Lane Machine charging made easy

Occasionally I get the chance to venture out in the real world and spend time with mechanics in the field. It’s always special when I am able to join in for an installation or sit in the back of a bowling center and talk shop with the mechanics during an event. We all have things to learn and I have picked up many great tips and tricks from mechanics during these times. Some of these tips and shortcuts have turned into MPP (Mechanic Partnership Program) parts which benefit the mechanics themselves, but a majority I tend to pay forward. In the spirit of this, below is a tip that could probably be sold as a new Kegel part, but sometimes credit is worth more than money. With that being said, I would like to give credit where it is due and thank my friends Yogi and Bishop for their design and my friend from across the pond, Joris, for giving me the the original idea.

I was with these two a few months back and was explaining the proper charging procedure for their lane machine. We all know (or you will soon) that to properly charge the lane machine, you must plug the machine in first and then the charger into the power source. Failure to do this can lead to a lane machine that doesn’t charge properly. I always give two suggestions to help with this. The first is to install a new outlet with two plugs and a lighted switch. You can just turn the switch on after you’ve plugged in the machine, and the light indicates that you have power at the source. Turn the switch off when you’re ready to condition lanes and save your plug from being pulled in and out of a socket a few times a day. However, this still has its faults because it requires you to turn the switch on and off. Anyone who knows me, knows I like simple…I like technology…and I LOVE automation (a whole other article on a few of these yet to come). The second suggestion I always give is on the automation side. While at an event in Europe I found a version of this with a programmable contactor, and I have recommended an automated charging setup at almost every venue I have been to since then. They are simple, and pretty much bulletproof. It wasn’t even a week after I explained this to Yogi and Bishop that I had my first text message with pictures. Success!!! They are now on version 2 and with the improvements, I asked to open source their work.

The automated switch in the downloadable PDF takes all of the guess work out of charging your lane machine. It is mechanical and fully programmable. The unit pictured was set to run 4 hour cycles 24 hours a day so all you need to do now is plug in your lane machine, but you can change this to fit your needs. One suggestion is to run 3 hour cycles during your operating hours and not have it run overnight but each center is totally different, regardless at some time throughout the day, the charger will cycle on based on your settings and automatically charge your machine. Piece of mind for $108 plus tax in the US through Grainger. A fairly good bargain if you ask me.

In the spirit of the holiday next month, submit your time saving tips, tricks, or tools at the bottom of the page. You never know, Santa may pay you a visit early.

The bishop timer