Increased Operator Control of Wash Cycle Features

PDQ offers “Total Control System” with the Laserwash 4000, and probably the same system or something similar with the G5. “TCS allows the operator to run all the options, such as presoak, wash, wax, or rinse, at a selected speed between 0 to 9 (20 to 40 seconds) for optimum wash quality. TCS allows for a cool down pass in hot climates and snow removal passes in cold climates.” (This is quoted from a PDQ publication.) Belanger’s Vector RapidWash includes the ability to control wash cycle speeds, presoak soak times, and some basic functions.

Technical setups must be completed by installation personnel, to avoid mistakes. Both suppliers allow operators to set up some aspects of the wash that our Service Technicians currently set up on our washes. Most of our washes include similar setups and adjustments, but don’t allow operators to complete the setups.

RYKO is developing a better system. Beginning with UltraSonic 2001 Overhead Plan to develop for SoftGloss XS, Select-A- Wash, Velvet Touch 2000, and UltraSonic 2001 later

Main Features Operator can set up many aspects of the operation of the car wash Anyone on site can quickly and easily increase wash cycle speed or wash quality Car wash can automatically switch to faster wash cycles when customer line is long These are accomplished at CAW IV, not in wash bay or equipment room

Car Wash Setup Operator can set up the operation of the car wash equipment, similar to our competitors’ systems, but possibly with more features Operator can set up many of the set up questions and adjustable timers that our Service Technicians currently set up with Hand Held Programmers

Car Wash Setup Operator can change car wash operation without paying for, or waiting for, a service visit Operator can change car wash operation at any time, to match weather conditions or traffic flow Changes can be made while the wash is in operation. Changes will take effect on the next vehicle washed.

Car Wash Setup Examples Presoak dwell times ThrustPro operation: continuous or stopping after each dry ThrustPro maximum run time Bay doors operation: close one or both during every wash to minimize noise and wind through bay

Car Wash Setup Examples Add high-impact pre-rinse to every wash, to remove snow or thick dirt Define 2-pass wash cycle Define double front and rear cycle Tire Chemical Sprayer: tires only or tires and rocker panels Reclaim recirculation times Many more

Variable Wash Speed Operator can set up modifications to wash cycles to increase speed or to increase wash quality at any time When vehicles are not too dirty or wash is very busy, operator can save time and money, and increase throughput, by changing to Fast mode When vehicles are difficult to clean, operator can improve wash quality by changing to Best Wash Quality mode

Variable Wash Speed All settings we discussed previously are for “normal” wash mode Operator sets wash modifiers to change the “normal” washes and create “fast” or “best wash quality” washes

VWS Modifiers Examples Decrease or increase presoak dwell times Decrease or increase gantry drive speeds during chemical applications Decrease or increase gantry and trolley drive speeds during high impact rinse Decrease or increase Rocker Panel Blaster maximum run time (CMD countdown time display can change to match this)

VWS Modifiers Examples Decrease or increase ThrustPro maximum run time (Countdown timer cannot currently change to match this) Remove or add clear coat, rinse, or spot free rinse passes Remove or add double front or rear presoak Remove or add double front or rear high impact rinse

VWS Modifiers Examples Substitute one-pass presoak for two-pass presoak, or vice versa Substitute one-pass high impact rinse for two-pass high impact rinse, or vice versa Delete or add a high impact pre-rinse Delete or add a low pressure pre-rinse Many more

Variable Wash Speed These modifiers can significantly change wash cycles. Fast washes can be much faster, to noticeably increase throughput. Best Wash Quality washes can clean much better, for difficult washing days.

VWS Advantages EASY to use Anyone on site can change wash speed and wash quality with push of one button on CAW IV console Competitive system require numerous actions to change, then the reverse actions to return to normal Competitive systems require person to leave kiosk or office to make changes

Automatic Speed Change When car wash queue is long, potential customers drive away Automatic speed change system will switch car wash to faster wash cycles to increase throughput and decrease length of queue

Automatic Speed Change Loop detector installed in area where third or fourth vehicle in queue will wait When loop activated for 1 minute, next wash automatically changes to faster cycle System uses the wash modifiers set up in Variable Wash Speeds system

Automatic Speed Change Wash can operate one or two modes faster (Best Wash Quality  Normal  Fast) If wash is set to run in normal mode, automatic change will be to fast mode If wash is set to run in best wash quality mode, automatic change will be to normal or fast mode, depending upon setup

