Comparison Karcher K 4 Compact 1.637-500.0 vs Karcher K 5 Compact 1.630-750.0

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.

The highest level of noise emitted by the minisink when operating in normal mode. The lower this indicator, the more comfortable the device is to use, the easier it is to use it without special hearing protection; and from certain noise levels the use of protection is mandatory (more on this below). All this is especially true in light of the fact that mini-sinks are quite noisy equipment — even the quietest of these units give out about 60 dB, which is comparable to talking in raised tones at a distance of about 1 m. In the noisiest models, this figure reaches 108 dB — this is comparable to a tractor engine at a distance of the same 1 m.

Recall that the decibel is a non-linear quantity, and it is best to evaluate specific values using comparative tables. Such tables can be found in special sources. Here we note that according to European sanitary standards, noise of 85 dB is allowed to be heard without protective equipment for 8 hours, 91 dB — 2 hours, 97 dB — half an hour, and 103 dB — only 7 minutes. So when choosing a unit, you should take into account the duration of work with it — with high noise, you may need protective headphones.

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.