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Revamping my foam brush system.

Edie011

Member
Took over a 20yr old carwash with a problematic foam brush system. Would like to renovate it, please share your input on how you would do it efficiently.
 
Do you have experience with this system? I was actually looking at getting one. And what do you mean about bad foamers?
 
No I don't have any experience with that system.... But all systems are basically the exact same.

What problem are you having? I'm just suggesting that your problem might be $20 worth of parts not a whole new system.
 
The system is 20+ years old and sometimes works and sometimes doesn't. Lately it hasn't worked at all and I can't figure out why not. The chemical and air are mixed in the maintenance room then piped to the bays.
 
I'm at my wash now.... But where the chemical and air mix there should be a pvc looking thing? That is what I am referring to as a foamer.

Is your pump pumping?
 
The Air Logic design is simple, effective, and very reliable. My similar system has been in operation for nearly 20 years.

The key to quick delivery to the bays is to make foam directly above the foam brush booms…in the freeze-protected plumbing trough.

Each bay’s soap and air solenoid valve outlets are plumbed to above the bay with 1/4" poly tubing where they are teed together. The tee outlet is then plumbed with 3/8-1/2” tubing or hose to the boom. In this manner, the foam brush soap lines are always full. When Foam Brush is selected the pump doesn’t have to fill the entire line to the bay…it’s already “waiting” at the tee/foamer. Foam gets to the brush in less than 6 seconds…happy customers.

Set the soap pump’s pressure to 50psi and the air-assist solenoids to 35psi for great show…adjust the air-assist psi up or down to make wetter or dryer foam. One adjustment affects all bays.
 
If you’re using a flojet, it won’t pump if your FB soap solenoid isn’t opening. Have you checked for voltage when the solenoids are supposed to be energized/open? Here’s a picture of my FB Generator, Mark VII pump stand…Maybe not as efficient as CB80’s, but has been very free of problems since I bought the wash. The generators are 30+ years old!
foam_generator.JPG
 
If you’re using a flojet, it won’t pump if your FB soap solenoid isn’t opening. Have you checked for voltage when the solenoids are supposed to be energized/open? Here’s a picture of my FB Generator, Mark VII pump stand…Maybe not as efficient as CB80’s, but has been very free of problems since I bought the wash. The generators are 30+ years old!
foam_generator.JPG

It is not a flo jet
 
Could I just move the solenoids close to the boom along with a foam generator? I assume the foam generator that you pay 20$ for is just a piece of PVC with caps and threads right?
 
The foam generators are typically filled with loosely packed “ChoreBoy” plastic pot scrubbers…but, they are not entirely needed. Many systems simply use a tee with the air being fitted to the tee’s branch.

Moving the solenoids above the booms will work but makes mechanical repairs more difficult. It’s best to keep all valves and wiring in the equipment room.

No pump? So it’s an “old school” water-powered system with Dema injectors?
 
Could I just move the solenoids close to the boom along with a foam generator? I assume the foam generator that you pay 20$ for is just a piece of PVC with caps and threads right?
I just made some to put on the shelf for spares. I got all the parts from HD or Lowes. Like CB80 said, they just have nylon pot scrubbers in them. Mine has the scrubbers in both ends and the center is open. The scrubbers are held in place with 1/4" poly tube. I can give you more detail if you like. I've never heard of the "Old School" No Pump method!
 
You can either use a Hosting Site like I do and link to them. Or you can "Go Advanced" and upload your pictures to the site. I have more control over the Image Size using a Hosting Site.
 
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