Choosing Pressure Washer, Karcher vs Nilfisk vs Bosch

[Izula]

Hello fellow Autopians;
I would like to buy a electric pw to use for my car and family cars.It would be used max weekly so no heavy use.Being able to work from a small water tank is a must, i know karchers do work but wondering if nilfisk c110, bosch etc will work.
My options are;
Karcher k2 compact is cheapest also small so i can transport easily.All karchers have plastic pumps so cant justify models like k4,k5
Nilfisk c110 is double the price of k2.If it does work form tank does it worth it x2 of the price of k2?
Bosch aqt-37 Dont know much
Lavor models dont know much again

Eager to hear your replys

[Nav45]

I can`t really say much as I`m totally new to pressure washers but I am looking at the Karcher K2 that you mentioned. I will keep a check on this thread and see how it goes. Thanks.

[RaskyR1]

Hello fellow Autopians;
I would like to buy a electric pw to use for my car and family cars.It would be used max weekly so no heavy use.Being able to work from a small water tank is a must, i know karchers do work but wondering if nilfisk c110, bosch etc will work.
My options are;
Karcher k2 compact is cheapest also small so i can transport easily.All karchers have plastic pumps so cant justify models like k4,k5
Nilfisk c110 is double the price of k2.If it does work form tank does it worth it x2 of the price of k2?
Bosch aqt-37 Dont know much
Lavor models dont know much again

Eager to hear your replys

Do you not have a water spigot at your home?

[ShaneB]

I have a 1800psi Karcher unit with their water cooled induction motor or whatever. It works great, but the first one had an issue where it wouldn`t turn on anymore. Their rapid replacement is great though and I got a brand new one shipped to me no questions asked. Also still have the old unit that was barely used that I will eventually open up and try to repair.

[tmurph01]

Been using a Karcher for 2 years now and on every car i do. Still going strong. So, you cant go wrong with them and if you treat them right, they will last for a long time.

[tom p.]

I`ve got an old Karcher, too. Never had an issue with it.

Read some of the reviews on Lowe`s, Home Depot, etc. Some models seem to get one star while others receive 5.

[Pats300zx]

I`ve got an old Karcher, too. Never had an issue with it.

Read some of the reviews on Lowe`s, Home Depot, etc. Some models seem to get one star while others receive 5.

Same here. My old school Karcher has served me well for 5 plus years. My next PW will be gas powered though.

[House of Wax]

I`ve been contemplating picking up an electric unit myself. I have a gas pressure washer that works fine, but I worry about annoying the neighbors when it`s later in the evening. still on the fence....

[MiVor]

My 2-3 year old 1800 psi Kacher went belly up with a major pump seal failure. I replaced it with a 2000 psi GreenWorks from Lowes. So far, so good.

[Izula]

Thanks for the replys;
RaskyR1;
Its an apartment sadly so no but we have a well with a water pump which i did all the car washing to this day.At summer time mostly there isnt enough water there so i will use my own water tank.
Also if you guys know the model number for your karchers it will be great.
There seem to be a karcher hate wagon in some communities so wondering if yours are pro high end models.

I will consider a gas powered if heaven forbid i start to live in a place with no electric socket in 50 metre radius.

[LawrenceSA]

I was looking for a new HP Washer some time back and did a bit of digging into the Karchers.... here is some useful info which may help you in making your decision.

he K7 is the only machine with a brass cylinder head. It is rated at 160bar and has a duty cycle of 1 hour. This means it can be used for a maximum of 1 constant use and then must be shut off for at least 30 minutes - this is a water cooled machine.


The K5.2 and K5.7 supposedly have metal (not brass, not plastic) cylinder heads which are more durable than the plastic ones, but less durable than the K7. These are 130 bar machines. These machines have a duty cycle of 40 minutes before needing to be shut down for 30 mins. They are also water cooled.


The K4, 3 and 2 series all have plastic cylinder heads, and a duty cycle of 30 minutes, before needing 30 minutes cooling off period - these are air cooled machine.


The K1 series is the same as above but with only a 10 minute duty cycle....


According to Karcher, some of the common causes of the failed cylinder heads are:


1. Exceeding the duty cycle - i.e. working the machine too long before allowing cooling off periods
2. Insufficient supply of water to the machine from your tap
3. Not bleeding the system of all air before turning it on
4. Pushing dirty water through the machine
5. Using `unauthorized` chemicals in the machine
6. The constant on/off nature of these machines causes cracks in the cylinder head itself,or the seals therein to fail.

I am not sure how accurate this is for you guys over there, but the above comes straight from the Karcher guys over here in South Africa.

Lawrence

PS: FWIW, I got the K7 and am very happy with it....

[The Driver]

The best karcher out is the k5.85m+

Strongest motor, water cooled and built like a tank. I bought mine used and it`s been running two years through, snow and heat.

[Izula]

Great info lawrance thanks but there are seem to contradiction between their website.They say k4 is water cooled(as well as k3 if im not mistaken) K2 is plastic pump, air cooled as you said but k3 is plastic pump water cooled so i may get that one instead k4 is out of price range let alone k5,k7.
30 min work cycle is more than enough for me.

K3 is 2x price of the k2 , wonder if i can get x2 of lifetime...
Also I may shoot an email to Nilfisk about c110 working from water tank.There are couple of people use that setup but not sure still.

[Izula]

So i will continue from this thread;
I decided to get Nilfisk but now cant decided between c110 , c120 or c130.
Prices are;
C110=450tl (168$ ) , c120 =520tl (194$) c130 =575tl(214$)
To give you an idea 500 ml of fallout remover is approx 45 tl here.
C130 have induction motor and others have universal motors(still metal) which will last longer and quiter but will i benefit from that upgrade? If i can get 2 x the lifetime than i can justify it.(Also benefit of higher bar and flow rate)
I will use it on 2 family cars and rarely friends cars.

[philbilly20]

Get ya one of these! Bearcat 2 (http://www.hy-floequipment.com/cms/portablehotpressurewashers/bearcat2.html) No but seriously, The Karcher models that the previous autopians have recommended are all good, my Grandfather has one (cant think of the exact k-whatever model) but he has had nothing but good luck with it. Good Luck!