How long does your auxilary air compressor run? How long between it running?

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How long does your auxilary air compressor run? How long between it running?

November 15, 2019, 09:07:08 am

Typically how long does your auxiliary air compressor run from near empty to full pressure. My auxiliary air compressor is set up to be switched on and off with a rocker switch at the dash. I usually turn it on every other day or so to relevel the coach. When I switch it on, it takes about 5 to 6 minutes to switch itself off with the pressure switch, and if I leave it on, it will start back up in about 4 to 5 hours. So several questions here: How long does your auxiliary compressor take to get from near empty to full? How long is it before the pressure switch turns your auxiliary compressor back on? How long can you go before you need to relevel coach? I am trying to decide if I need to rebuild compressor as 5 to 6 minutes seems like a long run time, but maybe not.

Re: How long does your air compressor run? How long between it running?

Reply #1 – November 15, 2019, 09:10:04 am

Actually, I would back up a step and determine how large your air leak is.

From your dash gauges, after shutting off the engine, tell us about PSI drop.

Size of air leak is material to the discussion of auxiliary air compressor run time.

Re: How long does your air compressor run? How long between it running?

Reply #2 – November 15, 2019, 09:19:07 am

My air leak down is well within Foretravel leak down specs, but I am asking about the auxiliary air compressor and it's run time. I should have been more clear and have edited post. I have replaced or rebuilt all the check valves except one in auxiliary compressor, so the auxiliary system is isolated from the main system when engine isn't running. No visible leaks anywhere with soap test in auxiliary system.

Re: How long does your air compressor run? How long between it running?

Reply #3 – November 15, 2019, 09:26:39 am

Do you have a slide? and does it use the same compressor and tank? I have no slide, and when I level and leave the light on the HWH the compressor never comes on and if I turn off the HWH off the coach never goes out of level. You must have a leak.

Re: How long does your auxilary air compressor run? How long between it running?

Reply #4 – November 15, 2019, 09:40:07 am

Yes, it has a slide, and yes, it uses air from the auxiliary tank and compressor. The slide does not leak, but I suspect that the rear six pack leaks internally as it always seems to be the rear that needs to be raised, but only after a couple days. So Craneman, you never have to relevel your coach once it is setup even after a week or so?

Re: How long does your auxilary air compressor run? How long between it running?

Reply #5 – November 15, 2019, 09:54:24 am

Quote from: jbeem – November 15, 2019, 09:40:07 am

Yes, it has a slide, and yes, it uses air from the auxiliary tank and compressor. The slide does not leak, but I suspect that the rear six pack leaks internally as it always seems to be the rear that needs to be raised, but only after a couple days. So Craneman, you never have to relevel your coach once it is setup even after a week or so?

Correct.

Re: How long does your auxilary air compressor run? How long between it running?

Reply #6 – November 15, 2019, 10:03:53 am

I added a pressure gauge to the HWH tank so I could see what is going on. My aux compressor fills the tank from empty to 98 psi in about the same time. My HWH tank will stay above 75 psi for a couple weeks. I turn the compressor off. The compressor pressure switch turn the compressor on at about 75 psi and off at about 95 psi. Depending on the switch it could be higher but not much.

We level the coach in manual mode and leave it there. Turn the compressor off. After a couple days a minor correction (usually side to side) by letting some air out. And then we are good for a couple weeks.

Re: How long does your auxilary air compressor run? How long between it running?

Reply #7 – November 15, 2019, 10:04:00 am

I level the coach, shut off the HWH and the coach stays level until I put it in the travel mode or manually change the height. The auxiliary compressor will come on at 40 PSI and shuts off at 80 PSI (about every 8 hours) and has a duration of about 2 minutes.

Re: How long does your auxilary air compressor run? How long between it running?

Reply #8 – November 15, 2019, 10:41:11 am

About every 20 to 24 hrs. and runs for about one minute

Re: How long does your auxilary air compressor run? How long between it running?

Reply #9 – November 15, 2019, 10:52:23 am

When it wakes up to run, is the HWH panel indicating out of level at all? (yellow lights)

Since you mentioned you end up rear low, it is definitely going to take the aux compressor longer to run to relevel, especially the heavy rear, that if it's just needing to repressurize the aux tank.

On the TA-4101-DC aux compressor rebuild, be aware there are 2 style heads. Older ones have a paper gasket, which can be a pain in the *** to get to seal properly. The newer ones a nice o-ring gasket.

2003 U-320 How do you know if HWH compressor needs rebuilding?

Re: How long does your auxilary air compressor run? How long between it running?

Reply #10 – November 15, 2019, 11:24:30 am

Quote from: Michelle – November 15, 2019, 10:52:23 am

When it wakes up to run, is the HWH panel indicating out of level at all? (yellow lights)

Since you mentioned you end up rear low, it is definitely going to take the aux compressor longer to run to relevel, especially the heavy rear, that if it's just needing to repressurize the aux tank.

