Suction Car
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 Car Windshield Mount Holder Suction Cup f TomTom one 125 130 140 XL 335 XXL 550 $3.11 Time Remaining: 28d 14h 45m Buy It Now for only: $3.11 |
 NEW Genuine Magellan Roadmate 1440 1445 1340 GPS Window Mount Holder car suction $7.04 (6 Bids) Time Remaining: 1h 20m |
 Car Windshield Mount Bracket Holder for TOMTOM ONE 310 CANADA N14644 530 540 550 $9.95 Time Remaining: 20d 8h 16m Buy It Now for only: $9.95 |
 Car Suction Mount TomTom GPS 520 520T 530 530T 720 720T 730 730T 920 920T 930 $5.99 Time Remaining: 3h 10m |
 Arkon BT010 Radar Detector Windshield Suction Car Mount $11.89 Time Remaining: 15d 10h 6m Buy It Now for only: $11.89 |
 Car Windshield Suction Mount Bracket Holder for GPS TomTom ONE XL XLS XL S $5.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 3h 11m |
 Genuine Garmin Nuvi Car Suction Cup Mount 010 10747 00 $5.75 Time Remaining: 21d 21h 52m Buy It Now for only: $5.75 |
 TomTom 1 ONE LE V2 V3 1st 2nd 3rd Edition Car windshield Suction Mount Bracket $5.99 Time Remaining: 3h 11m |
 Car Windscreen Mount Holder Suction Cup f Garmin Nuvi 255 255W 260 260W 265 265T $3.49 Time Remaining: 26d 15h 49m Buy It Now for only: $3.49 |
 Universal Windshield Auto Car Holder Mount Suction Cup for Cell Phone MP3 Iphone $4.98 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 3h 55m |
 Garmin Nuvi 750 760 780 Suction Cup Mount Car Charger $37.75 Time Remaining: 16d 11h 23m Buy It Now for only: $37.75 |
 Car Suction Window Mount Stand for 43 35 Garmin Nuvi 250w 260W 275T 260 360 $7.99 Time Remaining: 4h 37m |
 Car Windshield Mount Holder Suction Cup f Garmin Nuvi 255 255W 260 260W 265 265T $3.29 Time Remaining: 14d 15h 13m Buy It Now for only: $3.29 |
 Car suction mount strong holder windshield for Garmin nuvi 200w 260w 250w 255w $7.99 Time Remaining: 4h 46m |
 For GPS GARMiN NUVi 275T 260W Suction Cup Mount + Bracket Cradle Clip Car Holder $3.69 Time Remaining: 8d 8h 51m Buy It Now for only: $3.69 |
 Garmin Montana 600 650 650t Car suction mount power speaker Charger adapter Cord $48.90 Time Remaining: 1d 11h 56m Buy It Now for only: $48.90 |
 Car Suction Window Mount Stand For 43 35 Garmin Nuvi 250W 260W 275T 260 360 $7.99 Time Remaining: 4h 55m |
 Car Windscreen Mount Holder Suction Cup f Garmin Nuvi 265WT 270 275 275T 465T $3.19 Time Remaining: 26d 13h 38m Buy It Now for only: $3.19 |
 NEW Garmin Nuvi 255 265WT GPS Car Suction Window Mount Windshield Strong Holder $7.99 Time Remaining: 5h 4m Buy It Now for only: $8.80 |
 RAM RAM B 166 202AU Suction Car Windshield Mount for Camera Videocam Camcorder $39.95 Time Remaining: 23d 9h 31m Buy It Now for only: $39.95 |
 Car Suction Window Mount Stand for 43 35 Garmin Nuvi 250w 260W 275T 260 360 $7.99 Time Remaining: 5h 10m |
 Car Suction Cup Mount for GARMIN NUVI 200 200W 205 205W 255W 260 260W 265 270 $3.65 Time Remaining: 12d 12h 53m Buy It Now for only: $3.65 |
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 Car windshield Suction Cup Mount Bracket Holder for Garmin GPS dezl 560LT 560LMT $7.99 Time Remaining: 27d 9h 11m Buy It Now for only: $7.99 |
 Accessory Gps Car Suction Cup Mount Holder For Garmin Nuvi 200 200W 205 205W $7.99 Time Remaining: 6h 15m |
 Car Windshield Mount Holder Suction Cup for TomTom one v2 v3 2nd 3rd Edition $3.49 Time Remaining: 28d 15h 10m Buy It Now for only: $3.49 |
 Car HOLDER GPS MOUNT Suction Cup FOR GARMIN Nuvi 250W 260W 275T 200 205 465T $7.99 Time Remaining: 6h 45m |
