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02-23-2007, 08:04 PM
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#1
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Rivet Master
1974 20' Argosy 20
Richmond
, Kentucky
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,116
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Rear air system compressor
Starting to check out some of the systems that weren't working when we picked up the MH. A quick check before we left Savannah told me that the air compressor wasn't working. What I've since found is the wire from the pressure switch to the compressor was cut in two and there was no fuse in the fuse box, nor was the wire plugged into the fuse box. The wire in the fuse box area was partially melted which tells me somethings amiss
First thing I did was check the compressor with an ohm meter. Wasn't a dead short and it wasn't open, so far so good. As you'll see in the picture below I spliced in a short piece of wire. I WILL replace the wire from the switch to the compressor when I get things working again
I then used a jumper wire from the fuse block to the compressor feed wire and the compressor started up
I let it run for 10 minutes or so and it had raised the back of the coach about 1/8". As yet I don't know if thats good or bad. I'll do a more extensive test sometime in the next few weeks. I still need to check the rest of the rear air system to make sure all the pieces are in place before I actually try using the compressor on a regular basis.
The compressor shown below is what is installed in our 310. Does this look like something anyone has seen before in one of these coaches? It looks to be an original installation. What appears to be missing to me is some kind of air filter on the intake side of the cylinders.
Thanks!
Brad
__________________
Air forums # 1674
1974 20' Argosy Motor Home
1975 24' Argosy Motor Home
1974 31' Excella trailer (parting out, as of 4/1/2015 I have wheels & windows left to sell)
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02-24-2007, 05:20 AM
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#2
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Rivet Master
2006 25' Safari FB SE
St. Cloud
, Minnesota
Join Date: Aug 2003
Posts: 13,280
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Any number of search possibilities out there while awaiting a response. Try 'air bags'?
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02-24-2007, 05:34 AM
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#3
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Rivet Master
1974 27' Overlander
1954 26' Romany Cruiser
1960 26' Overlander
Rockingham County
, New Hampshire
Join Date: Sep 2004
Posts: 4,410
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By the look of it, I would up grade to a new unit and lines.
Search - Rear air suspension - Camping World
I replaced the air bags in the front end of my rig. Need to look at the rear, no air suspension installed... yet
__________________
'74 Overlander (T-O-Bee)
'46 Spartan Manor (Rosie)
'54 Cruiser (Bogart)
'60 Overlander (Hoagy)
2007 GMC Sierra 2500 HD Duramax
WBCCI 1754 - AIR # 6281
www.balrgn.com
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02-24-2007, 05:55 AM
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#4
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Rivet Master
1984 28' Funeral Coach
Belleview
, Florida
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,635
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That's a stock compressor. Presure has to get to about 120# in the reserve tank. You can pressurize the tank from the shreader valve on the bottom of the tank.
Lubricate the leveling arms attached to the leveleing switches just outboard of the airbags. Check your airbags for integrity.
The front airbags should only get 55# and are not connected to this system.
The compressor runs just long enought to really p.o. your camping neighbors so a cutoff switch is a very good idea. I have no idea why the system wants to run at 4 a.m.
The system is common to a lot of over the road trailers and somewhat easy to source parts for.
__________________
Glen Coombe AIR #8416
1984 28' Funeral Coach
Former Rolling Showroom & PuttLab (now party bus)
"I'm not an expert. But I did sleep in an Airstream last night."
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03-01-2007, 04:46 PM
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#5
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Rivet Master
1974 20' Argosy 20
Richmond
, Kentucky
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,116
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Quote:
Originally Posted by GlenCoombe
That's a stock compressor. Presure has to get to about 120# in the reserve tank. You can pressurize the tank from the shreader valve on the bottom of the tank.
Lubricate the leveling arms attached to the leveleing switches just outboard of the airbags. Check your airbags for integrity.
The front airbags should only get 55# and are not connected to this system.
The compressor runs just long enought to really p.o. your camping neighbors so a cutoff switch is a very good idea. I have no idea why the system wants to run at 4 a.m.
The system is common to a lot of over the road trailers and somewhat easy to source parts for.
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Thanks for the info. I still haven't had time to run the air compressor for a long period of time to see how well it works.
I find it interesting that your compressor runs anytime. Mine is keyed to the ignition switch.
I did find that all of the leveling system does seem to be intact, just don't know how much of it is functional. One of these days I'll figure that out!
Thanks,
Brad
__________________
Air forums # 1674
1974 20' Argosy Motor Home
1975 24' Argosy Motor Home
1974 31' Excella trailer (parting out, as of 4/1/2015 I have wheels & windows left to sell)
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03-01-2007, 04:49 PM
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#6
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Rivet Master
1984 31' Airstream310
Dunsmuir
, California
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 1,336
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I had the same compressor in my 1984 310. Deterimed that it could not produce the 110# pressure required so replaced it with a new unit. Mine was also wired to the ignition.
Glenn,
does yours run off of the chassis or house batteries?
__________________
If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.
If you want to be happy, practice compassion - The Dalai Lama
1984 310 Limited Motorhome
Courtesy Parking (W/S/E/Wi-Fi) on I-5 in Northern California, 70 miles from Oregon border
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03-01-2007, 07:34 PM
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#7
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Rivet Master
1974 20' Argosy 20
Richmond
, Kentucky
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,116
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Quote:
Originally Posted by guy99
I had the same compressor in my 1984 310. Deterimed that it could not produce the 110# pressure required so replaced it with a new unit. Mine was also wired to the ignition.
