nucc11

I was wondering if I can get some opinions on my situation. I am in negotiations on purchasing an existing salon. At this point I had the AC and electric checked out on Sat. This is is my concern based off the info I have aquired on this site.
It currently is running on a 200 amp service with a 3 ton rooftop AC. The AC guy that knows electric as well said that he belives that the salon is just about maxed out on the AMps and thisnk the AC is insufficient for the salon. I do agree with him, but I am wondering if this is a horrible way to be running it and if this may be a reason for the sale or one of them.
This is the equipment
3 Ergoline Ambition 200
2 Ergoline Ambition 250
1 Ergoline Ambition 300
1 252 Sundash standup
1 3500 MagicTan UV spray
They are all new in 2005 and everthing is hardwired properly with buck boosters. What are your thoughts on the set up as is? Please, all input will be helpful to me. Can this salon be run suffiently and comfortably on what it currently has.

Neon Beach

Probably lacking a bit in both departments now and certainly if you ever decide to expand.

hockey92

3 tons is not nearly enough for that many beds... Your main panel is only 200amp??? you probably should upgrade to a 400 panel

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nucc11

I have a call into the building Electrician to see if another sub panel could be put in. Without havinig Comed run more from the street to avoid huge costs if I want to ever add a HP bed or change beds. Do you think this where it stands could be run comfortably where it is at or do you think they are dying in the summer here in Illinois and is this bad for the beds. Also, I did notice on the microwave it had a sign saying don't run when MagigTan is Spraying!

Neon Beach

that's a hint fersure.

nucc11

If I did add a 200amp panel and 3-5 Ton AC. What is a ballpark in what I would spend? Thanks for the help. Also do you think this would be needed right away or only if I expand. It is only a 1200 sqft space so I can only add 1 more bed.

KnxTan

If you're paying, the electric is probably OK if it is balanced properly. You need AC, though. At least 5 more tons - 7 1/2 would be best. Talk to a mechanical contractor - not Jimbob's heat and air type people.

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sunsally

For the CURRENT beds you could get away with 5 tons probably, but to ever expand, I'd want more.

Do you have 3 phase or single phase? That makes a difference. For single phase, you have 3 beds running on 30Amps each, 3 running on 40Amps each and the stand-up on a 50Amp. Add the magic tan, the power to run the A/C, the lights and stereos -- you are more than maxed out if single phase OR 3 phase!

In terms of why it is for sale -- a lot of that is probably because it isn't making any money! You have no "big VHR" bed -- not even a "small VHR" bed! The Ambition 300 is a very nice level 2 bed for most salons, but not competitive with the top bed in MOST salons which would be a 160 all around, not 160 canopy/100W bench like the 300.

By the time you add A/C, upgrade Electric, and re-configure your equipment so you can bring in a "big bed" or two --- unless he is giving it away, probably not worth the purchase IMHO.

parrot head

The mix in that salon depends on your market and what the competition has. If you have single phase you are maxed now. With three phase (balanced) you are near capacity. Like the others are saying you need another 200 amp panel and 5 ton of AC. With only 3.5 ton of AC, that salon must be a hot box when all the beds are running. This could be a reason why business is for sale. Nobody wants to lay in pool of sweat when tanning.

SUNNYDAYS1

Upgrade of electrical to 400 amps 3 phase should cost between 10,000 and 15,000. Also a good rule of thumb for the cost of AC is about $1000 a ton installed. Plus you are looking at the purchase of at least 1 big VHR $25,000 to $30,000. So in addition to the purchase price of the salon you are looking at spending between 40and 50K. If you factor those numbers in with the purchase and it still seems to be a good deal go for it.