System Down

[AppleExpress]

So yesterday my chain slipped off the rear sproket and snapped off the metal "flag" that is attached to the sproket for the pulse switch. Got the chain fixed, but now because of the pulse switch not reading we cannot activate any wash cycles and wont be able to get the parts until at least tuesday from Sonny's, on the condition its in stock. Has anyone ever ran into a problem like this before? Any tricks on a temporary fix so i dont lose my entire weekend and beginning of the week business?

This "flag" looks to be an elongated piece of metal that was bolted into the center of the sproket shaft. Unfortunately it did shear the bolt off inside the shaft and a drill doesnt fit into the space to drill it out, ill have to remove the gear box to do this.

 

[DavidM]

Your controller should be able to simulate a pulse. It isn't perfect but as long as the simulated pulse is close to the chain speed you should be able to wash cars.

David

 

[Washmee]

I'm assuming the flag consists of one or two magnets that pass by a hard mounted prox switch? Fashion a bracket for the flag that can be attached to the shaft with a hose clamp.

 

[Robert Bailey]

simulate pulse

 

[AppleExpress]

Thanks for the advice everyone. Well i managed to find the original bracket the had been busted off. However i was told i couldnt rig anything up to make it work.... so tomorrow morning my maintenance company is coming in and were pulling the gear box out so he can drill out the busted stud still inside the shaft. Could have had it up and running today, but got told no... what use is it having a manager here all day when he isnt allowed to fix anything. I spent the entire day cleaning out the vacuums, pulling up grates and washing down the tunnel, and changed an r/o filter. great 10 hours today was....end rant.

 

[Earl Weiss]

Older systems like Datatrax may not have simulated pulse option.

Newer systems like DRB do. Are you sure yours does not?

You could also turn everything on and leave it on and then off manualy.

 

[AppleExpress]

Unfortunately im am not able to operate the system manually. the main switch box is located behind a concrete wall and i cannot visually see the vehicles go through while activating chemicals. We did however manage to get the system up yesterday so i am back open today. We were unable to extract the bolt from the shaft, actually broke an easy out trying. so instead we removed the set screws around the collar, and bolted the flag in that way. I guess when it comes to rigging it to work, my company will only let the maintenance guys do it. Anyways, we are back open at the least but will be shut down again this week as were installing a new chain (going from a log chain back to the sc78 chain) wednesday-thursday and installing a remote pulse switch.

 

[Earl Weiss]

1. Someone might want to consider making a Window in that wall to see into the tunnel.
2. You might want to see if the controller has simulated pulse capability.
3. If functions are interlocked (Go on and off with the conveyor) you don't turn them on and off when the car is at the right point you simply leave them on. Yest it costs a little more in Chemical and utiilities but it's better than losing a busy day. (We do not turn on extra services we just don't sell them. )
If you lose the pulse switch for whatever reason, a remote pulse switch is not solving the issue and it may be less accurate at times.