Dixmor LED 7 Car Wash Timer Hack and Magswitch Keychain Magnet

I got a question for you Dixmore LED 7 timer users. Well… This should be about everyone really. 🙂  All the manufacturers basically have standardized on this timer now.  (Maybe if Gin-San had a cheaper repair policy they could have competed better?)  I also would assume all the current Dixmore timers inducing the LED 5 and LED 6 are like the LED 7.

What is the reed style magnet switch in the timer actually for? I always thought it was for resetting the timers. I also assumed from reading…. That it was for an issue with coin acceptors.

Well someone claimed that you could check your coin count with any magnet? But I thought you have to push a button to check the count?  Or use the remote control?

It seems that someone is confused. But Dixmore does not claim the switch has any functionality tied to it?  Which makes me believe it is a security feature…. For the coin acceptors.  Plus why would Dixmore allow you to check the coin count without a password?  Just a thought…..

Funniest Thing I Have Heard in a Long Time….

So I was waiting for my daughter after school today and I heard something really funny.  Kids are funny…. Today I learned that Land Rovers break down constantly.  Well…. I might have already heard about that…. LOL 🙂

The other day I learned Apple iPhones and Apple watches catch on fire…. I believe it was just iPhones?  But still funny hearing it from a first grader.  🙂

Just when you think you KNOW someone!? I am going to get electrocuted!

Disclaimer: I realize an Electrician is a skilled position. I also thank Greg and YouTube for teaching me enough electrical knowledge so I have not had to call one. Mainly Greg in teaching me about a breaker box…. Opening it up etc. (Also all Electricians are not created equal…. I wish I got the name that my mother in law called after I told her what her GFCI problem was. What Electrician says a GFCI that does not reset is fine?)

So I needed to fix a plug that was plugged in in the KITCHEN! I started looking through my car wash stuff and all I had was an USA build Leviton plug. Not this LINK but they cost $15-20 at HD a lot cheaper on amazon. (I should have used a cheaper one.)

My wife came home and saw the Leviton plug and flipped out.  (I guess it was the metal housing?)
Wife: “Unplug that it will burn down the house!”
Me: “What? The plug? That plug cost $20 at Home Depot and I replaced the $1 cheap China crap plug which really might have burned down the house.”
Wife: “You should get an electrician to install that or something?  You might have installed it wrong!”
MUCH TIME LATER….
Me: “If I change the plug to one that looks like the old plug would that be better?”
Wife: “Yes”

It made me think that she is probably not alone…. They should probably teach some BASIC electrical skills.  Same with plumbing.  Some with banking etc.  Also that self service car washes are the best place and the best value to wash your car.  🙂

I have not heard this in 10 year! LOL :)


This is something that I have literally not heard in 10 years or more. I thought it was the funniest thing…. This may be a nerd thing?  🙂

I was selling a Dell Optiplex SFF which is a “nice computer for the money”…. People have asked a tons of questions.  But honestly when you are selling a working computer for $20 people expect way to much!  I can not think of anything I even want for $20!  JK I am hungry!  🙂  You get the idea though.

Customer:  “Can I come to your house to make sure it works?” 
Me:  “NO NOT FOR $20!”  What I really said…. “No we can meet somewhere.”  I do not want to drive anywhere…. But I do not want anyone who wants a $20 computer to know where I live!  LOL 🙂

This guy said and I am quoting “If you’ve got an XP 32 bit. I want it.”  He might be the last person on Earth that wants a XP 32 bit computer!  🙂

Honestly…. I have run into really bad hardware and software that has to run on Windows XP.  I just never thought of it as a niche market!  I would raise my price but I can not even sell them for $20.  LOL 🙂

Washcard’s New Money Making Plan

Honestly I did not know they were still around anymore.  Cryptopay seems to be the only thing people talk or use for some reason?  (My original post had way to many opinions about both products so I just deleted it.  :)) I believe washcard use to be sold at kleenrite also?  (The only complain about washcard was really price I believe?)  Unlike other products or about every other product that is gone now.

