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Stand Alone Air Machine Compressor.

E

Earl Weiss

Well-known member
Have several of these. Initialy Thomas was the Brand of Choice for the compressor and now it seems to be Gast used by JE Adams and others.

I need to replace a couple - past rebuilding and the Gast are about $470.00 each.

For about 1/3 of that I can get a big box store compressor with tank that delivers about 4cfm at 90 PSI. (I will trash the tank)

Thinking that since these typically run in 4 minute cycles and I use Chucks that do not hold pressure so there is no back pressure on start up the duty load is much less than when they are connected to pressure holding tanks and can run much longer. '

So, will I get triple the use or more from the Gast?
 
I do know that the oil less air compressors have a decrease in output long before the compressors that have a cast iron pump and belt drive.
 
Earl Weiss said:
Have several of these. Initialy Thomas was the Brand of Choice for the compressor and now it seems to be Gast used by JE Adams and others.

I need to replace a couple - past rebuilding and the Gast are about $470.00 each.

For about 1/3 of that I can get a big box store compressor with tank that delivers about 4cfm at 90 PSI. (I will trash the tank)

Thinking that since these typically run in 4 minute cycles and I use Chucks that do not hold pressure so there is no back pressure on start up the duty load is much less than when they are connected to pressure holding tanks and can run much longer. '

So, will I get triple the use or more from the Gast?
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It sounds worth a try. It's too bad Thomas compressors have taken a dump in quality. They used to last 20+ years in air machines.
 
water guy said:
Where is the best place to buy the Air Compressor Systems? I think it would be a good money maker.
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A lot of what you buy for a stand alone unit is the case. Difficult to vandalize and break into. JE Adams makes the ones I have bought in recent years. Fragramatics also makes one.
 
In Ireland and the UK we have thousands of stand alone pay for use air machines. Most use a digital unit by a company called pcl. They make good money, but the thing that breaks most often is the air compressor. You are therefore better off having an air compressor with a tank, or running an air line to the unit from your main compressor off the wash. I have used many brands of tankless systems (gast was the best, then Thomas then Puma). But none last as long as one with a tank. I have just not seen any decent units in the U.S yet.
 
Do people use these things? Right now the only air I have is if a customer comes up to me and asks. I pull the coil line out of the equipment room and hand it to them. Usually 1x per month.

I've been thinking about adding a stand alone unit - either free or paid - at one of my vac islands or even replacing my tire shine machine.
 
Does your tire shine machine do well. I have always thought it was a good idea just how big of a mess does it make on the parking lot and is the income on it worth it
 
tdlconceptsllc said:
Does your tire shine machine do well. I have always thought it was a good idea just how big of a mess does it make on the parking lot and is the income on it worth it
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Probably consumes more in power than it does in income generation. It was there when I bought the place.

Makes a absolute mess! On the asphalt and the area around the machine and the hose itself.
 
I have an extra option or two in my bays. I was thinking of dropping an air line in each bay. Everything is pretty much there!! Just add a solenoid in each bay, an extra air line in the trough down to each bay an run it off bay meter?? Why not? I know most air machines are $1 as apposed to a $3 start, but people will either need it and pay or wash and check air. Extra bay time either way which it what we are selling. Anyone tried this? Go ahead flame away!!! :-)
 
I've only seen one wash with air in all of the bays. The place was way overbuilt and had poor access, so the owners tore it down and are putting in an express tunnel. That too will fail for the same reasons. I like running a line out from the equipment room unit to a coin box. As Earl mentioned, it isn't fun trenching up a lot and repaving, but you now can have underground ran with the same units that the cable people use. Many plumbing shops have these now. It's fast and much cheaper than digging. And with your compressor you can deliver much faster air at higher pressures. Just be sure to limit the pressure to around 60 psi or you'll be blowing up bike tires.
 
mac said:
............As Earl mentioned, it isn't fun trenching up a lot and repaving, but you now can have underground ran with the same units that the cable people use. Many plumbing shops have these now. It's fast and much cheaper than digging..
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Have you ever got a quote on cost per foot of this? Also thinking that when the air from inside gets outside and it's 30 degrees or colder condensation and freezing will be even more of an issue.
 
pgrzes said:
I have an extra option or two in my bays. I was thinking of dropping an air line in each bay. Everything is pretty much there!! Just add a solenoid in each bay, an extra air line in the trough down to each bay an run it off bay meter?)
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I think Hoffman has a Boom with a compressed air line and trigger gun. I think this would get more uses blowing out nooks and crannies. Could also be a cheaper option than hand held blowers. Not sure if the Blower , being larger has more attraction.
 
Car_Wash_Guy said:
or even replacing my tire shine machine.
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I took over a place with a trashed shampoo machine. Converted it to a tire inflator machine. Got decal from KR. You could likely do the same with a tire shine machine. Have a tire shine machine I took out of service years ago. Save the case for just such a possible future use.
 
Car_Wash_Guy said:
Do people use these things? Right now the only air I have is if a customer comes up to me and asks. I pull the coil line out of the equipment room and hand it to them. Usually 1x per month.

I've been thinking about adding a stand alone unit - either free or paid - at one of my vac islands or even replacing my tire shine machine.
Click to expand...

I replaced an old mechanical dryer timer box a guy was using for air and water because he couldn't change the price, and he was still making $20 a week at 25¢ for 3 minutes. Both he and I are amazed that people will come in every day and spend as much as $1.50 to air up a leaking tire rather than get it fixed.
 
Bought a Harbor Freight Compressor. We will see how it lasts. First issue I see is it's not "Oil Less " and instructions say add oil for each use.
 
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