10)
positioned to the rear of the unit, attach the handle
to the cart base. Use one carriage bolt (Item 6)
and one knob (Item 7) on each side of handle
(note bolt insertion direction).

7. Slide two T-Head bolts (Item 8) into slots on
bottom of pressure washer unit.

8. Align bolts on pressure washer to holes on cart
base. Tighten to cart base with wing nuts (Item 2).

9. Insert wire frame accessory holder (Item 9) into
rear cart handle holes as shown.

10. Insert the two vinyl caps (Item 11) onto the ends
of the wire frame accessory holder.

Figure 1  Cart Assembly

Generac Portable Products 1,400 PSI Electric Pressure Washer

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PREPARING PRESSURE

WASHER FOR USE

 Unwind the high pressure hose and attach it to

spray gun (Figure 2).

 Attach the high pressure hose to the high pressure

outlet and tighten by hand (Figure 3).

 Included with this unit is a quick-connect fitting that

you must attach to the water inlet and your garden
hose. You can install the male connector by hand
but you may need to use an adjustable wrench to
tighten it (Figure 4).

 Check the screen on the female connector. Make

sure it is clean and check for damage. If you see

any damage in the screen, Do Not use that
female connector. Call the pressure washer

helpline to order a replacement.

 Attach the female quick connect to your garden

hose.

 Attach garden hose to the water inlet using the

quickconnect. The quickconnect should lock in
place. (Figure 5).

 Attach turbo nozzle or foamer bottle to spray gun as

desired. See the sections Applying Detergent with
Foamer (page 6) and How to Use the Turbo
Nozzle (page 7).

HOW TO USE YOUR

PRESSURE WASHER

If you have any problems operating your pressure
washer, please call the pressure washer helpline at

1-800-270-1408.

Applying Detergent With Foamer

Pressure washers are useful cleaning tools designed
to clean almost any surface in two easy steps.

IMPORTANT: Use soaps designed specifically for
pressure washers. Household detergents could
damage the pump.

NOTE: Never use garden hose inlet to siphon
detergent or wax.

DANGER! You must attach all hoses and the

spray gun before you start the motor.

WARNING! Before removing any spray gun

accessory, be sure to turn off the pressure
washer and relieve pressure by pressing the
trigger. You could be injured if you try to
remove an accessory if the pressure washer is
running and there is pressure in the system.

Male Quick-Connect

Female Quick-Connect

Figure 5 - Connect Garden Hose to Water Inlet

Figure 3 - Attach Hose to High Pressure Outlet

Figure 2  Attach Hose to Spray Gun

Figure 4 - Install Quick-Connect