I investigated an issue whereby my coach would leak down air pressure within a day or two to 30 PSI. I found a leaking part see picture.
In trying to tighten large black nut with a channel lock I made existing air leak worst and definitely need to replace part. Can anyone identify this part and where to purchase.
Thank you Tony
First picture shows a part with a missing piece and the second picture is the Part with air leak.
Thank you, Tony
Tony, That's an air regulator but I am not sure what it regulates. Looks like the Nut or cap that you turn to increase / decrease pressure is missing. Take it to a parts store and I will bet they can match it up.
Gary B
those are as Gary said regulators and are available anywhere that sells air equipt. Just get the right size NPT and replace. They are set at 60lbs there for the steps etc. Maybe just need taking off and cleaning the put back. Tapered threads.. While at it I would soap the end of step slide cylinder (under sliding cover) as I bet that is your main problem.
Simple to do, just open door and actuate the slide cover, look under it and remove boot cover then spray the cylinder shaft you see at the neck of it.. If it is leaking go to my posting on how to fix without removing the cylinder ( unless you like throwing money away then let FT do it and replace)
JohnH
Tony,
I cant tell from the picture where the bubbles are coming from but if they are coming from the exhaust ports on the switch valve then it most likely is the step actuators or the step well actuator leaking. There are two back there one is for the the step the other for the cover. If it is the regulator you can get them at lowes or home depot.
Shop Kobalt Mini-Regulator with Gauge at Lowes.com (http://www.lowes.com/pd_221026-47120-SGY-AIR5_0__?Ntt=mini+air+regulator&UserSearch=mini+air+regulator&productId=3664356&rpp=32)
This is the one I used .
Mark
Thanks Gary and John for your immediate replies,
I just ordered a new regulator from Grainger which is okay by me versus taking the old one apart and which may just need a cleaning or new "O" ring. By the way the counter person also said the same thing!
Glad you told me 60 Lbs. pressure as I was not sure about what it should be set at. Tomorrow I will check on the step slide cylinder, which is hopefully not leaking.
One can never say enough about how wonderful this forum is and how special all our forum members are, and a special shout out to those tech guru's who are always there for a few of us who are somewhat/very technically challenged!
Thank you both again!
Tony
Mark,
The size I ordered from Grainger was the 1/4" NPT, going by my picture, I belive that one is 1/8"NPT.
Also, the Lowes one is half the price.
Tony
I guess mine is a different size. The one from lowes has worked great for me.
Mark
Outside step and inside step-slide use same type of 4-way valve. Air pressure going into 4-way valves is often reduced to whatever PSI does not move things too quickly. 60 psi is good, so is 40-80 psi probably ok, not critical. Pressure regulator often has a gauge include and pressure regulator can mounted on 4-way valve or anyplace on the air line going to the 4-way valves.
4-way valves have an air-in, air-out, hose to one end of air cylinder and hose to other end of air cylinder. If a 12-volts is applied, the air-in flows to one end of air cylinder and at the same time the other end of cylinder flows to air-out port, which is covered with a filter/damper that slows down air leaving cylinder preventing step or slide from moving too fast and slamming to end of movement.
When 12-volts is removed, a spring inside the 4-way valve swaps the two cylinder's air lines, allowing air pressure to move step or slide in opposite direction.
Make sure you check the air flow arrows on the regulators when installing. Don't ask me how I found this out?
We also bought our replacement at Lowes.
Mark.
I could have ordered the wrong size using only the picture will confirm later on today. Thank you for reply
Tony
Barry and Felix will post progress later thank you for your replies.
Tony
Michelle,
Thank you, seems Lowe's was the place to go but may end up there anyway if I ordered wrong size to begin with. :-(
Tony
Got my replacement air regulator at NAPA part # 90725. exact match for slide over steps or outside step.
Last Nov. while at Alliance RV service in Wildwood, Fl repairing our HWH leveling system, we had the 3 reg regulators replaced.
Watts Miniature Air Regulator Part # R384-02C @ $65.45
1 gauge #1189 @ $21.44
Side note, as we were getting ready to leave there on Sat, we had trouble with the left side going to travel mode. That solenoid was also(?) defected. They/we could only find a used one in their shop. Replaced it and off we went.
Along about April, we started to have problems with the leveling system.
Got home and sent the control box to HWH for service. Reinstalled and still had problems with leveling.
Spent may hours with Randy on the phone trying to find the problem with no luck.
We head out to Moscow, Id Sept 11 and see if they can fix it.
Will keep the forum informed of our results.
I replaced the 2 Front Step Air Regulators with the ones I purchased from Grainger Inc. I needed to add step down to connect to 1/8" opening on the Norgren activator. Took coach out for test drive and Air pressure worked okay.
New Regulator pictures posted and added picture of the removed Step Regulators - both are cracked, not worth repairing.
Thank you all for your help.
BTW I purchased the regulators from Grainger but the Norgren website and eBay seem to have the same or similar regulator for a few dollars less.
Grainger part number is 4RA17, Description: Air Regulator, 1/4 In. NPT, 40cfm, 300 psi,
Cost for each was $42.65.
