Skip to main content ↑ ↓
Topic: Aux. Compressor Information (Read 961 times) previous topic - next topic

Aux. Compressor Information

While I wait for my replacement Aux. Compressor to be delivered, I started going through the storage bay and and just cleaning up all the wire and line hangers and routes.  That got me questioning what does the the Aux. Compressor feed.

I know that while on Auto Level, it supplies the air that keeps the system level, but which tanks does this little compressor keep full to level the coach when parked ?

Does it work the same for the manual level the same as the auto level ?

I have the air line reel in the LPG bay, does the little compressor service that too?

Does it also keep pressure to the main front and rear tanks that have the dash guages ?

As usual, thanks to everyone on this Forum for their vast knowledge and helpfulness.
Mark & Bev
2001 U295 36' Slide
Cummins ISC 8.3 350HP
Build #5802
Jeep Wrangler Toad

Re: Aux. Compressor Information

Reply #1 –
Mark,

First thing you need is a print of your coaches air system as there are some differences in different coaches. The little compressor shouldn't fill the 2 main air tanks. If it does then you have check valves leaking OR if you have the slide seal tank then the tie valve may be leaking. If they are being filled by the HWH compressor this will cause premature certain death of the compressor. Now if your coach has the slide seal tank then the HWH compressor services it. If you are manually leveling and the main air tanks are below cut off of the protection valves then the HWH compressor works the same on manual as it will on auto, it will supply air to the 6 pack solenoids and then to the air bags. As far as the tire inflation air line that will depend on both the air print and possibly how a previous owner may have hooked it up, but most no.

Mike


Pamela & Mike 97 U 320

"It's not what happens to you, but how you react to it that matters."

Re: Aux. Compressor Information

Reply #2 –
Mark, your's should be very close to one of these.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Aux. Compressor Information

Reply #3 –
Thank you Mike, Thank you Roger !
Mark & Bev
2001 U295 36' Slide
Cummins ISC 8.3 350HP
Build #5802
Jeep Wrangler Toad

Re: Aux. Compressor Information

Reply #4 –
What was the cost of the replacement Aux compressor and what failed in the old one?

Regards

Klaus
The world is not interested in the storms you encountered, but whether or not you brought in the ship.
Raul Armesto

2003 U 320 4020 Unit 6145

Re: Aux. Compressor Information

Reply #5 –
Quote from: kepeters –
What was the cost of the replacement Aux compressor and what failed in the old one?

Regards

Klaus

Klaus, take this with a grain of salt,

I'm not one of the guru's of the site for sure but I've owned my rig since 1/2019 and my aux compressor has never worked and I have never missed it.  I don't tend to stay in one spot for long.  I usually level the coach and then turn the HWH off.  The reason I do this is I got tired of it waking me up at night when it tried to re-level the coach at 3am.  Now if I was fulltiming I may want the convenience of the aux compressor but not sure.

2000 GV320 4010 build #5712  2019-?
1999 Bounder 2000-2008
Bardstown, KY
🥃The Bourbon Capital of the World🥃

Re: Aux. Compressor Information

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Tommy D –
Klaus, take this with a grain of salt,

I'm not one of the guru's of the site for sure but I've owned my rig since 1/2019 and my aux compressor has never worked and I have never missed it.

You would miss it if you had slide bladders....
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: Aux. Compressor Information

Reply #7 –

The smaller Thomas air compressors used in 2001 and earlier are about $750.  The much bigger ones used from 2002 -2005, maybe later are about $1400.  Shopping around will find the smaller one for $5-600.  The bigger one for $900-1150.  Rebuild kits for the smaller one are about $200 and $350 for the bigger one.

The compressor Don used looks like a good alternative if you can reconfigure or reposition the rest of the parts.
Amazon.com: ARB CKMTA12 '12V' On-Board Twin High Performance Air Compressor:...

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Aux. Compressor Information

Reply #8 –
Quote from: Michelle –
You would miss it if you had slide bladders....

Hello Michelle

I do have slide bladders for my living room slide.  What am I missing?  I guess I don't miss what I don't know.

Thanks in advance for your knowledge

2000 GV320 4010 build #5712  2019-?
1999 Bounder 2000-2008
Bardstown, KY
🥃The Bourbon Capital of the World🥃

Re: Aux. Compressor Information

Reply #9 –
On my coach, the HWH Compressor energizes the vacuum pump to deflate the bladder.  As I understand it, it you do not have pressure from the HWH Compressor and if your slide bladder is holding air, even though you may think the bladder is deflated, it isn't, and you could cause slide bladder damage by pulling in the slide.  At least that is how I understand it.

