Northstar Pressure Washer Pressure Gauge - 5000 PSI, 3/8in. Fitting

Working great on my pressure washer. Gives clear reading on psi.

Pressure washing is one of the services I offer through my landscaping business, so a job came up and this is one attachment I didn't have for my pressure washer. A customer wanted me to pressure wash a side of his house which is made of synthetic stucco. That required turning the pressure down to 600 psi or just below. So I wanted something more accurate then just trying to guess if it was low enough. To give an idea of the machine I put this on, it has a Honda GX 340 engine, and an AR pump that says it puts out 3,200 psi at 4 gpm. Of course that's all variable depending on different things, but this is about the gauge so, I'll explain my experience. I don't know for sure what the original specs are based on, but I put a K&N air filter on my machine, use an iridium spark plug, and Royal Purple oil. Maybe that's why my standing pressure built up to 4,500 psi on this gauge. Then working pressure depends on the attachment, but I've noticed it's only 2,000 to 2,500 usually. I was easily able to drop the pressure down to spot on 600 psi with this gauge. I've used it quite a few times since purchase and it continues to work great. I really like having the ability to see what the pressure I'm working with actually is. It easily just plugs right in with the quick connect set up. Hoses easily plug right into it. It's not that expensive, so it's a good ad on attachment for any pressure washer with a standard quick connect style hose. It let me know that I should get hoses and the gun that are designed to take 5,000 psi or more to make sure my standing pressure doesn't go beyond rating. It'll show you what you're actually working with.

Been using it a couple months now. fits well in line without leaks and works as it should. Maybe a little pricey paying for Northstar name, but I'd buy it again

I've owned a pressure washer for quite some time, but to be fair, I didn't know how to set it properly should its output drift. Or if I used different tips outside a recommended range. A table is readily available on the interweb that relates GPM and PSI to orifice size.Recently, if i let off the trigger, it would run for 2 seconds and then a hiccup and sound like it was exploding. This repeated whatever the trigger was disengaged.Turns out it was the unloader valve that needed adjustment, and this gauge was the proper thing to fix it. Note that I have a triplex pump and not an axial pump. As such, I'm not sure of the adjustments on an axial pump and whether or not this gauge would work on such a unit. Triplex pumps have an unloader valve to relieve pressure in the system, and results in the condition noted above if not set properly.I installed the gauge immediately outside the outlet of the pump into the hose and turned the unloader valve out to make sure it was operating at minimum pressure. I worked my way back in until the gauge pressure during operation matched the rating of the pressure washer. According to what I watched on various sites, the pressure shouldn't exceed 10% of your max pressure. I have a 2500 psi machine, so anything more than 2750 psi when the trigger is released is too much.This is an excellent tool to own and is easy to read. It helped me set it properly, and I no longer have that big gulp after the trigger is released. That saves the pump in a big way.

What I liked was the low price and that it came with the proper fittings to fit the pressure washer. What I didn't like was that it is apparently not all that accurate. The pressure washer I have is brand new and is rated at 4,000 psi but the gauge only shows it going to 3,500 psi. I suppose it is possible the pump is not producing, and I don't really have a way to tell, other than by buying more pressure gauges. The gauge is also somewhat erratic, in that it jumps from reading to reading as I change the pressure on the unloader valve.So I conclude that while it may not be the most accurate available, it is close enough, and therefore good enough, for what I wanted the gauge to do. With those caveats in mind I'd recommend it.

This is a good sturdy gauge... Seems to be accurate and does its job well

I have a high pressure Stihl pressure washer and I really need to know how much pressure is coming out at the wand to keep from destroying something. This simple valve will help with sorting out “real pressure.”

Setting the proper working pressure is key to setting up (or diagnosing) a pressure washer. I've found that the critical unloader valve is rarely set properly. Adjusting it ensures top performance and protects the pump.This gauge seems to work fine, though I didn't have a standard (calibration) gauge to compare it to. Movement is filled with mineral oil, and the damping worked fine in use. 5,000 PSI range is plenty for most portable pressure washers. Nice SS case, and good 3/8" quick disconnectsI was able to diagnose a failing AR VMX 3G30D, and brought it back to life with new seals, valves, and unloader. The Valley Industries gauge then allowed unloader set up and performance check. I set the AR to ~2500 psi trigger pulled (3.5 orifice nozzle zero degrees ); 2850 psi trigger closed; with no pressure spike. This is about right for a 3000 psi pump. Make sure you use a new zero degree nozzle of correct orifice size when setting up yours, and don't allow trigger off pressure to exceed pump psi spec. Note that a good unloader is priceless (I used an AR 3 Gymatic)BTW, pressure is important, but its GPM that really makes a difference. Failing unloader or too high PSI setting will kill any pump in a hurryThis gauge is a great tool - get one!