What's new

Water turning on and off

Johnboy

New member
Joined
Feb 20, 2023
Messages
9
Reaction score
1
Points
3
Got a hydro-spray rain maker. During cycle water main pump keeps kicking on and off. Rinse tank stays full. When car is in wash and it kicks plunger in electric panel you can hold it in and water continues and wash can be completed. You can turn tower or floor water on at computer and it would run all day. Any ideas.
 

cantbreak80

Maybe I need new clubs
Joined
Feb 10, 2008
Messages
1,131
Reaction score
582
Points
113
Location
CO
1st Step: By-pass the LLCO
If that solves the problem, check for loose connections or splices from the switch to the panel.
 

Johnboy

New member
Joined
Feb 20, 2023
Messages
9
Reaction score
1
Points
3
Okay, fairly new to car wash world, just been managing this one for about 1 1/2 years. Not familiar with all the terms. LLCO?
 

cantbreak80

Maybe I need new clubs
Joined
Feb 10, 2008
Messages
1,131
Reaction score
582
Points
113
Location
CO
Sorry...
LLCO = Low Level Cut Off (Switch)
LWCO = Low Water Cut Off (Switch)
Same thing...different jargon

Been awhile since I've been inside a Rainmaker cabinet, but I believe the LLCO/LWCO is a simple corded float at the bottom of the water tank. The float interrupts 24 VAC to the pump's motor starter. They aren't known for failure...but it's at least a 20-year-old machine.
 

Johnboy

New member
Joined
Feb 20, 2023
Messages
9
Reaction score
1
Points
3
I’ve looked in bottom of tank. The only thing I see inside of the tank is the float at top. I’ll take a closer look tomorrow but I’m pretty sure there is nothing there . May drain the water down lower just to make sure.
 

cantbreak80

Maybe I need new clubs
Joined
Feb 10, 2008
Messages
1,131
Reaction score
582
Points
113
Location
CO
I just reread your first post...Nevermind the LLCO!

Since the pump runs non-stop from the touchscreen, I suspect the treadle switch. (That's the pad where the car's front tire sits.)

The treadle switch is connected to one of the green Phoenix relays in the panel. When the car is in place the relay's indicator will illuminate. Watch the relays when the issue occurs. If the relay blinks on and off, then check the treadle switch. I suspect it's failing.

Don't confuse the treadle relay with the encoder relay. The encoder relay flashes on/off as the carriage moves fore and aft in the bay.
 

Johnboy

New member
Joined
Feb 20, 2023
Messages
9
Reaction score
1
Points
3
Me and the owner talked about that today. I think first thing in the morning I’m gonna pull it up and give it a good lookover. Will let you know what I find out.
 

Johnboy

New member
Joined
Feb 20, 2023
Messages
9
Reaction score
1
Points
3
Well, I pulled treadle plate, made sure everything was clean, checked wiring in bay. went to computer turned on auto, ran my truck in, watched monitor and inside control panel, treadle light stays on even when water stops and comes back on. Still have problem with water shutting off.
 

Jsshac

Active member
Joined
Oct 29, 2019
Messages
140
Reaction score
35
Points
28
Does the pump motor shut off when this happens? Does the tower stop moving?
 

Johnboy

New member
Joined
Feb 20, 2023
Messages
9
Reaction score
1
Points
3
Pump motor shuts off, thus no water.. kicks back on. Tower keeps moving through the entire automatic cycle. Sometimes water only shuts off once, sometimes it may shut off 3 or 4 times
 

cantbreak80

Maybe I need new clubs
Joined
Feb 10, 2008
Messages
1,131
Reaction score
582
Points
113
Location
CO
Hummm...
Just might be that float switch.

Secure it in the UP position to see if that stops the problem.
 

Johnboy

New member
Joined
Feb 20, 2023
Messages
9
Reaction score
1
Points
3
Will try that tomorrow. I’m tired of messing with it today. Roped it off and came home. The tank stays full, even when running normally..just can’t figure why it shuts off and on.. maybe the contactor on the main switch? Have no clue.. it did this last summer when it was hot outside, I opened panel put a fan on it and it quit acting up. Now it’s 40 degrees outside and it’s doing it again.
 

MEP001

Well-known member
Joined
Aug 30, 2007
Messages
16,665
Reaction score
3,946
Points
113
Location
Texas
If it has a thermal overload, set it to manual. If it stops and doesn't restart until you press the reset, it might be failing or drawing too much current.
 

Jsshac

Active member
Joined
Oct 29, 2019
Messages
140
Reaction score
35
Points
28
Pump motor shuts off, thus no water.. kicks back on. Tower keeps moving through the entire automatic cycle. Sometimes water only shuts off once, sometimes it may shut off 3 or 4 times
Is it possible the tank isn’t filling fast enough at times causing the low water fault?
 

Johnboy

New member
Joined
Feb 20, 2023
Messages
9
Reaction score
1
Points
3
If it has a thermal overload, set it to manual. If it stops and doesn't restart until you press the reset, it might be failing or drawing too much current.
Will look into that and let everyone know. Thanks. I’m getting a couple ideas as where to look.
 

jubalr

Active member
Joined
Mar 23, 2019
Messages
115
Reaction score
116
Points
43
Location
Winchester, TN
You'll still need to eliminate the float switch, which could be switching to empty signal at a certain water level that is still plenty in the tank. Try to fix it in a position with the cord pointing down, or hold it there yourself while someone tries the wash. Since the wash is continuing to operate with the pump off hints to that tank switch.
 

Jsshac

Active member
Joined
Oct 29, 2019
Messages
140
Reaction score
35
Points
28
Tank stays almost Full. Water supply no problem.
I would look for a low level float or switch in the tank. If the float is floating at the top of the tank that may cause a problem
 
Top