The Green Machine
APPLICATION: Sports Equipment Cleaner

The success of the first prototype prompted the development of a washing system that could wash and dry four sets of gear at a time.  With input from Scott Carter of Vaughn Canada, the Rhode Family engaged Brian Gorbell, the inventor of the Ballard Fuel Cell, to design this machine.

The “Green Machine” was manufactured by West Manufacturing Limited in Kelowna in 1999 and incorporated the following features and innovations:
          - Four slide out cages each designed to hold one wire framed mesh
             bag and one set of gear;
          - A water reservoir with built in water heaters;
          - Water pumps capable of 80 gallons per minute throughput;
          - Automatic solid detergent injection system;
          - Waste water pump controlled discharge system;
          - Forced air electric air dry system;
          - 440 volt 60 amp power draw.

In the summer of 1999, this machine was loaded on a trailer and successfully demonstrated in the parking lot of the  Penticton Hockey School, with great success.