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Topic: Air compressor comes on frequently and runs for 5+ mins (Read 1428 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: Air compressor comes on frequently and runs for 5+ mins

Reply #25
Dave -

In reading this thread it appears to me that your are in unchartered waters to you.  If I am wrong in this assumption please disregard what follows. 

Please slow down and try to focus on one thing at a time.  I am not saying this to be critical of you.  I think it is safe to say that most every owner on this forum has experienced what you are now experiencing.  Me too.  The coach in it's entirety is complicated and can be overwhelming.  One thing at a time.  ;)

You must find your Air Schematic in your white Owners Manual.  The drawing will be in the back.  If you do not have a White Owners Manual, let us know and one of us can send you a digital copy.  I think.

Start by locating your Aux. Comp. on the drawing and then in your basement.  If your Aux. Comp. is always running locate the fuse holder and pull the fuse.  Single 12volt wire attached to the compressor motor assembly.

You have 2 air compressors.  One is attached to the engine and only operates when the engine is running.  The other is the Aux. Comp. and provides air to your air bladders and the HWH leveling system when your engine is not running.  They both influence each other.  Separate systems that control mostly the same stuff.

Starting with your Aux. Comp. running you must track down leaks in your system.  With the aid of a bottle of soapy water and your HWH Air schematic you can see and follow the lines to the bladders and the leveling six packs.  The air lines are numbered and match the numbers on the schematic. 

I have attached a link to the HWH On Line School.  These pages are in Adobe PDF format

Start to read.  It will explain how the air and hydraulic systems work.  You will also find links to their Technical Papers/Manuals that are more detailed than the on line school and are written by system type/year.

You must Identify and address one problem at a time.

Please Note:  If you attempt to go under the coach to track leaks, which you will, you must use safety blocks.  Use the SEARCH button at the top of the page and SEARCH "Safety Blocks".  Read the threads and do what is recommended.  It is very dangerous to get under your coach without these blocks.  Some have been seriously injured by Not following safety procedures.
Scott & Carol Seibert
2001 42' double slide U320 - Sold
Previous - 2002 36' U320

Re: Air compressor comes on frequently and runs for 5+ mins

Reply #26
How do you turn aux compressor off?....by pulling fuse as Michelle stated above or is there a switch other than the rocker switch beside driver?

Scott has a much older coach (and different compressor than you), so his setup will not match yours.
Learn every day, but especially from the experiences of others. It's cheaper!  - John C. Bogle

2000 U320 36' non-slide / WildEBeest Rescue
2003 U320

Re: Air compressor comes on frequently and runs for 5+ mins

Reply #27
As far as I can tell....and believe me I looked...drivers side in front of the duals is labeled as the wet tank drain valve location....found no other drain valves in the wheel wells....so I just have one.
Dave,
When you get under the coach, you will see that you have four drain petcocks:  the front, rear and aux. air tanks, located above the front axle, use the same style drain petcocks (as used on the the wet tank).  Its just that the front three petcocks are screwed directly into the bosses on the tanks while the petcock on the wet tank has been extended, using brake air line tubing, from the wet tank boss fitting down to its location in front of the street side duals.

If you find water or dust expelled from your wet tank drain, you should suspect that you are overdue for engine driven air compressor air dryer service/replacement.  If you find water expelled from your aux. tank drain, you should suspect that your aux compressor desiccant needs to be replaced.  If you find water or dust expelled from the front or rear air brake tanks, the urgency for alarm needs to go way up as that means the need for air system service is far overdue.  In freezing weather, it also means there is a high probability that your brakes will not function properly. 
Neal
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Neal (& Brenda) Pillsbury
'02 U320 SPEC, 4200, DGFE, Build #5984
'04 Gold Wing
'07 Featherlite 24'
'14 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit
MC #14494
Exeter, NH & LaBelle FL
Quality makes the Heart Soar long after Price is Forgotten

Re: Air compressor comes on frequently and runs for 5+ mins

Reply #28
Dave, did you ever find a resolution? 

I'm experiencing some of the same symptoms, but they seem to only be exacerbated by cold weather, usually below 40 degrees.  During the warmth of the day that compressor runs way less frequently, if at all.
Jennifer
2003 36' U295 (# 6070)
Thousand Oaks, CA

Re: Air compressor comes on frequently and runs for 5+ mins

Reply #29
Dave, did you ever find a resolution? 

I'm experiencing some of the same symptoms, but they seem to only be exacerbated by cold weather, usually below 40 degrees.  During the warmth of the day that compressor runs way less frequently, if at all.


Same thing happened to me. Slide bladder leak in my case, worse when cold out.  Go outside, and listen and feel all around the slide bladder(s)
Dan - Full timing since 2009
2003 U320 40' Tag 2 slide

Re: Air compressor comes on frequently and runs for 5+ mins

Reply #30

Same thing happened to me. Slide bladder leak in my case, worse when cold out.  Go outside, and listen and feel all around the slide bladder(s)
Will do, thanks!
Jennifer
2003 36' U295 (# 6070)
Thousand Oaks, CA

Re: Air compressor comes on frequently and runs for 5+ mins

Reply #31
Jennifer, your year should have a turn valve for each bladder that isolates it from the air system.  Once it is inflated, close the valve. If it is the bladder the pump should stop cycling.  If it does not then the leak may be somewhere else.  I added a pressure gauge and valve for the bladder.  I know when it is inflated, I can shut the valve and make sure it holds pressure.  I also added a pressure gauge to the HWH tank. 
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

 

Re: Air compressor comes on frequently and runs for 5+ mins

Reply #32
Jennifer, your year should have a turn valve for each bladder that isolates it from the air system.  Once it is inflated, close the valve. If it is the bladder the pump should stop cycling.  If it does not then the leak may be somewhere else.  I added a pressure gauge and valve for the bladder.  I know when it is inflated, I can shut the valve and make sure it holds pressure.  I also added a pressure gauge to the HWH tank. 
Good info, thanks, will check that.
Jennifer
2003 36' U295 (# 6070)
Thousand Oaks, CA