cwguy.com blog

Car Wash Blog / Self Serve Industry Blog and Forum

Recent Comments

  • Another CWGuy on HydraFlex Hydra-Cannon water question?
    I just built a system that fixes the problem of pressure you are referring to. The answer is 2 fold. 1.VFD+ Pressure 2.Monitoring Sensor. Set up where VFD runs at say "40%" putting out 150psi. Then have a sensor that is inline (before manifold) to when a second bay calls for product, and pressure drops, it senses this, and increases the VFD to say 50% to make up for the difference, and retain the 150psi. So on, and so forth depending on how many bays you have. It will take some tweaking, but once it is set, it is set. Also, you only can have a maximum of 5 ports open at once, even if you have 6 different functions, as each bay can only have one selection running at any given time. Email me, and I can give you more info, and / or if you want to buy one rather than build one. It is a very expensive "trial and error" job, as the VFD, pump, and sensor have to do the job right, and give the correct pressures. They will not share any of their tech, as they want us all to buy from ...
  • Another CWGuy on HydraFlex Hydra-Cannon water question?
    Did you know.... You can purchase the "quick disconnect" injectors from "Hydraflex™®? ©" (don't want to infringe on ™®? or © :P) , however you cannot purchase the quick disconnect adapters from them. Hmmmmm? Isn't that nice? Why not? Oh, that's right you can, if you purchase one of their "Aqualab™®? ©." TEN THOUSAND dollar units. Then, they will sell replacement parts for it, which include the quick disconnect fittings. Very frustrating to say the least. IN A STORY NOT RELATED -> If you want to never ever ever worry about check valves again, look into the icheck magnum series which you can buy from Kleen Rite (low ph, high ph, and high pressure) Also, if you are tired of replacing brittle, cracked, sun-drenched, winter haggard poly line, step up and buy the parker (or equiv.) "air brake" line (type B, reinforced). it will last for over 20 years in a carwash, and will outlast stainless steel when running corrosive product thru. I have been running HF thru it for over...
  • Michael Simmons on Make your Fortune Washing Cars – A book? Car Wash people can read? JK :)
    I love your sense of humor, but everything is in the details of any business what separates the strong from the weak is just a few minor details. But that few can be huge, for instance I love Arbys for their sandwiches, but many years ago their facilities were just run down and dirty, back then I would never go to the bathroom in one. Instead I went to Mcdonald's to go the rest room. Now in current time Arby's has gotten the idea that a very clean and modern facility with upgraded equipment will bring in customers. They even have open wifi in many, so that being said a business is the true salesperson it projects an image. Now one must ask yourself what image do you want to project to the public. You yoursef as a owner of a car wash or any business must be the salesman, because without a sale no one has a job. Mike...
  • me on Make your Fortune Washing Cars – A book? Car Wash people can read? JK :)
    I don't think you read the post. Maybe since your not a car wash owner you didn't get the joke? But your a sales person so... :) Maybe in Ohio the government is more restrictive I don't know? But when the government lets people start businesses that they want. Unforgettably to many people have built car washes because of sales people. Which makes them bad investments... so depending where someone is from you will get your desired remarks. Also you are selling a high priced item so only car washes with money would call you... another fact. So of course they would be making money. I also disagree with 90% of your statements except the place should be clean. You do not have to purchase top "knotch" equipment. You can run a super car wash with any equipment on the market. But again your a sales person. :) But I strangely want to purchase a boiler now.... JK LOL :)...
  • Michael Simmons on Make your Fortune Washing Cars – A book? Car Wash people can read? JK :)
    I have met many car wash owners that do make money in the car wash industry. Here is what I have found they are very organized, they buy top knotch equipment, they maintain it everyday, they check their water everyday, they ask for help when needed. Many are true salespeople they get out and meet the customers give them hugs and attend community events. And lets not forgot about having a very clean facility, customers love neatness. Mike Simmons, Vice-President...

LAI lock install

IMG_0108.JPGIMG_0110.JPG

Second try on the Fragramatics vacuum Van Lock replacements.  This time I purchased LAI series 500 locks that can be installed left and right and the key can be pulled out!  (The fist picture shows the Van lock and the second picture shows the LAI 500 lock.)

