Main Street Carwash
Member
Has anyone here done this? I am intrigued by this. Any input on the pros and cons? I also was wondering what the area requirements are as well in order to determine if it is even feasible. Thanks.
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Adding IBA to SS
- Thread starter Main Street Carwash
- Start date
Overachiever
Active member
What are the dimensions of your bay? Different machines have different requirements.
tdlconceptsllc
Well-known member
What size main water line is in the equipment room do you have? What size panel box do you have any spares. What's the height measurements of your current bay like overachiever said. Do you want touchfree or friction new or used. What about stacking room and exiting. I am all for putting a IBA In a SS bay but all these variables come into play. Is your SS busy now or kinda. How far is closest IBA, what's Daily traffic count. It's a lot of work & time but can be worth it. It definitely can be a income booster but every site and demographics and building requirements are different for each site. This past summer I just helped a friend do a SS conversation. The growing pains can be painful but can be done and expensive.
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loewem
Guest
I'm doing this right now. Installing a Belanger Vector in an existing self-service Bay. As Overachiever posted, you will need to check the dimensions of your bay against the requirements of the IBA that you are looking to install. I think that many IBA's can be floor mounted with posts and rails and dryers can be mounted in a similar manner. I had to add a concrete pad (14' wide x 6' long) to the exit side of my bay to accommodate the floor stands for the wash and dryers.
You'll need to consider what the local government will let you do and what they will require...engineering plans, permits, etc will probably be required. Dealing with the local government can be a challenge. You'll need to consider equipment room space needs, electrical needs, water supply/plumbing needs. You'll need to consider electrical and communications needs for the autocashier (Unitec Wash Select, Hamilton Goldline, etc.) and consider that most companies that offer the IBAs are phasing out phone-line support. That means internet service and possibly a monthly service with the company that supports the autocashier. Try to think the autocashier through, so you can keep your expenses down.
From a business perspective it makes good sense. Many customers don't want to wash their own car and IBAs generate more revenue than self-service bays. In my case I generate the same revenue with one IBA that I do with four self-service bays. An IBA is a little easier on your back too.....not as much mud or trash clean up as the self-service bays.
I own a laserwash 4000 and am installing the Belanger Vector right now. From what I've read on the forum I'd lean towards washworld IBAs if I had to buy a new unit. There was a good thread on a Washworld install recently, but I think that it got lost in a computer glitch of sorts.
I'm sure that you will get some good info from operators/forum members that are more knowledgeable than I am.
Feel free to PM me if you'd like to get my phone number to talk.
Good luck!
You'll need to consider what the local government will let you do and what they will require...engineering plans, permits, etc will probably be required. Dealing with the local government can be a challenge. You'll need to consider equipment room space needs, electrical needs, water supply/plumbing needs. You'll need to consider electrical and communications needs for the autocashier (Unitec Wash Select, Hamilton Goldline, etc.) and consider that most companies that offer the IBAs are phasing out phone-line support. That means internet service and possibly a monthly service with the company that supports the autocashier. Try to think the autocashier through, so you can keep your expenses down.
From a business perspective it makes good sense. Many customers don't want to wash their own car and IBAs generate more revenue than self-service bays. In my case I generate the same revenue with one IBA that I do with four self-service bays. An IBA is a little easier on your back too.....not as much mud or trash clean up as the self-service bays.
I own a laserwash 4000 and am installing the Belanger Vector right now. From what I've read on the forum I'd lean towards washworld IBAs if I had to buy a new unit. There was a good thread on a Washworld install recently, but I think that it got lost in a computer glitch of sorts.
I'm sure that you will get some good info from operators/forum members that are more knowledgeable than I am.
Feel free to PM me if you'd like to get my phone number to talk.
Good luck!
Main Street Carwash
Member
My bay size is 15w x 20l x 12(I think)h. There is not a great deal of stacking room on the input side but my property is 650' deep so the exit flow shouldn't be an issue. I probably would upgrade my electrical service but it is 200amp now. Water line is 1-1/2" I believe but maybe only 1", I will check. I would probably install a used unit if I were to do this. Traffic count is about 7k cpd if I recall correctly on an old survey(5 yrs ago). There is a new fairly large apartment complex half a block down the street that may have increased it a little. There actually used to be some kind of automatic wash next door to me that was part of my operation at one point but is gone now but surely the infrastructure remains? I have been contemplating buying that property anyway. The area is up and coming with property values on the rise. Still not a destination neighborhood by any means though.
Main Street Carwash
Member
Oh, there is no IBA in the city at all, just one other SS and mine is not very busy yet as I just reopened it a month ago but it is getting there. It was supposedly very busy when it was open before.
