Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Air ride seat install (Read 715 times) previous topic - next topic

Air ride seat install

Where to connect to coach air? Talked with others with air ride seats, they deflate when coach is setting.

I'd like to have this installed so we can use the 12v compressor to keep the seat aired up. Drawing B 2254 shows line 57 from 12v compressor to 6 pack manifolds. Any reason not to tie into this line?

We normally keep the 12v compressor off when parked, only turn it on when coach needs it to correct leveling, or when we need vacuum to deflate slide bladder.

Thanks
Mike & Molly Patronick
2001 U320 40'
2011 Forester

Re: Air ride seat install

Reply #1 –
For build numbers 5871 to 5919 you might want to add a T in line 27 from the rear brake tank to the rear HWH manifold or line 27 from the front brake tank to the front HWH manifold.  These have engine driven compressed air and don't depend on the 12 volt compressor while driving.

Most of line 57 in these build numbers is only pressurized from the 12v compressor (depending on where the check valve was installed).

These lines supply air to maintain ride hights while driving.  Use some caution here, use best fittings, check several times for leaks, maybe a valve near the seat to isolate the chair.  Does the chair need a pressure regulator?
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Air ride seat install

Reply #2 –
Foretravel did ours. They connected to the main air system, NOT the 12V. The seat is only needing to be aired up when you are going down the road, and i cannot figure out why it would want to be connected any other way. The air valve that was installed behind the driver's seat allowed you to adjust the pressure to suit your needs or be turned off completely.  Connecting to the 12V just puts added work on that small motor, which should really be dedicated to keeping the slide bladder inflated and/or helping a goofy ZipDee awning.
Carol & Jeff Savournin
Usta have a '93 U225 36', Usta have a '95 U320 40', Usta have a '02 U320 40'
Usta have a 2006 Born Free, Usta have a 2011 Phoenix Cruiser
Usta have a 2012 Jeep Wrangler Unlimited 4dr
"Your time is limited, so don't waste it living someone else's life."  Steve Jobs

Re: Air ride seat install

Reply #3 –
I have air ride connected to coach air - your idea makes sense if you want it up to use while parked for long periods. Otherwise it takes seconds to inflate when you go to leave -

But if you shut off the 12V your seat will deflate over time - and not sure how much or how long your 12V will run to inflate - the seat takes at least 90 PSI, the 12v cuts out at 90 PSI - plus the chambers in the seat are pretty big - might work the OEM 12V pretty good - consider a pump upgrade to ARB at the same time

Tim Fiedler

Sure Start Soft Start - home of SureStart soft starters TCER Direct - home of Generac Approved Aluminum and Copper TCER Composite cable generator-gas-prod - home of X-Riser Gas Risers for PE installation Call me at 630 240-9139
Gen-Pro
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Air ride seat install

Reply #4 –
If we're happy with driver seat, will also do passenger seat. One or both of these will also be used for seating while parked.

Knoedler ofers on seat compressor. Maybe the better option?
Mike & Molly Patronick
2001 U320 40'
2011 Forester

Re: Air ride seat install

Reply #5 –
I would say yes to on seat compressor if you use while parked
Tim Fiedler    2025 LTV Unity MBL on Order
2000 Chevy Tracker 2 Door Convertible 4WD Now lifted 4.5"
1985 Citroen 2CV6 Charleston
Murphy Rebel on wheels with 175HP Titan
Cessna P337
1980 48' Westport MY (!/4 Share)

Re: Air ride seat install

Reply #6 –
Quote from: morninghill –
Where to connect to coach air? Talked with others with air ride seats, they deflate when coach is setting.

I'd like to have this installed so we can use the 12v compressor to keep the seat aired up. Drawing B 2254 shows line 57 from 12v compressor to 6 pack manifolds. Any reason not to tie into this line?

We normally keep the 12v compressor off when parked, only turn it on when coach needs it to correct leveling, or when we need vacuum to deflate slide bladder.
Our coach has no awning or slide bladders for the Aux Pump/Tank to service.  Just HWH level maintenance and the Knoedler seat.
Our Knoedler is tapped into the Aux Tank (never traced it out, so not sure which line) via a floor mounted regulator behind the Knoedler.  Anything over 45 psig supply to the regulator runs all air functions on the seat.  We also keep the Aux 12Vdc pump "Aux Tank" switch (and HWH controls "Stop" switch) off after the coach is leveled and the engine is shutdown.  The key is to keep as tight an air system as possible.  We have been (and are) parked on the extreme slope portion of the FT Campground, by the dog exercise enclosures, since the 24th of May. The lowest that I have seen either of the dash front and rear air gauges is 85 psig.  We have only started the coach twice in the past ten days.

I HAVE had problems with two of the Knoedler control switches in the past.  They were pretty expensive and difficult to find.  And, they were air inventory hogs while broken (leaking), but no repeat issues once replaced.  When we purchased the coach, I thought that some of the lumbar and/or side bolster bladders leaked, but it turns out that they never leak - just the control switches and sometimes the leaks are so quiet that one can't hear them.  One has take the chair apart and soap bubble the back side of the switches to find the leaks.

One thing that I haven't seen mentioned is that most guests want to try the air seat.  So if you have a lot of guests, as we do, it's really nice to have an Aux Tank connection for the air seat as it is only a two minute run (or less, usually much less with a tight leveling system) to have the Aux Tank top off and compressor shut off.  Because I try to keep up with leaks, we usually don't need to add air to the Aux Tank, but it's nice to know it's there, easy and quick.

HTH,
Neal
The selected media item is not currently available.
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 ride seat install

Reply #7 –
Not sure why the air seat would deflate over time. My Bostrom seat stays where it is set when parked. From the valve to the seat is one plastic airline then the air bag. Not much of a problem to stop all leaks. I have been gone on vacations for 12 days twice a year for over ten years and the seat is always inflated when I return. Maybe other brands work differently.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean