Hand Held Dryers

[MEP001]

When you use the same breaker for the bay pump and the dryer, you'd have to shut the bay down to service either one. No rocket science there, just institute a basic safety protocol.

 

[mjwalsh]

When you use the same breaker for the bay pump and the dryer, you'd have to shut the bay down to service either one. No rocket science there, just institute a basic safety protocol.

At an unattended self service bay ... it seems like the fact that anything in the hand held blo dry circuit that causes the breaker to trip ... would cause all of the other options to automatically & mercilessly be down on the busiest day imaginable ... something for Earl & others to consider. I have memories of times where the Blo Dry breaker tripped but we found out later of the problem which had a lesser consequence ... because at least the rest of the options did not automatically shut down the bay during a busy day. We also we find that during certain types of weather the blo dry is much less likely to be chosen by the customer which is relevant to the bay &/or hi pressure at minimum that would be automatically also not be available on a blo dry breaker trip.

 

[slash007]

I share the breaker with my SS pump as well.

 

[MEP001]

At an unattended self service bay ... it seems like the fact that anything in the hand held blo dry circuit that causes the breaker to trip ... would cause all of the other options to automatically & mercilessly be down on the busiest day imaginable ... something for Earl & others to consider. I have memories of times where the Blo Dry breaker tripped but we found out later of the problem which had a lesser consequence ... because at least the rest of the options did not automatically shut down the bay during a busy day. We also we find that during certain types of weather the blo dry is much less likely to be chosen by the customer which is relevant to the bay &/or hi pressure at minimum that would be automatically also not be available on a blo dry breaker trip.

Then supply each blower motor with a 10A fuse. I've never had a vac fused that way trip the breaker.

I think you're worrying too much over a problem that's easily made not a problem.

 

[Earl Weiss]

Then supply each blower motor with a 10A fuse. I've never had a vac fused that way trip the breaker.

I think you're worrying too much over a problem that's easily made not a problem.

If the motors are rated at 13.5 amps is a 10 amp fuse enough?

 

[mjwalsh]

If the motors are rated at 13.5 amps is a 10 amp fuse enough?

15 amp fuse assuming you followed the shared breaker approach & also assuming an original 20 amp breaker circuit. A good electrician &/or electrical engineer might suggest a better approach with a 2 in the space of 1 breaker which could mean the extra fuses not needed as much.

 

[MEP001]

If the motors are rated at 13.5 amps is a 10 amp fuse enough?

Probably not, I was going by what I use in vacs which run about 8.5 amps per motor. I forgot most of the dryers use motors at higher amps. Regardless, you get the point - fuse the motors separately at a much lower load and don't worry about them tripping the breaker.

 

[Robert2181]

OK. which dryer over all does everybody favor?

 

[CarWashBoy]

Doug, what percentage increase in sales did you see after the remodel verses before? What do you attribute the 26% increase this year to?

Hi Mel.. Sorry for the delayed response.. The increase this yr is based on Satisfied customers from last visit.. Higher % of satisfied customers.. They see we have Full Time Attendant, CC, Bill Acceptors, Air Dryers, Powerful Vacs, Great LED lighting and so on.. and a consistent operation.. and CLEAN... LOL..
Doug

 

[CarWashBoy]

Do you guys set up a seperate breaker panel, one breaker for each unit for these dryers?

We use the same breaker that we use for the Hi-Pressure pump motor.... When Air Dryer is running, pump motor is not.. no need to add additional breakers.. Hope that helps.. Oh.. J.E. Adams has a HOT AIR dryer available.. sounds interesting.. I like.. I'm going to order one to try.. then I can advertise Hot Air Dryer..
Doug

 

[soonermajic]

Hi.. Just my opinion.. I would step it up and go Credit/Debit and Bills in bays.. NO COINS.. trash your quarter changer for a Bill Breaker.. and the same with the Vacuums, Bills and Cards, NO COINS.. ..you gotta spend it, to make it.. I have done what I just mentioned and it works.. I just remodeled a 6 Bay and 8 Vac Wash, with EVERYTHING Top of the Line..Air Dryers etc, and it did 188,000 last year after remodel.. this year heading for 230,000+.. I know that is not great revenue, but it's working so far, and simple to manage....I thought about adding a AutoMatic, but I have had them in the past, and they can be a Pain in the you know what.. Just my 3 cents..
Happy Car Washing,
Doug

Dude, if you have 6 SS bays, & are pushing $250k , that is freakin unreal !!! WTh would dare say that quarter of a million dollars is not "GREAT REVENUE"?!!!

