Working together: Controllers and VFDs - Professional Carwashing & Detailing

Working together: Controllers and VFDs

Now operators can control what speed their motors are operating at, and just dropping a motor from 60 to 50 hertz can provide significant results.

According to Steve Homan with ECO Washlink Systems, variable frequency drives (VFDs) “are a necessity at any wash.” They help minimize the waste of electricity and they help owners and operators dial in equipment.

Simply put, VFDs allow owners to have control over how a motor is being run. Here, a controller will tell the VFD when and how to do certain things. In this instance, the drives will change the motor speed, and it is the controller telling the drive what to do. Homan likens the relationship to that of a brain and a hand. The controller is the brain, and the VFD is the hand.

Rob Miller, lead system designer for DRB Systems Inc., says previously carwash owners put VFDs on every wash component. Now “really good operators” are being more selective and finding the proper places for VFDs.

Now operators can control what speed their motors are operating at, and just dropping a motor from 60 to 50 hertz can provide significant results, Miller says. When the next vehicle comes through, the running motors can be turned back up to high speed.

VFDs drive efficiencies on blowers and can even be called upon to control the speed of tunnel conveyors, according to Miller. With conveyors, lower speed often equals lower power consumption.

You May Also Like

BendPak industrial complex under development in Alabama

AGOURA HILLS, Calif. — The company is building on 33 acres near its existing East Coast campus.

BendPak developing a light industrial space on 33 acres in Mobile County, Alabama.

AGOURA HILLS, Calif. — Diversification is paying dividends for BendPak, Inc., according to a company press release.

Driven by exponential business growth from new products and markets, the global garage equipment manufacturer has announced it is developing a light industrial space on 33 acres in Mobile County, Alabama.

Carwash M&A data

Introduction of the gold standard documenting this activity.

Featured Profile: Bluebird Express Car Wash

The express carwash chain has locations in Southern Idaho and is expanding quickly.

One step to synergy

Synergy: the interaction or cooperation of two or more organizations, substances or other agents to produce a combined effect greater than the sum of their separate effects.

Featured profile: Thomas Car Wash

This family-owned and operated carwash succeeds with hard work and dedicated values built over three generations and counting.

Other Posts

Detailing survey results and feedback

Detailers share their thoughts and predictions for the industry and their businesses.

PC&D detailing survey
Carwash celebrates six decades serving city

TORRINGTON, Conn. — Russell Speeder’s acquired the site, formerly named Olympic Car Wash, in June 2023.

PRT introduces 22 new Complete Strut Assemblies products

The new items come to expand the PRT portfolio in the North American market and represents more than 12 million vehicles in new coverage.

ADD Group is presenting various product lines at AM Shanghai 2023 

The group will be exhibiting a full line of shocks, struts and complete strut assemblies, besides air shocks, strut mounts, motor mounts and engine sealing parts.