need a new compressor

[carnegie1935]

I replaced the front air bags and put new front and back shocks on my 83 classic MH. In trouble shooting the rear air bags, I checked the compressor and discovered that altho it is running all the time it isn't putting out any air. A fellow air forums member suggested a thomas compressor from ebay. I found the one on the link below and am not sure if it will be big enough. I may have to replace the bags and maybe the tank. I can't troubleshoot any more until I get air pressure.

Any suggestions on a compressor and a ballpark price for me to expect to pay would be a great help. I have done a search on internet and only seem to be able to locate the type that plug into a cigarette lighter. I called Inland and the lady told me that they didn't carry them. I need a source to purchase if anyone can help.

My MH is a lot higher in front now that I have the new shocks and airbags done. She looks ready to leap with her back all crouched down. Gotta get her level.

Thanks Kay



12V DC AIR COMPRESSOR 12VDC THOMAS 215 - eBay (item 160233493707 end time Apr-30-08 12:06:17 PDT)

[TomW]

Airstream motorhome owner, and forum member swebster, hosts this site.

If you do not get a good answer here, try posting your question there.

Tom

[lewster]

Firestone makes a complete line of 12VDC compressors that they use for their suspension-assisting air bag products. You might check them out, or google 'Ride-rite'. You can also look into another suspension company called 'Airlift'.

[Geophilist]

Kay,

I got my compressor from Summitracing.com.

Steve

[carnegie1935]

Thanks for all the information. I have found a source to purchase a pump. They are pretty high dollar. Today we plugged the line from the compressor and put air into the tank with the bottom valve. The bags aired up and so far we have found no leaks. We put 90# in tonight and will check in AM to see how they held. Can I continue to air them this way and not replace the pump at this time. I can check that air when I check my tires. Kay

[bkahler]

Kay,

Yes you can run that way for a while. Depending on how rough the road is you're driving on and how many times the load leveling valve has to dump air to drop the height of the coach. Each time it dumps air the next time it has to put air back into the bags your reservoir drops in pressure. Eventually the rear of your coach will drop to the point where the load leveling valve stays open calling for air and then your tank will be emptied.

This is what happened to us when we first bought our motorhome and were driving it home the first time. You'll know when you're out of air because the ride will get REAL rough and the rear suspension will start banging on the frame.

If it was me I would drive as slow as possible and get the compressor fixed asap.

We bought a compressor like Guy99 uses. He seems to have had good success with it so far. We paid $60 at Harbor Freight for it. If you'd like more information on it let me now and I'll dig it up.

Brad

[carnegie1935]

Thanks Brad,
I understand the concept , but not all the details. You made it clear why I need a compressor. Yes i would like a part # . I can handle that price. we have a HF store nearby or I can order online. My bags were empty this AM so I will look for my leak later today. I hope it is ony a fitting or line.

Kay

[Geophilist]

Kay,

Check the schrader valve where you added the air. They often "crud up" and when you open the valve, the crud keeps the valve open. Get a new one from an auto parts store and the tool to remove them. Also, the tanks like to get pin holes in them from rusting from the inside out.

Good luck on your hunt.

Steve

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by carnegie1935

Thanks Brad,
I understand the concept , but not all the details. You made it clear why I need a compressor. Yes i would like a part # . I can handle that price. we have a HF store nearby or I can order online. My bags were empty this AM so I will look for my leak later today. I hope it is ony a fitting or line.

Kay

Kay,

Here is the link Harbor Freight Tools - Quality Tools at the Lowest Prices to the compressor we bought. Its the same one used by Guy99. I haven't had time to install it yet, possibly sometime this summer. The compressor in our motorhome still runs but takes a LONG time to fill up the tank. We bought the Harbor Freight unit figuring ours wouldn't last much longer and the price is reasonable.

Hope this helps.

Brad

[carnegie1935]

Thanks Brad,

I ordered this online today. I hope it will do the job.

Kay

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by carnegie1935

Thanks Brad,

I ordered this online today. I hope it will do the job.

Kay

I have high hopes for it. It seems to have served Guy99 well which is why I felt it was worth trying myself.

Brad

[guy99]

Just to clarify, (and to give credit where credit is due) it is pwhittle, not I, who is using this compressor for his rear suspension. Apparently bkahler also is having good luck with the Harbor Freight unit.

I do have one of these compressors which I carry for emergency tire inflation, etc. Seems to do that job fine but it does blow a fuse if I try to start it while it is connected to my MH tires.