Read More

Categories: Cleanup and Hueytown.

Someone moved my garbage can!

IMG_0071.JPG

Can you believe that someone moved my garbage can out of my island?  When I was walking up to the island I actually thought that someone had stolen my garbage can, which would have made a better post.

Read More

Categories: Cleanup and Hueytown.

Drain clog, what fun!

IMG_0034.JPGIMG_0035.JPGIMG_0037.JPG

I had a drain clog today.  If you look at the last picture you can see the dam that caused all the trouble.

Read More

Lawn mower died! – Update

IMG_0007_1.JPG

Well I finished cutting the lawn today with my new Homelite lawn mower!  As you can tell I am very excited about my new purchase.

Read More

LAI lock install

IMG_0005.JPG

I ordered a couple LAI locks to check them out and ended up ordering the wrong kind.  I ordered the B622F 600 series high security cam locks that can fit the cylinder locks that I also ordered.  But with the high security locks you can not remove the key when the lock is unlocked,  it has to be in the locked position to remove the key.  This feature is really crappy because the Fragramatics vacuum has 3 locks on the door so I would need 3 keys to open the door, not cool.  So I am going to have to purchase some 500 series cam locks, but the 500 series can turn right and left where the high security can only do one or the other, which is good.  Wow what a pain.

Read More

Fragramatics vacuum / Van Lock key problem – Update

IMG_9992.JPG

I received my Van Lock replacements today!  I decided to go with LAI because I really like how everything can be keyed alike.  Even though it is not really true in my case and I need 2 keys.

Read More

Hamilton credit card acceptor problem

IMG_9894.JPGIMG_9902.JPGIMG_9903.JPGIMG_9904.JPG

I just realized that my credit card acceptor has not been working for around a week so I checked it out with a voltmeter.  The meter was telling me that the credit card reader was dead.  So I called Hamilton to help me troubleshoot the problem.  First problem was they could not dial into my entry system (acw-5).  So I tried to post a report by hitting F2, F2, Y on the handheld.  That is why the handheld (first picture) had the “LAST POST **ERRORR**” message, this means that the entry unit can not dial out.  The problem ended up being a punch down that broke (second picture).

Then I called Hamilton back again and they trouble shot the credit card acceptor again and declared it dead.  It is still under warranty so Randy Nix at Eagle Car Wash fixed me up and they are going to send me a replacement.  I really appreciate Randy; he is a great Hamilton Distributor and guy.  He even calls back and handles problems for you!

Read More

Categories: Cleanup and Hueytown.

Bags of garbage

IMG_9867.JPG

Today I just got a couple bags of garbage, which is always exciting.  I love it when they fill up a garbage can!

Read More

Categories: Hueytown and Repair.

Drain clog again

IMG_9853.JPGIMG_9854.JPG

I had another clogged drain today, which is fun.  If you look in the second picture you can see dog food.  Nice!

Read More

Categories: Cleanup and Hueytown.

Random car parts

IMG_8908.JPG

I always like getting random car parts but this is ridiculous.  I can almost build a new car.

Read More

Sign post

IMG_9747.JPGIMG_9748.JPG

I concreted a sign post today!  Now I can mount 2 signs in front of the car wash for the automatic.

Read More

Hamilton credit card acceptor problem – Update

IMG_9743.JPGIMG_9732.JPGIMG_9735.JPGIMG_9738.JPGIMG_9740.JPG

To get the Hamilton credit card acceptor out of the unit there are 4 bolts that hold it into the acw-5.  Unbolt them and the credit card acceptor comes right out.  Then remove 2 screws and the acceptor comes off the holder.  I then mounted the new acceptor and reversed the process, tested my credit card and everything worked great!  Now I can accept credit cards with my acw-5.

Read More

12
 
 
 
May 2013
M T W T F S S
« Apr    
 12345
6789101112
13141516171819
20212223242526
2728293031  
buy and sell car wash equipment also sometimes :)