Self serve tri gloss

[aca carwash 2]

I'm repairing a 3 pump tri gloss system. I have a two ss bays. All flo jet pumps and work and I believe solenoids work. I'm getting air to the tri gloss on one bay when it's on another selection such as wash soap. When I put on tri gloss I get nothing. The other bay is getting tri gloss. Any thoughts?

 

[Eric H]

When I put on tri gloss I get nothing. The other bay is getting tri gloss. Any thoughts?

I'm reading this two ways: 1 bay works fine, 1 bay does not work but one tri foam pump runs when "wash" is selected OR when Tri foam is selected it comes out in the other bay?
I think you mean the first one. It looks like it is time to get your voltmeter out.
1 Select Tri foam in the bay and check for voltage at rotary switch. (BTW: now might be a good time to map out the positioning on the rotary switch if you do not have a schematic somewhere already.) If you do not have voltage coming out of the switch there may be a short, loose wire or bad switch. ( I had the internal parts of a rotary switch fall apart a couple of weeks ago and it caused all kinds of symptoms)
2 If you do have power coming out of the switch follow the wires to the tri foam solenoids and check for voltage there. Is there a solenoid for the floret pump? no power? check for shorts or loose wires.
3 If step 1 and 2 have power it is time to look at any timers that control the tri foam pumps. The timer would be what controls the sequencing for the color changes.

it might be helpful to someone if you let us know what brand equipment you have.

 

[MEP001]

I'm repairing a 3 pump tri gloss system. I have a two ss bays. All flo jet pumps and work and I believe solenoids work. I'm getting air to the tri gloss on one bay when it's on another selection such as wash soap. When I put on tri gloss I get nothing. The other bay is getting tri gloss. Any thoughts?

Does it have a separate application gun for tri gloss?

When you say you're getting air, does air come out from the gun?

When does air come out, ONLY on "wash soap?"

Try and be more specific when describing these things.

 

[aca carwash 2]

Eric and Mep, thank you for the replies, I tend to be alittle non specific enough at times as a rookie.I will ck the brand today and reply. I have a separate gun for tri gloss in each bay, the tri gloss hasn't worked for some time so I replaced the 3 flo jet pumps. When i run bay 1 it works ok, altough I don't have it totally how it needs to be (air -foam mixture) although it's 100% better than before, I'll work on it more today. In bay 2 on tri gloss selection I get nothing out of the gun. A couple times when I went to the bay when the wand was on another selection I was getting air out of the tri foam gun. As I said, tri gloss has not worked for some time. I will ck the wiring and solenoids today. I do know when iti hits each color tri gloss for this non working bay the "color" solenoids activate. Thanks again guys

 

[MEP001]

That's what I'm getting at, you said "when the wand is on another selection." That's very non-specific. If the trifoam comes on with a particular function selection, say which one it is. Check all that and give specifics. Try to determine if it's coming on with just one position or if it's multiple, and see if it's running with another bay also running. You don't have to be an expert to give details.

 

[Eric H]

If the system has been out of service for a long time the plungers might be gunked up and sticking in the closed position.

Since you are new to the industry it would be in your best interest to find someone in your area to act as a mentor. Someone a little more than 20-30 minutes away from your location should not be threatened by your wash. Get involved with your local association, ask your soap distributor for advice, etc.

 

[cwguy.com]

I agree with Eric.... Greg taught me all the basic stuff after I purchased my car washes. I still harass him today (actually it was yesterday)! LOL

This problem does sound like multiple solenoid problems.... Like Eric suggested.

Here is a link to lots of pictures: http://cwguy.com/?p=1422

 

[aca carwash 2]

The tri gloss system has been working ok, getting three colors for a week or two. The problem now lies in the air solenoid which stays on all the time. I don't give myself enough credit, Mp, I have owned this wash for 13 years, I had a key maintenance guy on staff who could fix most issues if not to technical, probably not one like this, this is why I use the forum. I have spent thousands over the years on "qualified technicians", now that I have some extra time I chose to learn myself, I also have a laundry and fix most of my equipment. I also rely on my soap vendor but many are only so knowledgable. I hate throwing $ to be used as a Guinia pig so I chose to,learn and network. Just have had an enormous amount of things to fix coming back to this neglected wash. All be said I believe the wiring is correct on this solenoid, and idea why it continues to stay energized? I replaced with another solenoid (not new) but still stays activated.

 

[MEP001]

Did you check the solenoid to see if it has power when it's "activated?" If it is, the problem isn't the solenoid.

Follow the solenoid wire back to whatever electrical component is supposed to make it come on, take a picture of it and post it here.

 

[aca carwash 2]

How do you upload a picture?

 

[MEP001]

Easiest way is to upload them to a file hosting site, then you use the "Insert Image" button to add the address of the photo. Photobucket is free. I use Imageshack which is free for 30 days and then $10 a year - it's easier to use.