Comparison Karcher K 5 Classic vs Karcher K 3

The maximum outlet water pressure provided by the miniwash; for models in which the pressure is not regulated, this paragraph indicates the standard operating value.

The higher the water pressure at the outlet, the more efficiently the unit handles with chronic and stubborn contaminants. On the other hand, strong pressure requires high engine power, which affects the dimensions, weight and price of the device — despite the fact that not every dirt requires such pressure, and excessively intensive washing can damage the surface to be treated. Thus, the pressure is chosen by manufacturers in accordance with the general class of the miniwash. Thus, values up to 100 bar are found in the most compact and low-power domestic models (see "Type"). A pressure of 100 – 125 bar is considered relatively low for household sinks, and most of these models are in the range of 125 – 150 bar — this is most often quite enough, taking into account the characteristics of the application. For professional units, the average is considered to be 150 – 175 barhowever, there are many models that give out more than 175 bar.

Power of the pressure washer motor expressed in watts. Such a designation nowadays is generally accepted for all types of engines; it is quite possible to compare electric and gasoline / diesel units with each other. At the same time, for sinks with internal combustion engines, power in horsepower can also be specified (see above), but most often it is indicated as an addition to watts.

The higher the engine power, the greater the performance and pressure can be achieved at the outlet of the miniwash. On the other hand, this parameter directly affects the cost, as well as fuel / electricity consumption. In addition, in some situations, high power is unnecessary — for example, a delicate surface can be damaged by strong pressure. So when choosing, it is worth considering specific tasks, and not chasing the maximum possible power.

Detailed recommendations on this matter for different cases can be found in special sources. Also note here that most household models (see "Type") have a power of up to 2 kW ( battery units — most often up to 100 W, although there are exceptions). 2 – 3 kW are considered a fairly solid indicator for household sinks, and values \u200b\u200bmore than 3 kW are already found mainly among professional models. Professional equipment, however, is also low-power ( up to 2 kW), but there are few such dev...ices — in general, the power of such units is quite high, in a fairly large number of models it exceeds 4 kW.

Water consumption characterizes productivity, that is, the amount of water that the unit can supply to the nozzle per hour. In most models, performance can be adjusted; for such cases, the characteristics indicate the flow rate at maximum power.

Higher performance allows you to better handle large volumes of work and stubborn dirt, but requires adequate power — and this, in turn, affects the size, price and electricity / fuel consumption. So it is worth choosing according to this parameter, taking into account the features of the planned application. If we talk about specific numbers, then low-capacity washes include models with a rate of up to 350 L / h, which are designed for simple tasks like cleaning windows in a private house, a small car or smaller equipment like bicycles. The unit with a flow rate of 350 – 500 L / h is perfect for washing cars and other similar tasks; if you have to deal with a large car like an SUV, you should pay attention to more performant options — up to 600 L / h. A capacity of 600 L/h or more makes it possible to classify the sink as a professional level, and values of 1000 L/h or more are typical for the most powerful and advanced models that can handle almost any task.

The length of the high pressure hose that connects the gun to the washer body.

The larger this length, the more freedom of movement the user has. On the other hand, a hose that is too long can be inconvenient when working at short distances. Therefore, when choosing, you should not chase the maximum length of the hose, but take into account the real conditions in which you plan to work. The best method for choosing a hose length is to estimate the maximum distance to be removed from the sink body, and add a margin of at least 2 to 3 metres to it in case of unforeseen circumstances (for example, obstacles that prevent the hose from being pulled directly).

The shortest HP hoses in modern mini-sinks are up to 4 m long, in the longest this figure can exceed 10 m. However, the most popular are the average values — 4 – 6 m and 6 – 10 m.

— Pressure adjustment. Possibility of adjusting the output pressure - the intensity of the water jet. Choosing the optimal pressure force allows you to effectively use the sink to clean various types of surfaces. So, for more delicate surfaces such as car body or painted walls, you can set the pressure level to a low level in order to avoid damage to sensitive surfaces. And for durable materials such as concrete paths or stone walls, it is preferable to use higher pressure - thereby effectively removing stubborn contaminants.

- Vacuum cleaner. The sink can be used as a traditional vacuum cleaner to collect dust and small debris. Moreover, many models with this function also have a blower mode, which allows you to use a stream of air not to draw in, but to sweep away contaminants; this can be important, for example, when clearing a lawn or garden path of fallen leaves. In any case, a vacuum cleaner makes it possible to first remove excess dirt from the surface that it would be undesirable to wash away with a powerful stream of water. On the other hand, such equipment significantly affects the price, weight and dimensions of the entire sink - despite the fact that it is not required so often (and even in cases where it is required, it can be easier and more reasonable to use a traditional vacuum cleaner). Therefore, very few sinks with this function are produced.

