Unique Electrical Enclosures Help Automatic Car Wash Give Driver Instructions Success Story :Allied Moulded Products

November 12, 2021

Application:

Mister Car Wash was in need of an audible system that could help convey driving instructions to vehicle operators in the car wash. In order for the electronics to function safely, they needed a corrosion-resistant enclosure that could fully protect vulnerable components from the water and detergents present in the car wash.

Scope:

Automated car washes present design challenges. The primary function of the car wash exposes electrical systems to water and powerful chemical cleaners. Enclosures have to be completely watertight and provide resistance to corrosion from chemical agents in the wash. Mister Car Wash is a prolific business with more than 300 locations across multiple states. Any enclosure solution had to be scalable to that level of operation while meeting all of the challenging criteria.

Challenges:

Size. Mister Car Wash uses substantial automation in the car wash systems. Space constraints limited what kind of audible system could be used, and the enclosures had to carefully match those space limitations.
Cost. The solution needed to scale up to the multi-state operation. Cost-effectiveness was the only way to achieve that scalability.

Solution:

The solution to Mister Car Wash’s unique set of challenges came in the form of three products. Together, they were able to provide a low-cost, functional enclosure that allowed the audible system to function in safety, despite the wet environment. The first product is AMP1426CCLF. This is the primary enclosure that was modified to house the audible systems. The mix of polycarbonate and stainless steel allows this enclosure to withstand high-pressure water as well as potentially corrosive components used in the car wash mechanisms.

The second piece of the puzzle is the PL142. This is the back panel for the enclosure that allows the electrical components to safely mount to the audible system. This panel is constructed from carbon steel and mounts with four precision screws. The final component of this solution is the AMVENT4XLG. This is the enclosure ventilation kit that allows safe airflow for cooling and ventilation. It prevents the audible systems from overheating without compromising their protection. It is made from polycarbonate thermoplastic to provide a durable, corrosion-resistant airflow mechanism.