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Topic: HWH Compressor Fix (Read 3045 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: HWH Compressor Fix

Reply #25 –
Quote from: Michelle –
Last time we looked at the newest coaches, they didn't have the condensate or desiccant bowls anymore, either.
Interesting: I was told by the distributor of thomas compressors when he installed my replacement that it was not needed. Now that I just replaced the bowl. It would be nice to get rid of it if it truly is not needed. But then again there has been a lot of moisture in it due to the air leaks.
The selected media item is not currently available.Barry BEAM #16014
2003 U320 40' AGDS
Beamalarm, Foretravel technical help and specifications
"Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve"

Re: HWH Compressor Fix

Reply #26 –
Thanks JD We are on our third purge  valve and it just failed.  Thanks to you I grabbed my tools of mass destruction and went for it.  I promptly broke the corroded return tube in my desiccant bowl but fortunately my local Granger toy store carries that Wilkerson part for about $115.  At the end of my journey there was joy and my old purge valve was cleaned and provided great joy when it worked properly.  I have included pictures of the compressor with the new desiccant bowl element and the dissembled purge valve for those interested.   

Re: HWH Compressor Fix

Reply #27 –
My wife worked at Granger for 7 years and "retired" in 05. She referred to them as "Sex Toys for Boys" and still gets the employee discount.
I always have a wish list ready for her when she places a order.
Dick & Sue
'99 U320, 36'
2015 F150 4x4 Supercrew
M & G with brakeaway system
Blue Ox Avail 10,000# tow bar
Grosse Ile, Mi.

Re: HWH Compressor Fix

Reply #28 –
Quote from: Art & Polly –
Thanks JD We are on our third purge  valve and it just failed.  Thanks to you I grabbed my tools of mass destruction and went for it.  I promptly broke the corroded return tube in my desiccant bowl but fortunately my local Granger toy store carries that Wilkerson part for about $115.  At the end of my journey there was joy and my old purge valve was cleaned and provided great joy when it worked properly.  I have included pictures of the compressor with the new desiccant bowl element and the dissembled purge valve for those interested.   
OK.  I want to disassembly my purge valve and clean it...but from these pictures, the "electric part" of the thing is missing.  I got the valve all the way off of the bowl, but I do not understand the next steps of disassembly.  I see there is a slotted screw inside the thing, and then the entire outlet is a hex bolt/nut/body.  Is there another disassembly picture somewhere?  As much gunk as I found leading up to this, I am sure this is the reason the compressor occassionally chooses to stay on.  There isn't a leak...the air is just coming out of the outlet.
The selected media item is not currently available.Brad & Christine Slaughter
Was:  1990 U280 36'
Was:  2002 U270 36' (With a bathroom door) Build #5981
Is:  2021 Leisure Travel Van Wonder 24RL
2015 Jeep JKU, 2003 S10 QC 4x4 or 2017 C-Max
Lake Havasu City, AZ (or Gillette, WY)

Re: HWH Compressor Fix

Reply #29 –
It's been a couple of years since I last cleaned the purge valve. My recollection is a bit fuzzy, and the newer systems are a bit different from my system.

The "electric part" is the sleeve with the wires connected. It is a solenoid coil that moves the internal slider to close the purge valve when the compressor runs. See if you can pull the hex nut off the end. The screwdriver slot may allow you to unscrew the guts of the valve from the part that attaches to the plastic bowl. If you can get it apart, you will be able to see a lot of white precipitate that accumulates and keeps the valve from fully closing. If the valve doesn't close, all the air runs out through the valve. RO or very clean water will probably dissolve the junk.

The valve is open when the compressor is off and the solenoid is not energized. That allows water to escape the bowl. When the compressor is on, the solenoid is energized to close the valve. It should close tightly enough that the pressurized air flows through the desiccant and to the air system.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: HWH Compressor Fix

Reply #30 –
Quote from: J. D. Stevens –
It's been a couple of years since I last cleaned the purge valve. My recollection is a bit fuzzy, and the newer systems are a bit different from my system.

The "electric part" is the sleeve with the wires connected. It is a solenoid coil that moves the internal slider to close the purge valve when the compressor runs. See if you can pull the hex nut off the end. The screwdriver slot may allow you to unscrew the guts of the valve from the part that attaches to the plastic bowl. If you can get it apart, you will be able to see a lot of white precipitate that accumulates and keeps the valve from fully closing. If the valve doesn't close, all the air runs out through the valve. RO or very clean water will probably dissolve the junk.

