RYOBI 18V Cordless Battery 2 Gal. Chemical Sprayer
RYOBI 18V Cordless Battery 2 Gal. Chemical Sprayer
I would go so far as to say that the RYOBI ONE+ 18V Cordless Battery 2 Gal. Chemical Sprayer (model # P2830) is not just handy, but an invaluable tool in some circumstances. I’m thinking here of using a sprayer on an inclined surface, in a cramped space or on any other non-flat surface. In those circumstances, a hand-pump sprayer is impractical or possibly unsafe, and you’ll be glad to have an electric sprayer.
While hand-pumped sprayers are common, even in normal operation they have aggravating issues. You have constantly put them down to pump them, and the pumping/carrying handle is always jumping out of its “locked” down position. Also, a good hand-held sprayer isn’t cheap, while battery-powered sprayers like this one are hardly more expensive.
Rob recently took a look at RYOBI’s 4-gallon, 40-volt sprayer (he really liked it). Since my needs are less production-oriented than his, RYOBI sent this smaller version for me to evaluate.
This will be a fairly short review because the sprayer is virtually plug-and-play.
RYOBI 18V Cordless Battery 2 Gal. Chemical Sprayer Specs
- Powerful motor operates with just the pull of a trigger
- Sprays up to 40 gallons per charge with included 18V ONE+ 2Ah battery
- Adjustable nozzle
- 2 gallon translucent, removable tank
- On-board measuring cup
- Compatible with AC2GAL 2 Gallon Replacement Tank and AC12GAL Holster
- Part of the RYOBI ONE+ system
- Three year manufacturer’s warranty
- Kit includes: P2803 18V ONE+ 1 Gallon Chemical Sprayer, P190 18V 2Ah Lithium Battery, P118B 18V Charger, Wand, (one) Set of Replacement Seals, and Operator’s Manuals
- $109 (kit), $79 (tool only) at The Home Depot
Assembling and Using the RYOBI 18V Cordless Battery 2 Gal. Chemical Sprayer
Assembling the RYOBI 18V Cordless Battery 2 Gal. Chemical Sprayer is as easy as attaching the wand hose to the sprayer and the wand handle, and the wand handle to the wand. This takes a minute maybe, two if you stop for coffee.
The wand and nozzle fittings on the steel wand are brass, which I appreciate. While polymer fittings can be extremely tough and long-lasting (think: Glock) I like to see brass nozzles and fittings – they’ve always seemed a little more forgiving of abuse to me.
Carrying the RYOBI 18V Cordless Battery 2 Gal. Chemical Sprayer over your shoulder with the included shoulder strap is surprisingly secure and comfortable. Just as you’d hope.
Nice features include the integrated measuring cup. It’s the fill spout cap, so you’ll always have it there when you need it. As simple as this feature is, it alleviates what has always been a hassle with sprayers: misplacing your measuring cup. Another nice feature is the trigger lock, which is easily activated or disabled as you grip the trigger.
The nozzle adjusts from fine mist/cone to stream, with a stream throw of about 12 feet (horizontal to the ground). All operations are simple, easy, and intuitive. The power switch naturally operates the pump, and the pump can be on whether or not you are spraying product.
I tried to air lock the pump by pulling the feed hose from the tank while the pump was operating, letting liquid exit the wand, and then re-inserting the feed hose into the filled tank. However, the sprayer just started acting normally again. Excellent.
The RYOBI Chemical Sprayer Backpack Holster
Ryobi offers a backpack holder (holster) that makes life much easier in many circumstances! The 18V ONE+ Chemical Sprayer Backpack Holster (model AC12GAL) is compatible with both the RYOBI 18V ONE+ 1-Gal. and 2 Gal. Chemical Sprayers.
- Comfortable backpack design
- Easy adjustable strap
- Designed with durable elastic mesh materials for maximum comfort and support
- Designed to fit RYOBI ONE+ 18V 1 Gal. and 2 Gal. chemical sprayers (P2810, P2830, P2800A, P2803A, P28320)
- 3-year limited warranty
- $28 at The Home Depot
This backpack indeed carries the 2-gallon tank comfortably (a gallon of water weighs 8.3 pounds). Its shoulder straps thankfully incorporate a sternum strap, which makes a critical difference in comfort! This backpack works seamlessly with the assembled sprayer, and is so inexpensive and functional that you’d be foolish not to pick one up when you buy the sprayer.
The backpack is especially welcome on uneven or rough surfaces. For a simple example, every year I spray my roof with Wet and Forget; climbing a ladder and walking on the inclined roof is made much safer and easier by having the sprayer on my back rather than over my shoulder or held in one of my hands.
Two Nits and a Gripe
Actually, this first nit probably can’t be improved, but one can always hope that smarter people than I might figure something out. Specifically, the power switch isn’t reachable when you have the tank on your back, and reaching it when carrying the tank with the shoulder strap requires shifting the tank to the front of your body. On the other hand, the power can be on without the sprayer nozzle trigger depressed, so there’s usually not a lot of need to cycle the power on and off frequently in use.
The other nit is the same one that Rob observed. The fill lines (there are both metric and imperial scales) are difficult to read. A sharpie can solve that problem, and most users will probably want to do so.
The one gripe I have is that RYOBI won’t disclose the thread specs for the nozzle. While the included cone mist to stream nozzle will be appropriate for most uses, there are a ton of special-purpose nozzles made for sprayers. It would be nice to know that these are available should I have a special need.
None of these issues prevents me from regarding this sprayer as a useful and valuable tool.
Bottom Line
Whether you’re a homeowner or a pro, a sprayer is one of the tools you need. Old-fashioned hand-pump sprayers may be OK for jobs that are both small and occasional, but for almost any other application, electric sprayers are the tool to have. They are worlds more convenient and barely any more expensive. And if you have to spray in a confined or non-flat environment, they can be safer. The RYOBI 18V Cordless Battery 2 Gal. Chemical Sprayer and its different-capacity siblings are excellent-quality and reasonably priced options in this category.
