High pressure washer: which one to choose and what to pay attention to

Using autonomous washing equipment

In recent years, mini high-pressure washers have often been used in washing stations . In addition to washing vehicles, such a universal and convenient device is used in other areas of human life:

Builders use similar mini-units on large construction sites to keep construction equipment clean. Most often, a high-pressure washer is used to clean concrete mixers and other tools.
In the agricultural sector, the unit is used for washing pens for cows, horses and other livestock. Also, autonomous car washes are used for washing agricultural equipment, especially radiators, which are often clogged with dust and other dirt, which leads to overheating of the power unit.
Washing equipment is also used on small fishing vessels, on the deck of which, after fishing, a lot of scales remain on the deck, which is not easy to remove manually. Plus, the powerful pressure of water pumped by a high-pressure washer can knock off fresh shellfish growths.
Such mini-equipment has also found application in the food industry. Autonomous washing units are used for cleaning technical premises.

All modern high-pressure washers are equipped with special nozzles designed to spray not only water but also detergents that clean various surfaces. For domestic use, a compact sink at a price that is affordable to everyone is sufficient.

How important is the length of the hose for the device?

Depending on the purpose for which the equipment is purchased, it is necessary to choose a model with a suitable hose length. If you have to wash a car in the courtyard of a private house, a hose 2-4 m long is enough. If you plan to wash garden paths or clean surfaces over a large area, it is much more convenient to work with a long hose (7-10 m) - then you will not have to carry the washer body over yourself. Some professional models are equipped with a hose reel several tens of meters long.

Characteristics of high pressure washers

Pressure washing equipment was invented for more than just car washing. Such systems are in great demand among people of different professions. Due to their mobility, autonomous washers are successfully used to remove dirt from the roofs and walls of private buildings and on a personal plot or summer cottage. At the same time, in order to wash a vehicle it is not necessary to choose the most powerful equipment; very often a budget mini-wash with average water pressure is enough.

Today, most manufacturers produce washing systems classified according to the following power indicators:

units with low power, the discharge pressure of which does not exceed 80 bar;
units with power ratings up to 120 bar;
washing systems with average power levels around 200 bar;
professional washing equipment with water pressure of more than 200 bar.

Naturally, as the power of the equipment increases, its price also increases. For owners of small passenger vehicles, an autonomous high-pressure washer with low and medium power ratings is enough. In turn, it is better for owners of minibuses or trucks to give preference to professional-type models.

If the car owner does not have direct access to a water supply, for example in a garage, then it is worth paying attention to equipment equipped with a water intake system. This addition makes it possible to supply water through a hose from any convenient container, such as a barrel or bucket.

What does washing performance mean?

The value indicates how much water is pumped by the sink per hour. In current realities, a rate of up to 360 l/hour is considered low and is only suitable for cleaning small vehicles such as a bicycle or motorcycle, as well as garden furniture or an adjacent path. For an average-sized car, you will need to purchase a washing machine with a productivity of 450-500 l/hour. If you have to work with agricultural machinery or need to wash large cars, then you should take a closer look at models with at least 700 l/hour, no less. A productivity of 1000 l/hour is considered optimal, as it allows you to wash anything, but this value is found only in expensive professional washes.

High pressure washer device

When thinking about how to choose a high-quality autonomous car wash, the car owner must understand the basic principles of its operation . This will allow you to clearly define the requirements for this equipment. The design of an autonomous high-pressure washer includes the following components and parts:

water pump pump;
electric motor;
cable for connecting to the electrical network;
protective housing;
hose with several nozzles;
additional units to expand the functionality of the mini-wash.

Main technical parameters of mini washers

High-pressure washers were invented not only for washing cars. This equipment is in demand in factory workshops, in construction organizations, and in everyday life. A mini-wash easily removes dirt from the roofs and walls of a private house, effectively cleans carpets, and can even make garden beds. And washing a car does not always require the highest power or pressure. What qualities should a mini car wash have?

One of the most important parameters of such a device is pressure. Today all models can be divided into the following groups:

low-power devices with a maximum pressure of up to 80 bar;
low power devices no more than 120 bar;
medium power washes within 200 bar;
equipment for professional cleaning over 200 bar.

