FloJet Question

[cwguy.com]

I'm sure I tried to, but after a number of times replying to your stuff with advice and getting no sort of response at all, I figured it's just a blog and you probably weren't looking for help.

Wait a second..... your being a jerk every time I give my option or a comment in general because you feel I didn't properly thanks you when you commented on my blog? I actually thanked you in blog post though? I also sent you emails? Sorry if you got offended about that? Maybe you should have just told me you were mad? Instead of telling me this way? Maybe we really should have kissed and made up? Like I said in another post.

Also having a kid messed up my daily blog posting.... that was 4 years ago. Then we had another one which is 1 year old and now I can't sleep or stay away well.... and apparently that is possible! LOL

 

[MEP001]

To repeat what I said, I offered advice on your site a number of times when you posted a problem and never got any response at all, so after a time (which was probably a couple years) I assumed that it was just a blog. Why would I be offended by you running a blog site where you post stuff that has nothing to do with me?

 

[Greg Pack]

I like both pump setups OK. I too have found that both aro and floets seems to last much,much longer when they are not dead headed. Rotary vanes are good stuff too, though. I don't buy the procon but the cheaper Fluid O tech ones and they seem to hold up well. However, their pressure setting will drift slightly over time. At one wash I had a great presoak setup with 3/8ths chemical lines and a procon set up at about 100psi.

Drifting, Coleman uses Cat presoak pumps on their autos. They are expensive and too high volume for SS apps, but for IBA they are great. Over 50K cars pumping very caustic chemical and I think I have only put in a seal kit.

 

[Edie011]

I don't have any "magic hook up method." I dead-head them to the solenoids. They usually last around five years like that.

Can you explain what you mean by "dead heading" and how to hook them up?

 

[2Biz]

When you apply air pressure to the pump, the pump builds fluid pressure on the outlet of the pump. This pressure is "Dead Headed" against the solenoids until one opens allowing the flojet to pump.

 

[Edie011]

So how would you wire all the solenoids into one before the pump to eliminate that?

 

[2Biz]

Why would you want to eliminate that? Air is supplied to the pump 24-7. You build a fluid manifold and attach all your solenoids to the manifold. When a solenoid opens, the flojet will pump and that bay will get FB soap. If you don't want to build a manifold, you can use a Kip Solenoid Manifold that accomplishes both. https://www.kleen-ritecorp.com/p-1969-kip-manifold-block-non-metering-4-outlets.aspx Basically the output from the flojet attaches to one end of the manifold. You can either cap the other end or mount a pressure gauge.

 

[cwguy.com]

So how would you wire all the solenoids into one before the pump to eliminate that?

It's wired exactly the same way as your last setup.... Just with your new bank. Your swapping pumps only.

http://www.autocareforum.com/showthread.php?11435-Revamping-my-foam-brush-system

 

[Edie011]

It's wired exactly the same way as your last setup.... Just with your new bank. Your swapping pumps only.

http://www.autocareforum.com/showthread.php?11435-Revamping-my-foam-brush-system

Yes I know but I want a solenoid to go in front of the flo jet to prevent dumping of chemical. So that one solenoid will need to be wired in with all the other ones so anytime one solenoid turns on, so does it

 

[Earl Weiss]

Yes I know but I want a solenoid to go in front of the flo jet to prevent dumping of chemical. So that one solenoid will need to be wired in with all the other ones so anytime one solenoid turns on, so does it

A. You have a legitimate concern.
b. HAs not yet happened to me in the SS and last time it was brought up others had the same experience.
c. In the tunnel the setup has the controler open the soleoid that supplies the iar when called for.

I am sure some here are more knowledgeable than I and can perhaps tell you how to do it.

 

[Ghetto Wash]

So how would you wire all the solenoids into one before the pump to eliminate that?

I use a multiplexer from Car Wash Resources, but the one from IDX would work fine also.

https://www.kleen-ritecorp.com/p-24642-idx-mx10-24v-multiplex-controller.aspx

 

[mjwalsh]

Yes I know but I want a solenoid to go in front of the flo jet to prevent dumping of chemical. So that one solenoid will need to be wired in with all the other ones so anytime one solenoid turns on, so does it

Edie011,

On our setup we use a multiplexer from IDX. Go to the IDX website or call them if my explanation does not get you far enough along in understanding what their specific multiplexer does. What the reliable IDX multiplexer does for our low pressure options is ... when any two (air & chem 1 bay) or more of our 12 manifold solenoids are energized from the specific low pressure selection of the coin box ... the single air solenoid (now energized fro m the multiplexer output) lets the air go to the FLOJET making it force its pass thru fluid to go out to the specific bay(s). The other 6 air solenoids on the air manifold allows air to go up to the manifold by the in bay boom along with whatever other 6 liquid solenoids on the other manifold of the system. The end result is minimum time for customer to wait for the low pressure option. This has been successful & straightforward for our 6 bay with our 3 distinct low pressure options for over 25 years now. I think the approach we use makes dumping chemical unnecessarily (like you properly considered) less likely. Let us know if this post helps!