Here's the thread where pwhittle describes the installation of this compressor.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f159...elp-34175.html

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by guy99

Just to clarify, (and to give credit where credit is due) it is pwhittle, not I, who is using this compressor for his rear suspension. Apparently bkahler also is having good luck with the Harbor Freight unit.

I do have one of these compressors which I carry for emergency tire inflation, etc. Seems to do that job fine but it does blow a fuse if I try to start it while it is connected to my MH tires.

Here's the thread where pwhittle describes the installation of this compressor.
http://www.airforums.com/forums/f159...elp-34175.html

Guy, sorry for falesly attributing its use to you! I knew you had one and remember the thread where someone said they were using it as their suspension compressor.

Looking at PWhittle's latest post in that thread (Janurary) he states its still working fine.

Kay, I appologize if I misled you as to who was using the compressor in their coach. I knew someone was, I just thought it was Guy.

Sorry about that.

Brad

[guy99]

Originally Posted by bkahler

Guy, sorry for falesly attributing its use to you! I knew you had one and remember the thread where someone said they were using it as their suspension compressor.
...

Sorry about that.

Brad

No apology needed, I just felt guilty getting credit for a good idea which wasn't mine.

Guy

[wpapke]

I replaced the original $1170 Gast with a Viair 345c. 100% duty cycle at 100PSI. Fills my tank in less than 5 minutes from dead empty. still haven't found all the leaks so the bags deflate over night. the viair has a built in check valve. make sure you have one. i looked everywhere and 2 shops looked as weel and none of us could find one.

[Inland RV Center, In]

Originally Posted by wpapke

I replaced the original $1170 Gast with a Viair 345c. 100% duty cycle at 100PSI. Fills my tank in less than 5 minutes from dead empty. still haven't found all the leaks so the bags deflate over night. the viair has a built in check valve. make sure you have one. i looked everywhere and 2 shops looked as weel and none of us could find one.

We always have the check valves.

Andy

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by wpapke

I replaced the original $1170 Gast with a Viair 345c. 100% duty cycle at 100PSI. Fills my tank in less than 5 minutes from dead empty. still haven't found all the leaks so the bags deflate over night. the viair has a built in check valve. make sure you have one. i looked everywhere and 2 shops looked as weel and none of us could find one.

Wpapke,

You have an interesting problem. Oddly enough ours had the same issues. I replaced the leveling valve, check valve, schraeder valve and rubber line some previous owner had installed for use with the schraeder valve. Ours still leaked down after about an hour. Then one day several months later we noticed that the air wasn't leaking out anymore. I have no idea what changed but ours now seems to hold the air with no leaks.

So I've put off trying to find the problem until the leak shows up again .

Brad

[pwhittle]

My HarborFreight compressor is still performing well.

Brad,

I use my motorhome to tow a race car too.



It does not look as pretty as this any more. I have put a full roll cage on it and almost 20K miles on it, mainly around the north Georgia mountains. I run with NASA-South East in Time Trials. Next meeting is Road Atlanta August 9-10th.

Paul

[bkahler]

Originally Posted by pwhittle

My HarborFreight compressor is still performing well.

Brad,

I use my motorhome to tow a race car too.

It does not look as pretty as this any more. I have put a full roll cage on it and almost 20K miles on it, mainly around the north Georgia mountains. I run with NASA-South East in Time Trials. Next meeting is Road Atlanta August 9-10th.

Paul

Paul, glad to hear the compressor is working well. I need to replace ours soon (have the harbor freight compressor ready to go) but haven't had the time. The last time I started up the motorhome it took a LONG time for the compressor to fill up the tank.

Nice looking car! What type of trailer do you tow with 310? Also is your 310 a diesel or a 454?

Brad

[bkahler]

I stopped by Harbor Freight here in Pasadena looking for some straps and noticed that the compressor is on sale for $49.95. Not a bad price.

For those interested in using this compressor on their motorhome here is the info on it from Harbor Freights website:

12 VOLT, 150 PSI HIGH VOLUME AIR COMPRESSOR


This compact, high volume air compressor will fill a car's flat tire in 3 minutes.

• Gearless direct drive for quiet operation
• Thermal overload protection
• Cast alloy pump casing with cooling fins
• Anti-vibration rubber feet

Weight: 11 lbs.
Includes 33 ft. coiled air hose with brass tire valve, pressure gauge and 10 ft. 4" battery cables; 12 volt motor, 30 amp, 150 PSI max., Air delivery: 1.35 CFM @ 40 PSI, 1.14 CFM @ 70 PSI, 1.05 CFM @ 90 PSI, Overall dimensions: 11-1/4" L x 5-1/2" W x 7-1/2" H

ITEM 93186-0VGA


$69.99