 

[sparkey]

So Far , Turbo Towel , Air Shamee and Gin San reports. No feedback on Blasto Dry?[/QUOTE

I started with blasto dry and converted a bay to air shammee. I get more compliments from the air shammee. It has more air volume (3 motors, verses 2 with blasto dry). The air shammee is also better for motor cycles because they can direct the air better where they want it. The blasto dry is better for floor mats because you can knife the water off. Most people don't use the blasto dry very long after they try it. You have to get the angle and everything right to dry the car very well.

 

[CarWashBoy]

Dude, if you have 6 SS bays, & are pushing $250k , that is freakin unreal !!! WTh would dare say that quarter of a million dollars is not "GREAT REVENUE"?!!!

Thanks.. we just provide EVERYTHING the customer wants.. Modern Premises, LED Lighting, Music, Shinny Powerful Vacs, Full Time Attendant, Air Dryers and so on.. We Charge what the product and service is worth.. If our competition is lower price, so what? the customer wants quality and so much more.. IT'S NOT JUST PRICE..
Thanks,
Doug

 

[DiamondWash]

Just came back from the Heartland Car Wash show and was kinda disappointed in the number of vendors this year I had hoped for more but oh well, I did have a chance to talk with Troy Diskin from Air Shammee and got some good info on why his system is the way to go but my only concern would be the gun how well does it hold up? we are talking plastic here not metal with a rubber coating like others I've seen, and being some of my customers don't have the intelligence to put the gun back in the holder they just throw it on the ground and leave which really p**ses me off just looking for some feedback on this.

 

[chaz]

Yep, Troy is a good guy. My customers love the air shamee. Started with one as a 30 day trial then added two more. I've had these three plus years. Replaced two wands (one was n/c as Troy noticed it was bad), the other just wear and tear with use and maybe dropping. These are three motor units so plenty of power. Motors a bit pricey as are the wands....but I've only used two motors.

I have the 220 volt units. Attic mount is a nice option for noise, but I'm not an attic guy so mounted on wall.

 

[Stuart]

I have Carolina pride turbo dry units. I put them in my slowest bays - farthest from PR- and now they do better than the formerly busiest bays. At one location they are wall mounted- it is noisy in the bay. (2 of 6 bays)
Other location is on the roof. Can barely hear them. (3 of 5 bays)

I also have an undercar wand which does not do well. ($28 a month) How is it working for some of you out there??

 

[mac]

This is why I like this forum. Our industry "leaders" are telling us how the self serve business will soon be sleeping with the Dodo bird (some of you may have to look that up). Any and all business models need change and adversity. As the operators who give up, there will continue to be good candidates for rehabs, and the ideas here really do work. One of my customers with a six bay self serve, no auto, does similar numbers. He just ordered his second bill breaker. The bay blowers we put in for him paid for themselves in under a year. I like the Diskin blowers because you can get them with a more powerful 230 volt motors. So someone with a basic old six bay can do these changes, have a relatively simple wash to maintain and operate, and no employees. Or you could spend 200K and put in an express exterior and start hiring people. Just kidding.

 

[JamboWash]

I am really torn up with my decision LOL I have read good response on Air Shammee and some with Blastodry. I like the way Blastodry can dry mats opposed to air shammee, but then again Air shammee seems to have more Hose power then Blastodry , as I have six bays to do I may just go ahead and put 3 air shammee and 3 Blastodry.. anyone tried the Hot Air Turbo dry from J E Adams.

 

[chaz]

Like I have said...I've got Airshamee. Plenty of power even if one of the three (220 volt) motors go out. Likely can't go wrong with any of the units, but I'd think you are best picking one brand for all bays. At one time Airshamee was offering 30 day free trial (with an hour meter installed so you see your usage) not sure if Troy still offers that.

 

[Earl Weiss]

I I may just go ahead and put 3 air shammee and 3 Blastodry.. anyone tried the Hot Air Turbo dry from J E Adams.

Unless you are getting a volume discount order one of each. Install both in busiest bays as a trial. Then decide. You can always try and sell the one you like least.