A vehicle wash component at a vehicle wash location includes a processor for controlling an operational status of the vehicle wash component, and an integrated power source communicatively coupled to the processor configured to cause power to be transmitted to the vehicle wash component. The processor receives a first control signal for controlling the vehicle wash component from at least one of a car wash controller or from a communications gateway, and the processor interprets the first control signal, generates a separate, second control signal for controlling the operation of the vehicle wash component according to the second control signal that is different from the first control signal, and transmits the generated second control signal to the power source such that the power source causes the power to be transmitted to the vehicle wash component to cause the operation of the vehicle wash component using the second control signal.