Water Conservation

[Earl Weiss]

Some great things are discovered by accident. Is this one?

A tech guy inadvertantly programeed a DRB function with the Flashing mode typicaly used for signs to the solenoid that applied saopy water solution to the Cloth.

Now, would it serve to conserve water with little to no adverse effect if water application to the cloth were pulsed? Say 2 seconds on and 2 seconds off?

Some other timing?

Just reduce nozzle sizes and keep flow constant?

OK maybe I need to get a life

 

[briteauto]

Earl,

Is this pulsing a pump? If so, my guess is that it will greatly decrease the life of the pump. Also, I wouldn't mess with decreasing my cloth/brush lube in any way - it is so critical to safe and effective cleaning.

Just my thoughts.

 

[Earl Weiss]

If you are using a pump to apply water with cleaning solutions to the cloth or foam I would not do it by pulsing the pump. It would have to be a solenoid that opens and closes.

 

[briteauto]

If you are using a pump to apply water with cleaning solutions to the cloth or foam I would not do it by pulsing the pump. It would have to be a solenoid that opens and closes.

Sorry - didn't read your first post closely enough.

 

[Waxman]

I'd go the simplest route first, reduce nozzle size. Then see if cleaning or lubricity suffers. If not, you're done.

 

[mac]

There used to be a fascinating show called something like Changes or Connections. In it the guy talked about advances in technology over the ages and how improvements were mainly done after the initial product or technique was introduced to business. While pulsing may not be the answer it got you to thinking and tinkering for better results. I've been finding that just going down a size or two on your nozzles can save hundreds over a year. For every hundred you save in operating cost, it's equivalent to generating about $400 in revenue.

 

[rph9168]

You might also be able to reduce the number of nozzles by increasing the spray pattern while maintaining coverage.

 

[JMMUSTANG]

You can reduce nozzle size but I turned on my nozzles to the brushes and noticed that I had tremendous overlapping of spray. It was overkill.
So took out the nozzles in the middle until I had overlapping spray just at the car surface.
Ended up taking out 4 nozzles per brush and still had plenty of lubricating soap overlapping at the cars surface.
Also programmed the nozzles to go off right before the brushes go around the rear of the car. Plenty of lubrication still on the brushes.
Reduced not only water but chemical and sewer cost.
I would be concerned to reduce both tip size and nozzles.

 

[rph9168]

I have reduced water consumption many times by both changing nozzles and spray patterns. A lot depends on the rinseability of the chemicals you are using. Some company's chemicals rinse better than others depending somewhat on whether or not you are using softened water.

 

[JMMUSTANG]

I have reduced water consumption many times by both changing nozzles and spray patterns. A lot depends on the rinseability of the chemicals you are using. Some company's chemicals rinse better than others depending somewhat on whether or not you are using softened water.

So true. I had to change my triple foam.