DRB XPT/Macneil Tunnel-Unattended Option

[03blackevo]

We recently put in a Macneil tunnel with a DRB XPT/Gate, Sitewatch Tunnel Watch Etc. We currently open from 8am-8pm and have 1-2 persons guiding cars onto the conveyor a day. As we sell more and more unlimited wash plans, more customers are going to be wanting to wash at all times of the hour/weather. In addition, the wash volume is increasing but now it is more break even figuring the employee's wages. Looking to make it unattended and open/close the same time as our convenience store hours.

We would have one attendant during the busiest part of the day..


Does anyone know of any success when it comes to unattended tunnel operations and how this would work with our current setup. Not entirely sure who I would talk to over @ DRB, Sales or Tech support?? What kind of equipment would be needed. I talked with our local carwash co. rep and they are looking into it but offered to put in a pad of some sort, as the car would go over it, it would start the conveyor.


I think we would be able to make this very successful given the right setup to go about it, I am hoping we could leave it unattended and be able to come in and change the profile and then have it manual.

With Signage, lights, voices to guide and direct customers...Does anyone think we can make it work like this and what would be the proper way of doing it?

 

[robert roman]

“….currently open from 8am-8pm….1-2 persons guiding cars onto the conveyor…” “As we sell more and more unlimited….customers…..wanting to wash at all times of the hour/weather.” “….volume is increasing but now….break even.” “Looking to make it unattended and open/close the same time as our convenience store hours.”

“…..who I would talk to over @ DRB, Sales or Tech support??”

Ken Brott at DRB knows a lot.

Conveyor design begins with property length and width planning as in planning for a new wash.

Reason is unattended operation requires automatic roller-up as well as an entrance system (an arch with instructions and overhead mirror).

Automatic roller-up requires at least 10’ loading segment for front-wheel-pull (FWP) and 20’ or more for rear-wheel-push (RWP).

So, it is suggested to place the POS next to loading segment for unattended.

I would not recommend FWP unattended if volume is expected to exceed 30 cars an hour.

RWP unattended can be made to work but expect a lot less than the OEM’s rated volume per hour.

The more unlimited customers you have, the more dependent on them you will become.

One of the quickest ways to lose loyalty is not meeting expectations about satisfaction.

So, I would focus resources on key functions of store like pay station, on-site manager, accessibility and operating hours.

 

[dewey9876]

How do you process your unlimited customers? If it is with a RFID tag don't you need an attendant to put those on the customers cars when they purchase it? What happens if grandma pulls up and can't figure out how to use the XPT? Now your line is all backed up. I think an attendant is needed at all times. Just my 2cents.