...- Drum. The presence of a drum (reel) for a high-pressure hose in a mini-washer provides additional convenience not only in storage/transportation, but also during operation: the hose can be easily unwound before starting work and reeled in at the end, and the actual length of the hose can be adjusted by simply unwinding the required amount from the drum.

— Wheels for transportation. Such wheels are especially useful given the fact that modern mini-washes (especially powerful and productive ones) can be quite heavy and bulky. Most often, the design provides for one pair of wheels - thus, in a vertical position, the support on the opposite side of the body acts as a parking brake, and to move the unit you need to tilt it slightly.

— Taking water from the tank. A function that allows the mini-wash to use water from open containers - a bucket, barrel, tank, or even a natural body of water such as a pond or river. Taking water from a container can be a real lifesaver if there is no running water nearby or it is impossible to connect to it.

- Container for water. The sink has its own water tank. As a result, the unit does not depend on the water supply or external water containers; its mobility is limited only by the power cord (and battery-powered models are generally completely autonomous). On the other hand, your own tank significantly affects the dimensions and weight, and the need for it arises relatively rarely - even in the absence of running water, it is more convenient to use an external container.

— Water heating. Hot water is better at removing many contaminants than cold water; In addition, in winter it is also useful for melting ice. But not all sinks can boast a connection to hot water, which is why built-in heating systems are provided. Most often, a furnace running on liquid fuel is responsible for heating, even if the sink itself runs on electricity.

— Container for chemicals (foam). This function should not be confused with a foam generator attachment (see “Attachments”): the foam container is a separate tank for collecting detergent and can be used in combination with any attachment - for example, a brush or dirt cutter. On the other hand, the quality of the foam is somewhat lower than when using a separate foam generator.

— Collection of chemicals from the container. The presence of a foam generator in the design of the sink, which allows you to make foam with any nozzle (as in the paragraph “Container for chemicals” described above). The key difference is the absence of a tank, and a tube for collecting chemicals is removed from the device.

— Water filter. The presence of a water filter in the design of the mini-wash. In some models, the filtration system may be multi-stage. Specific details for each model must be clarified separately. However, in any case, it is worth keeping in mind that the filtration system affects the cost of the unit and requires regular maintenance: filters need to be cleaned from time to time, and sometimes replaced.

— Built-in pressure gauge. This function is found mainly in powerful professional solutions. The pressure gauge allows you to carefully control the pressure, selecting it depending on the current tasks; This is especially true when processing delicate surfaces that can be damaged by excessively high pressure.

- Overheat protection. A safety system that protects the mini washer motor from heat that can lead to damage. When the critical temperature is reached, the engine automatically turns off; You can start the device again only after it has cooled down sufficiently and the overheating protection has not tripped.

— Water cooling of the engine. Units with such a cooling system use water to remove heat from the electric motor. It is pumped directly around the hot components of the power unit, thereby ensuring effective heat absorption. Washers with an engine water cooling system can be used in long-term and continuous operation without the risk of motor overheating.

The presence of an induction (brushless) motor in an electrically powered sink (see "Power Source").

Such a motor differs from more popular collector electric motors primarily in that its design does not have a collector with brushes — a set of moving contacts responsible for switching the current on the windings when the rotor rotates. Instead, such switching is carried out by built-in electronic circuits. This design provides a number of advantages. One of the main ones is high efficiency, due to which, with the same power consumption, such an engine provides greater productivity and pressure at the outlet of the sink. In addition, the absence of unnecessary moving and rubbing parts reduces wear and heat, thus positively affecting reliability and durability; and the absence of sparks (which often occur in the collector) makes such engines also as fireproof as possible. The downside of all these advantages is a rather high price and difficulty in repair. Thus, brushless motors are mainly equipped with professional-grade units designed for long-term use at high loads.

The length of the power cord provided in the mini washer with an electric motor (see "Motor type"). The longer the cord, the more manoeuvrable the device is, the farther it can be installed from the outlet and the less you will depend on outlets. On the other hand, a long cable can create inconvenience by getting under your feet; however, many mini-washers with this feature provide a winding system (see "Functions and Capabilities") that eliminates this drawback.