Automatic Speed Change Wash will continue to operate in faster mode as long as queue remains long When loop detector is no longer blocked by vehicles in queue, wash mode will return to preset mode after several more vehicles are washed

Automatic Speed Change Increases throughput during busiest times, without affecting wash cycles during other hours or days, and without requiring any human decisions other than initial setup

Setup Operator uses CAW IV console for all the previous setups If operator is not comfortable or willing to complete these, Service Technician or Sales Person can complete the setup for them

Car Wash Setup Accessed within CAW IV Managers mode, for security Setups have similar “feel” to current Managers mode features We will provide printed documentation to help operator understand setups

VWS Setup Also accessed within CAW IV Managers mode, for security Operator sets up modifiers for Fast and Best Wash Quality modes, similar to setting up the car wash Normal operation Manager sets up whether others can change wash modes at any time, or if they can only be changed in Managers mode

VWS Usage Normal, Fast, or Best Wash Quality modes can be selected via the “Discount 2” key on CAW IV except when producing a car wash ticket. (Key will be relabeled to indicate dual functions.) When key is pushed, current mode will display When key is pushed again, another mode will be displayed Repeated pushing allows operator to scroll through Normal, Fast, and Best Wash Quality

VWS Usage User quits pushing key when desired mode is displayed. Can just wait several seconds, or push “enter” key to lock in this mode. New mode will be used on next vehicle that is washed Will remain in this mode until changed again Current mode shows on CAW IV display during each wash

VWS Usage Once per day, CAW IV provides a reminder of current mode and asks if operator wants to switch to Fast mode Operator selects time of day for reminder CAW IV beeps and display shows message until someone reacts Press “enter” to change to fast mode, or press arrow to select “no”, then press “enter” to remain in current mode

Auto Speed Change Setup Requires loop detector Set up is accessed within CAW IV Managers mode Operator sets up system to automatically switch 1 or 2 modes faster, or to not automatically change Operator sets how many vehicles receive faster mode after sensor indicates queue is not long, to continue to reduce line length

Requirements CAW IV with network Network arming Loop detector (if automatic speed change is desired)

VWS Example Washes UltraSonic 2001 Overhead, washing Chevrolet Malibu

Normal Premium Wash Rocker Panel Blaster (30 seconds maximum) Presoak 10 seconds dwell High Impact Rinse TriFoam Wax (one slow speed) Rinse (one slow speed) Clear Coat (one slow speed) Spot Free Rinse (one slow speed) Dry (90 seconds maximum) Wash (without Rocker Panel Blaster and dry) requires approximately 2 minutes 29 seconds.

Fast Premium Wash Reduce Rocker Panel Blaster to 20 seconds maximum Eliminate presoak dwell time Change TriFoam, Rinse, Clear Coat, and Spot Free Rinse passes to faster speed Reduce ThrustPro to 60 seconds maximum Wash time is reduced by 26 seconds, to approximately 2 minutes 3 seconds, plus overall time will be reduced due to shorter Rocker Panel Blaster and ThrustPro cycles.

Best Quality Premium Wash Increase Rocker Panel Blaster to 40 seconds maximum Perform a Double Front Presoak cycle Increase Presoak Dwell time to 20 seconds Perform a Double Front High Impact Rinse Add a pass of Clear Coat and a pass of Spot Free Rinse Increase ThrustPro to 120 seconds maximum Wash Quality should be noticeably improved. Wash time is increased by 40 seconds, to 3 minutes 9 seconds, plus overall time will be increased due to Rocker Panel Blaster and ThrustPro cycles.

Cycle Times Summary Normal Premium Wash 2:29 Fast Premium Wash 2: seconds (wash only) Best Wash Quality Premium Wash 3:09+40 seconds (wash only)

US2001-OHD Cycle Times US2001-OHD wash cycle times will vary due to vehicle position Vehicles that stop closer to exit and right side will require less time Vehicles that stop closer to entrance and left side will require more time

VWS Concerns Operator should consider car wash menu when setting up modifiers, to avoid giving customers less than they purchased Some customers may notice wash cycle differences, and complain Switching to Fast mode may decrease wash quality, which may decrease customer satisfaction If Best Wash Quality is selected for long, operational costs will be higher than expected

Availability Hope to begin field testing in early July Will add features to field test during July and August If field testing is successful, system should be available on US2001-OHD in 3 to 4 months Existing US2001-OHDs can be retrofitted Other products later this year?