Tony
Tom,
Thank you for posting your findings. I will be looking into these on my coach.
We recently added a 3-way pneumatic valve to remove air pressure from inside step slide cylinder to reduce wear and tear on this cylinder that is in a difficult location to replace. We turn off new valve after moving step slide from open to close or from close to open.
What valve did you use. I want to do this as well to prevent air from leaking out of the cylinder. A 3 way with normal off would work great. It could also be used on the steps.
I just posted a new thread showing our step slide air pressure turn off valve:
Step slide air shut off valve to preserve cylinder (http://www.foreforums.com/index.php?topic=22226.msg168308#msg168308)
Hi Barry,
Is there a reason you did not install the shut off valve to effect both the step slide and the fold out step? Â On my '02 that might be even better to eliminate air leaks.
As one that has done this change ( I think before Barry and Cindy did it) my reason to only do this cylinder was that the drop down step cylinders are easy to remove and fix, plus the amount of air that is lost by them was not (in my case ) of the volume that the slide lost. I had fixed those any way.
JohnH
Our drop down step is another story. It must have air pressure to keep it in up position. And if my new switch is off with step up, when we open door, step will not be pushed down, causing a bad accidental fall. And has John said, the two step air cylinders are very easy to reach and replace. Step slide does not need air pressure to keep slide open or closed. Keep in mind that step slide air cylinder is replaceable as John has also done it.
I understand this is an old post ... I am a new Foretravel owner (new to me). 2002 U320 36'.. Absolutely love it.. Been doing repairs on it and the stairs was bypassed (pistome that pushed the step out and bent and tore up the box that houses it).
Can someone help with som pictures of where the air hoses go? I have the cylinders connected and I believe they are good as the lengths of hose only allow it to work one way. I have a little motor (or pump in the box that houses the pistons that is unplugged). There is a can that the pump/motor pulls air or puts in air? cant tell.. it is disconnected also. On the top right corner is a hose/airline that comes through the fiberglass (step housing that is blocked off.. (where does it go?)
Can anyone please upload some pictures of the connections of the cylinders and pump? Kinda starting from scratch
thanks
The can is a vacuum reservoir, someone has added a electric vacuum pump. to run your dash registers. If you post a pic of what you have others might be able to help on other issues.
I believe the norgren switch(?) is working but might not be getting power.. tried jumping the magnet on the door with key to MH on and off and no change.. have hoses hooked up but not seeing how it retracts.. is it from the switch (does the norgren switch change direction of air to cylinder? seems like I am not getting power to it.. where to start looking? magnet? fuse under bed says its good..
David,
1. Yes
2. I think on an '02 the power comes from the #12 breaker that is located on the breaker panel..
3. I don't know what fuse you are looking at under the bed as the breaker panel is located behind the kick panel just as you come in the front door on your right. Reach and grab the bottom of this panel and give it a tug and all will be revealed.
Pamela & Mike
it does not switch directions.. Under the bed is labeled as steps( i believe).. I pulled the cover already and it looks to be just relays .. I will check again and then verify the relay is good.. headed out to a graduation party but will dbl check.. the magnet just fell apart after I started messing with it)I tied both green wires together for now.. so I will pick another up tomorrow.. thanks for the help an I will update in a while.. thanks
I jumped the switch in the garage and I heard it clicking(with 12v) but not for sure it is working
David,
You should be able to take the norgren valve apart and clean the trash out of the shuttle valve and make it work again. The electrical end seldom shorts out but that can be checked with a good ohm meter.
Pamela & Mike
pulled the valve apart and cleaned .. still not working.. looked behind the panel at the entry and here is what I have(see pic).. which will it be? Or which to look at?
going to have to check to see if we are getting power to the actual valve (still not sure). which number might it be? some have no labels just a number
David,
Somewhere in your coach books you should have a B-2179 print. It will have the breaker listed as to which one sends voltage to your step. I don't have a print for a '02 here with me but I think it is either breaker #12 or #52. One is for the step and the other is for the feed to the norgren valve for the step well cover. If you look at the panel the breakers have a sticker behind the wiring loom that will give you the breaker number of each breaker. After looking closer at your pic. the black squares that have labels are some of your relays, the breakers are behind the copper buss bars.
Pamela & Mike
I will go through it and take a look.. thank you for all your help... Its going in tomorrow for the bladder replacement on the living room side..so might not get back to this in the next few day
thanks again
fixed quote formatting - Michelle
David,
I was able to go up to the shop today and looked at a B-2179 print for an '02 U-320. The breaker that feeds the step norgren valve is #12. It also is listed as feeding the TV relay. #52 breaker feeds the step cover norgren valve along with the 12vdc to the roof A/C system.
Pamela & Mike
You are awesome!!.. bought a few parts .. should see them tomorrow..Thanks again for the Help, it is much appreciated
If it helps any white wires labeled 108 A, B, C go to the steps on my coach. Might be the same on yours.
Yes, they are. Pamela and Mike are extremely high on our "go-to" list for help ^.^d I have no idea how they stay so patient with us.
Thanks for the kind words, we just try to help where we can and save owners a $ or 2.
Pamela & Mike