 Car Windshield Mount Holder Suction Cup for Garmin Nuvi 1255 1260T 1300 1390T $3.19 Time Remaining: 26d 13h 20m Buy It Now for only: $3.19 |
 Car Windshield Mount Holder Suction Cup f TomTom Go 520 520T 930 730 720 630 530 $3.59 Time Remaining: 28d 14h 56m Buy It Now for only: $3.59 |
 Car HOLDER GPS MOUNT Suction Cup FOR GARMIN Nuvi 250W 260W 275T 200 205 465T $7.99 Time Remaining: 7h 10m |
 Car Windshield Mount Holder Suction Cup for TomTom 520 530 630 720 730 920 930 $3.59 Time Remaining: 28d 14h 51m Buy It Now for only: $3.59 |
 Strong Suction Cup Bracket Cradle Mount Holder for Garmin Nuvi 265W 255W 205 GPS $7.99 Time Remaining: 7h 37m |
 Car Windshield Mobile Phone Mount Holder Suction Cup $4.29 Time Remaining: 8d 14h 23m Buy It Now for only: $4.29 |
 new accessory gps car suction cup mount holder for Garmin nuvi 200 200w 205 205w $7.99 Time Remaining: 7h 55m Buy It Now for only: $8.80 |
 Car Windscreen Mount Holder Suction Cup f Garmin Nuvi 1450 1450T 1455 1490 1495 $3.19 Time Remaining: 26d 13h 32m Buy It Now for only: $3.19 |
 ACCESSORY GPS CAR SUCTION CUP MOUNT HOLDER FOR GARMIN NUVI 200 200W 205 205W $7.99 Time Remaining: 8h 36m |
 Car Windshield Mount Holder Suction Cup f Garmin Nuvi 1450 1450T 1455 1490 1490T $3.49 Time Remaining: 26d 15h 46m Buy It Now for only: $3.49 |
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 Windshield Car Suction Cup Mount for Garmin Nuvi 1390T 1370T 1350 1300 GPS $5.20 Time Remaining: 18d 1h 37m Buy It Now for only: $5.20 |
 Accessory GPS Car Suction Cup Mount Holder for GARMIN NUVI 200 200W 205 205W $7.99 Time Remaining: 9h 6m |
 NEW GARMIN OEM NUVI 350 360 370 CAR SUCTION CUP MOUNT w CRADLE 010 10815 00 $23.50 Time Remaining: 8d 6h 36m Buy It Now for only: $23.50 |
 Car Windshield Suction Cup Mount Bracket Holder Cradle Clip Garmin GPS nuvi 2595 $19.98 Time Remaining: 17d 26m Buy It Now for only: $19.98 |
 Suction Cup Bracket Mount Dock Cradle Kit for Garmin Nuvi 255W 205 265W 305 $7.99 Time Remaining: 9h 34m |
 RAM Long Arm Suction Cup Car Mount RAM B 166U C $43.95 Time Remaining: 14d 10h 42m Buy It Now for only: $43.95 |
 SUCTION CUP BRACKET MOUNT HOLDER STAND FOR GARMIN NUVI GPS 255W 205 265W $7.99 Time Remaining: 9h 37m |
 Car Windshield Mount Holder Suction Cup Garmin 260 255w 265wt 250 1300 1450 1350 $2.89 Time Remaining: 25d 15h 44m Buy It Now for only: $2.89 |
 Car Windshield Suction Cup GPS Holder for Garmin Nuvi 1450 1450T 1455 1490 1490T $0.99 Time Remaining: 10h 29m |
 Car Windshield Suction EasyPort Mount Holder for GPS Tom One 130 140 XL XXL 550 $3.08 Time Remaining: 28d 15h 45m Buy It Now for only: $3.08 |
 CAR SUCTION CUP MOUNT FOR GARMIN NUVI 600 610 660 680 275T 300 310 350 360 370 $0.01 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 10h 32m |
 Car Windscreen Mount Holder Suction Cup f TomTom Go 720 720T 630 630T 530 530T $3.49 Time Remaining: 28d 15h 6m Buy It Now for only: $3.49 |
 CAR SUCTION CUP MOUNT FOR GARMIN NUVI 600 610 660 680 275T 300 310 350 360 370 $0.01 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 10h 53m |
 Car Windshield Mount Holder Suction Cup f TomTom one v2 v3 2nd 3rd Edition $3.59 Time Remaining: 28d 15h Buy It Now for only: $3.59 |
 car holder dock adjustable neck windshield suction cup for iphone 4s latest $4.98 Time Remaining: 11h 3m |
 Garmin NUVI 610 660 670 680 Suction Mount Car Charger $35.45 Time Remaining: 20d 2h 14m Buy It Now for only: $35.45 |
 Garmin Windshield Car Suction Cup Mount for Nuvi 200 200W 205 205W GPS $5.20 Time Remaining: 27d 10h 20m Buy It Now for only: $5.20 |