It is not difficult to guess that the price component increases proportionally with increasing maximum pressure. Mini washers from the low and medium power categories are quite suitable for the owner of small cars. But for washing trucks, it is better to give preference to professional modifications. After all, it will be possible to wash off oily contaminants with a cleaning solution pressure of 200-220 bar.

For motorists who do not have running water nearby, it is necessary to purchase devices with the ability to draw water. Then, using a hose, water can be supplied to the device from a bucket, barrel or other container. It is important that the water level during operation is higher than the height of the mini-wash.

Operating principle of washing equipment

The operating principle of such a device is based on the following steps.

The electric motor drives the water pump, which in turn builds up water pressure.
Through internal channels, the water flow is supplied to the hose, passing through which it is sprayed through the nozzle.

Naturally, it’s easy to guess that the main component of this unit is the motor. At the same time, some professional models of miniwashes are equipped with gasoline engines. But such equipment is too expensive for everyday use and therefore it is better to give preference to electric analogues. For an ordinary motorist, a car wash with an electric motor will cost less.

When considering choosing a water pump, you should follow advice from experts. In their opinion, the actual pressure of an autonomous high-pressure washer is 10 bar less than stated by the manufacturer. It is important to take this parameter into account when choosing high-quality equipment, since the quality of vehicle washing depends on the jet pressure.

All other parts of the washing machine can only be checked in operation or visually for mechanical damage. In most cases, manufacturers provide a guarantee for their products, which indicates their high quality.

How washers are distinguished by engine type

In addition to the most popular washers powered by electricity, there are also models of fuel devices.

Electric washer. When choosing an electric washer, it is important to pay attention to the electrical parameters that are necessary for the uninterrupted operation of the device. These sinks are usually powered by alternating current.
Fuel Since these washers do not require a power source, they are more portable. Their engine can be gasoline or diesel. They are most often used for washing the facade of a country house, paths, i.e. large areas (it is convenient to wash a car or garden equipment with an electric washer).

Popular models of high pressure washers

Most car enthusiasts, when thinking about how to choose high-pressure washing equipment, base it on the popularity of the manufacturer. Naturally, this is logical, because products from well-known brands have absorbed all the positive qualities of time-tested mini-equipment. However, the price of such units is often quite high. The most popular models of washing devices include equipment from the following brands.

The leading manufacturer of stand-alone pressure washers is Karcher . The organization began its active work in the car washing equipment industry back in 1935. Today, this brand offers consumers 7 models of mini washes. The model with average power parameters, K 5.96 M Plus, which is controlled using high-precision automation, is the most popular among car owners. The device has built-in programs that allow you not only to thoroughly wash your car, but also to clean dirty tools.
The American manufacturer Black & Decker has been known in the domestic power tool market for several years. But in terms of the quality of high-pressure washers produced by the company, it is still far from being equal to European brands.
The Bosch brand does not need any special recommendations. One of the company's priorities is the production of accessories and equipment for cars. Due to the optimal price-quality ratio, the world-famous Bosch brand is the only real competitor to Karcher.
The large Italian manufacturer Portotecnica produces professional stationary equipment for car washes. But the company’s lineup also includes stand-alone devices with average power ratings. All washing equipment is equipped with non-standard motors that can operate for up to two hours without interruption. To protect against overheating, the unit is equipped with automatic control.
The South Korean brand DAEWOO produces budget car washes, the price of which is affordable for every car owner. Their products usually have medium and low power. The basis of Korean mini-washers is a simplified and cheaper model of the Karcher unit.
Another Italian brand that may well be of interest to motorists is the company Annovi Reverberi , which appeared on the washing equipment market in 1956. The company’s lineup includes 5 main models, which today are much inferior to well-known competitors.
The next trading and manufacturing company from Italy is Comet SpA Headquarters. Self-contained high-pressure washers from this brand are of good quality at a fairly low price.
Another company involved in the production of high pressure washers is Lavorwash . Cleaning devices from this manufacturer are in the same price category as the famous Karcher brand. The high-quality products of this company may well be of interest to domestic car enthusiasts. For motorists, the Lavor Skipper 19 Max unit is quite suitable for everyday use.
The international company Nilfisk-Advance, whose main office is located in Denmark, offers consumers a fairly narrow model line of high-pressure washers. The most popular is the ALTO POSEIDON 2–31 PE miniwash, equipped with an engine from the Japanese manufacturer Honda. This equipment is equipped with a very convenient function for adjusting the water pressure over a fairly wide range. The main unit weighs less than 35 kg, however, its price is not affordable for every car owner.
The Poles offer high-quality professional-level equipment from the MERIDA brand . Although domestic motorists are more familiar with the products under the DELVIR brand. All devices are of fairly high quality, but the price is unlikely to suit the average car owner. Rather, such devices are suitable for private car washes, as they are capable of working without interruption for more than 4 hours.