Someone was talking about washcard the other day and I checked out their website  They do not have any documents that you can download with more details (which I could find).  But I was really only interested in their meter box.  They also posted videos on YouTube…. My original post had lots of opinions on the interface and speed of the product.  I would love to see the system working in real life.  Let me know of a location if anyone knows of one close to me.

The feature I thought was the most bazaar was selling ads on your meter box.  Their website had a lot of space dedicated to this feature.

I would love to hear from anyone that has tried to sell an ad or has actually sold an ad on your meter box. Also if you did please include your city and state because I am honestly interested in knowing if it is possible.

I believe selling ads on your meter box is impossible…. But it seems like a good idea in theory.  I even have talked to an Express guy about this very topic.  The reason I say this is because I have seen newly open gas stations sell ads in the past and it never lasts more then a couple months.  Again it could be completely different in different areas.

Please let me know.

Conversation I had with my Wife

Wife: “Can you drill holes in this for my friend?”
Me: “Sure what size?”
Wife: “Just drill normal size.”
Me: “So what size is normal size?”
Wife: “Just the standard size drill bit.”
Me: “You do realize that drill bits come in literally every size?”
Wife: “But there has to be a standard size.”
Me: “Sure I will use that size….. LOL :)”

I actually “LOL” also…. It is an actual quote.  🙂

The funny part is I ended up using a 3/4″ drill bit…. Which I would hate to jump to conclusions but is not very standard.  LOL 🙂  Maybe in woodworking?  But I am not a carpenter by any stretch!  🙂   BTW The last set of bits I purchased did not even have this standard bit.  🙂  Walter HSS 01E618


(Oh yeah…. I made this with all my wooding skills. I attached a wooden table on top and it is a trendy standing desk (you know you want one also! 🙂 LINK example) They are actually great for working in the basement or work shop…. work bench. It was a good project.)

BTW if you know of a better bit set let me know. I do really like the Walter set though. I usually purchase crap from HD in the past.

I also had a discussion recently which made me wonder why someone goes back and forth so many times to act like they have knowledge on a topic.  It is okay to not know everything.  Listening and asking questions helps you learn things.  Making up stuff gets you in trouble most of the time.  Listening…. Is actually the reason I purchased used equipment from people…. I did not realize I was purchasing used equipment from a distributor. I asked questions and listened…. Listening when talking to someone that knows more then you…. this will help you learn even more. I did. 🙂  (I thought I was purchasing refurbed equipment and the equipment could have been…. but refurbed it a funny word.  I can use compressed air to refub something?  LOL 🙂  Or an actually manufacturer could refub something…. There nmight be a difference? Might not?)

I bet this just bothers me and I am a douchebag? :)

Okay is it just me…. or is it weird that this random guy calls.  He gave me his name but I will never tell you his name!  Well Nathan said…. LOL 🙂  (Like you know him…. Also like there is only one Nathan.  LOL 🙂 )  So this guy calls me 3 times rapid fire and leaves 2 messages back to back…. all critic like…. like I stole a quarter or something! 🙂  His question was…. “Does the car wash have a lost and found?”  Guess what?  He actually did not care what the answer was.

Lets pause for a second here:  YEAH!  If you want to feel better TAKING SOMETHING THAT IS NOT YOURS…. do NOT INVOLVE ME!  Do not call me and do not talk about it with me…. I do not want to know about it!

Well…. I should not say that…. Well technically yes I should…. He wants to keep a “volt meter” (which I think is normal (unfortunately) and believe me someone if not Nathan would have taken the meter.  Plus there is no way I would have gotten the item…. The clean up guy would have thrown it away to be honest.  🙂 ) and I said that we do have a lost and found.  But Nathan told me he will keep it?  WHAT?  Now I need to keep NATHAN’S PHONE NUMBER so NATHAN can keep the meter and feel good about it?  So…. maybe he should have not asked me in the fist place?  I fell better talking about this…. Thanks for listening.  It just seems like people just try and cause me trouble….  🙂  But it is unfortunate I will have to contact Nathan in a month and tell him I need to pick up this awesome meter to donate it according to law…. also our lost and found policy.  🙂

