Low pressure rain x for Laser 4000???

[Wash-A-Roo]

Trying to put rain-x on a laser4000 on a low pressure application. Can't figure it out???

[Waxman]

Does the Laser use any other low pressure functions? My machine(not a laser) still uses the h.p. pump, but at a 'medium' pressure. My distributor set it up that way. I think it's the same pressure I use to apply my cherry wax on the lower priced wash.

[jcollins]

Unplug the lp wax chemical tube and plug the RainX chemical tube onto the lp wax injector.

Or call your distributor, We add RainX as a low pressure function onto the existing wash packages (lp soap1, lp soap2, lp wax) all the time without losing any of the existing low pressure functions.

[John Racine]

If you use a 2 step soap you will need to convert 1 of your high pressure functions to a low pressure.

[Wash-A-Roo]

can I take out the hp clearcoat protectant and put it in the place of it.

[jcollins]

.......then you won't have the hp clearcoat protectant available for the next wash package down, plus, that's a high pressure function. There is a way to make another low pressure function available without losing any/all lp functions used now.

[John Racine]

I agree with jcollins if you upgrade to latest software and add a output card. The easier way to do it if you don't have A5000, is to use a time delay relay and replumb the solenoid and use the Polysealant function. This still leaves you the High Pressure Drying agent. This is a much less expensive way to put on a Super Sealant on a Laserwash.

[Wash-A-Roo]

I looked through the programing and didn't find a low pressure wax option. Does this mean the software is to old?

[jcollins]

Come on Sam,
You said you worked on Lasers for 9 years in another post! I think any software in any CPU will have a low pressure wax available. The easiest, cheapest, fastest way to setup RainX is to just unplug the chemical tube for low pressure wax and plug the RainX chemical tube to the lp wax injector. You won't be able to use a lp wax pass on the next wash package down, but it can have a hp clear coat protectant pass instead of a lp wax.
I think the RainX application does a much better job for less expense when applied with low pressure.

John,
We apply RainX as a lp function no matter what CPU, software in the CPU, or plumbing options used. I can't divulge how we do it, I'm just saying it can be easily done.

[jcollins]

....I would highly recommend using 2 step presoaks when using RainX. If you don't get the car clean, you'll be sealing in dirt.

[Wash-A-Roo]

correct...have worked on them for 9 years.....never needed to look for low pressure wax function in 9 years! driving me nuts! cant find the low pressure wash in the programming. I know its there somewhere cause I have a"extra" spot for it on the pump station. will call ya soon.

[Ric]

John,
We apply RainX as a lp function no matter what CPU, software in the CPU, or plumbing options used. I can't divulge how we do it, I'm just saying it can be easily done.

Thanks for sharing :confused:

[MEP001]

Thanks for sharing
Why should he? I've come up with several uses for a PLC around a wash, one of which is to control a triple-foam CCC system and have it produce six colors. It can be done, but why should I share the program I wrote?

[pitzerwm]

Well, there might be a couple reasons to share. "you get out more than you put in", "its better to give than receive"

Or, "package" your idea and sell it in the classifieds.

[Mike]

Please call or email me and I will explain how to add Rain-X as a lp function, this may require a little additional plumbing, software and or electronics upgrades depending on how you machine is configured currently, and what functions you want on your machine.
I agree the Rain-X I have seen in the field works better as a lp function.

Mike Menard
PDQ Technical Support
1.800.227.3373

[Wash-A-Roo]

I'm not crazy after all!!!!!!!!!! Its not there cause I have v17 software and need v19. I also don't have the output cards and input cards for it. (called pdq techs) Is there another way to do it and if so is anybody willing to share the idea! thanks

[Mike]

Give me a call and we can figure out something that will work

Mike Menard
PDQ Tech Support
1.800.227.3373

[gspice13]

are u running a low pressure wax currently if not how many inputs do u have on your chemical tree their should be 4 2 soaps 1 air and one wax if not one could make a manifold to accomplish this their should be an out put for this on output card 2 if its not being used for tri color .

[lag]

I'm not crazy after all!!!!!!!!!! Its not there cause I have v17 software and need v19. I also don't have the output cards and input cards for it. (called pdq techs) Is there another way to do it and if so is anybody willing to share the idea! thanks

Just send me a PM, I have done 25 or so systems for myself ,and a few others.
I would be glad to give you some ideas, Lag

[Wash-A-Roo]

thanks....im running it in hp....works pretty good but i will diff take some help

[joep]

if you have a chip 19.0 you can run a foaming wax(Rain x)and Tri foam. You will have to wire the Rain x directly to the output card. Otherwise you will have to use it as a low pressure(foam wax) or a polysealant(water saver).