In Germany, there is another manufacturer of high-pressure washers, which are quite suitable for domestic motorists. The consumer will be able to choose a suitable Kranzle device from a fairly wide product range. Anyone can purchase a mini-unit with a pressure of 30 bar or professional powerful equipment, which is practically not inferior to the leading models of mobile car washes.

Specialized shampoos

Specialized shampoo from the company “Comma”.

THESE PREPARATIONS (including branded shampoos) are specially designed for use with high-pressure apparatus. They produce dense, but not abundant foam - exactly what is needed for a mini-wash with its serious pressure.

Since the entire washing process occurs, as they say, “hands-free,” such a composition requires greater cleaning power and, accordingly, a high concentration of alkaline substances. There is an opinion that because of this, shampoos for automatic washing are less friendly to the paintwork than preparations for manual washing. This is partly true, but this does not mean that after one or even a hundred washes, specialized preparations can cause serious damage to the car. Of course, only strong household shampoos are dangerous, as they provoke corrosion of metal parts and quickly render the car’s paintwork unusable. And high-quality compounds from trusted manufacturers will not harm the paint. The main thing is not to buy questionable auto chemicals from unverified retail outlets. Low-quality products can really damage the coating, although they will wash off the dirt very quickly.

Hardware car washing is carried out in three stages. First, use high-pressure water to remove dust and soften the dirt. Then, using a special nozzle with a small shampoo tank (usually included with the car wash), we apply foam to the car. Wait a few minutes and wash off the foam with clean water. Before using an unfamiliar drug, do not forget to look at the instructions: different products have their own characteristics, usually relating to the concentration of shampoo in water and the time of its action.

Do not listen to advisers who recommend applying car wash shampoo directly to dry dirt without first soaking it for speed. Take my word for it - the result will not be the best. And if such advice is given by the shampoo manufacturer himself, then you should be wary: it is possible that time savings are achieved due to an ultra-high concentration of detergents, which does not at all benefit the paintwork of the car.

8Daewoo Power Products DAW-500

This mini-wash belongs to the middle class. Quite a functional and versatile model that is suitable for use both at home and at work. With this car wash you can not only clean your car, but also clean fences, paths, children's toys, bicycles, carpets and much more.

The device itself is very compact and lightweight (7.76 kg). You can easily move it to the right place with one hand or roll it on wheels. As for the characteristics, this model boasts a pressure of up to 140 bar, a power of 2000 W, a 0.5 liter shampoo tank on a gun, a metal pump, an additional mud cutter, and a convenient carrying handle. The length of the hose is 6 meters, the length of the power cord is 5 meters.

The unit also has an automatic shutdown function if the water supply stops, which can significantly increase the service life of the mini washer. The device can take water both from the pipeline and from the container.

pros

Acceptable price; Good working foam generator; Low consumption; Additional mud cutter; Compact, convenient, lightweight; Several attachments included; Powerful, with good pressure.

Minuses

The hose is a bit short, ideally 2-3 meters longer.

Pavel, 56 years old

Excellent mini-wash. The mud cutter washes away anything. Now I wash my car better than at professional car washes. The consumption of water and electricity is very small, although this model has enough power. In addition to the car, I refreshed the brick walls, paving slabs, and curbs at the dacha.