softgloss starts then quits

[Jimmy Buffett]

We have had lines for the last 4 days which we desperately need since this winter business has been HORRIBLE. My machine sometimes, maybe 3 or 4 times a day will start to wash and then just quit, open the back door and tell the customers to exit. The first couple of times we noticed this it happened on 3 or 4 cars in a row in the morning then was fine for the rest of the day. It did the same thing the next day. Today it just did it twice in a row and has now washed about 5 cars just fine. I have a line all the way to the street so as long as it is working I need to let it go but I would love to figure this out. My gut tells me to look at the bay switch but I'm not sure what to look for. Any ideas? It does not call me when this happens either so it's like the machine does not know that it is messing up.
Thanks!

 

[soapy]

I would also look at the bay switch. It only takes a short interuption of the signal to stop the wash. Check were the wires are spliced. Do you have the mercury switch setup> If so they are are spliced under the protective plates and water could be getting to the splice. For a short term solution you can run a jumper wire on the PLC from the left and right input for the bay switch to each other. THis way the signal of one will fire both and the bad one won't cause a shut down of the wash.

 

[Bubbles Galore]

Did you get it fixed?

 

[Jimmy Buffett]

Thanks Soapy. My dad had to go to the hospital so I have not had time to deal with this yet. Today we are having an ice storm and I can't get out of my driveway. I should be able to get there tomorrow. Things should be hopping later on this week.

 

[Jimmy Buffett]

Well I did get to the wash to look at this today. Of course the anchor bolts are all turning so I can't get to the mercury switches. I have no power so I can't grind them off either. Can you be more specific about the jumper wire? I can find the swithes on the plc by stepping on each switch (once I get power) but I'm not sure how to "jump" them.
Thanks

 

[soapy]

Find the lights that come on with each bay plate then run a jumper wire between those 2 inputs on the plc. You could also go to the bay and find the wires from bay plates. They will probably go into a junction box on the wall. each wire will have a common ground already connected. The other wires are the individual signal wires. Just join them together and it will send signal for both inputs to the PLC each time one of the bay plates are triggered.

 

[Waxman]

For the bolts/anchors that are turning, spray PB blast or similar and let em soak. Then, take a long prybar and wedge it under the washer or pad to apply upward pressure as you attempt to loosen them. Careful, don't get any part of your body over where you're prying with one hand cause it's easy to slip! A little more PB Blaster and some back n forth with your wrench and you can get these. Not easy, but possible to do w/out grinding them off.

Reassemble w/plenty of never seize!!! Good luck!

 

[Dirt]

Before putting all that back together, would it be a good idea to put that epoxy glue stuff down around the anchors, like when you dowel new concrete to old?

 

[DiamondWash]

Yeah it has to be the floor treadle system I have had that exact same problem and it turned out to be the mercury switch. But I came into my wash today to find Code 37 "High Voltage problem" I don't even know where to begin looking on the softgloss for what part I need to replace and none of the breakers are tripped. Any Help is appriciated

 

[DiamondWash]

Damn Ryko Mercury Treadle Switches! I found my left treadle wire broken but not completely to shut the wash down at times and that was what was causing the Code 37 high voltage problem so Jimmy it HAS to be a treadle switch issue. Also I forgot to write down the numbers for the treadle switches so you could install a jumper wire for a temp fix till you get time to replace the switch. Mark (Rykopro) would you care to enlighten the rest of the class as to what numbers I am talking about please.

 

[Dirt]

You can get them from Kleen Rite.

 

[soapy]

I would love to help you on this but Mep1 has decided I should not post any more.

 

[MEP001]

I would love to help you on this but Mep1 has decided I should not post any more.

I don't know where you got that from. I made a comment in defense of Waxman and his post which you commented belongs elsewhere. How does that turn into me deciding that you can't post here anymore? I have no more business deciding what you can or cannot post as you do deciding what Waxman can or cannot.