Arch Vacuums

[Jon]

I’m looking to install paid vacuums and was going to go with the arch vacs to give it more of a “professional” look

However, after reading a couple of threads, some people said the arch vacuums gets clogged way more frequently than standard vacs.
If that’s so, why do all the big name washes always install vacs

Owners with arch vacs, I would love to hear your opinion!

The demographics my wash is in is middle class to lower middle class income level

 

[Axxlrod]

Are you talking about central vac systems or solo canister vacs?

 

[Jon]

It’s paid vacs and cannister

 

[ShinePro]

I m going to jump in and ask for opinions as well. I want to rid myself of islands ( mine are in front of the ss bays).
Any opinions of the set like the pic I attached.
Pay vacs with scanners for app customers, all the goodies, etc.
Just want the opinions of this style.
Thanks

 

[soonermajic]

Paging TDLConcepts..

Also, that's a unique looking iBA site...

 

[OurTown]

that's a unique looking iBA site...

I believe it's an Autec In-Bay-Express.

 

[ShinePro]

Yea that pic is off the Premier web site.

We just want folk’s opinion that have operated them this way
I ve seen single booms - twin booms
Lights - canopies - etc.

another pic from a IBA /ss wash

 

[HeyVern]

I m going to jump in and ask for opinions as well. I want to rid myself of islands ( mine are in front of the ss bays).
Any opinions of the set like the pic I attached.
Pay vacs with scanners for app customers, all the goodies, etc.
Just want the opinions of this style.
Thanks

I have that style vacs, clogging in the hoses is an issue, they need to be checked at least twice a day. It doesn't really matter how often you check somebody will plug it 5 minutes after you checked it and the person after them will be in your office complaining about the vacuum not having any suction. I honestly don't know if I'd install them again.

 

[DakotaHoskins]

Definitely stay away from crevice tools if installing arch vacs. Clogs are an issue and they do need checked at least twice daily. I still feel for the look its worth it though.

We have 6 JE Adams V Arches.

 

[Waxman]

it's so nice to have something consistently reliable and profitable like a standard coin-op vacuum. they have a simple and time-tested design. they just sit there and make you money day and night. they require so little repair and maintenance!!!

why would you mess around with it and make it prone to clogging???

 

[ShinePro]

it's so nice to have something consistently reliable and profitable like a standard coin-op vacuum. they have a simple and time-tested design. they just sit there and make you money day and night. they require so little repair and maintenance!!!

why would you mess around with it and make it prone to clogging???

Fair question
1) space is limited
2) I want to get my islands that are in front of my ss bays out of the way
I have people take too much time in front of an empty ss bay. Keeping others from using it.
3) vac islands on same side of building as IBA line. Creates traffic congestion on really busy days.

If I m going to blow it up.
Its at least worth my time to investigate the new styles available.
Thus the reason to join in on the question!
Hows that for an answer?

 

[Greg Pack]

I'm interested in arches too but do not want to do anything that increases problems. Anyone have any recommendations for lighted arches that don't clog often?

 

[Car_Wash_Guy]

I love the look of the arched vacs with the dual tips 9 Claw & Crevice ) as well as the overall appearance of the arch. Some have mat holders , towel bins, trash and compressed air.

I'd love to install at my IBA site but my issue is I have a TON of RV's and trailers that use my SS bays and sometimes they go around the perimeter of my lot and I could see the arch/awning getting torn down. Then I also have my garbage truck that goes the same route.

 

[wyatt]

I'm going to be building a new ss wash soon so I've been investigating these style vacs as well. Why are the single canister ones so prone to clogging? Do the central vac ones not clog? The ones you see at all the new tunnel washes? If not, wouldn't it simply be the canister vacs can't create enough suction to prevent (most but not all) clogs?

 

[HeyVern]

The central vacs clog as well. Canisters have more trouble with clogging because they turn off. Whatever is in the hose or arch when the vac shuts off, stays in the hose and arch. The smaller hose on arch vacs also contribute to the problem. I am thinking about trying 2" hose on one to see if that would help.

 

[wyatt]

I didn’t know they come as 1.5” hose. I’ve always used 2” on regular style vacs. Does that mean they only make the steel boom in 1.5”?

 

[wyatt]

Or if it typically clogs at the joining of the the boom and the hose why hasn’t anyone created an adapter so that the hose can somehow connect on the inside of the steel to it tappers up in the direction of suction or maybe a sleeve adapter to it’s all exactly the same size?

 

[Axxlrod]

I got a quote recently for some canister vacs with booms. 3 vac spaces, so two single drops on the outside, and two double drops for the in-between spaces.

$34K.

I about fell out of my chair.

 

[HeyVern]

I didn’t know they come as 1.5” hose. I’ve always used 2” on regular style vacs. Does that mean they only make the steel boom in 1.5”?

The boom itself is 2 1/4" the clogs are rarely in the boom. They are typically in the hose.

 

[Blanco]

The boom itself is 2 1/4" the clogs are rarely in the boom. They are typically in the hose.

Switch to 2" hose and all your clogs will be in the boom. Less frequent then the 1 1/2" hose and nozzle but still a PIA. I started out using 2" to 1 1/2" tapered hose. Simple things like Snapple caps would clog the nozzles instantly.