mike walsh www.kingkoin.com

 

[Edie011]

Edie011,

On our setup we use a multiplexer from IDX. Go to the IDX website or call them if my explanation does not get you far enough along in understanding what their specific multiplexer does. What the reliable IDX multiplexer does for our low pressure options is ... when any two (air & chem 1 bay) or more of our 12 manifold solenoids are energized from the specific low pressure selection of the coin box ... the single air solenoid (now energized fro m the multiplexer output) lets the air go to the FLOJET making it force its pass thru fluid to go out to the specific bay(s). The other 6 air solenoids on the air manifold allows air to go up to the manifold by the in bay boom along with whatever other 6 liquid solenoids on the other manifold of the system. The end result is minimum time for customer to wait for the low pressure option. This has been successful & straightforward for our 6 bay with our 3 distinct low pressure options for over 25 years now. I think the approach we use makes dumping chemical unnecessarily (like you properly considered) less likely. Let us know if this post helps!

mike walsh www.kingkoin.com

Do you have any pictures? I think I understand for the most part but I need to see it with my own eyes.

 

[cwguy.com]

I hate to even say this..... But maybe you should kept your procon setup and just removed the regulator switch. Then added a multiplexer? That was the other original option given.

 

[MEP001]

The multiplexer just takes the same wires that turn on the solenoids you have now and combine them to make a single output, which you can use to turn on a motor or to open an air solenoid for the FloJet. IMO you don't need it with a FloJet as long as you have a strainer inline before the solenoids to keep debris out. Your system is dead-headed now with the bladder tank and pressure switch, and I'm assuming you haven't had problems with it dumping chemical before.

 

[Edie011]

The multiplexer just takes the same wires that turn on the solenoids you have now and combine them to make a single output, which you can use to turn on a motor or to open an air solenoid for the FloJet. IMO you don't need it with a FloJet as long as you have a strainer inline before the solenoids to keep debris out. Your system is dead-headed now with the bladder tank and pressure switch, and I'm assuming you haven't had problems with it dumping chemical before.

No I haven't had any problems that I can recall. I just know my luck!

 

[2Biz]

Its extremely rare to have a soap solenoid stick full open. At worst, you will have a solenoid leak by, but that will give you fair warning. I doubt if very many operators have an air solenoid ahead of a flojet. And if the multiplexer or bank of relays fail, then you don't get product to any bays. You can't fool proof it! BTW...You can achieve the same thing with relays instead of using a multiplexer. Maybe a little cheaper to go the relay route. But when you factor your time and the additional wiring, its probably a wash.

 

[Edie011]

Its extremely rare to have a soap solenoid stick full open. At worst, you will have a solenoid leak by, but that will give you fair warning. I doubt if very many operators have an air solenoid ahead of a flojet. And if the multiplexer or bank of relays fail, then you don't get product to any bays. You can't fool proof it! BTW...You can achieve the same thing with relays instead of using a multiplexer. Maybe a little cheaper to go the relay route. But when you factor your time and the additional wiring, its probably a wash.

Yes good point, can you give me an example of a relay you would recommend?

 

[2Biz]

I use the Idec RH1B 24vac Relay with the SH1B base. But I still don't know why you want to go there? If you do, here is a wiring diagram for you... http://bcoweb.com/photos/idec_relay.jpg

 

[I.B. Washincars]

Its extremely rare to have a soap solenoid stick full open. At worst, you will have a solenoid leak by, but that will give you fair warning. I doubt if very many operators have an air solenoid ahead of a flojet. And if the multiplexer or bank of relays fail, then you don't get product to any bays. You can't fool proof it! BTW...You can achieve the same thing with relays instead of using a multiplexer. Maybe a little cheaper to go the relay route. But when you factor your time and the additional wiring, its probably a wash.

The smart ones have an air solenoid "At worst" is not a leaky solenoid. Have a hose blow off at night and pump a 55 gallon drum of chemical in the floor, that's worse. Ask me how I know. You will need that solenoid eventually. Not to mention, that a leaky solenoid isn't a very big deal since you can put off replacing it for a long time if you kill the air to the pump. I have multiplexers, but can't tell you how to hook it up since I paid someone else to do it.

On a side note, it could save your air compressor from running all night as well, and possibly burning up.