How much time for Fragrance

[slash007]

I put in a stand alone Fragramatics frag machine and was wondering what others are giving time wise per cycle? I have mine set to start at $1 and was giving around 44 seconds per $1, but then dropped it down to 32 seconds and now to 28. The gun shoots out a very strong stream, so I figured that not much time is needed. What are you guys doing?

 

[I.B. Washincars]

I think the 30-40 second range is good. That's plenty of time for the customer to do his car enough to strangle himself, but little enough to prevent giving the hose to another customer to do their car.

 

[MEP001]

I think the 30-40 second range is good. That's plenty of time for the customer to do his car enough to strangle himself, but little enough to prevent giving the hose to another customer to do their car.

I don't agree. I say that because I've watched customers at other washes when they only get 30-40 seconds of time for fragrance. One in particular I remember put in his money, grabbed the gun and turned to his car, but the door was locked. He fished out his keys and unlocked it, then he couldn't find the button on the gun. About the time I heard the solenoid click when he pressed the button, it ran out of time. He looked pretty disgusted and just dropped the gun on the ground.

IIRC, the machines were set to 40 seconds when we opened. I turned the time up to 50, then one minute, then 1:10, until I saw at least half the customers hanging the gun up with time still on it. (Notice I said "hanging the gun up," not "dropping the gun on the ground".) Even at 1:10, there's not really enough time to pass the gun between two vehicles unless they plan it deliberately, and I've never seen anyone try.

I put in a stand alone Fragramatics frag machine and was wondering what others are giving time wise per cycle? I have mine set to start at $1 and was giving around 44 seconds per $1, but then dropped it down to 32 seconds and now to 28. The gun shoots out a very strong stream, so I figured that not much time is needed. What are you guys doing?

If you've turned the time down so much because there's no button on the gun and you don't want to waste fragrance, I'd suggest adding a solenoid and replacing the gun with one with a button.

 

[slash007]

Yes, my main reason for turning down the time was because there is not button on the gun, so not only does it spray right away, it is a really strong spray. I have some JC combo vacs with Frag that are not nearly as strong of a spray. Adding a solenoid and gun with a button are a good idea and probably something that I will look into after this one wears out.

 

[Earl Weiss]

I'm at 1:00 for a dollar. Seems to work well. Had a guy do it and then do it again. Jumped out of jis car because the smell was too strong.

 

[Stuart]

With 3 stand alone units, I'm at 32 sec/$1 & 7 flavors. Have been for this whole century w/no button on the gun. I do not have hoses on the ground.(except from kids playing with the gun.)
You said there was a strong stream. The spray on mine is an atomized mist. Almost like hairspray.

 

[slash007]

What brand machines are you using? Mine does shoot out an atomized mist, it just seems very strong compared to my JC units.

 

[MEP001]

The Fragramatics units have a good compressor. I use Fragramatics guns on the Doyle Fresh Impressions combo units and also get a very strong atomized spray.

You can add a push-button to your existing gun pretty easily - the hard part would be running the wire, but I have a technique that makes it go pretty smooth. I'll describe it if you're interested.

 

[slash007]

The Fragramatics units have a good compressor. I use Fragramatics guns on the Doyle Fresh Impressions combo units and also get a very strong atomized spray.

You can add a push-button to your existing gun pretty easily - the hard part would be running the wire, but I have a technique that makes it go pretty smooth. I'll describe it if you're interested.

Yes, if you could explain your procedure it would be appreciated. I fell like it is cleaner and easier to manage the gun when you control when the spray comes out. Thanks.

 

[Stuart]

My units are Fragramatics also. They work very good even in winter w/ oil base flavors. Only thing I do not like is the colored display bubblers. I kept going through the air pumps for bubblers. The glycerin seemed to gravitate out of the cylinder to the interior and exterior of the cabinet. Took out the air pumps for the bubblers and the problem disappeared.

 

[MEP001]

Yes, if you could explain your procedure it would be appreciated. I fell like it is cleaner and easier to manage the gun when you control when the spray comes out. Thanks.

I keep a length from a broken fish tape around - I couldn't find it once and used a vacuum to suck a piece of twine through the hose and it worked just as well. I attach one end of the fish tape/twine to something and the tubing and wires to the other and pull the hose over the tubing. I soak a paper towel in mineral spirits and wet the tubing with it as I pull it. Keeping the hose straight and not letting the tubing twist around one another makes it go pretty smooth. You can get the same momentary pushbutton they use from Home Depot or Lowe's and just drill a hole for it. It won't last as long without the guard, but they're only about $3 to replace. You'll want to use 22 ga. wire.

 

[Earl Weiss]

My units are Fragramatics also. They work very good even in winter w/ oil base flavors. Only thing I do not like is the colored display bubblers. I kept going through the air pumps for bubblers. The glycerin seemed to gravitate out of the cylinder to the interior and exterior of the cabinet. Took out the air pumps for the bubblers and the problem disappeared.

Tossed my bubblers a few years ago. Here is what I did . Cost about $25.00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ehz54IWZW0g&list=TL6gDOlSGXkTg

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G5uQQNsAYVU&list=TL6gDOlSGXkTg

 

[slash007]

I keep a length from a broken fish tape around - I couldn't find it once and used a vacuum to suck a piece of twine through the hose and it worked just as well. I attach one end of the fish tape/twine to something and the tubing and wires to the other and pull the hose over the tubing. I soak a paper towel in mineral spirits and wet the tubing with it as I pull it. Keeping the hose straight and not letting the tubing twist around one another makes it go pretty smooth. You can get the same momentary pushbutton they use from Home Depot or Lowe's and just drill a hole for it. It won't last as long without the guard, but they're only about $3 to replace. You'll want to use 22 ga. wire.

Thanks for the tip, I'll get on it first chance I get.

 

[Stuart]

Tossed my bubblers a few years ago. Here is what I did . Cost about $25.00

Cool, That is eye catching!!! I can see my fragrance sales increase already. Can you give specifics? Colored cylinders or just colored rope lights? That is a great idea.

 

[Earl Weiss]

The newer Colemans come with colored Cylinders. It is one 3 foot rope light that starts at one side cylinder and goes down and up an into the next etc. I did a light coat of paint on some old JE Daams cylinders but now switched to translucent material which is a plastic file material from the office supply store. I simply cut enough so it;s the diameter andd length of the cyinder, roll it into a cylinder and put it inside. I get the 3' rope assemply and controller from Novelty lighs . com whhich recently was out of stock. You can call them, sometimes the website is out of stock but they have smaller lengths.