My foam brush is just water! Where is the…. Foam brush stuff! :)

Just a side note to start: This might seem obvious but…. When you make any change the dilution tank will need to be drained before you will know if you fixed the problem. Yes you will be able to see chemical being pulled into the dilution tank when you fix the problem…. So you could wait. 🙂  I was just addressing the fix will not be instant for the foam brush.  The dilution tank is filled with water and needs the correct dilution of chemical for the foam brush to work correctly again..

foam.jpg

When you are troubleshooting a foam brush problem it can be lots of problems.  This time the issue was “none of the foam brushes are working”.

  1.  So the first thing to do is verify if it is really all the bays are not working.  Always verify.


Next check your dilution tank or holding tank…. Just check your tank with your hydrominder in it.  You are checking to see:

  1. Is your hydrominder stuck?
  2. Is the chemical hose connected?

If the hose and hydrominder seem to be working properly it is probably the next item.

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I have had every problem ever with foot valves.  Yes you need them and yes they go bad especially in harsh chemicals.  (The gray foot valves are for harsher chemicals.)  There is also a reason I use pvc.  (Maybe 2 feet?)  This makes the new hose straight and when the hose hardens over time it will be easier to pull out of the chemical drum.

    1. Check your chemical…. Do you have any?  🙂
    2. Check to make sure your hose and foot valves are under the chemical line.  This allows the hydrominder to suck the chemical needed for the foam brush.
    3. You can check the foot valve…. maybe clean it?  But I would replace the foot valve if that is the problem.

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I am not sure…. but hydrominder troubleshooting may need its own how to? LOL 🙂 I was trying to make this simple for someone. 🙂

But hydrominders are also not complex either….  you can also just replace a lot of the parts which are sold separably.

  1. Check hose seal on hydrominder…. Some times the hose can get to fat or crack…. basically pull air which is bad.
  2. Check the hydrominder water pressure…. If the water is barely coming out you might have some sort of build up in the hydrominder.
  3. Check the hydrominder for cracks…. Usually you will know there is a problem like the picture above.  🙂
  4. Check the post alignment…. Sometimes the post (or whatever it is called) is off and causes it is randomly stick.

So my chemical drum tips:

  • Never put the draw hose all the way at the bottom of the drum.  If something goes wrong all your chemical could get sucked out!
  • Use around 2 feet of pvc to keep the hose straight and everything cleaner…. maybe.  🙂

My hydrominder tips:

  • Use stainless screws…. Are these really not included?  🙂
  • Keep some parts on hand…. I had a couple full spares and way to many individual parts.  If this breaks you are in trouble.  🙂

My high pressure car wash bay setup

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(For this original picture I had a Mosmatic 90 degree swivels…. I did not post my results yet.  But from my unscientific research conclusion.  I believe Mosmatic fittings are the nicest looking fittings, the most expensive fittings and do not last as long or as well as any of my other fittings I have used previously.  I would recommend Parker, Value Line, Kleen-Rite brand…. I believe you understand my unscientific conclusion here.  🙂  But the Mosmatic fitting did last around 9 years and they can be rebuilt…. Just like all the others which I would not rebuild.  Mosmatic fittings just cost a lot more and they do not last 15-30 years.  LOL 🙂  I do like shiny things though!  I also purchased a Mosmatic 40.032 $33.07.)

If you noticed from the picture…. I also used a Mosmatic 3/8 30.154 inline swivel fpt $34.67.  I used it between the whip hose and the bay hose.  I believe an inline swivel works better on the gun.  I also tried 2 swivel…. Up top and on the gun…. I just use one at the gun.  Also the performance from this Mosmatic swivel must not have been that exciting I do not remember?  Maybe it is brass looking now and it is still installed?  🙂

Basic information:

  • All fittings are 3/8 for high pressure in the bay
  • NPT: National pipe thread taper / US standard or Normal pipe thread!  🙂
  • MPT: Male pipe thread
  • FPT: Female pipe thread
  • I have in the past couple years tried to purchase my fittings from amazon.com.  Most of the time you can find them HERE or by searching.  But sometimes the cost is a little high LINK ($8.99 on 4/17/2018).  But if you consider what you need…. Shipping from KR is not free and I have found I can waist an hour or more getting one ebow sometimes.  (Different stores.)  But Home Depot now pulls stock for you but the prices are retail…. But you can get them the same day.
  • I have noticed amazon.com and Northern Tools have more high pressure guns now and more supplies now…. But I have never purchased any of them.  These might be good sources if you need a gun fast?  I have also found some random high pressure stuff at Home Depot.
  • You need to use plumbers tape on everything

Parts:

  1. Plumbers tape $1.87 LINK
  2. Parker S2107E-6-6NI 90° Boom Swivel 3/8″ M x F  LINK
  3. Black 3/8 6 foot hp hose for the inside of the 360 degree boom (KR)
  4. Brass Fittings Pipe Coupling 3/8 $1.39 LINK
    • Stainless steel class 1000 version $3.79 LINK
  5. 4 inch piece of stainless steel piping sch 80 316/316L NPT male (to prevent the boom from rubbing a hole in the hp hose) $3.94 LINK
  6. Brass elbow 90 degree fitting 3/8 fpt LINK $3.35
  7. Whip hose:  3/8 1 foot hp hose
  8. I started installing quick disconnects next.  (Helps in the winter when or if you shut down the wash.)
    • 3/8-Inch Stainless Steel Quick Connect Pressure Washer Adapter Set $12.99 LINK
  9. Blue 3/8 8 foot hp hose to the gun (KR)
  10. Fluid Controls 3/8 FxM Brass Swivel 3500PSI $18.99 LINK
  11. Giant Guns w/SS Discharge Fitting Weep $24.95 LINK
  12. Wand Pipes Threaded & Tapped 1/4” x 18” Stainless WTS418 $9.44 LINK
  13. 18″ D&H Insulated Lance WTL22003 $15.50 LINK
  14. Snap Clip for WTL22003 WTL22004 $4.35 LINK (Not required)
  15. Gun Guard – Black, Rubber GUG22046 $3.50 LINK (I was told I should use these…. I never did.  They look annoying to me.  :))
  16. Suttner Nozzle Protectors 1/4 F x 1/4 F SUTNP4F4F $4.99 LINK (I love these but the zinc fitting will rust…. It should be stainless.  But your crappy setup rust also.  LOL 🙂 )
  17. Spraying Systems 1/4 in. Male NPT WashJet Spray Tip, 2507 SN2507M4 $3.45 LINK

This was a variation on what was installed when I purchased the wash.  I believe the Suttner nozzle protector makes the gun setup look a lot more professional.   At a different wash I used a Spring flex wand…. Which I liked because the customers were more violent with equipment.  🙂  I did replace the nozzle with the Sutter…. Small rotating nozzles are super annoying.  You can also purchase a cheaper gun setup…. I have used cheaper gun setups.  My Dad had purchased and used some of the worse equipment I have seen…. It is not what you should do.  LOL 🙂

Also the GinSan Blue Nozzle Protector Fits 1/4 is the type of nozzle I hate LINK especially anything smaller.  They rotate in your hand.  The Sutter nozzle is not perfect because it is not stainless and will rust onto the stainless wand pipe.  Then you have to use a pipe wrench.  Also replacement parts would be nice because the outside black piece could be replaced more frequently…. Maybe if it was cheaper?

Also a note that all the fittings are 1/4″.  Usually I have found in all the used equipment I have seen operators use 1/8″.  I believe larger is easier to work with, makes larger parts, more throughput and probably better.

  • Spring Flex Wand with 1/8 Nozzle Protector $16.99 LINK

 

  • Stainless steel pressure chart I went by: LINK (Let me know if I was incorrect. Preciously I purchased from a catalog but could not find the email.)
  • An aside for Kleen-Rite: You should use a link shortener for emailing links. Your links are interesting and very long.  Also before anyone says anything…. I used part numbers from a 2005 catalog and they are still the same.  Just a hint and just saying.