Alright folks, gather 'round! Let me tell you about my latest weekend project: a battery-powered car washer. Yeah, you heard right. No more dragging out the hose, no more searching for an outlet, just pure, unadulterated, cordless cleaning power.

It all started with me being lazy, plain and simple. I hate washing my car the traditional way. So, I started brainstorming. What if I could just... spray it down anywhere? The idea of a portable, battery-powered washer took root.

First things first: sourcing the parts.

• I snagged a cheap 12V diaphragm pump off of that online marketplace we all know and love. The kind used for RV water systems.
• Next, I needed a battery. I had an old drill battery lying around – perfect! It was a decent capacity, and I already had the charger.
• Then came the container. I grabbed a 5-gallon bucket from the hardware store. It was sturdy and big enough for a good wash.
• Of course, I needed a hose and a spray nozzle. Found those at the same hardware store. Nothing fancy, just basic garden-variety stuff.
• And finally, some wiring, connectors, and a switch. Gotta be able to turn this beast on and off, right?

The Build Process:

Okay, so here's where things got interesting. I started by mounting the pump inside the bucket. I used some heavy-duty Velcro strips to keep it secure. Figured that would also help dampen the vibrations a bit. Then I drilled a hole near the bottom of the bucket for the intake hose. I attached a small filter to the end of the intake hose to prevent debris from getting sucked into the pump. Nobody wants a clogged car washer.

Next up: wiring. I connected the pump to the battery terminals using some properly sized wires and connectors. I spliced in a simple on/off switch so I could control the flow. Safety first, people! I made sure to insulate all the connections to prevent any shorts. Don't want to accidentally electrocute myself while trying to clean my ride.

Now for the fun part: attaching the output hose and nozzle. I used some hose clamps to ensure a tight seal. Leaks are a pain, and I wanted a decent amount of pressure. The spray nozzle I picked up had adjustable settings, so I could switch between a wide spray and a more focused jet.

Testing and Tweaking:

Alright, time for the moment of truth! I filled the bucket with water, attached the battery, and flipped the switch. The pump whirred to life, and water started flowing out of the nozzle. Not bad! The pressure wasn't super high, but it was definitely enough to get the job done. I played around with the nozzle settings to find the sweet spot.

Of course, there were a few hiccups. The initial hose I used kept kinking, so I swapped it out for a sturdier one. The battery also drained faster than I expected. I'm thinking of upgrading to a higher-capacity battery in the future to get more wash time. And I might add a pressure regulator to fine-tune the water flow. Gotta keep tinkering, right?

The Verdict:

Overall, I'm pretty happy with how my battery-powered car washer turned out. It's not as powerful as a professional pressure washer, but it's definitely convenient. I can take it anywhere, and it's perfect for quick washes and spot cleaning. Plus, it was a fun project to build. I even used it to wash my mountain bike after a muddy ride – worked like a charm!

So, there you have it. My DIY battery-powered car washer. It's not perfect, but it's mine. And it gets the job done. Plus, now I can wash my car without having to drag out that darn hose. Win-win!