self service bay controler problem

I an new to the car wash business (2 months) never owned or worked in the business before. I'am having a problem with one of the controllers in the self service bay. Randomly it will beging buzzing non stop like the last min warning. It is a Swipe n Clean push button controller with LED lights at the selection points. When this buzzing happens all the LED's on the panel light up steady. This goes on till I wack it a few times then it stops and will run fine for awhile.. Then when a customer is using it it randomely will do it at times. I talked to Jim Coleman Co. parts and they told me I probably need a new PC board or to replace the Dixmore timer. I was also told by a repairman that it sounded like the membrane on the pushbutton pad had probably failed and moisture was causing the problem with the contacts on the pushbutton pad. Coleman wanted to sell me a new PC borad for $400.00 or a Timer for $425.00. The repairman said that I could possibly get a kit to convert it to a rotary switch system.. We have tried to get several repairmen to come but can't seem to find anyone in our area to either return our calls or the ones that do are over a hour away and are getting $125.00 an hour for travel and labor. Any Idea's or sugestions would be greatly apreciated.

I will be honest with you, I am not familiar with this type of controller. But, if moisture is a problem, you might be able to take silicon caulking and cover the board with it. This will eliminate any moisture getting onto your electronics. It might be worth a shot. Also look at the seal around the door itself. Sometimes moisture can get in that way. Good luck.

thank's I will see what parts I can seal

You can swap the parts with another bay to eliminate either the keypad, board, or timer. Also the board has several wiring harnesses plugged into it. The black and white are the communication wires to the swipe and clean ,so it will not be those. I would try to unplug the wiring harness that is on the top left corner of the board and check for corrosion and proper contact. Also check the wiring harness that plugs into the back of the keypad as well. But usually when the keypad gets wet, only certain numbers will stop working. But it sounds to me like you have a bad contact.

Thanks for the sugestions. I will try swaping parts from one of the other bays to see which part eliminates the problem and then replace the part that corects the problem. If its the pushbutton pad can it either be replaced with another or can I convert it to the selector switch type with some kind of conversion kit possibly. If its the PC board or the timer then I will probalbly have to replace them or the whole unit. It seems that the selector switch type are the only ones that I have seen in my area maybe because of the harsh weather they would be a better fit for me than the pushbutton controller if thats the problem and It can be converted.

I have one location with the swipe and clean keypad, and a location with the 10 position rotary switch. I have less problems with the keypads than with the switches. I have only replaced one keypad in three years and have changed out countless rotary switches. I'm not sure how they hold up in harsh weather. We are located in South Louisiana ,no snow, freezing weather, or road salt but our humidity averages around 75-80 percent.

AutoSpa, make sure you're using the Electroswitch brand switches. I tried the cheaper Shalco, and they didn't last a year. The others usually last 5 years or more, especially if you add the rubber boot to keep moisture out of the shaft.

I will surely check the switch brand because we are getting less than a year out of ours. Thanks for the info.

Is it possible to just replace the pushbutton keypad and not the PC board and timer and if so where would I order just the pushbutton controller if you know or can give me some sources to call.

Yes, you can change out just the keypad. I ordered mine from Jim Coleman (who charges an arm and two legs for everything) But I'm sure you can find it somewhere else. I'm just not sure where.

You might try Windtrax. Their phone # is (800) 443-0676.

Mouser.com has the keypads.

Thanks to ALL for the info and advice. I am soo glad that I stumbled onto this web site. It has been very helpfull in soo many ways when you have no where to turn to whithout getting taken when you are just starting out. Thanks again to all