Comparison Karcher K 5 Classic vs Karcher K 7

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 highest inlet water temperature allowed by the design of the mini-sink.

For some tasks, warm or even hot water is the best option. And devices that allow the connection of warm water may have different restrictions on its temperature. So if the ability to work with hot water is important to you, you should pay special attention to the maximum allowable temperature: it should be at least 60 °C. And ideally, the limit should be at least 80 °C.

Note that many mini-sinks have their own built-in heaters (see "Water heating"); while some of these models also allow external connection of hot water, others work only with cold water.

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.

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.