Laser wash 360+ winter issues.

[Tball828]

I have multiple 360s that I take care of in my area. All of them are workhorses but just as soon as the temperature starts dropping there is a site with 2 and neither of them will run consistently. All of which are subject to the same weather/temperature (no doors). The owner of the site usually will get them running after spending some time on them, but this is the second winter they have been absolutely horrible. From March to December they will run inspection to inspection. Just curious if anyone has had a similar issue as this? Thanks

 

[bosswash]

What kind of issues are you seeing? My Sonics get a little more picky in the cold. I had a bridge prox get a little goofy in the cold wind last night, but once it warmed up, good to go.

 

[Tball828]

Around those same issues.. today was q2 prox and bridge lost position which makes since if there is an issue with q2. The other bay right beside it ran like a top. I’m going to go in the morning and check prox cables and proxes just in case (q1&q2). This owner is an extremely good client it just sucks this issues seems to be a reoccurring issue tied to the weather.

 

[Waxman]

sounds like it's time to bite the bullet and buy some doors! There's so much money to be made in the cold winter months that I don't understand why you would not install some nice mechanical air lift vinyl rollup doors…

I love mine and they were definitely a welcome change from the old heavy metal insulated doors I had previously. It really changes your outlook on the car wash business when you don't have to constantly repair a broken automatic.

 

[Tball828]

I’ve tired and tried to sell him some. Maybe after this 4 degree morning I might be able to.

 

[Waxman]

I’ve tired and tried to sell him some. Maybe after this 4 degree morning I might be able to.

there is a definite cost to having unreliable equipment. Customers will stop coming if they can't depend on your place being open and functioning properly. Customers want consistency. If they've actually committed to driving into your lot to use your service and pay for it it's a real shame to see them drive off while you're down for repairs. The doors aren't that expensive in the grand scheme of things.

 

[Tball828]

I agree 100%

 

[Waxman]

Plus isn't it a real drag to work on that equipment in such a cold environment with no doors or a way to keep the heat in the bay? i'm guessing the repairs take a lot longer when you have to keep stopping to take warm-up breaks so your hands will function. That's gotta add a lot to the labor charges to fix the equipment. That's another reason to put in doors.

 

[OurTown]

sounds like it's time to bite the bullet and buy some doors! There's so much money to be made in the cold winter months that I don't understand why you would not install some nice mechanical air lift vinyl rollup doors…

I love mine and they were definitely a welcome change from the old heavy metal insulated doors I had previously. It really changes your outlook on the car wash business when you don't have to constantly repair a broken automatic.

Do you close when it gets too cold and if so at what temp? We notice that when it gets down to near 0F that the (heated) presoak freezes on the cars.

 

[Tball828]

Typically the owner will shut down around 10-15 degrees. Typically we don’t see issues till around that temperature. It’s just odd how the last 2 years around 20-25 degrees we start getting random issues after months of running without any problems.

 

[Waxman]

i haven't shut the razor down due to cold. i have doors, floor heat, weep and rail heat. if customers want to wash i will do it.

 

[Tball828]

*update* the idler pulley with the bridge encoder on it had enough ice build up on it the belt was sliding. We thawed out the pulley re configured the nodes and it’s washed all day. Got to find a way to keep the mist off the belt when the temperatures get into single digits.