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Topic: searching for an air leak(s) (Read 1405 times) previous topic - next topic

Re: searching for an air leak(s)

Reply #25 –
Quote from: RRadio –
There must be a reason that I haven't thought of yet, right?

Probably seemed like a good idea at the time.  "Hindsight" reveals some things that could have been done better.  Fortunately, Foretravel also made a lot of smart decisions.

Good job describing your compressor rebuild, but perhaps next time take some photos to go with text?  Makes the project easier to follow for your readers.  I know you are a avid photographer, because you do a GREAT job on your nature photos!
1993 U280 SE 40' WTBI, Build: 4359
C8.3 300hp, 6-Speed, Exhaust Brake
960 watts on the roof (6 x 160)
Sorento (or BOLT) on a Kar Kaddy SS
"Nature abhors a vacuum"

Re: searching for an air leak(s)

Reply #26 –
I thought about photographing the compressor overhaul but I doubt many people on this forum would do a job like that... or at least I haven't heard of anyone doing a compressor overhaul on here. There are diagrams in the instructions that come with the overhaul kit. It's easy to follow. I was commenting more on the design of the compressor, which surprised me. I seldom encounter a mechanical device in today's world that's built ruggedly and designed to be overhauled. New stuff is usually designed to be thrown away and replaced.

Freightliner found a trailer tank in their parts bin that will probably fit my coach and they're adapting it now. I like that solution a lot better than patching up the old tank. They have a driver's lounge with wifi which I'm using. :)

This was the first time I've ever hooked up to 20 amp shore power, but I didn't trip the breaker and the voltage was stable. I ran my block heater, charger, and refrigerator on electric all night long. In the morning I ran my front propane furnace a while. I often read on this forum that other people don't have enough power even with a 30 amp connection. My coach does fine on a 30 amp, or even a 20 amp apparently.
Scott Cook
1991 U300 36' 6V92TA
Old Town Penobscot 16
1984 Honda VF1100C (V65 Magna)

Re: searching for an air leak(s)

Reply #27 –
Scott, my dad has a 20 and 30a that I put the cheater box into. All ran fine good voltages. When I un hooked the 20 plug was a little melted and warm. Dad said it was an old 25a breaker he had... and he knew we would visit  lol
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My advice and experiences are Free, you decide if they are worth anything .

John - driving Old Faithful
1994 U280 GV
C8.3, Banks, Pacbrake, 900 watts, Resonator, XLHD tow dolly
Retired Army Warrant Officer

Life is what you make of it - if it is lemons, make lemonade!
Former Coaches:
1988 GV 40' ORED 300HP CAT - 9 years
1990 Winnebago LeSharo - 3 years
2000 Newmar London Aire - 3 years (#18 of 23 produced)

Re: searching for an air leak(s)

Reply #28 –
I think this was a 20 amp breaker because I looked in the breaker box and they were all marked as 20 amp. It wasn't warm when I unplugged it in the morning.

The new tank was a little over $1,000 installed and took half a day of labor. Freightliner of Maine gave me a 20% discount on the whole thing including parts because I'm a mechanic for Acadia national park and we send a lot of trucks to them, so it actually cost me $840 after the discounts. They adapted a trailer tank instead of welding the old tank. I didn't have much confidence that the old tank would last very long, if indeed it didn't burn through during the welding attempt. They reused the brackets from the old tank. I think the fittings were all replaced because they're in different locations on this new tank and the hoses probably didn't reach. I drove the coach from Bangor to Ellsworth and everything seems to be fine. It's a relief to have a new tank. The old one would have leaked worse and worse until it left me stranded somewhere.