On the TA-4101-DC aux compressor rebuild, be aware there are 2 style heads. Older ones have a paper gasket, which can be a pain in the *** to get to seal properly. The newer ones a nice o-ring gasket.

2003 U-320 How do you know if HWH compressor needs rebuilding?

I usually turn the aux compressor on and let it run until it shuts itself off via the pressure switch and then relevel the coach. Then I turn off the compressor (and the HWH leveling system) until the next time I need to relevel. From turning it on after being off for a day or two till it shuts off via the pressure switch, it takes about 5 to 6 minutes. I don't know what pressure it is at when it starts, but I assume it is near empty. I will install a pressure gauge as Roger suggested to know for sure.

Re: How long does your auxilary air compressor run? How long between it running?

Reply #11 – November 15, 2019, 11:37:22 am

When outside temperature is warm, ours rarely runs. The colder the outside temp, the more often the compressor runs.

Re: How long does your auxilary air compressor run? How long between it running?

Reply #12 – December 06, 2019, 09:05:24 pm

This past weekend I rebuilt the rear six pack. There was one raise solenoid that had been replaced by someone in the past. The valve body is made of aluminum instead of brass like the rest. When I took it apart, I found that there wasn't an o'ring between the valve body and the plunger plate??? that you use the special tool provided with the kit to take off. After seeing this, I am surprised that it stayed level for half a day let alone the two days that it usually would. Rebuilding the six pack was much easier than I feared it would be. I used six different colored zip ties to know which airlines and magnetic solenoids went in which position thereby making it much easier to put back together. If you are not staying level for long periods of time then buy the rebuild kit and go ahead and rebuild them. You will be glad you did. I have been level for 5 days without touching the HWH leveling system.

I also put a gauge on the auxiliary compressor and saw that my pressure was 120 psi. The Thomas compressor is only rated for 100 psi. This explains the long run time of 5 minutes to air up. I have turned it down to 100 psi and am thinking about moving it even lower as the slide seal is regulated to 12 psi and the HWH leveling system turns on the auxiliary compressor irregardless of pressure. What do you'all think is a good pressure to set the aux compressor at?

I also replaced the Haladex kn23080 check valve that is after the compressor assembly, and after starting it all back up, I noticed on the gauge that when the compressor turned off, it dropped 5 psi before the pressure stabilized, so I replaced the little 1/4 inch brass check valve that is between the glass bowl and the brass cross with all the air lines. It's still losing air, but now it lasts about 6 to 7 hours before cycling. I have looked all over and cannot find any air leaks anywhere, so I am thinking that I will go ahead and rebuild my front 6 pack and see if that stops my slow leak.

I have had to replace nearly every check valve in the coach since I bought it almost year ago. The only ones I haven't replaced are the two at the wet tank. I went ahead and ordered them and will be installing them when they arrive.

Roger, I think I read somewhere that you installed an air gauge for your wet tank on your D2 governor. Where did you put it on the governor?

Thanks for the advice and answers to questions. Hopefully, I will have these air leaks beat for this round. As someone said on this forum "Finding air leaks kind of becomes a hobby."

Re: How long does your auxilary air compressor run? How long between it running?

Reply #13 – December 06, 2019, 09:21:24 pm

Congrats on beating the air leak demon. I'm still playing whack-a-mole with him. Woody.

Re: How long does your auxilary air compressor run? How long between it running?

Reply #14 – December 06, 2019, 09:45:53 pm

Quote from: jbeem – December 06, 2019, 09:05:24 pm

What do you'all think is a good pressure to set the aux compressor at?

40 -80 PSI

Re: How long does your auxilary air compressor run? How long between it running?

Reply #15 – December 07, 2019, 07:24:06 am

Quote from: jbeem – December 06, 2019, 09:05:24 pm

. What do you'all think is a good pressure to set the aux compressor at?

I have it set at 75 psi.

Re: How long does your auxilary air compressor run? How long between it running?

Reply #16 – December 07, 2019, 09:20:21 am

Quote from: jbeem – December 06, 2019, 09:05:24 pm

Roger, I think I read somewhere that you installed an air gauge for your wet tank on your D2 governor. Where did you put it on the governor?

I did not. Air comes from compressor controlled by D2 governor through air drier to wet than and then front and rear tanks. I replace the front and rear electronic gauges air pressure gauges (most likely the gray/blue/black box failed internally) with direct read mechanical VDO gauges. I like these much better. I can see the tank pressure even if the ignition is off. I also added a dash gauge for the HWH tank in the place where the electronic chassis battery volt meter was. It too suffered an internal box fault. I see chassis voltage on VMSpc so it was not a loss. HWH tank hold air for weeks.

I added an on/off switch to my compressor so that I can just turn it off. Mine is off unless I need air. I level the coach in manual mode and make small adjustments as needed and shut the compressor off. If you do this add the switch to the control side of the compressor. If you just interrupt power to the compressor and the pressure switch closes your air purge solenoid will be energized all the time. In many coaches after mine there is a bigger compressor and another switch and solenoid to supply air to the wet tank.

