Low weep pressure/freeze ups

[Edie011]

Hi everybody I'm having a huge problem with my car wash weeping. There are 3 SS bays and an automatic, the SS bays are weeping fine but the automatic has low weep pressure and freezes easily.....this has been a huge issue since we are located in northern ohio with these brutal winters. Check valves have been gone over and seem to be ok, but I'm still losing weep pressure somewhere!!!! Please help!

 

[soapy]

Do you have a big enough supply line going to your automatic? With more weep points it would need a large supply volume of water. If you have a big enough supply line then start at a point and work you way out checking the lines to see at what point you loose the pressure. It could be a restricted fitting or too small of solenoid etc.

 

[Edie011]

Do you have a big enough supply line going to your automatic? With more weep points it would need a large supply volume of water. If you have a big enough supply line then start at a point and work you way out checking the lines to see at what point you loose the pressure. It could be a restricted fitting or too small of solenoid etc.

It has a 3/8" line. There are 6 nozzles on the trolley and about 12-16 on floor nozzles.

 

[2Biz]

With 22 nozzles weeping 16-18 oz. a minute, you should only need about 3gpm total flow. Even if you had barb fittings inline that would restrict flow from what the 3/8" hose would supply, you still should have enough volume and pressure. Have you checked your weep solenoid for blockage?

I had a Dema on my weep when I bought my wash. I all kinds of problems with weep and freezing lines. The problem was calcium buildup in the solenoid that was restricting movement of the piston. Changed it out with an Asco and all has been fine since.

 

[Randy]

What is your incoming water pressure? Does the 3/8” line feed both the self serve bays and the automatic? How much water per minute are you weeping in the self serve bays?

 

[Edie011]

Will check the solenoid tonight after work. It is currently a dema. Not sure what the pressure is from the city., and no the SS Bays have their own weep main. Thought it was a check valve leaking back into another line so I replaced all valves to no avail. Thank you so much for your help I will let you know what I find tonight

 

[2Biz]

When you suspected bad check valves leaking into other lines, was your float tanks, chemical mix tanks, or SFR tank overflowing? If not, then the problem doesn't sound like its bad check valves. Do you have a valve that regulates flow to your Auto? Is there a regulator inline? There are many things that can cause your problem....

 

[Edie011]

Whenever I would blow it out with air you could hear it coming through the spot free lines and into the holding tank. There are no regulators just a ball valve and a T to the trolley and floor. That means it would have to be the solenoid right?

 

[2Biz]

Not necessarily? Is there any galvanized piping/fittings in the line? You see how far this can go. It can be anything... You'll have to start at the beginning and work your way out like Soapy suggested to see where the pressure is dropping. Checking the solenoid will be one of those checks plus what the city pressure is like Randy suggested. I was just relaying the experience I had with a Dema. But then again, I didn't know how many years it was in service.

The topic has been discussed many times. The consensus is that an Asco valve is much better. Let us know what the Dema looks like when you pop the cap off. Mine was so caked with calcium, I don't know how it worked at all...

If you heard air blowing back into the SFR tank, then you have a bad check valve in one or more of the HP lines where the SFR tee's in. Did you get that fixed?

 

[Edie011]

Yes fixed the check valve. And just found my problem, when I took the solenoid off and clamped the hose onto the spot where the solenoid was I had my pressure! All of it, so I replaced the solenoid with a spare and same problem, restricted flow???? What is going on? Solenoid label reads model 0A742P S.W.P. 300 MOPD 150

 

[MEP001]

The solenoid may not be opening fully. I've had a brand-new Dema piston-type do that too. Either go with a diaphragm type or a different brand like Asco.

 

[Edie011]

Got it figured out, using a 1/4" solenoid and I'm not getting enough flow, ordered a bigger one today wi let you know how it works out.

 

[Jeff_L]

My .02 worth. I used to use piston solenoids for weep, learned my lesson the hard way over the years. Two seasons ago I changed them out for diaphragm solenoids, much better.

 

[Edie011]

My .02 worth. I used to use piston solenoids for weep, learned my lesson the hard way over the years. Two seasons ago I changed them out for diaphragm solenoids, much better.

Already ordered the piston solenoid before I saw your post, can you please explain the pros and cons from piston to diaphragm?

 

[MEP001]

Pilot-operated piston solenoids have a mechanical piston that has to slide in its chamber and is prone to sticking. Pilot-operated diaphragm solenoids are usually higher flow and are less likely to fail to open fully when energized.

 

[Greg Pack]

I second the notion to use a different brand such as Asco or GC

 

[Earl Weiss]

Got it figured out, using a 1/4" solenoid and I'm not getting enough flow, ordered a bigger one today wi let you know how it works out.

Acquired a place with a beautiful backroom setup done by the old White Glove Chain. Noticed all 1/2" water lines used 3/4" Solenoid valves. Tended to follow that example since - upsizing solenoid valves one size above the pipe size. Don't know how much it really matters. Do know that a 1/4" soe\lenoid was too small to supply Tunnel triple foam air for 3 flo jets and 3 air injections. 1/2" solved the issue.

 

[Edie011]

Acquired a place with a beautiful backroom setup done by the old White Glove Chain. Noticed all 1/2" water lines used 3/4" Solenoid valves. Tended to follow that example since - upsizing solenoid valves one size above the pipe size. Don't know how much it really matters. Do know that a 1/4" soe\lenoid was too small to supply Tunnel triple foam air for 3 flo jets and 3 air injections. 1/2" solved the issue.

Yes I found out the same thing.

 

[Edie011]

I second the notion to use a different brand such as Asco or GC

I would have to disagree that Dema solenoids are no good. I believe that there are so many out there that people believe they are worse because there are more out there to break. When only 30% or so of the solenoids out there are another brand of course it will seem like they are bad. Just my two cents

 

[2Biz]

I think we are discussing the best solenoid for a weep system. The Asco Diaphragm valve (By Consensus) appears to be the better valve. If you're dead set on using a Dema, look for one that is Diaphragm operated and shy away from the piston type ones. You won't find many operators on the forum use them. There's a reason.