The Hydro-Tek Hot-2-Go CPHL5E1 Hot Link is a 115V diesel/kerosene-fired water heater that turns the cold-water pressure washer you already own into a hot-water cleaning rig - without buying an entirely new machine. For power-washing contractors, restoration companies, vehicle and fleet washers, food-service degreasers, and equipment rental yards, the Hot Link is the single fastest way to add 200 degrees F of cleaning power to a fleet of cold-water units.
Use cases
- Kitchen exhaust and hood cleaning: Best for cutting baked-on grease from commercial hoods, plenums, and exhaust ductwork where cold water and degreaser alone leave residue.
- Fleet truck and equipment washing: Hot water lifts road film, de-icing salt, and oxidized grime from tractors, trailers, and construction equipment faster than cold water at the same pressure.
- Drive-thru and gas-station forecourts: Ideal for grease and oil staining on concrete and asphalt around fuel pumps, dumpster pads, and food service drive-thru aprons.
- Auto-detail wax and adhesive stripping: Lifts old wax, gum, decal adhesive, and rubber transfer from detail bays and shop floors without aggressive solvents.
- Food-processing sanitation: Hot water meets the typical sanitation temperature requirements for floors and equipment in food and beverage facilities.
- Restoration and remediation work: Mold, mildew, and soot removal on exterior siding and concrete typically responds much faster to hot water plus the right cleaning solution.
How it connects
The Hot Link installs inline between your cold-water pressure washer and your spray gun. The included 4-foot connection hose runs from the washer outlet into the Hot Link inlet; your existing high-pressure hose connects to the Hot Link outlet. Plug the unit into a standard 115V wall outlet (or a 2,000W generator), turn on the burner, and water leaves the coil at up to 200 degrees F. Compatible with cold-water washers up to 4,350 PSI and up to 5 GPM, with usable flow up to 6 GPM and pressure up to 3,500 PSI on the burner-coil rating.
Construction
The burner is diesel-fired, ignited from the 115V supply. Inside the cabinet, water passes through a schedule-80 steel pipe coil wrapped in ceramic insulation, which is the same coil construction Hydro-Tek uses on its full integrated hot-water washers. The base/frame is powder-coated steel; the outer enclosure is stainless steel for resistance to detergent overspray and salt environments. The unit is compact enough to roll on a truck bed or trailer alongside the cold-water washer it feeds.
Specifications
- Heating method: diesel/kerosene-fired burner
- Output temperature: up to 200 degrees F
- Power: 115V, 1-phase (wall outlet or 2,000W generator)
- Compatible washer pressure: up to 4,350 PSI inlet
- Compatible washer flow: up to 5 GPM (rated), 6 GPM (max coil capacity)
- Coil: schedule-80 steel with ceramic insulation
- Frame: powder-coated steel base; stainless steel enclosure
- Connection: 4-foot connection hose included
Frequently asked questions
Will this work with any cold-water pressure washer?
Almost any. The Hot Link is rated for cold-water washers up to 4,350 PSI and up to 5 GPM. If your machine is in that range and you have a standard pressure-washer hose connection, the Hot Link inserts inline. Confirm your washer outlet pressure does not exceed the Hot Link inlet rating.
What fuel does the burner use?
Diesel or kerosene. Diesel is the most common choice and matches what most contractors already carry on the truck. Kerosene is sometimes preferred for cold-weather starting because it gels less than diesel.
Why not just buy a hot-water pressure washer?
Two reasons. First, cost: a Hot Link is a fraction of the price of a new hot-water washer in the same flow class. Second, fleet flexibility: you can move one Hot Link between several cold-water units, so your whole fleet becomes hot-water capable when needed and stays compact when it is not.
Does it need a 220V circuit?
No. The Hot Link runs on 115V, single-phase, from a standard wall outlet or a 2,000W generator. The water heating is done by the diesel burner, not by an electric element, so the electrical draw is just for the burner controls and pump.
How long until I have hot water at the gun?
Most operators report usable hot water at the wand within 30 to 60 seconds of starting the burner, depending on hose length, ambient temperature, and inlet water temperature.
What detergents work best with hot water?
Alkaline degreasers (like potassium hydroxide or sodium hydroxide based cleaners) are the standard choice for hot water on grease, oil, and food soils. Their cleaning action accelerates with temperature - the same chemical that cuts mildly at 70 degrees F cuts aggressively at 180 degrees F. For neutral wash work, hot water typically cuts the chemical dose in half versus cold. Never run chlorinated solvents, gasoline, or acetone through any pressure-washer system, hot or cold.
What maintenance does the coil and burner need?
The schedule-80 coil is largely service-free, but the burner needs three things checked seasonally: nozzle and electrode gap (clean and gap to manufacturer spec), fuel filter (replace annually or sooner if running low-quality diesel), and air-tube intake (vacuum out lint and debris). After every use in salt or coastal environments, rinse the stainless enclosure with fresh water. Drain the coil before winter storage to prevent freeze damage.
From an authorized Hydro-Tek dealer
Discount Cleaning Products is an authorized Hydro-Tek and Hot-2-Go dealer with US-based customer service for sales, replacement parts, coils, igniters, and burner components.
