Turbo Vac Conversion Kit

[Waxman]

Saw an ad in PC&D for a conversion kit to make a 2 motor vac into a 3 motor turbo vac. Looked cool with yellow hose and new 'Turbo' decal.

Anybody got any feedback about this kit? Ease of install.? Cost/benefit analysis?

TIA

WAXman

 

[Bubbles Galore]

I haven't seen anything. If you don't have the option to switch between "regular" and "turbo" with an automatic time adjustment, I don't know that I would want to do it. I would only want the turbo option as an upsell option, in my opinion.

 

[MEP001]

"Ease of installation" depends on the kit and/or the vacuum. Are you going to have to cut a 1 1/2" hole in the stainless top? That would be the hardest part. I agree, unless you're trying to compete with someone by improving the performance of your vacs, the option will only cut your profits by increasing maintenance and cost of operation. You can only upsell a turbo option if they get less time per coin for using it. Consider using the Domel vac motors - they only cost about $10 each more than cheapo ones and have more lift and more airflow - only problem is they're about 1/4" taller and won't fit all vacs.

 

[I.B. Washincars]

I've had 3 motor vacs from the git-go and charge more than my competitors do. The "turbo" option is just a gimmick, set them up with three and charge accordingly. I've yet to have a customer start a sentence with "If your vacs only had less suction".

 

[Earl Weiss]

I've had 3 motor vacs from the git-go and charge more than my competitors do. The "turbo" option is just a gimmick, set them up with three and charge accordingly. I've yet to have a customer start a sentence with "If your vacs only had less suction".

I disagree as to needing or using three motor vacs. I have over 40 vacs spread between 4 locations. Many I "Inherited with the location, so I have about 18 with 3 motors and the rest with 2. If everything is working optimaly there is no noticeable difference in suction. And customers only care that they suck well. They don't care if it is a single motor or 3 motors.
I would only convert if there was an upsell potential, and the customer could notice the sucking action going from good to insane.

Aside from the conversion the breaker and wiring will need to handle the third motor. A 2 motor vac can operate on a 20 amp circuit but for a 3 motor you will need 30 amps. You can also operate a 2 motor esily straight from the timer. I have some 3 motors done this way, but a relay is preferred.

All in all 3 motors are a PITA.

 

[Waxman]

very useful info; thanks!

 

[Eric H]

Consider using the Domel vac motors - they only cost about $10 each more than cheapo ones and have more lift and more airflow - only problem is they're about 1/4" taller and won't fit all vacs.

Are you referring to their extra powerful motor? They also draw more amps. I measured 24 amps on the two I installed. Requiring 10 ga wire and a 30 amp breaker.

 

[MEP001]

Nope, the regular Domel 492 motor. It's a little higher than regular motors at 9.7 amps, but it's within the specs of 12 ga wire and a 20 amp breaker with two motors.

 

[JMMUSTANG]

I've had 3 motor vacs from the git-go and charge more than my competitors do. The "turbo" option is just a gimmick, set them up with three and charge accordingly. I've yet to have a customer start a sentence with "If your vacs only had less suction".

My turbo vac has 2 price points: $1.00 for 2 motors and more time and $1.25 for 3 motors and less time.
I have 1 turbo vac, 6 regular vacs, 1 carpet/vac shampoo and 1 scent/vac all the other vacs priced at $1.
The turbo vac income has outperformed (at least 20%) all the others consistantly for 8 years.
I wished I had only turbo vacs and nothing else. Less headaches.

 

[Eric H]

Nope, the regular Domel 492 motor. It's a little higher than regular motors at 9.7 amps, but it's within the specs of 12 ga wire and a 20 amp breaker with two motors.

Sorry, I was referring to a different motor. I couldn't find it at the Windtrax website. It pulls 112 cfm and 12.5 amps. I use them on my air dryers.

So...yeah...I really added nothing to this tread

 

[Bubbles Galore]

Don't get me wrong, I like the idea of a turbo vac, but without the option to upsell, I just don't see the point. At my wash, I always want to look at ways of giving my customers a reason to spend more money. I don't want to sticker shock them and force them to use a turbo vac when my competitors are half price. I would rather offer both options and let them make the choice. 9 times out of 10, I bet they always go with the more powerful option...

Just my .02

 

[mjc3333]

3 motor vacs

I've had 3 motor vacs from the git-go and charge more than my competitors do. The "turbo" option is just a gimmick, set them up with three and charge accordingly. I've yet to have a customer start a sentence with "If your vacs only had less suction".

I agree 1000%. I am the only SS wash that has 3 motors in ALL my vacs. I've done it that way for 22 years. Every customer coments on how MUCH more powerful my vacs are to the wash down the street. I charge more for less time, never had a customer NOT compliment me on the vacs. Another great advantage is IF one motor goes bad the vac still performs half way decent until the vac can be repaired.

 

[Earl Weiss]

I agree 1000%. I am the only SS wash that has 3 motors in ALL my vacs. I've done it that way for 22 years. Every customer coments on how MUCH more powerful my vacs are to the wash down the street. I charge more for less time, never had a customer NOT compliment me on the vacs. Another great advantage is IF one motor goes bad the vac still performs half way decent until the vac can be repaired.

What brand of Vac are you running? If a motor goes bad you lose you now have 2 running and ALMOST 50% of that suction will go thru the opening where the bad moor is.

 

[MEP001]

I'm sure a 3-motor vac with a motor out would still work a lot better than a 2-motor vac with a motor out.

 

[mjc3333]

What brand of Vac are you running? If a motor goes bad you lose you now have 2 running and ALMOST 50% of that suction will go thru the opening where the bad moor is.

JE Adams "single use" 3/motor vac model 9253. Before that I had Monorail G-2 vacs w/ 3 motors. The JE Adams is even more powerful than the Monorail. The bag setup inside was different between the two. I am not saying it is a good thing when 1 of the 3 motors goes down, but if you only have 2 motors to begin with, you're out of business when one is out of service. The vacuum still picks up lose dirt and debris with 2 motors, it just gives me time to find the problem and fix it accordingly.

 

[Earl Weiss]

I'm sure a 3-motor vac with a motor out would still work a lot better than a 2-motor vac with a motor out.

I can only speak from experience. If one goes out on my 3 motor vacs it doesn't suck worth a darn. Neither do the 2 motors if a motor goes out. Is oit better? Maybe twice as good, bot 2 tims zero is still zero.

 

[I.B. Washincars]

I agree with Earl. Neither a 2 or 3 motor vac with a 2" hole in the can is going to wotk good enough for anybody. Put a check valve under each motor and now we've got something.

 

[MEP001]

Put a check valve under each motor and now we've got something.

That's exactly what Fragramatics does on their turbo vacs. I couldn't believe how cheesy it looked when I first saw one, but it works.

 

[Earl Weiss]

That's exactly what Fragramatics does on their turbo vacs. I couldn't believe how cheesy it looked when I first saw one, but it works.

always thought about doing it but could never figure a rerofit that would not be a PITA to install as well as possibly maintain. It would seem tht it would get gummed up with dirt and / or corrosion after being open for a long time.

 

[MEP001]

They use a PVC check valve with a very light rubber poppit, I think it was 2". The one I looked at had been poorly maintained, but the dirt wasn't gumming up the valve at all, and there was no sort of rust or corrosion. All the installation needed was three holes drilled in the stainless under the motor and corresponding holes drilled in the PVC end and stainless wood screws with counter-sunk heads so the motor could seal. There was probably a gasket between the check valve and the stainless, I just don't remember.