The presence of a mini-wash in the household allows you to save on one of the most costly items in terms of car maintenance costs. Comprehensive care can be organized right on your own site with the same quality as in a specialized car service. But since mini-washes for cars are not a cheap pleasure, it will not be superfluous to understand in detail the parameters for choosing this equipment and reviews of the best offers in the segment.
Main characteristics of mini sinks
Reliability in operation is a paramount selection parameter, since household sinks with heavy wear can cause many problems in maintenance. High-strength materials in the construction will extend the working life of the unit and reduce the frequency of replacement of consumables. First of all, the material of manufacture of the pump or pump, which provides high pressure, is taken into account. High-quality mini-washes for cars havebased on a combination of a brass pumping unit and ceramic-metal pistons. Variations from stainless steel and aluminum-silicon alloy - silumin are also allowed. Plastics should be immediately abandoned, and even composites in this case do not meet the reliability requirements due to sensitivity to water hammer.
Next, you can move on to the power characteristics. First, the pressure created by the aforementioned pump is taken into account. For home use, equipment with a maximum pressure of 130-140 bar is enough. But you should not refuse a small margin of 10-15% either. The power potential of the engine is also selected under the pressure level. So, peak performance of the order of 160-170 bar will correspond to an electric motor performance of 2700-3000 watts. Now you can turn to the rating of mini car washes for the car, compiled from the most attractive offers on the modern market.
10. Makita HW111
Japanese developers of various electrical engineering and mechanics are not very successful in cleaning equipment, however, many Russian builders and just home craftsmen know the construction products of this company from the very best sides. Physical ergonomics, reliability of the element base and durability - these qualities are also characteristic of the HW111 mini-sink. The 1700 W drive mechanism keeps the pressure stable at 11 MPa, making the ceramic-metal pistons work flawlessly at the set pace. In general, for infrequent car care, this optioncan justify itself.
Problems, according to the owners, arise due to the lack of consumables and spare parts corresponding to the design. There are also some disadvantages in small things - for example, a short hose and inconsistencies with domestic-made fittings. The low price tag compensates for these shortcomings. By the standards of the Makita brand, this is an inexpensive mini-wash for a car - the cost is 7-8 thousand rubles. However, the capabilities of the equipment correspond to this level.
9. Hitachi AW130
Another budget device designed for domestic use. The model is quite light (8 kg), but is provided with a long 10-meter hose - as if in defiance of Makita's development. However, not many users are satisfied with the quality of the technique. Despite the external advantages with ergonomics and functional accessories, the power base is far from being made in the best way. Suffice it to note the combination of an axial multi-piston pump in a metal case and a simplified low-capacity electric motor. Design flaws ultimately affect safety and reliability, so you should be careful when handling this mini-sink.
However, the station from Hitachi was in the rating for a reason. It also has well-deserved advantages, including a pressure of 130 bar, a variety of different nozzles and ample opportunities for connecting to home communications. In addition, like all household mini-washes for a car, this device is inexpensive in terms of finances. For only 10 thousand rubles. you can become the owner of the AW130 kit.
8. Bosch AQT 45-14 X
The German manufacturer is also known for high-quality equipment and in this segment represents a good development in terms of characteristics. The device allows you to connect communications to a container with water, without losing performance when pumping. The pressure at maximum load is 140 bar with a return of 450 l / h, and the motor potential is 2100 W. Also, the mini-wash for cars from Bosch is impeccably executed in terms of assembly, as evidenced by an optimized and balanced design. To this, the owners add the thoughtfulness of the elements of physical control. The sink design can be transported using a handle and wheels, and a special reel is provided for assembly and storage of the 8-meter hose.
But not without flaws. The main one is the use of not the most successful material for the complete hose. The creators used hard plastic, apparently trying to emphasize its high strength reserve, but in practice this decision turned into a decrease in ergonomics and ease of handling the hose. On the other hand, the AQT 45-14 X mini-wash for a Bosch car costs only 16 thousand rubles, and for a machine with such performance characteristics, this is quite a worthy price tag.
7. Zubr ZAVD-3000
Domestic enterprises are also mastering the niche of household car washes, and the Zubr company has produced quite a worthy variant of the average price level - the station is available on the market for 26thousand roubles. For this money, 3000 W in the electric motor and 225 bar of high pressure are offered, which will be enough to serve a full-fledged specialized car wash, if a capacity of 400 l / h is enough for its customer flow. What is especially interesting is that the design can be connected to a household single-phase 220 V network, that is, the device is quite suitable for domestic use.
Of course, such attractive performance has another side. First, you should prepare for a low element base resource. Many note the regular detection of malfunctions of the mini-wash for cars of this version, not to mention the breakdowns of regular accessories. Secondly, there are complaints about the short hose and the lack of interchangeable nozzles in the package.
