What's new

Help with Razor Rinse Tank

slash007

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 8, 2012
Messages
2,479
Reaction score
417
Points
83
Location
Lexington, Ky.
Need help with my Razor 4 rinse tank solenoid. I started getting "low water main tank" errors and I found out that if I wash cars back to back, the rinse tank is not filling up as fast as it should, so the water level gets very low and I get the error. I started by checking and replacing the diaphragm and nothing changed. It looked fine anyway. Then I replaced the coil, then the piston, then finally the whole solenoid valve, but no luck. When it starts filling, it works perfectly for about 3-4 seconds, then it starts to fill up slow and continues until it finally stops. I checked voltage on the coil and it's a steady 24v the whole time it's active. Thought maybe it was a booster pump problem, but checked water pressure coming in and it's strong and steady. I'm at a total loss as to what to try next. Any help is appreciated.
 

OurTown

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 8, 2017
Messages
3,663
Reaction score
1,420
Points
113
Location
Ohio
Have you checked flow right before the solenoid valve with it disconnected from the plumbing? I'm suspecting a restriction in the line somewhere. Maybe a broken softener part. Is it a 1" line?
 

slash007

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 8, 2012
Messages
2,479
Reaction score
417
Points
83
Location
Lexington, Ky.
I did check the flow before the solenoid and it was string. If a restriction, why would it work for a few seconds at high flow before slowing down? I never considered the softener. I'll switch the other tank to active and see if the issue remains.
 

OurTown

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 8, 2017
Messages
3,663
Reaction score
1,420
Points
113
Location
Ohio
Did you check for flow longer than 4 seconds?
 

OurTown

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 8, 2017
Messages
3,663
Reaction score
1,420
Points
113
Location
Ohio
Is the solenoid valve installed in the correct flow direction?
 

slash007

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 8, 2012
Messages
2,479
Reaction score
417
Points
83
Location
Lexington, Ky.
Did you check for flow longer than 4 seconds?
Yes. I filled a 5 gallon bucket and it was strong the whole time. Not scientific as a test, but the water was uncontrollably strong with no change during the duration it was won. Washworls insists it has to be the solenoid, but it can't be. Has to be something else causing the restriction. I did have it work for a week with no issues, so I am thinking maybe one of the softener tanks could be the culprit somehow. What could I look for there?
 

OurTown

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 8, 2017
Messages
3,663
Reaction score
1,420
Points
113
Location
Ohio
I doubt it's the softener if there's good flow at the solenoid valve. Does it do it consistently now?
 

slash007

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 8, 2012
Messages
2,479
Reaction score
417
Points
83
Location
Lexington, Ky.
I doubt it's the softener if there's good flow at the solenoid valve. Does it do it consistently now?
Yes. I've tried several times draining the tank to just above low water float then turning water back on. Starts filling at a high rate, then slows down after a few seconds. Somehow getting restricted after a few seconds. I can't see the solenoid suddenly partially closing if 24v is applied consistently.
 

OurTown

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 8, 2017
Messages
3,663
Reaction score
1,420
Points
113
Location
Ohio
Is it installed in the correct direction?
 

chaz

Active member
Joined
Mar 22, 2008
Messages
922
Reaction score
112
Points
43
Location
Cincinnati, Ohio
Is there a check valve. I had a similar issue (different brand machine) inner parts of solenoid had “broken” and sometimes water flowed nicely other times the parts caused obstruction
 

slash007

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 8, 2012
Messages
2,479
Reaction score
417
Points
83
Location
Lexington, Ky.
Is there a check valve. I had a similar issue (different brand machine) inner parts of solenoid had “broken” and sometimes water flowed nicely other times the parts caused obstruction
No check valve in between. I checked flow after the filter as well and it was fine.
 

OurTown

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 8, 2017
Messages
3,663
Reaction score
1,420
Points
113
Location
Ohio
Have you tried checking the flow directly out of the solenoid valve with any downstream plumbing removed?
 

slash007

Well-known member
Joined
Jul 8, 2012
Messages
2,479
Reaction score
417
Points
83
Location
Lexington, Ky.
Have you tried checking the flow directly out of the solenoid valve with any downstream plumbing removed?
Yes. I honestly don't think there is anything I have not tried. Spent over 10 hours trying to pin it down.
 

OurTown

Well-known member
Joined
Nov 8, 2017
Messages
3,663
Reaction score
1,420
Points
113
Location
Ohio
If the flow is good up to it and not good after it then it seems logical that it's the valve. Have you tried it on another setup since you have multiple Razors?
 

Randy

Well-known member
Joined
Sep 5, 2007
Messages
5,868
Reaction score
2,244
Points
113
You have a water flow restriction problem. I’d be looking at your water softener. Do you have a bypass on your water softener, if you do I’d bypass the water softener. You could also have a problem with your back-flow preventer.
 

Keno

Well-known member
Joined
May 30, 2022
Messages
757
Reaction score
492
Points
63
Well, I guess it's time to buy a new machine. 😆
I want to be your distributor if this is your solution for problems! 😂

Disclaimer - I am not a distributor, but can start a distributorship just for a customer like you hahaha
 
Top