The following list includes terms and abbreviations used in this document.
- Heartbeat – Pulsing signal produced by a sensor attached to the conveyor’s mechanical power train. This Heartbeat pulse signal is transmitted to the wheelblastIT controls enclosure and the web based controller, both located in the equipment room.
- HMI – Human Machine Interface. Touch screen for viewing and editing PLC data. The wheelblastIT HMI is in the door of the WB controls enclosure in the equipment room.
- MCC – Motor Control Center. Bank of 480 Vac power disconnects in the equipment room, usually in large gray metal housings or cabinets. The high-pressure water pump for the WB system is powered by a disconnect in the MCC.
- PLC – Programmable Logic Controller. The PLC is a rectangular box inside the wheelblastIT controls enclosure.
- This PLC controls the VFDs that power the wash tunnel wheelblastIT belt motors. Signal input terminals are located on the upper side of the PLC. Signal output terminals are located on the lower side of the PLC.
- Trolley Travel Distance – Displayed on the WB HMI as “Travel Distance in Inches”.
- This value is the limit for the distance trolley travels while running the Forward movement program. While the Forward program is running, the WB PLC calculates the distance travelled using the Forward speed and the amount of time passed after the PLC started the Forward program. Setting this value too long will cause the trolley to hit the exit bumper. The manufacturer recommends the trolley approach the exit bumper no closer than 0.75 to 1.0 inches.
- Trolley Forward Speed – Trolley Forward speed is controlled by the wheelblastIT VFDs modifying the frequency (Hertz, “Hz”) at which they send power to the trolley belt motors.
- The wheelblastIT PLC calculates and sets trolley ‘Forward’ speed when the ‘Forward’ program starts. The wheelblastIT PLC calculates the ‘Forward’ speed using the changeable rate of the Heartbeat pulse signal and the value entered for the distance the conveyor travels for every pulse of the Heartbeat signal.
- For best performance, trolley ‘Forward’ speed should be the same as the conveyor speed. Because a conveyor may not travel at a consistent speed, the trolley Forward speed can be slowed down by a percentage value entered in the HMI.
- Trolley Reverse Fast Speed – Displayed on the HMI as “Rev Fast Speed”. The value displayed is in Hz multiplied by 100.
- Setting this value too large can lead to a VFD overvoltage error when the trolley is reversing to the Home position around the time the trolley changes from Fast to Slow speeds.
- Trolley Reverse Fast Time – Displayed on the HMI as “Rev Fast Time”. The value displayed is in seconds. The value is the amount of time the trolley belt motors turn in reverse at “Rev Fast Speed”.
- Setting this value too large may cause the trolley to overshoot the ‘Home’ position and hit the entrance bumper.
- We recommend the trolley approach the exit bumper no closer than 0.75 to 1.0 inches. Setting this value too small may result in the trolley not returning to the ‘Home’ position before the next Tire signal is received by the PLC.
- Trolley Reverse Slow Speed – Displayed on the WB HMI as “Rev Slow Speed”. The value displayed is in Hz multiplied by 100 except at the Lee site.
- This speed should be set small enough that the trolley drifts to a stop about 0.75 to 1.0 inches from the entrance bumper.
- The ‘Reverse Slow Speed’ should be set large enough relative to the ‘Reverse Fast Speed’ that the trolley will be at the Reverse Slow Speed about 0.1 seconds after the Reverse Fast Time value.
- The HMI displays 18 Hz as “1800.”
- Tire – A pressure sensor installed in the floor of the car wash tunnel entrance transmits a Tire signal to the controller when a vehicle tire rolls over the pressure sensor.
- After a programmable delay based on Heartbeat pulse signals, the controller transmits a ‘Tire’ signal to the PLC to execute a trolley movement cycle.
- The delay is based on the rate of the Heartbeat pulse signal. The delay is not a countdown timer.
- Edit the delay for sending the ‘Tire’ signal to the PLC in the controller’s web-based interface.
- VFD – Variable Frequency Drive. The driver side and passenger side WB belt motors receive 480 Vac power from separate VFDs.
- The wheelblastIT VFDs are inside the wheelblastIT controls enclosure on the right-hand side.
- The driver side VFD is located above the passenger side VFD.
- On bootup, VFDs display Hertz (Hz). Press “FUNC” on the VFDs to cycle through other display parameters. The first two parameters are the most useful, Hz and amperage.
- Web Based Controller/Controller – The WBC is in the equipment room. It is the blue box with screen and keyboard.
- Inside the WBC housing are four circuit boards of relays.
- Each relay can be manually controlled by a toggle switch. =
- The controller controls all the car wash equipment, including the wheelblastIT system.
- One relay controls the ‘Tire/ signal sent to the PLC. Another relay controls the high-pressure water pump in the MCC.