The valve is open when the compressor is off and the solenoid is not energized. That allows water to escape the bowl. When the compressor is on, the solenoid is energized to close the valve. It should close tightly enough that the pressurized air flows through the desiccant and to the air system.
Ah...  Thank you, JD!  I got it apart...all the way.  This morning when I came out to the coach, the compressor was on and hot...with air blowing out the valve.  So I turned the switch off and proceeded to dissect what I could see.  There wasn't a lot of gunk in there, but apparently enough, as when I got it all back together, it ran without blowing/purging air until it went off properly.  I thnk I'm cured, and that solenoid was apparently my issue.  I really think that has been the problem in the past (that encouraged me to add the switch instead of just pulling the fuse.)  Maybe a spare is in order.
The selected media item is not currently available.Brad & Christine Slaughter
Was:  1990 U280 36'
Was:  2002 U270 36' (With a bathroom door) Build #5981
Is:  2021 Leisure Travel Van Wonder 24RL
2015 Jeep JKU, 2003 S10 QC 4x4 or 2017 C-Max
Lake Havasu City, AZ (or Gillette, WY)

Re: HWH Compressor Fix

Reply #31 –
Quote from: Brad & Christine Slaughter –
Ah...  Thank you, JD!  I got it apart...all the way.  ... I thnk I'm cured, and that solenoid was apparently my issue. 
^.^d Thanks for the positive response. It is a bright spot in a good day when I may have helped someone enjoy some satisfaction.

Steve, Michelle, and their moderators have done a great job to enable many of us to enjoy some satisfaction.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX

Re: HWH Compressor Fix

Reply #32 –
Glad to brighten your day.  I also learned by a little research that the part, from HWH, is apparently a RAP6354.  And...at $127 according to the current price list, I think maybe I'll forego the spare, thanks to your explanation of how it works. 

Since it is Normally-open, it would seem that in an emergency where it got sticky and would not close to allow the compressor to pressurize and go off, I could just plug the end of the fitting while it worked, and then just remove the plug once it shuts itself off.  Over the years, it has stuck on a couple of times and after it been off or the fuse unplugged for a while, it has apparently unstuck itself.

Armed with that thought,  I am thinking a little brass plug would make for a fitting addition to an emergency kit...smaller, lighter and cheaper than an extra $127 solenoid valve.
The selected media item is not currently available.Brad & Christine Slaughter
Was:  1990 U280 36'
Was:  2002 U270 36' (With a bathroom door) Build #5981
Is:  2021 Leisure Travel Van Wonder 24RL
2015 Jeep JKU, 2003 S10 QC 4x4 or 2017 C-Max
Lake Havasu City, AZ (or Gillette, WY)

Re: HWH Compressor Fix

Reply #33 –

I'm going a different way with this fix as an auto purge valve on such a small volume air pump is way overkill.  I suspect one of these disposable dessicant filters will last a couple years at least, ten bucks.

Motor Guard DD1008-2 Mini Desiccant Filter, 2-Pack - Amazon.com

 

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"Not so  long ago we were a nation of risk takers, riding five million pounds of  thrust straight into space."  Joe Gresh
Chuck Pearson
1996 U295
2018 Can Am X3 TurboRS

Re: HWH Compressor Fix

Reply #34 –
I change my desiccant every 6-12 weeks.  I suspect you will find that these will not last that long.

Rich
Rich and Peggy Bowman
2002 U270 3610 WTFS, build #5939--"Freedom"
2022 Jeep Grand Cherokee Summit 4xe
SMI AirForceOne brake system
PakCanoe 15
 

Re: HWH Compressor Fix

Reply #35 –
In 1997 there is no desiccant in the 12VDC compressor system. The compressor only supplies air to the air springs via the HWH system. It would require less drying than on new coaches with slide bladders and different plumbing of the air system.

I'll stay with the clear bowl and purge valve. I've cleaned it a couple of times in four years. Cleaning was easy. Getting to the valve included some contortions.

On newer coaches, it appears that the purge bowl and valve pull water from the compressed air before it enters the desiccant bowl. I expect both are required for adequately dry air on the newer systems. The purge valve would extend the life of the desiccant.
J D Stevens
1997 U295 CAI 36' Build #5085
2002 Subaru Outback
Motorcade 16869
Bellville, TX