Not keeping lines unfrozen. I which I knew how to
manually tell a line to inject so I could test each line. This is a 4 bay system with 8 solenoids.
antifreeze level not going down but chemical in hose from tank to the pump.
How can I test the various valves (8)? No idea why I have 8 valves when it is a 4 bay system. We inherited the system. Thx in advance for any insights you can share.
Shouldn't be hard to test the system/solenoids manually. Assuming the solenoids are 24v, there should be a transformer in the panel. Find the "Positive" side of the transformer and jump it to the "Positive" side of each solenoid. Follow the color coding of the wiring and test with a volt meter. Then you will be able to test flows manually, either washer fluid or air. I have a home-built system that has been in service for about 10 years with absolutely no issues. Still using the same
flojet! Here is the thread (below Programmable Relay or PLC) I started if you want to read through it. The PFG system and the Home Brew should work on the same principles. My system comes on at 32° using output 2 of my weepmiser. I run 35-40 PSI on the flowjet, and 35-40psi air to the air blowout solenoids. My system starts by blowing out the first line for 10 seconds, then injects washer fluid for 5 seconds (the FJ pumps about 4-5 times) then blows out with air for another 10 seconds. Then it moves to the next line untill all lines are winterized. Once completed, it waits for 10 seconds after a LP service is used, then winterizes that line with the same sequence. I'm also assuming the PFG system is only adjustable using the dwyer flow meter. You can use the same principles I have set up for mine. Adjust the flow meter to where you get 4-5 pumps out of the FJ. The only time I've ever experienced freeze problems is when I had curly hoses on my foam gun. Each hose was about 30-40 feet coiled up. Too much length when it got real cold, 20 or below. The product (Tri Foam or PS) would freeze in the really cold hose. Changing those hoses out to 3/8" black air hose, solved the issue. I don't think I've had a hose freeze since. This includes my outside truck bay. And it gets to -15° here in Southern Ohio!
Credit's go out to Cantbreak80 who was the mastermind for the project! It was really fun learning how PLC's work. I'm glad I didn't buy in to a company like PFG, who in the long run went out of business and does not support what they sold. Also, our water and sewage has went up 56% in the past few years to about $20 for a thousand gallons. I can weep about 750-800 gallons a day just in the 4 HP hoses below 15°. Not hard to do the math on this one. I might use about 75 gallons of washer fluid in a winter or $150. Having a system like this has saves me thousands yearly in weep water for 8 LP hoses (FB and TF/PS). I don't think I would ever consider going back to weeping the LP hoses. Too costly!
(7) Programmable Relay or PLC | Car Wash Forum
