I am fixing to build a new automatic and was wondering if its better to have the blowers inside the bay, or outside? I was going to build a 40' long building but wondered if I could build one shorter if I put the dryers outside?
Dryers inside of bay or outside of bay.
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I.B. Washincars
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I have only one standalone dryer, which is outside. I wouldn't do it any other way.
soonermajic
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I.B. why would you not do it any other way?
I.B. Washincars
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Several reasons.
1 - It's 4 blower, 60 HP and makes much less noise that my 20 HP, 2 blower Mark VII on-boards. My guess is that you don't get the echoing effect when it is outside.
2 - There is no dripping onto the dried car from the equipment, door, bldg. etc.
3 - Building a longer bldg. to house something inside, when outside is free, and a less harsh environment makes no sense.
4 - A friend in a nearby town put his inside after I advised him not to. I went through his once. It was a huge pain in the a$$ to creep through his, because it was close to the auto equipment, and my rear wheel was going through the treadle while I was trying to get through the dryer.
In the 10 years since I've had it, not once have I wished I had put it inside. Frankly, I wish I hadn't put the electrical panel inside. The box has rusted badly and is about to fall off the wall. I can't imagine a company like PECO would have put that cheapa$$ box with something that is to go into a car wash
Is there some benefit to having it inside the building? I don't see it.
1 - It's 4 blower, 60 HP and makes much less noise that my 20 HP, 2 blower Mark VII on-boards. My guess is that you don't get the echoing effect when it is outside.
2 - There is no dripping onto the dried car from the equipment, door, bldg. etc.
3 - Building a longer bldg. to house something inside, when outside is free, and a less harsh environment makes no sense.
4 - A friend in a nearby town put his inside after I advised him not to. I went through his once. It was a huge pain in the a$$ to creep through his, because it was close to the auto equipment, and my rear wheel was going through the treadle while I was trying to get through the dryer.
In the 10 years since I've had it, not once have I wished I had put it inside. Frankly, I wish I hadn't put the electrical panel inside. The box has rusted badly and is about to fall off the wall. I can't imagine a company like PECO would have put that cheapa$$ box with something that is to go into a car wash
Is there some benefit to having it inside the building? I don't see it.
pgrzes
Active member
Not to rain on your parade IB. But I put a Washworld HV in my 46' bay and have my dryers inside. I have neighbors directly behind the exit of my wash and have yet to have any complaints. The dryers have been there with the auto for 3 years and were there for about 15 years when it was a short conveyor. All wiring goes into composite boxes in the bay and we've had no issues at all.
I.B. Washincars
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But is there a benefit to having it in the bay? The benefits for outside, I listed. Alma has to build the bay. I don't see any need or benefit for putting it inside, and building the bay longer for the dryer makes no sense at all.
Jeff_L
Well-known member
I have mine integrated on my PDQs, and if I were to do it again, I'd hang the dryers off the outside of my building for two one big reason....drips from equipment onto clean cars while drying is a pain.
If going to the outside, remember to check the decibel allowance your city permits. Also consider the aesthetics of having equipment hanging out the back and also potential for vandalism since there would be no door providing security. Putting them inside the building reduces/eliminates those two concerns, but costs an awful lot of money to do it. Also, inside the building you'll have to deal with the deterioration of components being in such a humid environment. I've seen some tunnels long enough that the dryers are in an entirely separate room.
If going to the outside, remember to check the decibel allowance your city permits. Also consider the aesthetics of having equipment hanging out the back and also potential for vandalism since there would be no door providing security. Putting them inside the building reduces/eliminates those two concerns, but costs an awful lot of money to do it. Also, inside the building you'll have to deal with the deterioration of components being in such a humid environment. I've seen some tunnels long enough that the dryers are in an entirely separate room.
There is a funeral home across the street from the land I bought. The IBA building will be across the street from their parking lot, so not directly in front of the funeral home. I am concerned about noise because of that. There is not a an ordinance for sound but I still want to keep the peace with the neighbors. The way I have it layed out they would exit toward the funeral home parking lot.
pgrzes
Active member
I have residential houses 200' from the exit of my bay. So I went from a 9-5 express tunnel to a 24 hr automatic. Plus I swapped out old vacs to 3 motor vacs that have beepers that are way to loud out there. Thankfully I havnt had any complaints. Then again wash has been there for 48 years!!!!