 Car Suction Mount Garmin nuvi 200 205 255 W 265 WT 1100 1300 LM 1390 LT LMT 1350 $5.99 Time Remaining: 11h 58m |
 Garmin Nuvi 755T 765T 775T Suction Cup Car Charger $37.95 Time Remaining: 5d 1h 16m Buy It Now for only: $37.95 |
 Car Windshield Suction Mount Bracket Holder for GPS TomTom ONE XL XLS XL S $5.99 Time Remaining: 12h |
 Universal Car Mount Bracket 258 Holder + Suction cup For Phone IPhone4 GPS PDA $4.18 Time Remaining: 28d 14h 6m Buy It Now for only: $4.18 |
 TomTom 1 ONE LE V2 V3 1st 2nd 3rd Edition Car windshield Suction Mount Bracket $5.99 Time Remaining: 12h |
 Car Windscreen Mount Holder Suction Cup f TomTom one 125 130 140 XL 335 XXL 550 $3.21 Time Remaining: 26d 14h 19m Buy It Now for only: $3.21 |
 Car Suction Mount TomTom GPS 520 520T 530 530T 720 720T 730 730T 920 920T 930 $5.99 Time Remaining: 12h 1m |
 Car Windshield Mount Holder Suction Cup For Tom Tom V5 V4 V2 IQ 330 XL EasyPort $5.49 Time Remaining: 7d 15h 21m Buy It Now for only: $5.49 |
 suction cup bracket style car mount holder for Garmin Nuvi gps 260 250w 465t new $7.99 Time Remaining: 13h 24m |
 Windshield Windscreen Vehicle Suction Cup Car Mount Holder for TomTom Ease Start $6.99 Time Remaining: 25d 8h 15m Buy It Now for only: $6.99 |
 Universal Windshield Auto Car Holder Mount Suction Cup for Cell Phone MP3 Iphone $4.98 Time Remaining: 15h 43m |
 Car Windshield Mount Holder Suction Cup For Tom Tom ONE PRO V5 V2 IQ 330 XL XXL $5.49 Time Remaining: 7d 15h 22m Buy It Now for only: $5.49 |
 Car Auto Suction Mount Bracket Holder 4 TOMTOM ONE 310 CANADA N14644 XL 350 340 $8.99 Time Remaining: 10d 23h 16m Buy It Now for only: $8.99 |
 Suction Cup Bracket Mount Holder Stand For Garmin Nuvi Gps 255W 205 265W $7.99 Time Remaining: 16h 52m |
 Car suction mount Bracket Garmin streetpilot C320 C340 C330 w o Power connector $24.99 Time Remaining: 3d 23h 9m Buy It Now for only: $24.99 |
 Car Mount Holder Universal Windshield Cradle Suction $6.09 Time Remaining: 20h 30m |
 Car Windshield Mount Holder Suction Cup for TomTom ONE PRO V5 V2 IQ 330 XL XXL $3.59 Time Remaining: 22d 14h 39m Buy It Now for only: $3.59 |
 Car suction mount holder cradle for Garmin nuvi 255 265WT 200w 260w 250w 255w $7.99 Time Remaining: 22h 29m |
 Car Auto Interior Suction Windscreen Rear View Mirror $1.00 Time Remaining: 21d 5h 58m Buy It Now for only: $1.00 |
 Car Suction Cup Mount For Garmin Nuvi 200 200W 205 205W New Travel Cradle Dock $7.99 Time Remaining: 23h 12m |
 Car Windscreen Mount Holder Suction Cup f Garmin Nuvi 200 200W 205 205W 250 250W $3.59 Time Remaining: 15d 14h 21m Buy It Now for only: $3.59 |
 Car Windshield Suction Mount Bracket Holder for GPS TomTom ONE XL XLS XL S $5.99 Time Remaining: 1d 1h 39m |
 Car Windshield Suction Mount Bracket Holder 4 Garmin GPS nuvi 30 40 50 LM 3700 $7.99 Time Remaining: 10d 5h Buy It Now for only: $7.99 |
 Car Suction Mount TomTom GPS 520 520T 530 530T 720 720T 730 730T 920 920T 930 $5.99 Time Remaining: 1d 1h 41m |
 Car Windshield Mount Holder Suction Cup f Garmin Nuvi 1450 1450T 1455 1490 1490T $3.29 Time Remaining: 13d 15h 49m Buy It Now for only: $3.29 |
Maintaining Coin-Op Car Wash Vacuums
This is probably why your equipment cleans so well, but un-maintained these tools of the trade can truly become the machines from hell. Broken down or inoperable equipment in an un-maintained car wash will attract vandalism, crime, graffiti and additional abuse from patrons and derelicts alike.