6. Stihl RE 163 PLUS
This time we will talk about a full-fledged professional car wash, which, however, has no restrictions for domestic use. Stihl is known in Russia, first of all, for its first-class garden equipment, but the RE 163 PLUS device also confirmed the justification of the brand's representation in the cleaning equipment segment. It should be noted right away that the station will cost 45 thousand rubles. But for this amount, the owner will receive not nominal, but actually high technical and operational characteristics. In particular, the Shtil high-pressure mini-washer is equipped with a 3300 W motor, which provides a capacity of up to 650 l/h.
For in-line car maintenance, this is quite an acceptable option, although it also has its weak points. For example, the creators of the station do nottook care of special equipment for storing a 12-meter hose. You can also be wary of a low warranty period of up to 12 months. By the way, the Karcher manufacturer gives a 2-year warranty on its products.
5. Minisink "Interskol AM-130/2500V"
A medium-sized device that is suitable for both professional and home use. The maximum pressure level is 170 bar and the flow rate is about 500 l/min. The design allows operation both from the central water supply and from special containers - all the necessary fittings for connection are provided in the kit. The only caveat in working with autonomous sources of supply is the possibility of a pressure drop of up to 130 bar. The performance also decreases when a cleaning filter (also complete) is introduced into the communication piping, but this is a natural phenomenon, and it is only a plus.
The model costs 56 thousand rubles, and not every motorist will surely give such an amount for the products of this company, especially since such equipment is not targeted for the company. But, as the practice of operating the Interskol mini-sink shows, the device fully justifies its price. The design and plumbing fittings with other accessories do not give serious reasons for criticism.
4. Portotecnica G161-C
Representative of the mid-level with a maximum pressure of 160 bar and a 2300 watt electric motor. At the same time, the device is inexpensive, taking into account the indicated performance indicators - only 26thousand roubles. Users also note economical energy consumption even with the support of a capacity of 600 l / h. There is no criticism of the functional equipment that this minisink is equipped with. Reviews, in particular, note the ergonomics of the drum for winding the 8 m hose. The metal devices for tying and connecting also cause rather positive impressions, demonstrating the optimal combination of lightness, compactness and reliability. Almost the entire structure is made of metal elements without a hint of plastic, which is also a plus for the development by Portotecnica.
3. Kranzle Profi 160 TS T
Premium high-end equipment that deserves attention due to its design. To begin with, it is worth noting the very average performance indicators for a professional device, including engine power of 3200 W and a modest pressure indicator of 130 bar. And at the same time, the device is estimated at 70 thousand rubles. What is the secret of a model with such a cost and mediocre (for its class) characteristics? The fact is that this is a mini-wash for a car with a water tank that can be connected as a protected circuit. In the event of a failure to pump when the water in the central channel is depleted, the unit automatically switches to a backup supply line. Operation "dry" in principle is excluded by automation, which increases the reliability of the equipment. It is also worth emphasizing the advantages in the form of a 15 m flexible hose and the possibility of supplying detergents.means directly at the inlet to the pump, and not through a pressurized injector.
2. Karcher K 7 Premium Car
The products of this company regularly take the first positions in the ratings of cleaning equipment and it is quite logical that the car wash segment is no exception. This model does not set records in terms of power and performance, but it shows an example of equipment balance - in terms of reliability, functionality and price. As for the first characteristic, the company does not just use high-strength materials like brass and steel, but also strives to optimize dimensions, so the Karcher mini-sink is compact and mobile.
In terms of functionality, there are also advantages, which are expressed in a wide set of nozzles and several jet modes. Users note that the device can be useful not only as a car washer, but also for the care of facade cladding. For example, the power of the jet is enough to flush the cement mortar from the surface. Moreover, the performance indicators are quite familiar - 160 bar with a water consumption of about 600 l / h. The price of the offer is only 35 thousand rubles.
1. Stihl RE 362
Another model from the Shtil company, but this time it came in first place. This is the most expensive equipment in this rating - the price tag is about 90 thousand rubles. The brass alloy pump, supported by high pressure due to ceramic pistons, is capable of delivering more than 1000 l / h. The plant is put into operationelectric motor for 6300 W, which is almost a record in the entire segment of mini-washers. But for domestic use, this model is also unlikely to be suitable, since it needs to be connected to a three-phase industrial network of 380 watts. On the other hand, there can be no need for domestic operation of this unit. It is designed for purely professional use in car washes with high traffic. In terms of the quality of the element base and accessories, this model corresponds to the Karcher K 7 minisink. At least the owners do not find frequent breakdowns or serious wear and tear in critical nodes.
Conclusion
When purchasing a high-pressure car washer, it is important to take into account a lot of technical and ergonomic nuances. As you can see, the smallest structural details can affect the cost, since their significance increases already in the process of long-term operation. Which mini car wash to choose so that it meets the requirements for performance and fully fulfills its resource?
Recently, experts recommend paying more and more attention to protective systems and automatic control. For example, turning off the engine in the absence of water, mechanical operation of filters, electronic pressure regulation and an efficient cooling system - all this together not only increases the reliability of the equipment, but also makes the operation process more convenient. Another thing is that the presence of such systems and devices significantly increases the price tag.