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guy99,
What brand/model compressor did you go with? I've read there is someone who rebuilds them for $75. Not sure if thats a bargain or not.
Thanks,
Brad
__________________
Air forums # 1674
1974 20' Argosy Motor Home
1975 24' Argosy Motor Home
1974 31' Excella trailer (parting out, as of 4/1/2015 I have wheels & windows left to sell)
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03-01-2007, 08:36 PM
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#8
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Rivet Master
1984 31' Airstream310
Dunsmuir
, California
Join Date: May 2004
Posts: 1,336
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It was a Firestone Ride-Rite, don't have the model number at the moment but should have it next week.
__________________
If you want others to be happy, practice compassion.
If you want to be happy, practice compassion - The Dalai Lama
1984 310 Limited Motorhome
Courtesy Parking (W/S/E/Wi-Fi) on I-5 in Northern California, 70 miles from Oregon border
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03-02-2007, 04:38 PM
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#9
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Rivet Master
1984 28' Funeral Coach
Belleview
, Florida
Join Date: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,635
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Guy, the compressor in my rig is wired to the chassis battery with a very low tech alligator clip to disconnect when required... like when you're camping and don't want to wake the neighbors at 3 or 4 a.m.
Switching to an ignition circuit makes sence. Yet another on my list of to-do's.
__________________
Glen Coombe AIR #8416
1984 28' Funeral Coach
Former Rolling Showroom & PuttLab (now party bus)
"I'm not an expert. But I did sleep in an Airstream last night."
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03-20-2007, 08:04 PM
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#10
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2 Rivet Member
1988 34.5' Airstream 345
CUMMING
, GA
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 49
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Air bag woes
I cross posted in the general forum as well but here goes. Just picked up my 345 from a performance shop who installed hedmans, flowmasters and an msd ignition as well as replacing a right front brake caliper. The air susension was showing plenty of psi when i dropped it off but after I left the shop and was across town i notriced it wasn't riding right. lo and behold,I had no air pressure showing on the gauge. Can anyone tell me where i would find the air compressor and fuse or if I even have one and how I would trouble shoot it? Thanks.
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03-21-2007, 05:06 AM
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#11
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Rivet Master
1974 20' Argosy 20
Richmond
, Kentucky
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 9,116
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__________________
Air forums # 1674
1974 20' Argosy Motor Home
1975 24' Argosy Motor Home
1974 31' Excella trailer (parting out, as of 4/1/2015 I have wheels & windows left to sell)
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03-21-2007, 05:57 AM
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#12
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Rivet Master
1978 31' Sovereign
Texas Airstream Harbor
, Zavalla, in the Deep East Texas Piney Woods on Lake Sam Rayburn
Join Date: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,435
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Caution on Compressor Replacement
In regards to the wiring diagram in the previous post - please note that the high amperage line driving the motor goes directly to the battery breaker buss - not the ignition.
Only the solenoid control is switched at the ignition.
Some of the replacement compressors can create a huge amperage draw (my current compressor on the 345 will pull 30 amps), and no ignition switch that I know of is rated for such a large load.
The circuit diagram bkahler provided indicates a 10 gauge wire for the main motor - this may not be sufficient for a replacement compressor and a long wire route. In many instances the original wiring was way undersized for the purpose.
A voltage drop/length of wire run/ amperage table can be found here:
Voltage drop, distcance and wire guage
The cost of upgrading a couple of wire sizes far outweighs the cost of a new compresser cratered due to running in an undervoltage situation created by a too small feed wire.
The original 10 guage wire was WAY too small for the replacement compressor the PO had installed on the 345.
__________________
Dennis
"Suck it up, spend the bucks, do it right the first time."
WBCCI # 1113
AirForums #1737
Trailer '78 31' Sovereign
Living Large at an Airstream Park on the Largest Lake Totally Contained in Texas
Texas Airstream Harbor, Inc.
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05-10-2007, 11:53 AM
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#13
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2 Rivet Member
1988 34.5' Airstream 345
CUMMING
, GA
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 49
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Thanks very much Brad. The rig is sitting at camping world st. augustine, waiting to go to Suncoast or Ray's tires to have the bags replaced. The service manager said they could not do service the airbags.
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05-10-2007, 11:56 AM
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#14
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2 Rivet Member
1988 34.5' Airstream 345
CUMMING
, GA
Join Date: Jan 2007
Posts: 49
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and thanks to rivetmaster also.
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05-15-2007, 05:14 AM
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#15
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Rivet Master
1991 35' Airstream 350
Columbia
, Tennessee
Join Date: Apr 2006
Posts: 927
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New fused line to air pump
The OEM line to the compressor was way to small for my liking. Also all the way to the front of the coach was quite a voltage drop.
I have run a 6 gage line from the house bank, and protect it with a 30 amp fuse. I have a relay by the compressor that still works off the line going back, and that is what supplies the power to the relay. This way no load on the OEM line and it still works on the ignition switch.
Here is a couple of shots of the set up.
Thought I had some shots of the battery and fuse hook up. Will have to get that from the home computer. Not on my Memory chip!
__________________
Chris & Brenda....................cMADMAXman
AIR Member 12654
1991 350LE "Zephyr"
1982 310 MoHo (Sold! New home, NYC.)
Many Years ago, 1972 Argosy 24' trailer
Toad, 2001 Chevy Tracker 4x4
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