VACUUM
Most coin operated vacuums have two motors in the top. They are good usually for about 400 hours. They are easy to replace and are not expensive. They cost between $39-89 each. If you replace one, you should replace both because their useful life is highly predictable. If one goes chances are, the other one will soon. If you want to replace your entire vacuum and go to a three motor vacuum, you'll probably want to go with the oval shape style vacuum. Round style three motor units need more space due to their large diameter. You'll need more room to mount them at your car wash.
Vacuum Motors
Worn carbon brushes in these motors cause the motors to fail prematurely. You should inspect both carbon brushes in each motor at least every two months. If you are washing in excess of $10,000 in personal car washes monthly, we recommend brush inspection once per month. You should also maintain spare carbon brushes or entire motors in your inventory at the car wash. The average coin op car wash does $1,000 to $1300 per bay per month, so a six bay car wash usually will burn through the vacuum motors in about 45-60 days.
When you check brushes also check to make sure motors are securely fastened. Loose motor mountings can cause poor suction because the motor impeller is not centered over an inlet. Most multiple motor vacuums will still run even if only one motor is working. Suction will be poor, but it will still turn on. If a ground wire comes off or a motor burns up it could cause another motor to fail.
Usually, if pressure is down, it's because: You have a hole in your hose; Your hose pulled out of the base of the unit; The trap door to the waste area is ajar; Your pressure washer is idling or it is running at the wrong rpm for maximum efficiency; The belt to your generator is loose; The ground wire on your generator is broken; Your generator is loose on it's mounting; Your motors need replacing; Something is clogging the hose
Vacuum Filters
If you find dirt around the vacuum motors, one of the filters is either torn or it is not seated properly. If you allow this condition to continue the motors will fail and self-destruct in approximately 10.2 to 30 operating hours. If the vacuum filter is wet constantly, you should remove it and blast the outside of the filter first, from a distance of three meters, then turn it inside out and blast it and leave it out in the sun to dry for an hour or in Arizona Summers, ten minutes.
If you shake the filter, the dust should drop away from the filter. If dust and dirt cling to the filter, shake it more. If that doesn't work, blast it. If the filter is as gray as the dirt it is supposed to be separating, clean it gently with a soft brush. If this doesn't work, blast it and brush it. If that doesn't work, replace it. The cost for a good cloth filter bag is about $10.00. Make sure it is a wet and dry filter. Don't buy a dry filter bag to save money. You need one that is water resistent. We recommend that you stock at least two filters or three if you buy a three motor machine.
Appearance
Keep all vacuum decals looking good. Not torn. Rub silicon on the decals to keep them shiny and un-oxidized. Remember, you are selling 'clean'. If they are ripped, replace them. This prevents customers from abusing them, it makes them feel that you care so they in turn treat them well. It is an innate characteristic of human behavior.
If you have a hole in your vacuum hose, buy some clear silicon. Blast the hose with your pressure washer to clean it. Turn the vacuum on for thirty seconds to dry the outside of the hose. Use clear fast drying silicon pipe sealer or over night clear silicon caulking compound. Do not push it in to the hole as it will dry inside and cause things to clog the hose when you are operating the vacuum unit.
You should stretch out your vacuum hose and blast it from a foot distance. Put your foot on the hose and roll it from side to side while blasting. When you put the hose back, have a towel in one hand and pull the hose through the towel to dry it off from the wet parking lot grime. It's best to clean the hoses on concrete (a sidewalk) rather than asphalt.
Cleaning Out Vacuum Hose
Detach the hose. Put one end on a lawn and hold the other side in your hand at three and one-half to four feet high. Put your high pressure water hose in the vacuum hose and pull the trigger. Be sure the first two feet of vacuum hose has no kinks or turns in it. Otherwise you will shoot a hole on the vacuum hose. Be sure to shoot the water gun directly down the center of the vacuum hose.
If you think that a piece of trash or a paper cup is clogging the vacuum hose, switch sides of the hose when connecting the hose to the vacuum and vacuum the item back out the way it went in. Try this before you try blasting it out.
What kinds of things clog vacuums: Upside down paper cups with openings of one and a quarter inches (only when attachment is off); Toys; Underwear, bras, pantyhose; Screw drivers; Dead fish; Bags of marijuana (it happened, customer was very upset, we didn't know it was under the seat); Ping pong balls; Paper bags; Glad trash bags, unused; Etc.
If you maintain your car wash vacuums you will find they continually bring in revenue. The industry average for coin op vacuums is $400 per month in earnings. If your facility has five bays and 8 vacuums you can understand why preventative maintenance is so important, that is over $3,000 per month. Think about it.
"Lance Winslow" - Online Think Tank forum board. If you have innovative thoughts and unique perspectives, come think with Lance; www.WorldThinkTank.net/. Lance is an online writer in retirement.
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