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Now In: Conveyorized Tunnel Terminology

Conveyorized Tunnel Terminology

The following list, contains some of the most common terminology used when describing tunnel car wash systems. Knowledge of industry terminology can aid in clearer communication with vendors, technicians and manufacturers.

Term	Description
Correlator:	Aligns vehicle on to conveyor
Conveyor:	Surface Conveyor: Mounts on floor surface, no center trench is required Kick Off Plate: Helps vehicle roll forward at end of conveyor to prevent roller jamming Over-Under Conveyor (AKA RCV Conveyor, Automatic Roller Up Conveyor): Pulls or pushes vehicle though tunnel. Front Wheel Pull & Rear Wheel Push Roller-Up: (AKA Roller Raiser, Dolly Up Raiser. Forks): Lifts roller in position to pull or push vehicle Anti-Jam Switch: (AKA Roller Locator Switch): Prevents Roller up from activating if roller is in jam position Hydraulic Motor: Drives equipment, brushes, mitters, conveyors, oscillators (omnis) Heco Gear Box: Transfers motion from Hydraulic Motor to conveyor chain sprocket Sprockets: (AKA Drive Sproket, Take-Up Sproket) Pulls or guides chain through conveyor (12 & 14 tooth are standard) Drums: Guides conveyor chain through conveyor in place of sproket at take-up end Chain Guide: Reduces chain wear and misalignment Pulse Switch: (AKA Pulse Generator Remote Pulse) Measures the chain travel & communicates with tunnel controller to turn equipment on/off Entrance Photo Eye: (AKA Entrance Loop, Gate Switch) Measures vehicle’s length communicates with tunnel controller to turn equipment on/off Tire Switch: (AKA Tire Pad, Tape Switch) Locates position of tires and communicates with tunnel controller to turn equipment on/off Take -Up End: Entrance end of conveyor which “takes-up” the slack of chain; where the chain tension is created and adjusted
CTA (Chemical Tire Applicator)	(AKA White wall applicator, Mag Wheel Applicator) Foaming & Non-Foaming. Applies Tire and/or Wheel Cleaner to wheels and tires

Term	Description
Applicator Arch: (AKA Pre-Soak Arch, Foaming Applicator Arch)	Applies detergents to entire vehicle surface
Bumper Applicator:	Single: Front, Dual: Front & Rear Applies additional detergent to front and rear bumpers, specially at higher chain speeds
Undercarriage Wash: AKA Underbody Wash, Underbody Flush	Rinses undercarriage of vehicle
Rust inhibitor:	Applies special rust protection chemical to the undercarriage of the vehicle
Tire Brushes: AKA Tire Washer, Poodle Brush, Pencil Brush	Primarily cleans white & black tire walls (Wheels & Rims with the Poodle Brush)
Wrap Around Brushes: AKA Wash Around Brush.	Washes front, sides and rear of vehicle. Types: Reverse & Straight, Jog and Double Jog, Spyder Wraps Wrap Retract: Retracts brushes at rest position and is programmable to retract brushes around damaged or delicate vehicles Wrap Foamer: Applies lubricating detergent to vehicle prior to wraparound brush to promote safe smooth operation
Front to Back Mitter: AKA Top Washer	Cleans top surfaces of the car with entrance to exit motion
Side to Side Mitter: AKA Wash Across	Cleans top surfaces of the car with side to side motion
Top Brush:	Cleans top surfaces of vehicle with a counter weight spinning brush that follows contour of vehicle
Side Brushes: AKA Side Washers, Van Brush	Cleans side surfaces of vehicle ( from 35” to 63” tall)
Rocker Brushes: AKA Side Rockers, Baby Rockers, Rocker Washers	Wash rocker panel’s lower side up to bottom of vehicle’s side windows (up to 28” tall)
Grill Brush: AKA Grill Washer	Washes front grill and side of vehicle with opposite rotation of wrap around
Omni High Pressure Washers: AKA High Pressure Washers, Wheel Blasters, Tire Blasters, Rocker Blaster	Cleans all vehicle surfaces, including wheels with high-pressure water, mostly oscillating and rotating while it tracks the vehicle
Pendulum:	High pressure wheel cleaner that follows the wheel mechanically with no need for adjustment with different chain speeds
Three Color Foamer: AKA Triple Foam, Shower Head Triple Foam	Applies three color foam wax or conditioner to vehicle

Term	Description
Halo Rinse: AKA High Pressure Rinse, High Volume Rinse, Booster Rinse, Medium Pressure Rinse	Thoroughly removes all soap and three color foam from vehicle prior to final rinse
Rain Arch:	Eliminates fan-nozzle mist in the drying area it completely rinses the hood, trunk, grooves and sides
Drying Agent Arch: AKA Cheater Wax	Rinses and applies a wax type product that promotes water beading for better drying
Sealer Wax Arch: AKA Clear Coat Protectant	Applies Pay-for-Extra Service wax
Setting Arch: AKA Plating Arch, Final Rinse Rain Arch	Assists in beading and shedding the drying agent and excess water from all vehicle surfaces making it ready for the dryers
Spot Free Rinse Arch:	Applies Spot Free water to entire vehicle to prevent spotting
Mirror Blaster:	Thoroughly rinses soap, wax and reclaim water out of side view mirror using high pressure
Mirror Rinse:	Applies Spot Free water to side view mirrors to prevent spotting or fresh water to help remove soap, wax and reclaim water
SIMONIZ Tire Shiner:	Applies tire dressing to tires automatically
Air Dryers: AKA Blowers	Blows water off vehicle surfaces
Wipe-O-Matic: AKA Chamois Shiner	Wipes off small drops of water left by blowers with synthetic chamois material
Anti-Collision:	Detects vehicles at end of conveyor and automatically stops and starts conveyor, preventing collisions

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