Kärcher 397 M plus User manual

5.960-588
10.02 F2002500
397 M plus
!

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THANK YOU FOR PURCHASING A KARCHER
PRESSURE WASHER
PLEASE READ THIS LEAFLET CAREFULLY
BEFORE OPERATING YOUR MACHINE.
WHATIS APRESSURE WASHER?
A Pressure Washer is essentially a powerful electric motor driving a set
of pistons that force water through a small nozzle, thus creating a
pressurised jet of water. This provides the cleaning power behind the
Karcher Pressure Washer.
AKarcher Pressure Washer can be used for an endless list of applications
around the home and garden. It provides an efficient, economical and
labour saving way of cleaning with excellent results.
All Karcher domestic pressure washers are designed to run from a
suitable cold water supply although some models will accept a water inlet
temperature of between 40 °C and 60 °C.
Environmental Comment - Save water with high pressure.
The Karcher Pressure Washer is environmentally friendly enabling you
to reduce your water consumption compared to a normal garden hose.
A definite advantage with a metered water supply
OR
with the added benefit of suction mode, water can be drawn from an
open container such as a water butt.

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INDEX
1. APPLICATIONS ............................................................................................................................... 4
2. SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS .......................................................................................... 5
3. GETTING STARTED .............................................................................................................. 6
3.1 Contents
3.2 Water Connection
3.3 Electrical Connection
3.4 Detergent
4. OPERATING YOUR PRESSURE WASHER......................... 9
4.1 High Pressure Operation
4.2 Low Pressure Operation Without Brush
4.3 End Of Operation
5. IMPORTANT – CARE AND MAINTENANCE .................. 12
6. ACCESSORIES / SPARE PARTS.................................................. 14 / 15
7. PROBLEM CHECKLIST / TROUBLESHOOTING 16
8. AFTER SALES SERVICE ........................................................................................ 17
9. TECHNICAL DATA ................................................................................................................. 18
10. ASSEMBLY ............................................................................................................................................ 19

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1. APPLICATIONS
The main applications for this product are DOMESTIC
cleaning tasks:
• Cars, motorbikes, caravans, boats and bicycles
• Patio’s, fences, garden walls, pathways, driveways and house
facades – particularly useful for cleaning block driveways
• Removal of algae and moss from roofs, brickwork and
guttering
• Garden tools and machinery, furniture and barbecues
• Hygienic cleaning of animal pens and their surroundings
With the addition of Karcher accessories, the list
continues .............
• Clearing blocked drains and pipes
• Removal of old paint and rust from garden furniture and gates
• Spraying insecticide onto trees, plants and lawns

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2. SAFETY INSTRUCTIONS
BEFORE STARTING UP YOUR PRESSURE WASHER PLEASE
CHECK YOU HAVE THE FOLLOWING:
We recommend you purchase these items from a reputable store
• RCD plug and socket that will interrupt electrical supply in an
emergency
• A typical garden hose (minimum length 7.5 metres) with suitable
hose connection (Hoselock/Gardena type) to match the coupling
on the machine (hose and connector not supplied).
•The mains voltage and supply indicated on the Rating Plate of the
machine corresponds with that of the power source
•The insulation of the supply cable is not damaged
•Only earthed sockets should be used
•If you are using an extension cable it must be completely unwound
from the cable drum and be the correct diameter:
10 meter length of cable should have a cross section of 1.5 mm²
30 meter length of cable should have a cross section of 2.5 mm²
Safety Assurance
As an added precaution, your pressure washer is fitted with a safety
locking device on the Spray Gun.
AFTER USE, ALWAYS REMOVE THE PLUG FROM THE SOCKET
BEFORE CLEANING YOUR PRESSURE WASHER.

