Best size Karcher pressure washer for foam cannon?
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- Cadet
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Best size Karcher pressure washer for foam cannon?
What is the best size/pressure Karcher to get to use for washing cars with a foam cannon?
Game is advertising the 1400W model for R999 on sale on 30 Nov only. Is this a suitable size??
Game is advertising the 1400W model for R999 on sale on 30 Nov only. Is this a suitable size??
- stig
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Re: Best size Karcher pressure washer for foam cannon?
I had the k2.360. It died after less than a year. Took back to makro got refunded and bought the k3premium. Foams lekker bit think a bigger machine would have more foam.
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Re: Best size Karcher pressure washer for foam cannon?
I have the k2.36. Works like a charm and makes plenty foam.
Remember to buy a water filter attachment for your machine.
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Remember to buy a water filter attachment for your machine.
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Re: Best size Karcher pressure washer for foam cannon?
OK Thanks. Does the water filter attachment a Karcher part?Mlungupokl wrote:I have the k2.36. Works like a charm and makes plenty foam.
Remember to buy a water filter attachment for your machine.
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Re: Best size Karcher pressure washer for foam cannon?
Yes. I think they're R150. But saves you big bucks down the line of debris were to get into the system..KJN wrote:OK Thanks. Does the water filter attachment a Karcher part?Mlungupokl wrote:I have the k2.36. Works like a charm and makes plenty foam.
Remember to buy a water filter attachment for your machine.
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Re: Best size Karcher pressure washer for foam cannon?
Game has them for R999 tomorrow.
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Re: Best size Karcher pressure washer for foam cannon?
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Re: Best size Karcher pressure washer for foam cannon?
I see Makro has the K3 for R1699 so I'm going to get that.
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Re: Best size Karcher pressure washer for foam cannon?
I'd just like to throw my 2c in....
This thread refers http://www.vwclub.co.za/forum/viewtopic ... 0&t=182422
Inevitably the increased pressure will help make more foamy foam - just also remember that the foaminess of the foam isn't the most important element of using a foam cannon - the actual ability of the snowfoam product to RELEASE DIRT FROM THE PAINT is what really counts.
This thread refers http://www.vwclub.co.za/forum/viewtopic ... 0&t=182422
I started with the smaller machines and progressively upgraded as they inevitably failed and am now using the K7 and couldn't be happier. The increased duty cycle, additional pressure and the longer hose all make for a much more enjoyable experience.lawrence wrote: After lengthy discussions with the guys from Karcher yesterday, this is what I have been told - some of which (like the duty cycle) I had no clue about
The 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. This however contradicts the pics Lambchop posted of the cylinder heads, so short of opening up a brand new K5.7 I don't know if the Karcher dude is just trying to pull the wool over my eyes. These are 130 bar machines (so currently too powerful (supposedly) for the new V2 cannons. 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
And then as lambchop mentioned, the constant on/off nature of these machines causes cracks in the cylinder head itself,or the seals therein to fail.
Inevitably the increased pressure will help make more foamy foam - just also remember that the foaminess of the foam isn't the most important element of using a foam cannon - the actual ability of the snowfoam product to RELEASE DIRT FROM THE PAINT is what really counts.
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Re: Best size Karcher pressure washer for foam cannon?
As a detailer.. the K5 series has made life the easiest .. but is so temperamental...
K3 is what I started with... not a days issue 3 years down the line. Foaming is easy... as stated... Foam that actually cleans is more important than foam that literally just foams.
K3 is what I started with... not a days issue 3 years down the line. Foaming is easy... as stated... Foam that actually cleans is more important than foam that literally just foams.
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Re: Best size Karcher pressure washer for foam cannon?
Think I will jump on the K3 then and get proper foam.LostEnigma wrote:As a detailer.. the K5 series has made life the easiest .. but is so temperamental...
K3 is what I started with... not a days issue 3 years down the line. Foaming is easy... as stated... Foam that actually cleans is more important than foam that literally just foams.
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Re: Best size Karcher pressure washer for foam cannon?
I have an entry level Bosch Aquatak 100 unit, more than sufficient to create a decent foam via my canon I got from CD.
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Re: Best size Karcher pressure washer for foam cannon?
I think your cannon gets more opportunity to shoot loads of white stuff than most other members here thoughlawrence wrote:I'd just like to throw my 2c in....
This thread refers http://www.vwclub.co.za/forum/viewtopic ... 0&t=182422
I started with the smaller machines and progressively upgraded as they inevitably failed and am now using the K7 and couldn't be happier. The increased duty cycle, additional pressure and the longer hose all make for a much more enjoyable experience.lawrence wrote: After lengthy discussions with the guys from Karcher yesterday, this is what I have been told - some of which (like the duty cycle) I had no clue about
The 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. This however contradicts the pics Lambchop posted of the cylinder heads, so short of opening up a brand new K5.7 I don't know if the Karcher dude is just trying to pull the wool over my eyes. These are 130 bar machines (so currently too powerful (supposedly) for the new V2 cannons. 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
And then as lambchop mentioned, the constant on/off nature of these machines causes cracks in the cylinder head itself,or the seals therein to fail.
Inevitably the increased pressure will help make more foamy foam - just also remember that the foaminess of the foam isn't the most important element of using a foam cannon - the actual ability of the snowfoam product to RELEASE DIRT FROM THE PAINT is what really counts.
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