The Drive to Succeed: New Automation Solution Helps Car Wash Deliver Consistent Customer Experience
September 21, 2021
Case Study: Graybar helps to develop new automation solution for car washes.
The Challenge
When drivers choose a service station, they usually have more options just down the road. One family-owned gas station and car wash – founded in the 1970s – aims to stand out by holding on to retro charm while using modern technology to deliver efficient service.
Two years ago, however, customers began to complain about inconsistencies in their drying process. The owner called in his regular contractor, who noticed that the soft starters controlling the blower’s motors were failing more frequently than expected. However, he wasn’t sure whether the root cause was the starters, a relatively inexpensive problem, or the motors, which would be more costly and time-consuming to replace.
How Graybar Helped
The contractor called his local Graybar representative, Mark Conaty, to help troubleshoot the system. Knowing that they would need additional technical knowledge, Mark brought in Steve Lacy, a Graybar industrial automation specialist.
“Immediately, I asked, ‘How many times do you start those soft starters in an hour?’” Steve says.
The car wash owner estimated 10 to 20 starts per hour – well over the recommended limit of four to six. The structure also provided little insulation from the area’s variable weather, pushing starters outside their optimal operating range.
To improve the reliability of the blower, Steve recommended replacing the soft starters with ATV 320 Variable Frequency Drives (VFDs) from Schneider Electric. He and the contractor also designed a temperature-controlled enclosure that would offer better protection for the new system.
After the contractor completed the install, Steve drove out to the car wash and taught the owner how to program the new drives – free of charge.
A few months later, the owner called Steve back to perform the same replacement at his second location, saying that he was “just ecstatic” about the performance of the VFDs.
The Results
To date, Steve hasn’t received a single call for service on any of the 35 drives installed at both locations.
They also save approximately 25% on energy costs, compared to the original soft starters.
Additionally, a rebate program covered a large part of the upgrade, and Steve was able to de-identify several motors the contractor had flagged for replacement – saving an additional expense.
But he emphasizes that the business impact goes beyond immediate cost savings.
“They’re saving money on energy, but they’re also saving money on downtime and labor costs to troubleshoot the motors and soft starters. [They used to] get frustrated with it not working, and they didn’t understand how to fix it or what to look for. … With the VFDs, they don’t have as many issues, and they don’t have to worry about it as much.”
By reducing maintenance issues, the drives can help the car wash deliver a more reliable experience to attract and retain business.
“In the long run, it’s going to increase their customer base,” he says.
While he often works with larger industrial facilities, he thinks that this smaller-scale deployment shows how Graybar can help businesses of any size implement automation solutions to improve the reliability and efficiency of their processes. As part of Graybar’s network of technical specialists, Steve is able to leverage a national network of knowledge and supplier relationships while providing local, personal service.
“There are a lot of smaller businesses out there that we can help,” he says.
