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  • 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...

Coleman Shampooer Problem – Update

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Now is the time to test the group of fittings that connects to the right of the solenoid. This is really bad because you have to take off the whole back panel.

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Well I took off the panel to remove the solenoid and I had to take a picture (second picture) what was behind the panel. (The solenoid was being held on by 2 screws.) So I took off the group of fitting and they look totally clogged with rust. The barbs are the same way. I believe the only way to fix this problem is to order a new part from Grainger.

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Coleman Shampooer Problem

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Well, I guess this it just going to happen if you have an older Jim Coleman shampooer.  The shampoo solenoid valve is rusted and is not allowing liquid to pass through.

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Water Rushing Sound!

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I opened the door and I thought I was hearing a busted water line.  But, it was only my weep solenoid valve dying!  It was quite loud but did not give off that much water.

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Water Wizard Problem “ Update

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Talked to William about my Water Wizard pre-soak problem.  Which does not allow pre-soak to the boom occasionally.  He seems to think it is the solenoid valves that cut on the side and top pre-soak.  They both looked clean!

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Foam brush problem in Wylam!

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What happens when there is a problem with your foam brush in Wylam?  Someone just steals your foam brush!  (Easy)  The problem was the solenoid wires were corroded / had a bad connection causing the foam brush not to work.  Which in turn caused me to get a foam brush stolen!

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I hate it when I “know” what the problem is!

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So the problem is the high pressure wax function does not work in one of the bays.  First I decided there was crap in the hp wax solenoid.  So I slowly starved the pump of water to pull the crap out of the solenoid.  That did not work so I removed the solenoid to clean it, which did not work.  So I decided the problem was with the needle valve which I just removed all of them, that did not help.  Then I pulled out my voltmeter and checked to see if I was getting voltage from the switch to the equipment room which I was not (I am getting somewhere!).  So now I need to figure out how to check a rotary switch.  I need to give Greg a call!

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Weep system problem

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Looks like my solenoid is having a little problem.  I guess that is why the equipment room floor was all wet?

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Foam brush weep system

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I hooked up my foam brush weep system today.  The check valve at the far end is used as a plug because I did not have one with my today.

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I just attached the foam brush weep to one of the pumps weep lines for now, but I will need to purchase some parts and mount it better later.  The last picture shows the weep solenoid on the far left which is where I will be mounting the weep line.

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Time for the weep system

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I connected my Dixmor DX-1000 Weep Mizer to my new Jim Coleman equipment.  The second picture shows how the hose is connected to the pump.  The next picture shows the solenoid connected to city water pressure.  Last picture is the solenoid power and constant power supply.

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Coleman solenoid problem

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Who would guess that if you leave a pumping unit unused (for 2 1/2 years) a solenoid might get clogged up.  Actually, I only had one clogged solenoid which had a clump of dried up chemical clogging the spring.

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Flojet, hydrominder and solenoid problem

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It was really an overall Foam brush problem.  I guess crap got stuck in the solenoid and caused all the chemical to get sucked out.  Then the hydrominder got stuck down when it got tired and caused the Flojet pump to constantly run.  Cool!

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Foam brush problem

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The solenoid got stuck and wanted to drink all my foam brush chemical.

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May 2013
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buy and sell car wash equipment also sometimes :)