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Which Self Serve Equipment is the Best ?

I bought my Carwash 21 years ago. The comments about “repaired as cheap as possible” hit home. I spent the first year making sure that all four bays were exactly the same so that I only need one set of spares. I’m there now, if something breaks I have parts to fix and order replacements. The upgrades that need to be done are the ones that customers contact, wand guns, meter boxes, foam brushes. The stuff behind the door just has to work.
 
TJ_DOT said:
Hello Everyone,

We have recently bought a carwash that have very old and barely functional Self Serve Equipment. We have decided to scrap it and upgrade to a brand new equipment.
Doing some research on the available manufacturers out there ? Can some one give some insight on the best manufacturers available in the market.

Here is the criteria we are looking for:

1) Should have all the Latest functionalities available
2) Should have latest technical advancements (Like send alerts when the soap drops to certain level)
3) Give us reports that tells which functionalities are used and how often
4) Longevity of the Equipment with minimal operational issues
5) Budget

Appreciate if someone can help us find the SS Manufacturers that fits the criteria.

Thanks,
TJ_DOT.
Click to expand...

Maybe a bit unconventional thought....

2) Should have latest technical advancements (Like send alerts when the soap drops to certain level)

Save yourself a stack of money and just setup some cameras in the mechanical room so you can look at things remotely? Would be WAY cheaper than buying new equipment w/ a bunch of bells and whistles.
 
I'm not sure what you are asking for actually exists. You would need a unit with PLC's, which is very unusual. Most Self Serves use cheaper simple timers. Even then the low soap alerts are usually provided by your chemical supplier that has them designed for their systems. Wash World offers a version that will provide low level only but they don't make Self Serve.

I would recommend talking with either GinSan or Etowah Valley about designing a system capable of meeting your needs. They have the strong engineering that you will need. Another thing to consider is that a system that specialized is going to be difficult for most distributors to service. It's not going to work like the systems they are used to working on and is going to require parts that they are not going to stock.

Units capable of doing what you are asking for have all failed in the past. There are not enough Self Serve operators who want this level of automation in a unit to support a manufacturer. However, with so many new young operators coming into the business, now is the time for such a complex unit.
 
What are you doing with the old setup? Asking for a friend....I'm the friend. this is the setup i have the truly needs replacing. I hate it with my soul.

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A LOT depends on your ownership timeframe.

I've had my wash almost 30 years. At the 25 year point, my Cat 623's started needing replacement. (I've still got a couple still running). At my age, I don't need to get 30 years out of a replacement Cat pump....so I went with Arimitsu replacements. Much cheaper, and still a darn good pump. I'll likely be 6 feet under when it's time to replace them....and I won't care.

You've got NICE stainless stands. I agree. Tidy up what you have. Don't use cheap solenoids. Asco are the best, but pricey. eBay can be your friend to find ASCO's at a discount.

Also....

It gives me the chills to see pictures of pumps/motors/belts that are unguarded.

Am I alone in this....?
 
Rudy said:
It gives me the chills to see pictures of pumps/motors/belts that are unguarded.
Click to expand...

No you're not. Besides the obvious danger, if you have an inspector in there for any reason they can cause you a lot of headaches if they see that. Had one guy given 30 days to fix it or face shut down. Didn't follow up and got shut down.
 
Parts are very hard to find. But WET still has some laying around. The ports on the valves get debris in them and then it floods the utility room. Or the solenoids go bad all the time and nothing will come out in the bay. It. Breaks. Constantly. I’d be happy with this guys old setup if he’s getting rid of it haha. But I don’t have a ton of space in the utility room. We have ginsan setups at two other locations and they work great. But we have this iwash and one other unfortunately. But we do have one that is belt driven and a mix and match of parts and is 30 years old and works better than the ginsan and the iwash.
 
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