I think I'm going to try to put something together like Soapy's done for a treadle and use a pressure switch. Does anyone have and good/bad experiences with certain brands? I'm looking at the ones from Kleen-rite -- Recora & London Mat. Also, Soapy (and whoever else may have done this), what size mat are you using?
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Best Floor Switch?
- Thread starter bigjws
- Start date
MEP001
Well-known member
Depending on the signal you need, a driveway hose switch is reliable and cheap to maintain since it's just a rubber hose to replace if someone spins a tire on it. The switch parts lasts forever as long as it's kept dry.
I've used this one on D&S 5000 auto's for years. I've had to glue diamond plate aluminum on top of them in some places where people would spin their tire over it and compromise it. They usually last 5-10 years as long as it's not abused.
https://www.kleen-ritecorp.com/p-3694-london-mat-6260-regular-floor-switch-5-in-x-32-in.aspx
I've used this one on D&S 5000 auto's for years. I've had to glue diamond plate aluminum on top of them in some places where people would spin their tire over it and compromise it. They usually last 5-10 years as long as it's not abused.
https://www.kleen-ritecorp.com/p-3694-london-mat-6260-regular-floor-switch-5-in-x-32-in.aspx
MEP001
Well-known member
It definitely won't work for an in-position switch where contact needs to be held, but it's great for triggering the undercarriage.
soapy
Senior Member
The picture shows the Ryko front stop at the top, the pressure pad in the middle and my custom rear plate with a 1 inch bend at the bottom. It sits between the guide rail and the under car wash bar on the left. The rear plate is critical as it keeps the tire from rolling back off the plate or treadle. You can use 2 plates, one for each tire or as I found out just use one. 2 plates are only required if you are worried about someone driving up over the large guide rail on the opposite side of the installed plate. I converted to only using 1 plate years ago without any problems.
Thanks Soapy .. looks great! I'm thinking of making one a little closer to the 'treadle-less' concept. The main problem I have is with the guys who drive in at 10mph and jump the treadle -- even with a stop light, horn blaring, and red led's around the stop light! I'm looking at the ramped London Mat that is 14"x32", possibly just having it out there by itself or like you having a 1" angle, but I'd have the angle at the front and the back. This way they wouldn't have to have their tire 'fall into' anything. Yours definitely gives them a wider space than my existing treadle to stop though .. I'll have to do some more thinking on it.
friesmaniac99
Car Wash Enthusiast
I feel that virtual plates are better than floor switches. For one they don't get crap underneath them and cause problems. And it's a lot better and easier for the customer.
MEP001
Well-known member
I used contact cement, similar to what you glue laminate down with. They lasted years where they were lasting months (one time a few days) before when people would spin their tire on them and compromise it.
I agree with the advantages of the virtual plates, but sometimes it's not practical. I would assume with some type of programming my touchfree washes could be converted, but that's a bit above my talents! A while back (when Specialty was still in business, so a LONG while back) I checked into changing to a virtual treadle system, and they wanted north of $3000 for the conversion ... I'm hoping to spend about $400 max for the mat and a stainless base contraption to tie the treadle mat and backup mat together in a clean and easy to swap out unit.
friesmaniac99
Car Wash Enthusiast
$3000 dollars for changing it to virtual treadle, what a rip off. I mean I guess in some ways floor treadles can be better but I’m a pretty big fan of virtual treadles. Most car washes near me use treadles. We have a Ryko XS 2 with the 2 floor treadles and those things are so slippery and they cause your tires to spin out. Still I just prefer virtual treadles from my viewpoint as a customer.
I agree completely .. one of my autos has the virtual treadle, and it's definitely preferable. That's why I've thought about trying to just use photosensors in place of a treadle to keep the ground clear and clean, and on one of the touchfree's this may work (I'm still researching) -- but my other one has to have the back tire hit the treadle when the vehicle is leaving so the computer knows the wash is empty. So without reprogramming the unit somehow, I'm going to have to go with a mat..
The Car Wash Fanatic
New member
Wow, $3000 to convert an an old floor treadle is indeed a total rip off. I agree with Friesmanic. But still, I prefer the virtual treadle. A SoftGloss MAXX that was installed in 2016 also had the 2 floor treadles, but they were causing so many problems, (including some tire damages) they converted to the virtual treadle.
Good discussion. I've come to hate most floor switches for the reasons mentioned. I'm hoping I can insert a picture of my wash bay. There is basically nothing on the floor but the tracks and reflectors to guide the customer. And 3K is a rip off. All you need are two sets of photo eyes, maybe a couple of relays, and programming them into the plc. Makes for a much more user friendly and inviting place. Also notice hardly anything on the walls. Went to a new Ryko install and just stood there thinking how much wiring they had to do.
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