[Kurt]

We use a little ad-on PLC to get an additional LP pass. Wash one does Rain-x and wax, Wash 2 does just wax. I use the drying agent solenoid for the Rain-x.

Kurt

[Mike]

On older versions of software if the machine has 3X foam it will not have a lp wax (thu arch)

Newer software 19.0b and higher has the ablity to add a lp wax even with 3X and you will not lose any other functions.

It is a plumbing option number change, and you will have to add output cards up to the Y70 card and some fittings - check valves on your overhead.
Also will need a injector and danfoss valve.

If you have questions please call PDQ tech support.

We also recommend you use a two step soap if you are using Rain-X and you need a very clean car before you seal the car with rain x.

[Laser Tracer]

This is actually something that we have been trying to get to work. We are located in Michigan , and have a laser wash 4000. Awhile back we had you guys install tri foam. Upgrade our cards and install 19a version. This winter we decided the tri foam was to much maintiance. It seems even running no tips and methonal it continues to freeze. So we decided to switch to magic bond. To make a long story short The 3x is a productivity pass ,so the only option we had was the drying agent function. I tried to convert this pass to low pressure using a normaly closed relay. Energizing the relay with the y 26 output ,and breaking the contactor wire to the high pressure pump when energized. It works great other then when the pass is almost complete the Hp pump comes on for a few seconds. So are you suggesting using a time delay in place of where I installed the relay. I also wired the air in. One of my other questions are does everybody have problems such as ours in this cold climate with the 3x. We have no doors on our automatic, and its really not in the budget with the winter we've already had

[Mike]

The reason the hp pump is coming on is that we shut off the solution pump and chem valves at the mid limit flag going home and still run the hp pump to clean out the water - wax in the pump head and lines going out to bay. You could fix this by using a relay with a timer that extends the break of the run signal for hp pump. About 4 additional seconds should be enough.

Be advised, doing this will leave rain X in the pump head and line going out to bay, this can cause sealer to be put on during UC, or when we are rinsing after soap passes, this could effect car wash results by sealing in dirt and soap.

[Mike]

Also if you are not going to use trifoam any more you can just remove the option from the lasermind and you replump the machine to a normal arch foam pass and use rain - x, you would only have rain x then, no polish pass.

[lag]

Also if you are not going to use trifoam any more you can just remove the option from the lasermind and you replump the machine to a normal arch foam pass and use rain - x, you would only have rain x then, no polish pass.

Mike
If he has already added the new cards. could he not install 19.0b or higher ,and add a line to the overhead manifold. That way he could also use 3x during the summer months if wanted. Or did I miss something ?

[lag]

We use a little ad-on PLC to get an additional LP pass. Wash one does Rain-x and wax, Wash 2 does just wax. I use the drying agent solenoid for the Rain-x.

Kurt

This is the way I do it. If your not familiar with plcs, you could use latching relays.

[Mike]

Mike
If he has already added the new cards. could he not install 19.0b or higher ,and add a line to the overhead manifold. That way he could also use 3x during the summer months if wanted. Or did I miss something ?


Yes, If he already has all the electronics he can just change the chip and add a plumbing option number and it will come up in the cpu as a lp wax pass (thru arch) thus keeping the trifoam.

[lag]

Thanks Mike... sounded as if he had the electronics already. So changing the eprom would be the easiest way to add Rain-x.

[Laser Tracer]

So what will the new card get me overall, We just had this upgraded a year and a half ago

[lag]

So what will the new card get me overall, We just had this upgraded a year and a half ago

In your post you stated you already added the needed I/O cards. All you need to do now is relpace a chip in your controller to get the needed extra LP pass for rain-x.

You may want to contact whoever sold you the upgrade ,and confirm all you need is the newer software.

[jcollins]

So what will the new card get me overall, We just had this upgraded a year and a half ago

This would depend on "which" new card you had installed. All L4000's came with the y-10, y-20, y-30, and y-40 output cards. If you had a door package option, hot water inject, reclaim valve, or wheel cleaners, the y-50 card would be added. If you have confirmation signage (bay signage on the passenger side wall), the y-60 output card would be added. If you had an alert option, the 60 input card would be added. The y-70 output card would be added if you were using trifoam and also wanted to be able to use a low pressure wax (or rainx) through the arch.
The 19.0a software chip you have in now will do this by using a different plumbing option number. With your machine using the y-24 output now for the trifoam danfoss valve, you'll have to wire a different danfoss valve to y-73 output for a low pressure wax pass ( which normally uses y-24 when trifoam is not an option) and plumb this danfoss valve to the overhead manifold.
Your distributor should be able to talk you this procedure on the phone, if you can do the plumbing and extra wiring.