air compressor, bottom line, crap, dad, dip stick, glue, piston, pistons, rubber mallet, screws, speedaire, and wheel.
Broken Air Compressor?
I finally decided to figure out what was wrong with my air compressor pump. The wheel would just spin freely and not do anything else. When I removed the top the pistons? wouldn’t move when I pushed on them. I would guess that is not good! It was also dry and gummy. But who knows what it is suppose to look like?
I removed the wheel thing (technical term) I guess this piece is fine? But I believe I spotted the problem.
Looks like something broke in the compressor pump? :) Looks like maybe the pistons seized up and the wheel thing ripped all the crap apart! But it looks like I have all the pieces and I can easily fix this with some glue!
I forgot to tell you the way to get this pump apart is to take all the screws out them hit it with a rubber mallet. At least it worked for me. The 2nd picture looks like the piston actually broke/cracked then the whole pump blew up? Maybe?
But I really can’t decide if the pump just didn’t have enough oil? Maybe that caused all the problem? I checked with the dip stick and it didn’t register, that is bad. So the bottom line is I figured out what the problem was with my Dad’s broken air compressor and with a little glue I will be able to get this old green SpeedAire back as good as new!
International Carwash Association Trade Show 2010
This was a new product that everyone was talking about this year. It was from Hydra-Flex Inc. the Aqua-Lsb TX 9000F Chemical Delivery System. Wow that is a mouth full! The big unit (first picture) costs around $15,000 and it replaces all your hydrominders with injectors and delivery pumps. You can supposedly save up to 20% including electricity, water, chemical and maintenance! But not really sure what the difference would be if you regulated your water into your hydrominders? Also the other problem they pointed out was the hydrominder tips ware and that is how the unit saves on chemicals.
The little unit (last picture) I was told was for self-serve but I talked to Hydra-Flex last year (when they only sold injectors) and they said injectors were not good for self-serve, only automatics and tunnels so who knows? The guy was also trying to sell a unit to my Dad. :)
clamp, dad, flange type, hoses, jim c, magic piece, procon pump, and water wizard.
Procon pump problem? – Update
I got my temporary Procon pump from my Dad today. I have never replaced a Procon pump but William said it is easy, which it was.
You just have to remove the old pump. Mine is a clamp style because it is clamped on like the second picture shows. The other type is flange type.
Then you put the “magic piece” (second picture) which make everthing work in the motor, line it up with the pump, tighten the clamp on the pump and motor, install all the hoses back correctly and test. Done!
Procon pump problem?
The Procon pump started leaking and I guess the only thing to do is to replace it. I need to order one and also see if my Dad has a spare.
Foam brush hose problem
Kink in the foam brush hose. I just replaced the hose. The hose is really cheap and I would never purchase this crap again. I actually got it from my Dad.
Water Wizard Preparation – Bay work
Not mentioning any names, Dad, but we got the wrong measurements for the eyes. So William moved the eyes and the treadle today.
Standard replacement?
I was checking out my Dad’s Standard changer install today. (He took the changer out of his Moody carwash.) It replaced an equally worn Rowe changer like the changer in the right picture. He gave me his spare Rowe BC-200 changer so now I have 5 Rowe changers! Yea! I need to sell one to Greg.
Another weather update
Another rainy day and I accomplished one thing. I installed my Dad’s new computer today.
Water Wizard Preparation – Operator’s Manual, Installation Manual
I got my Water Wizard books from my Dad today. Now I just need to talk to an electrician to get an estimate on installing the electrical.
Moody after 2 days of heavy demo
I got some pictures from my Dad of his carwash 2 days after they started demoing. They did a good job.
Recent Comments
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 ...
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...
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...
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 :)...
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...