Door Openers in SS

[Sponge Bob]

Is anyone out there running electric door openers on their SS bay exit doors? I have manual operated overhead doors on the exit side of the SS bays to cut down thw wind tunnel affect, conatin some of the floor heat and provide some comfort to the customers. I installed a Liftmaster shaft drive opener on 1 bay for testing. i am ready to equip the other bays. What problems can i expect? i plan to install a large weatherproof push button near the door for customer control.

 

[Plow Guy]

Small towm wash

I also have doors on the north side of my self serve. The inside of the door is not smooth. I only open or close them seasonally. When I do any water left on the doors from washing drips off into the bay,then the water dripping off the cars builds ice on the shady side of my wash.I have had trucks back into the bay and bend the doors.If it opened automatically maybe that would stop the damage and help traffic flow.I have looked into role up doors like at my storage units.The only thing stopping me is the cost and fear of maintenance.Ah the fun of washing cars at 10,000 Ft. Best of luck. Pete

 

[Whale of a Wash]

I had electric openers on one wash. Shaft drives will unravel the cables, and drive you crazy. If the door sticks at all the opener will unravel the cables. The chains will rust really bad. We tried nickel plated chain and it lasted a little longer. I have one wash that is automated with Magnaglides, and alaskan doors. With electric eyes and timers the doors are safe and will close automatically. These are hooked to the door-- not the shaft. It cost me close to $50K for 8 doors 10x10 with magnaglides, but at least i haven't had a cable jump in 4 yrs with them. They have saved alot of $$ in heat also.

 

[Sponge Bob]

I am refering to my SS exit doors and they will not be automated. I am running automated airlift doors on my auto bays with magnaglide operators. The AB's are my money makers and yes they deserve the good stuff. The SS bays and the SS customers are less deserving. I have had overhead doors on SS for several winters and I allow the customers to determine if and when to use them. In the winter months I pull them down at night or on less busy days to control the bay climate to a small degree. I have a large entry and stacking area on the back side of the business, so the customer can pull in and back out if they don't want to mess with the door and it's not one of those ever so rare days when the lot is full.
I have the SS torsion springs set so tight that it takes little effort to open, but closing is a chore. The problem this creates is the customer can let go of the rope as it opens and the door stops violently at the top or the little old lady can't easily pull the door down if she wants it there.

The Liftmaster shaft drive comes with a cable tension monitor and a shutoff designed to prevent spool unwinding. Not sure how well it will work.

Basically I'm soliciting opinions. If you are running powered door openers in SS, would you recommend them to others?

 

[MudMoney]

I have electric openers on my SS,customers control entry and exit. I wouldn't be without them as the heat savings is significant.I do have signs that say We are open even if doors are down.The other washes here also have electric operators so its rare to see a car drive away without trying the door.I have only had springs break over the years ,most are suppose to last 100,000 cycles and I know I've gone over that.Big plus is I can close my wash at night or during real cold weather and not worry about break-ins.My changers are inside too.I do lube my trollies,rails,cables, and springs about 3 times a year.So in regards to recommending doors ,I do.

 

[Sponge Bob]

Opener Update

Update to the orginal post. I have been online for ~10 weeks with electric door openers in SS on the exits. The customers and I love them. They push the button, close the door and stay longer and spend more money because the environmental conditions are enhanced and they get a sense of privacy. The doors cut the wind significantly and the floor heat is taxed less. I found an online sign company and designed and ordered aluminum bay signs for door operating instructions. It took no time to train my customers to use the doors.

 

[pitzerwm]

Add some cameras or at least signs that say you have cameras in the bays. If you get any good video, you could sell them to porno sites, or the signs will make them think twice.