|
 Self-Service - May 2010  |
In-Bay Handheld Dryers —
The best low-cost upgrade to a self-service wash is in-bay dryers. Operators across the country who have already added this service report that drying ranks close to the top of their existing services in terms of popularity with their custom-ers. They say dryer use ranks in the top-three or top-five services in customer choice or time. Car wash owners are quick to add that drying has also pulled in more new customers. These dryers are attractive to customers that want the finished look of a dry car when leaving the wash. Even in-bay automatic customers are pulling their just-washed cars into the self-service bays for a finish-up drying cycle. It is also immensely popular with motorcyclists. Cases of powerful word-of-mouth bike-business growth among clubs and rider groups abound as the result of adding dryers to the wash services. The price and margin of offering dryer service is also most appealing. Dryers operate at bay prices and cycle times just like high-pressure soap, foamy brush, or any other service. The margin for this service is excellent; only electricity is consumed during the use of the dryers. There are no water-heating, water-treatment, or chemical costs related to drying. It is the business of selling air. The variable costs are similar to, but perhaps lower per minute, than vacuum cleaners — and there are no filters to clean and no dirt canisters to empty. Interested? Here’s what is involved with this relatively simple upgrade. INTEGRATION WITH BAY USE AND CONTROLS The dryers are most effective when offered as an additional bay service. The results from operations with dryers installed in the bays are much higher than with dryers installed on vacuum islands or other non-bay locations. In the in-bay scenario, the customer selects the dryer as an additional service from the bay selector switch. There is no need to buy additional coin/bill acceptors, money vaults, or timers. The dryer service is seamlessly integrated into the existing merchandising system. Most manufacturers provide bay signs, menu decals, and selector switch decals. Be sure to check on this offering for compatibility with your present merchandising package. NUTS AND BOLTS - LOCATION, INSTALLATION, AND OPERATION
In-bay dryers are generally powered by single-phase electrical connections (120 VAC, 30A, or 40A, depending on brand; or 208-220 VAC, 20 A) readily available at all washes. These air producers are housed in cabinets that are designed to be installed high on the wash-bay walls or pillars. Booms The best booms are made of stainless steel and importantly incorporate an actual swivel fitting at the point of rotation. The alternative to this built-in swivel is a reliance on the blower cabinet to boom connector hose to provide this function — either by hose “twisting” or a vinyl swivel cuff. This is a set-up that is likely short-lived and prone to maintenance issues and costs down the road. Booms can also be ceiling mounted to offer 360º rotation. Some manufacturers even offer an “air” boom that integrates with a multi-boom, 360º rotating “Z” system for unmatched customer convenience and function. Most manufacturers also offer units that can be installed in the attic or even on the roof of the wash in warm (“no-snow”) climates. The dryer system boom is installed directly above the bay cabinet or beneath the port from the attic installation. Controls NEXT MONTH In the June issue of Auto Laundry News, we will examine the principles of drying, look at nozzle design, and explain the “coanda effect” and how it applies to dryers. Mike Doyle is a 30-year veteran of the car wash industry having started with Doyle Vacuum Cleaner Company in the 1970s. He developed the Power Dry product while at Doyle in the early 1980s, which was the industry’s first handheld dryer for both vacuum islands and car wash bays. He founded Industrial Vacuum Systems with Joe Doyle in 1991. Mike and Joe Doyle presently own Car-Dry, manufacturers of the Blasto-Dry handheld dryer. |
