Odds are you’ve already seen an arch bay vacuum system many times, even if you don’t recognize the name. Also known as vacuum booms or arch vacuums, this style of car vacuum station has become extremely popular in the car washing industry. Many car washes have opted for an arch vacuum system because it’s convenient, effective and has great curb appeal.

If you don’t offer this type of vacuum at your car wash yet, it’s useful to explore why it might be worth investing in an arch vacuum cleaner for your car wash business. 

It All Started With a Big Boom 

A car wash vacuum boom is an overhead boom system that allows the vacuum hose to hang from above, giving customers the ability to move around their vehicle freely without dragging the hose on the ground. This setup prevents the hose from getting tangled or damaged and makes it easier for users to reach all areas of their vehicle’s interior. The vacuum boom can swivel or rotate, providing full access around the car, enhancing the efficiency and user experience of cleaning a car’s interior at a self-serve car wash.

Booms have existed in various forms for many decades, but the arch design is relatively recent. Vacutech is the original creator of the vacuum delivery arch that revolutionized the car wash industry. Since then, arch bay vacuum systems have become a modern car wash staple. Their colorful curves are now ubiquitous at all the most up-to-date facilities.

An arch bay vacuum station can be in a bay or stall, standing separate from the main car wash facility, usually in the open air. They can be self-serve or employee-manned, free-to-use or pay-to-use, and feature one or two vacuum hoses per arch.

Key Components of Arch Bay Vacuum Systems

There are three core components to arch bay vacuum systems:

• The Producer generates the system’s suction via negative pressure. It must have sufficient power to service all available arches during peak hours. However, it should also be able to scale down power when there’s less demand, to use energy efficiently. This requires a variable frequency drive, just like the ones found on most modern car wash water pumps, fans and other equipment. Various factors, including pipe length, debris type and site layout, determine the turbine model your system will require.

• The Separator collects and stores the dirt, dust and debris that gets vacuumed up. It uses cyclonic separation, or the creation of a vortex, to force the unwanted materials out of the airstream. Without the separator, these unwanted materials would enter the producer’s turbine, damaging it and negatively impacting the system’s performance.

• The Arches are the user-facing component of the system, where the car wash vacuum hoses are accessed. These come in different styles to suit different aesthetics, but they all perform the same task of moving the vacuum hoses to the optimal position. Piping, either above the arches or below ground, connects all three components.

How Arch Bay Vacuum Systems Work

First, a customer or employee drives the vehicle into the bay. Then, they retrieve the vacuum hose from the arch and use it to vacuum out the vehicle’s interior. Because the arch positions the hose over the vehicle’s midsection, all areas are easily accessible, eliminating the need for additional portable vacuum stations or repositioning of the vehicle.

If any large items are accidentally vacuumed up, they can be automatically collected by a post separator installed in each arch. Arches may also have various accessories installed, like garbage bins or compressed air stations, that provide additional conveniences for the user.

Benefits of Arch Bay Vacuum Systems

Providing vacuum services is always a good idea for car wash business owners, but arch bay vacuum systems offer several benefits that go above and beyond. They’re particularly efficient and convenient, with excellent aesthetics to boot. This ease of operation and customer appeal helps them smoothly integrate into the day-to-day operations of most types of car washing businesses.

Efficient Cleaning Processes

Efficiency is baked right into the design of these car wash vacuum systems. As mentioned earlier, the position of the hose makes it easy to reach every part of the vehicle, but the arch design keeps the hoses organized and off the ground. This prevents vehicles from running over the hoses while helping each station maintain a clean and inviting appearance. It also mitigates tripping hazards for customers and staff.

Then there are the accessories. These can include a built-in garbage can, floor mat holder, towel bin and compressed air station. These accessories can turn an arch from a simple commercial car wash vacuum to a comprehensive self-serve detailing station.

Enhanced Customer Experience

Car wash vacuum cleaner arches can enhance the customer experience in several ways. Their visually appealing boom design can help lend the business a cleaner, more modern aesthetic. This effect is enhanced with additional lighting, which also makes the bays safer and easier to operate regardless of ambient light levels. 

Installing a canopy over all bays will create a more comfortable customer environment. You can opt for disconnected canopies over each arch bay or a continuous canopy covering all consecutive bays. These canopies are good for protecting users and their vehicles from precipitation and harsh sunlight.

Arches can also utilize post separators that filter large items that have been accidentally vacuumed up. Keys, jewelry and pens will all be collected for the user to easily retrieve. Your customers will have peace of mind knowing that their valuables aren’t gone forever.

Cost-Effective Operations

Arch vacuums can be a cost-effective way to run a car wash with vacuum service, largely thanks to the multiple hoses available at each arch. This design allows two employees or customers to work on a vehicle simultaneously, significantly speeding up the vacuuming process and facilitating a higher number of vehicles each day. This means a better customer experience and, if you’re operating your vacuums as pay-to-use, more income.

Considerations Before Choosing Vacuum Arch Systems

While the benefits of an arch bay vacuum system are numerous, it’s still important to consider their requirements before deciding. Above all, these systems may require more lot space, so small lots may not be able to accommodate them. They may also require printing a new menu or more complex adaptations to your point of service system.

Space and Layout Requirements

Safely entering and exiting the vacuum arch bays requires adequate space. Providing at least 12 feet of width per bay is a good rule of thumb. This amount allows for easier vehicle entry and exit while providing ample room for adjacent vehicles to open their doors without interfering with one another.

As for traffic, you’ll want to keep things flowing in a single direction. Directing all vehicles to enter and exit the same way will help ensure smooth, safe traffic flow, even during peak operating times.

Compatibility With Existing Systems

In addition to having enough space for vehicles to maneuver safely, the vacuum arch system needs to have an appropriate amount of distance from the main car wash facility’s traffic. If vehicles are entering and exiting their respective services too close together, it may lead to confused customers or even potential safety hazards. It’s best to enlist the help of an experienced car wash designer to ensure your site has an effective traffic management plan.

Another compatibility consideration applies to payments. If you want to operate your arch bay vacuum system on a pay-to-use basis, then vacuum fees should be visible on car wash menus and incorporated into the package options available to customers. This may require some adjustments to your POS system.

Leverage The World’s Most Powerful Vacuums

National Carwash Solutions proudly offers Vacutech vacuum systems, setting the standard for car wash vacuum quality. Vacutech has been a pioneer in the industry for decades, creating the most powerful commercial vacuums for car washes.

If you need vacuum equipment, parts, service or advice, we have the knowledge and the products to keep your business running at peak efficiency. Contact us at any time to learn more.