razor hp bogging down?

[Waxman]

The high-pressure pump and motor sound like they're bogging down at certain points along the car wash travel as it washes the car. I can't really tell from my cameras what position the wash is at when you can audibly notice a slowing of the motor and pump as the high-pressure function is on. It doesn't seem to happen when it's high pressure through the production arch just when it's high pressure through the wash arm (L) itself. i'm wondering if perhaps the high-pressure hose that attaches to the trolley is going bad and causing an obstruction as the hose makes its bend in the process of washing a car. Has anybody else had this experience? I'm in my third year with the razor and I have replaced the main high-pressure hose but not the secondary one in the bridge. Could this be my problem?

 

[washnshine]

Before I read your whole post I was thinking exactly what you said. Maybe a kink of some type that occurs when the trolly flexes it in a certain position. If it was on every hp function, I’d guess the bridge movement caused a kink. Let us know and good luck.

 

[GoBuckeyes]

I kind of find the HP hose 'kinking' while under pressure to be unlikely. I just replaced the hose you're referring to in my Razor a month or so ago. First off, it's wire braid and it would be under pressure. I could see a scenario where it was kinked while not under pressure, then your pump kicking on causing issues but not in the e-chain. I wish I had an explanation for your issue besides that I don't think its your Bridge hose.

Were you on-site when this occurred or were you watching your cameras remotely? If you run the HP Pump through the Arm manually for an extended amount of time does it run fine?

 

[soonermajic]

Something similar happened to me one time like this, however it was a tip at the bottom of the arm had came out and water was rushing out the bottom! My employee had cleaned it out and didn't put it back in good!
I am positive that is not your issue, but file it away under "wild issues"...

 

[Eric H]

I think I’d use the remote to move the bridge and trolley around the bay while the HP pump was turned on from the maintenance menu.
Is this on HP wash (water only) or does it happen during any other HP passes you have?

 

[Waxman]

I think it's hp rinse but I'm not sure. Definitely need to diagnose further...

 

[Waxman]

I kind of find the HP hose 'kinking' while under pressure to be unlikely. I just replaced the hose you're referring to in my Razor a month or so ago. First off, it's wire braid and it would be under pressure. I could see a scenario where it was kinked while not under pressure, then your pump kicking on causing issues but not in the e-chain. I wish I had an explanation for your issue besides that I don't think its your Bridge hose.

Were you on-site when this occurred or were you watching your cameras remotely? If you run the HP Pump through the Arm manually for an extended amount of time does Yit run fine?

Yes I agree; I was imagining the wire braid breaking apart and causing an issue. Maybe that's unlikely. I was on site but it was intermittent and the wash was busy so I let it ride. I plan to do what Eric said and run hp while moving the wash around the bay with the remote.

 

[GoBuckeyes]

Did you get it figured out Waxman?

 

[Blanco]

Check and make sure your not running out of water

 

[Waxman]

I didn't get it figured out yet. I'm going back to try to do some more testing today. I also ordered a new pressure gauge. I had the original go bad and then two subsequent replacements go bad as well so I bought a winter brand high pressure gauge and we'll see if that holds up.

 

[GoBuckeyes]

I didn't get it figured out yet. I'm going back to try to do some more testing today. I also ordered a new pressure gauge. I had the original go bad and then two subsequent replacements go bad as well so I bought a winter brand high pressure gauge and we'll see if that holds up.

were you watching it when they went bad? Did they possibly go bad from overpressure? Just spit balling.

When we were having an intermittent problem with our M5 tripping a motor protector we set up a Wyze camera to view the pump stand and record continuously. By being able to see the psi gauge and hear the pump we were able to determine the hp changeover valve was occasionally deadheading the pump. For $25, you can have a priceless tool for helping trouble shoot mysteries.

 

[Waxman]

I found a few partially plugged nozzles. Cleared them/ tested. Still bogging. I tightened drive belt. I had loosened it awhile back when I had an issue with the hp pump breaker tripping ( wound up being a bad 20 y.o. breaker).

With the nozzles cleared and belt tighter it seems normal again.

Installing my Winter psi gauge when it arrives.