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3. GETTING STARTED
3.1 Contents
Upon opening the carton, if you do not have all the items as detailed
please contact the Customer Helpline on 01295 752200.
1Detergent suction hose
with filter
2Power switch (ON/OFF)
3High-pressure outlet
4Water connection with fil-
ter
5Coupling
6Spray lance with vario po-
wer nozzle
7High-pressure hose
8Spray gun with safety rat-
chet (A)
9Connection lead
10 Transport bracket
11 Accessory compartment
12 Spray lance with dirt bla-
ster
Assembly see Page 19

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Please follow these instructions carefully for
troublefree cleaning
Use the diagram on Page 6 for reference purposes
3.2 Water Connection
• The minimum length of supply hosepipe advised for maximum user
convenience is 7.5 metres with a diameter of 12.5 mm (1/2") to avoid
backpressure and any associated potential damage to your machine.
• Attach your supply hosepipe with its connector to the coupling on the
machine (No. 5) and the other end should be connected to a suitable
water supply
3.3 Electrical Connection
• Ensure the Power Switch (No. 2) is in the “OFF” position before
connecting the factory fitted Plug attached to the Mains Electric Lead
(No. 9) into an earthed socket.
If you are using an extension cable, it should always be completely
unwound from the cable drum and have a sufficient cross-sectional
area.
Cable length max. 10 m 30 m
Cross-sectional area 3 x 1,5 mm²3 x 2,5 mm²

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3.4 Detergent
Only cleaning agents recommended by Karcher (UK) Ltd.
should be used. Unsuitable detergents could damage your
Pressure Washer and the object being cleaned.
Recommended Detergents
1. The following cleaning agent may be used undiluted:
Universal Cleaner .............................. Profi RM 555 ASF
2. The following cleaning agents are available as concentrate
and must be diluted with 9 parts of water (1 : 9) before use:
Universal Cleaner .............................. Profi RM 555 ULTRA
Automotive Cleaner ........................... Profi RM 565 ULTRA
House & Garden Cleaner .................. Profi RM 570 ULTRA
Boat Cleaner ..................................... Profi RM 575 ULTRA
3. Detergent tablets are also available from some stores
Karcher Clean Tabs (10 tablets per box)
10 Tablets dissolved in clean water provide 5 litres of cleaning
detergent.
DETAILS OF THE FULL RANGE OF DETERGENTS AND
CHEMICALS ARE AVAILABLE BY CALLING THE KARCHER
CUSTOMER HELPLINE ON 01295 752200

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4. OPERATING YOUR PRESSURE WASHER
If you have followed all the instructions so far, you are
now ready to have fun cleaning the KARCHER way!!!
•Turn on the supply water and press the Spray Gun lever (No. 8) until
the water flows freely and removes all air locks from the hoses
•You may now attach the Spray Lance (No. 6) or required accessory
to the Spray Gun
All accessories are bayonet fit, simply push in and twist
until they click into position !
•Once water is flowing through the machine, you may now switch
on your Karcher Pressure Washer using the Power Switch (No. 3)
WHEN USING YOUR KARCHER PRESSURE WASHER ON
THE HIGH PRESSURE SETTING, THE RECOMMENDED
WORKING DISTANCE BETWEEN THE NOZZLE AND THE
OBJECT OR SURFACE TO BE CLEANED IS 30 CM.
IT CAN BE CLOSER IF REQUIRED FOR PATIOS OR MASONERY
It is your responsibility to check the suitability of the surface to be cleaned.
Karcher (UK) Ltd. cannot be held responsible for any damaged caused.

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4.1 High Pressure Operation
•Ensure the Spray Lance with Vario Power Nozzle (No. 6) or the Spray
Lance with Dirt Blaster (No. 12) are attached securely to the Spray Gun
(No. 8).
•Set vario power nozzle to high pressure mode
"+".
•Aim the lance towards the object to be cleaned making sure the
recommended working distance is used for reference (See Page 9).
Release the safety ratchet on the Spray Gun and squeeze the trigger.
•Switch on the pressure washer (No. 2)
The pressurised water jet alone is capable of fulfilling most
cleaning tasks around the garden or on building work but
detergent and wash brush are advantageous when cleaning
vehicles or other paint finishes.
4.2 Low Pressure Operation
•Dilute the detergent in a suitable container to the required concentra-
tion before using. (The correct dilution is dependent on the degree of
soiling of surface and is best determined by experience).
•Hang the Detergent Suction Tube (No. 1) in the
Detergent Container.
•Set Vario Power Nozzle to low pressure mode "–".
Note: No detergent in high pressure mode
Note: the Dirt Blaster (No. 12) is not for use in low pressure operati-
on.
•Aim the Spray Gun towards the object to be cleaned, release the
Safety Ratchet on the Spray Gun and squeeze the trigger to apply
the detergent to the working area.
•Switch on the pressure washer (No. 2)