Pressure Washer Trips Breaker - when using with specific hose

[sbi]

This is not F-150 specific question, but hopefully the collective knowledge of our members can shed some light

I am using a DeWalt electric pressure washer. Works perfectly fine but recently, after replacing the hose with a better quality one, the breaker trips after releasing the wand's trigger.

It works fine with the OEM hose but the OEM hose isn't that good. So I bought this Uberflex Kink Resistant hose and I am using it with these Quick Connect adapters. As soon as I started using the Uberflex, the breaker started tripping. What happens is - I turn the washer on, pull the trigger, works fine, I then release the trigger and shortly after (few seconds) the breaker tripps. It didn't connect in my head that the issue was the new hose.
Before shipping the washer to a DeWalt service center I thought that maybe the hose was the culprit so I run a series of tests with the original hose and also with the Ultraflex with/without the quick connectors.
Turns out that when I use quick connectors on both end of the hose (exit from the washer to the hose, and hose-to-wand), the breaker trips as described above. It happens in any outlet, 15A, 20A, with/without ext. cord.
If I use the Ultraflex without quick connectors, it works fine.
When the Ultraflex is connected directly to the washer but with a quick connect to the wand, it works fine but the washer/pump "screams" when I release the trigger. It does not trip the breaker.

Does anyone have an idea what could be in the Ultraflex hose and quick connect combination that may cause this issue? Or even better - has anyone experienced this? The OEM hose works fine with/without quick connects.
My baby needs a wash and I am trying to fix this problem once and for all (no, automatic car wash is out of the question ).

Thank you.

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[Calson]

The quick release connectors reduce the size of the opening for the water to pass through. Starting with a marginal hose in terms of its size and then adding the QR connectors pushed it over the edge.

The length of a hose also impacts the amount of water that can pass through it. I replaced 75 feet of 5/8 inch garden hose with one that is 125 feet long and so I went with a 3/4" hose to compensate for the pressure loss.

1/2” hose has a flow rate of 24 gallons per minute with 25 ft hose

5/8” hose has a flow rate of 44 gallons per minute with 25 ft hose

3/4” hose has a flow rate of 72 gallons per minute or 63% greater than 5/8” 25 ft hose

Doubling the length of the hose reduces the flow rate by 50%. With too little water the pump will overheat and it is better to have a breaker trip than to destroy the pump.

 

[sbi]

Thanks @Calson .

Pardon my confusion on the physicality of this

The issue (tripping breaker) occurs basically when there is no flow through the pump, it tripps when I stop the flow, when I release the trigger, so the water are "contained" within the pump and the hose.

 

[HammaMan]

Likely what's happening is that the previous hose would enlarge enough for the pump to spin down. By going with a higher pressure hose, you've essentially create a metaphorical brick wall where the pump has no time to sense / spin down so it's now spiking current whereas previously it'd ramp up and shutoff.

Is the breaker AFI by chance (not to be confused for GFI)

 

[sbi]

Likely what's happening is that the previous hose would enlarge enough for the pump to spin down. By going with a higher pressure hose, you've essentially create a metaphorical brick wall where the pump has no time to sense / spin down so it's now spiking current whereas previously it'd ramp up and shutoff.

Is the breaker AFI by chance (not to be confused for GFI)

Neither AFI or GFI.

So this only happens with the QC on. Will "larger" flow QC help (if there is even such a thing)?
This whole thing is very weird. I would never imagine that a different hose would cause that.

 

[HammaMan]

Neither AFI or GFI.

So this only happens with the QC on. Will "larger" flow QC help (if there is even such a thing)?
This whole thing is very weird. I would never imagine that a different hose would cause that.

I'd bet not. My guess is that the hose is just too strong / has no give. With EPWs, when you release the trigger you hear the pressure build up (motor loads) then it shuts off. With the stiffer hose you've likely shortened the time in which the method in which the motor is turned off can respond. As a result the breaker is now reacting before the shutdown switch can, thus your issue. Most pumps like this use a pressure switch that's set above whatever the working pressure is. The pressure switch is mechanical and the breaker is electronic. Before the mechanical mechanism can open and shut the motor off, the very fast acting breaker's electronics are commanding a breaker open.

Your quick connects likely have zero to do with it, and everything to do with the hose.

 

[sbi]

I'd bet not. My guess is that the hose is just too strong / has no give. With EPWs, when you release the trigger you hear the pressure build up (motor loads) then it shuts off. With the stiffer hose you've likely shortened the time in which the method in which the motor is turned off can respond. As a result the breaker is now reacting before the shutdown switch can, thus your issue. Most pumps like this use a pressure switch that's set above whatever the working pressure is. The pressure switch is mechanical and the breaker is electronic. Before the mechanical mechanism can open and shut the motor off, the very fast acting breaker's electronics are commanding a breaker open.

Your quick connects likely have zero to do with it, and everything to do with the hose.

OK, your explanation makes sense, but the fact is it only happens with the QC on ?‍

So is there anything I can do to fix this? A wider hose as @Calson mentioned?

 

[HammaMan]

OK, your explanation makes sense, but the fact is it only happens with the QC on ?‍

So is there anything I can do to fix this? A wider hose as @Calson mentioned?

It's an odd problem, just experiment and see what works. I'd start with the cheaper variables first.

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