Remember to drain your wet tank folks, especially if you seldom drive your coach. Even better, put wood blocks in beside the airbags and set the coach down on the blocks, then shut your electric compressor off. If the previous owner had done any of these things the tank wouldn't have rusted out... Reading this forum just saved you a thousand bucks! :)
Scott Cook
1991 U300 36' 6V92TA
Old Town Penobscot 16
1984 Honda VF1100C (V65 Magna)

Re: searching for an air leak(s)

Reply #29 –
Throwing this out there for adventurous tinkerers. Use a separate rebuilt air brake air drier for the 12 VDC compressor line and use it to keep the 12VDC compressor air dry.
Good luck,
Rick
Rick

Re: searching for an air leak(s)

Reply #30 –
An air drier doesn't seem to be needed on the electric compressor in my coach the way I operate it. My 120 volt AC compressor fills the wet tank. I drain the wet tank all the time but very seldom get any liquid water out of it. I drive my coach every few days, which is probably very unusual. I drove it four hours today in fact. I suspect most motor coaches only move a few times a year. This is what happened to my coach before I owned it. The previous owner drove 3,000 miles in 14 years and never drained the wet tank, which of course filled it full of water and rusted it out.
Scott Cook
1991 U300 36' 6V92TA
Old Town Penobscot 16
1984 Honda VF1100C (V65 Magna)

Re: searching for an air leak(s)

Reply #31 –
Where is this wet tank and what does it look like?  Tks
DAN
Dan & Shirley Stansel
2002 U295 4020 AGDS Build#6054
Towing Buick Enclave & M &  G Braking
Emerald Bay, Lake Palestine, Texas
MC# 16650

Re: searching for an air leak(s)

Reply #32 –
 Dan the wet tank is usually in front of the rear duals (or vicinity) and the 2 other air tanks are in the front section. The tank is about 14" dia and about 20" long. It will obviously have black plastic air lines coming from it and on one end a bigger supply line from dryer.
JohnH
measurements approx.
Coachless, now use aircraft. 2003 Ford Travelair TC280 class C. Super shape. Just for 1 yr .
1994 Ford E350 ClassC,total renovation inside and out. Now sold.
2000 U295  36' Cummins 350 c/w Banks Stinger, Resonator upgrade,Solar, LED lites.Residential fridge with slide out pantry. Build 5674. Sold
ex 92 GV 022C ored Cummins. Sold
ex 95 GV240 cat 3116. Sold
2017 Mini cooper s & 2016 land Rover LR2 HSE  LUX.
jhaygarth@aol.com    SKP #130098
treat everyone as you would like to be.

Re: searching for an air leak(s)

Reply #33 –
...and the drain you're supposed to blow down to purge any liquid water from the bottom of the wet tank may be located in the wheel well just in front of the driver's side rear wheels ...feel around down there for a ball valve handle and open it up to see if you can blast any water out
Scott Cook
1991 U300 36' 6V92TA
Old Town Penobscot 16
1984 Honda VF1100C (V65 Magna)

Re: searching for an air leak(s)

Reply #34 –
Water vapor out of the wet tank is not the only thing to look for.....as I worked on this about a year, also be sure no desiccant dust blows out.  If it does, a serious problem can be avoided by prompt attention.  David Whitehead told me to test the wet tank after every trip, and I do.  It has paid dividends

Incidentally, check the three front tanks too.  I had, and think I put photos on here somewhere, the lines run from the tanks to the fender well in front of the driver wheel.  They less prone to the moisture and, or dust, but it can get that far.

mike
Mike
2001 U320 4010 Build 5878 (Gus)
Wrangle Unlimited Toad
Nacogdoches
 

Re: searching for an air leak(s)

Reply #35 –
I am glad to see this pressure today that I think I will re-post.  I have had the coach sitting now a month and the two front tanks are holding at 70 psi.  The check valve held it at this from going lower

Many see these leak down over time.  IF the check valve is working right, they should not leak down.  I think not a big issue, not unusual if they do, but I like things to work as intended.    We had this working right about a year ago, then had them begin to leak again.  MOT found the culprit and back to holding 70

just FYI
mike
Mike
2001 U320 4010 Build 5878 (Gus)
Wrangle Unlimited Toad
Nacogdoches