Vacuum Fed Soap and Wax

[2Biz]

My soap and wax are vacuum fed using 1/8" orifice solenoids. Flow is adjusted using needle valves and monitored using Dwyer Flow Gages.. What is the recommended flow rate you want through the solenoid and needle valve?

I am currently flowing 10oz per minute and tip the hydrominder to give a good show and maintain the 10 oz per minute flow. I recently had some issues where the soap and wax were fluctuating. Maybe flow was restricted too much and it didn't take much to clog the needle valve. I know some of you don't run needle valves at all. You let the system full flow and tip accordingly.

Obviously more flow would be better to keep from clogging the system. I just don't know what that flow rate is or should be?

 

[I.B. Washincars]

I have the Mark VII Proline systems, same as you do. Mine don't and never had flow meters. I adjust the needle valves to get the desired show in the bay. Pretend like your flow meters aren't there and life will be easier for you.

 

[MEP001]

I don't run needle valves - I don't see the need to as long as all the solenoids have the same orifice. Let that be the adjustment.

I recently changed wax and ignored any recommended dilution. It was supposed to run at a higher dilution, so I went a couple tip sizes smaller and tested it. It didn't bead well or give much show, so I increased the tip size, and it looks great. It wasn't complicated to figure out.

I'm running powdered soap with a pH mixer, and I make sure it's strong enough to actually feel soapy between my fingers. At that level it cleans well and puts on an excellent show. Again, not going by any recommended ratio, and not complicated.

I've never had any issues with consistency across the bays. When I worked for a distributor, I worked on many different washes. I really never saw anything but problems with needle valve adjustments for the soap and wax.

 

[2Biz]

Thats interesting about the flow meters? Maybe someone added them along the way on mine. Personally I like them....There are too many variables that can make each bay different. Its nice to get one bay looking right, then set all the rest to the same flow. Seems to help me get each bay closer to the same. I'm sure there is a sweet spot that every system runs well at. I've been trying to find out how much a 1/4" od poly line will flow. But can't find it online.

 

[cantbreak80]

2Biz...your system came from the factory with the Dwyer flow meters. The Proline didn't include them. I found them to be the cause of too many problems in my day...leaks around the o-rings would allow air into the pump, reducing pressure, cavitation issues, poor chemical suction, etc.

I'm in agreement with MEP001...
blend your solutions with Hydrominder tips to the desired titration
fully open or eliminate the metering/needle valves.