Klaus, I ordered the ARB Compressor from Amazon as Roger noted.  It puts out much more air than the Thomas Compressors. I haven't received it yet, but it is a fairly easy changeover.
Mark & Bev
2001 U295 36' Slide
Cummins ISC 8.3 350HP
Build #5802
Jeep Wrangler Toad

Re: Aux. Compressor Information

Reply #10 –
Tommy, your aux compressor is required to inflating the slide bladder and for providing the compressed air that creates a vacuum to deflate the bladder when it flows across a Venturi vent.  Without a compressor your leveling system while parked will not work.

Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Aux. Compressor Information

Reply #11 –
I'm just putting this out. The ARB is louder but there is nothing saying it has to be installed inside the coach. You could mount up behind the generator in its own quiet box. Would be more subject to the environment but would be possibly quieter?
Scott

Re: Aux. Compressor Information

Reply #12 –
Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 –
Tommy, your aux compressor is required to inflating the slide bladder and for providing the compressed air that creates a vacuum to deflate the bladder when it flows across a Venturi vent.  Without a compressor your leveling system while parked will not work.

Mine must be plumbed different. My auto level works fine and the bladder inflates and deflates fine with just both keys in the on position.  (IGN & slide key). May not work when my tanks leak down but when I am extending or retracting the slide I'm usually going somewhere with the coach so the engine is running with main compressor generating the air I need.

Do I not have a vacuum pump?  I see daylight on my bladder after it deflates?

2000 GV320 4010 build #5712  2019-?
1999 Bounder 2000-2008
Bardstown, KY
🥃The Bourbon Capital of the World🥃

Re: Aux. Compressor Information

Reply #13 –
Your 12 v pump IS your vacuum pump, when called for.
Richard & Betty Bark & Keiko our Golden Doodle
2003 U320T 3820 PBDS
Build # 6215
MC # 16926
2016 Chevrolet Colorado 4X4 diesel

Re: Aux. Compressor Information

Reply #14 –
The only source of air for inflating and deflating your slide seal is the small compressor through the HWH air tank assuming it has not been altered or one or more check valves haven't failed.
Roger Engdahl and Susan Green
2001 U320 3610 #5879 (Home2) - 2014 Jeep Cherokee or 2018 F150
Hastings, MN

Re: Aux. Compressor Information

Reply #15 –
Roger, I certainly agree with your schematic.  And you and others have forgotten more about these coaches than I will ever know.

I will have to check out my line #75 to see if the airline has been altered.  Only thing I could think of is that the previous owner removed a check valve in line #75 to allow the #57 line to back feed and supply air to the slide out tank?

But right now my auto level and manual level work fine.  My slide deflates (I can hear it exhausting into the bay where the non working compressor is) to where I can see daylight at all points that I can see around the slide (got that tip from one of Rogers posts I believe).  It extends and retracts without problem and inflates with no problems.

Not inclined to spend a coach buck fixing it unless you guys see any reason it might cause a problem?  What do you think?




2000 GV320 4010 build #5712  2019-?
1999 Bounder 2000-2008
Bardstown, KY
🥃The Bourbon Capital of the World🥃
 

Re: Aux. Compressor Information

Reply #16 –
I found this thread and thought I would add to it.  Yesterday, we had some really bad weather coming in so I brought our livingroom slide back in and all worked fine.  Bladder re inflated and all was good.  Today, I tried to bring the slide back out and found my bladder would not deflate.  The compressor is running and key is on and no bladder deflating.  Not sure if I have a check valve or solenoid sticking, but bladder will not deflate so can't extend the slide at this time.  I understand their is a way to deflate the bladder without the compressor and then when you bring out room, it will normally inflate when you turn the slide room key off.  Any help would be appreciated.  2000 U320 with Thomas air compressor mounted on the ceiling of the middle bay in the left corner.  Seems even same years are different.  I also have a small tank that runs parallel with the length of the coach up overhead by the compressor and there are two quarter inch lines coming to this tank, one from compressor and the other one I believe is going to the old air lines for the air awning , which is no more.  Hope this helps!
Joe & Dottie Allen
Sold!  December 2023.      2000 U320; build # 5645
Our coach " Maxine"
Motorcade #  15922;  Escapee 150950; FMCA F330833; Boondockers Welcome;  Harvest Hosts;  Thousand Trails
'98 U320 from 2000-'06
USAF '62-'66

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; remember that what you now have was once among the things you only hoped for." ―Epicurus