Touchless IBA Hp dryer options?

[New Washdog]

Does anyone have first hand experience with the performance difference (car drying ability) of say four bridge mounted 10hp units vs four 7.5Hp units on a touchless wash? Is it drastically different? Has anyone chosen a lower Hp option and regretted it??

The reason I ask is, using an online KWH calculator the annual energy cost savings would be around $4500 not including the demand charges. So I'm sure the savings would be north of $5000 a year.

Thanks in advance!

 

[washnshine]

Does anyone have first hand experience with the performance difference (car drying ability) of say four bridge mounted 10hp units vs four 7.5Hp units on a touchless wash? Is it drastically different? Has anyone chosen a lower Hp option and regretted it??

The reason I ask is, using an online KWH calculator the annual energy cost savings would be around $4500 not including the demand charges. So I'm sure the savings would be north of $5000 a year.

Thanks in advance!

Are you talking dryers mounted on the machine or drive through? On the machine you control the speed and can do 2 passes if you want and maybe get away with less HP if your cars at clean and you have a good drying agent.

Drive through on the other hand, most people will go too quickly or drive through at an uneven speed - like slow at first, then dart out half way through. You will notice more of a difference if it is drive through because of the inconsistencies of the customers and your lack of control.

 

[OurTown]

Are you sure your decimal point is in the right place? The difference seems pretty high.

 

[New Washdog]

Are you talking dryers mounted on the machine or drive through? On the machine you control the speed and can do 2 passes if you want and maybe get away with less HP if your cars at clean and you have a good drying agent.

Drive through on the other hand, most people will go too quickly or drive through at an uneven speed - like slow at first, then dart out half way through. You will notice more of a difference if it is drive through because of the inconsistencies of the customers and your lack of control.

To clarify, I am talking machine mounted dryers, and thanks for your input washnshine.

 

[New Washdog]

Are you sure your decimal point is in the right place? The difference seems pretty high.

I probably should have included in my post my savings is for three bays based on my current car count and dryer cycle time. So yes my figures are correct.

 

[soonermajic]

I probably should have included in my post my savings is for three bays based on my current car count and dryer cycle time. So yes my figures are correct.

I see no way to save $5000/yr going from 10hp to 7.5hp. Sumbich, what's your monthly electric bill?
Mine, w/ 2 busy IBAs each w/ 15hp dryers, is $800/mo =$9500/yr. So, by your calculations, mine would be about $350/mo =$4200/yr.
I just don't see it

 

[MC3033]

Should be able to save around 25% power by making the change. I would estimate a loss in CFM at 20%. Factor in diminishing returns on the CFM and would definitely be a good decision to go to 7.5hp.

Personally though, I’d consider going 5 blowers at 7.5hp. A bit more cost up front and in maintenance but in the long run you are around the same power cost as the 10s and get a dryer car

 

[New Washdog]

I see no way to save $5000/yr going from 10hp to 7.5hp. Sumbich, what's your monthly electric bill?
Mine, w/ 2 busy IBAs each w/ 15hp dryers, is $800/mo =$9500/yr. So, by your calculations, mine would be about $350/mo =$4200/yr.
I just don't see it

Our January electric bill was over $2000. I did revisit the cost calculator I used, and I did indeed make a mistake. I used this calculator, https://www.prismengineering.com/resources/calculators Electric rates are pretty high in Vermont, according to eia.gov average commercial rate is .165 per kWh. My dryers run approximately 1420 hrs. a year. If I did it correctly this time my annual savings will be more like $3000 to $3500. Not as much as I first calculated but still significant.
Thanks for getting me to revisit my figures soonermajic