Alternative to detector loop

[Mel(NC)]

I would like to offer a "wash as long as you like" option at my SS but I really don't want to have to cut the concrete to install a vehicle detector loop. Does anyone know of any alternatives?

 

[mac]

There are alternatives, but it's not that hard to cut the concrete. You can get a diamond blade for a circular saw for around $20. Put on a good dust mask, not the cheap paper ones, and it'll take you maybe 20 minutes. Put in the wire and use a high grade caulk to fill in the cut. Photo eyes are an alternative, but that would be real easy to cheat and have the customer stand in front of it and wash a lot of cars.

 

[Earl Weiss]

There are also surface mount pads and a "Goodlin Loop". I believe the Sonny's catalog has both. They only detect metal objects.

 

[Greg Pack]

You can get probably get a concrete cutting contractor to come in and cut your floors for you for about 300 dollars.

 

[MEP001]

I agree, it's not all that difficult to cut concrete, and if you keep a flow of water on it you won't choke on all that dust. That said, I do like the idea of a surface mount loop, but you still have to cut some concrete. Keep in mind that you don't have to cut up and remove a big slab or anything, just a groove from the wall to the center of the bay, then a few more grooves to make a square with the edges clipped.

A sonar device might be a good alternative, but they're very expensive and have to be custom-programmed, unless there are some that are either field adjustable or that can be purchased preset with a field of range.

 

[PaulLovesJamie]

True, cutting concrete is easy... but how deep do you have to cut? I'd be concerned about the floor heat. Also, getting the wires up the wall into the coin box is a lot harder than coming down from the attic.

I would swear I heard somebody has a prox sensor that you can install overhead in the attic, that sure sounds easier. No idea where I heard that or if its true though.

 

[Bubbles Galore]

I like the idea of a wash as long as you like but am wary of cutting my concrete. My concrete chipped last winter and not a quarter inch below the floor was my heating conduit.

 

[RykoPro]

Loops should be cut 1/2 deep. I would make it 3' x 6' and then you have to cut to the wall for the wire to enter a conduit. The wire should be 14 AWG or larger with 5 continous loops in the cut. When the wire exits the loop it needs to be twisted all the way back to the loop detector to nullify false signals.

 

[Mel(NC)]

Thanks for the replies. It looks like a loop is still the way to go. Does anyone have any recommendations for where to buy the equipment?