Remote control device of some sort

[copperglobe]

Wondering if anyone knows of a remote control device or app or some such thing where I could activate a simple action from a remote location on a phone, for example. Just to be able to pulse a relay remotely to give away an automatic wash to a customer sitting there complaining on the phone to me. Frustrating to get a phone call from someone at the washes having "issues" and me watching them on the cameras and not being able to resolve the problem by just turning on the automatic for them.

 

[Roz]

Look at the Canadian Company Tech1st that has a product called CoinPay as they seem to offer a solution. If you have a Razor for the IBA it can be controlled remotely with an app but not by pulse (by VPN). EzeSys is another technology. No company seems to be leading the pack in this area, several trying but with mixed results. If you have a Hamilton pay station I believe they make a remote control add on product.

 

[washnvac]

https://www.controlbyweb.com/webrelay/

 

[Sparkleclean]

https://www.controlbyweb.com/webrelay/

This is a neat device but it only gets powered by dc power. I dont have that in the vacs.

 

[MEP001]

This is a neat device but it only gets powered by dc power. I dont have that in the vacs.

You could still use it but you'd need banks of DC relays to switch the AC current/signals, and that gets expensive.

 

[OurTown]

Would 28VAC work fine on 24VAC controls?

https://www.controlbyweb.com/webrelay-quad/

 

[mjwalsh]

Wondering if anyone knows of a remote control device or app or some such thing where I could activate a simple action from a remote location on a phone, for example. Just to be able to pulse a relay remotely to give away an automatic wash to a customer sitting there complaining on the phone to me. Frustrating to get a phone call from someone at the washes having "issues" and me watching them on the cameras and not being able to resolve the problem by just turning on the automatic for them.

Copperglobe & others,

It would require an industrialized protective enclosure & possibly other components ... but this might make more sense for a more 100% tailored alternative DIY solution: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ir-pyjsiDF0

Compatible external relay banks (1-16) are available at very low cost (SainSmart & others) & with 10 amp contacts it appears their specs exceed the controlbyweb specification.

I personally would not rule out this & very well may be doing a similar add-on for our 32 washer (laundromat) control upgrade. It would be nice to have someone besides myself being a "guinea pig" so to speak. Don't get me wrong ... I am actually serious about this. It is surprising how much can be optimized with "mutual support" for some projects!

 

[Rudy]

If you have a computer at your car wash....this device makes "remote" relay management easy.

http://denkovi.com/usb-relay-board-four-channels-for-home-automation-v

I installed mine last fall, and it allows me to reset my automatic bay....and well as activate a "free" wash. When a customer calls with a problem....I can reset the bay, and have the customer "on their way" simply using my Android phone.

 

[mjwalsh]

If you have a computer at your car wash....this device makes "remote" relay management easy.

http://denkovi.com/usb-relay-board-four-channels-for-home-automation-v

I installed mine last fall, and it allows me to reset my automatic bay....and well as activate a "free" wash. When a customer calls with a problem....I can reset the bay, and have the customer "on their way" simply using my Android phone.

Rudy,

So the software is really user friendly even at the computer side? Is this the software: http://denkovi.com/denkovi-relay-command-line-tool This is basically very similar to what I was referring to. Note what appears that your software can also be used with Arduino & Raspberry Pi, Linux & not just Windows. I am assuming you are using Windows 7 or 10 on the computer left on 24/7 at your car wash?

 

[lilb93]

https://www.tp-link.com/us/products/details/cat-5516_HS100-KIT.html get the kit and use the app Kasa.
Last year we used the 110V controller to turn on or off the floor heat. It is also controlled by Weep Mizer. We set it up so that when we know it is going to be close to 34 degrees and will bounce to 32 maybe 30 we can shut off the floor heat manually on our phone. Gas bill in 2016 was an avg of 488.00 . In 2017 we got it down to 325.00 you can turn anything off or on in less than 3 seconds.
Think my son got at at lowes or Amazon was 49.00. free APP

 

[Rudy]

Here's the software I used:

http://denkovi.com/drm-software

I have a Windows 7 computer on 24/7 that runs my Credit Card system. The relay software is installed on this computer and connected via USB. I have a VPN network, and access the computer securely using Remote Desktop.

 

[SteveZone]

Wondering if anyone knows of a remote control device or app or some such thing where I could activate a simple action from a remote location on a phone, for example. Just to be able to pulse a relay remotely to give away an automatic wash to a customer sitting there complaining on the phone to me. Frustrating to get a phone call from someone at the washes having "issues" and me watching them on the cameras and not being able to resolve the problem by just turning on the automatic for them.

Can your wash controller generate wash codes?

 

[mac]

You can also just buy an Istobal. That feature comes standard with it.