I do that at the air dryer.

Compressor pressure switch usually cuts off about 95-100 psi. Is is adjustable. The switch turns on when the pressure is about 20 psi below the off point. This as far as I know is fixed.

External Compressor Connection to Add Air to Wet Tank and Service Tanks

No matter what you do it is virtually impossible to get rid of every air leak forever. Fix the big ones, live with the rest.

Roger

Re: How long does your auxilary air compressor run? How long between it running?

Reply #17 – December 07, 2019, 10:38:39 am

When setting the pressure on the compressor keep in mind if you want to use the Awning with the original compressor you will need enough PSI to make the arms move.. Think it says 110psi but mine is set at 100psi.. not sure if the compressor moved the arms or not as I put a special compressor in for the awning and what not (air for other stuff..

If not using the awning then I wouldnt worry about it.

If you have the Air actuated awning or not.. not sure with your model..

Re: How long does your auxilary air compressor run? How long between it running?

Reply #18 – December 07, 2019, 02:55:46 pm

Quote from: AC7880 – December 07, 2019, 07:24:06 am

I added an on/off switch to my compressor so that I can just turn it off. Mine is off unless I need air. I level the coach in manual mode and make small adjustments as needed and shut the compressor off. If you do this add the switch to the control side of the compressor. If you just interrupt power to the compressor and the pressure switch closes your air purge solenoid will be energized all the time. In many coaches after mine there is a bigger compressor and another switch and solenoid to supply air to the wet tank.

Roger, I added a switch months ago after repeatedly being woke up by the compressor coming on. I put a relay between the fuse and the Essex relay. I was not aware that it would energize the blow down solenoid. Do you think this matters? Will having the solenoid energized make much of a difference in it lifespan after all it is just a electromagnet? My 2002 is when they started putting in the bigger compressor and the switch and solenoid to send air to the wet tank, but it is controlled by a switch and not by the HWH control board, so it will have no effect on that solenoid.

Quote from: DavidS – December 07, 2019, 10:38:39 am

When setting the pressure on the compressor keep in mind if you want to use the Awning with the original compressor you will need enough PSI to make the arms move.. Think it says 110psi but mine is set at 100psi.. not sure if the compressor moved the arms or not as I put a special compressor in for the awning and what not (air for other stuff..

If not using the awning then I wouldnt worry about it.

If you have the Air actuated awning or not.. not sure with your model..

No worries David. It is a 270, so I don't have fancy things that can break like air controlled automatic awnings

and thank God for that. I spend enough time fixing things. I understand they never really worked right and were discontinued after a couple years. Hope yours is still going strong.

Re: How long does your auxilary air compressor run? How long between it running?

Reply #19 – December 07, 2019, 03:30:58 pm

This is the wiring diagram for coaches with the bigger compressor and the line to the wet tank. This switch is for opening the solenoid valve to that line and for forcing the compressor to start.

Adding a switch in the 6100 wire will disable the compressor at the pressure switch and this not power the water trap solenoid (close it). It will also make the wet tank solenoid switch only when you enable the pump switch.

If the water trap solenoid is on all the time it is a constant power drain, the solenoid gets hot and that heat may compromise the plastic bowl. If that bowl leaks your compressor could run continuously.

Re: How long does your auxilary air compressor run? How long between it running?

Reply #20 – December 07, 2019, 04:06:35 pm

Quote from: jbeem – December 07, 2019, 02:55:46 pm

Roger, I added a switch months ago after repeatedly being woke up by the compressor coming on. I put a relay between the fuse and the Essex relay. I was not aware that it would energize the blow down solenoid. Do you think this matters? Will having the solenoid energized make much of a difference in it lifespan after all it is just a electromagnet? My 2002 is when they started putting in the bigger compressor and the switch and solenoid to send air to the wet tank, but it is controlled by a switch and not by the HWH control board, so it will have no effect on that solenoid.
No worries David. It is a 270, so I don't have fancy things that can break like air controlled automatic awnings and thank God for that. I spend enough time fixing things. I understand they never really worked right and were discontinued after a couple years. Hope yours is still going strong.

Going like a champ still.. really enjoy it but .. electric, pneumatic or manual .. they all work

Re: How long does your auxilary air compressor run? How long between it running?

Reply #21 – December 07, 2019, 04:57:41 pm

Quote from: Roger & Susan in Home2 – December 07, 2019, 03:30:58 pm

This is the wiring diagram for coaches with the bigger compressor and the line to the wet tank. This switch is for opening the solenoid valve to that line and for forcing the compressor to start.

Adding a switch in the 6100 wire will disable the compressor at the pressure switch and this not power the water trap solenoid (close it). It will also make the wet tank solenoid switch only when you enable the pump switch.

If the water trap solenoid is on all the time it is a constant power drain, the solenoid gets hot and that heat may compromise the plastic bowl. If that bowl leaks your compressor could run continuously.

Went and changed the wires going to my switched relay to the control wire and spliced the fuse wires back together. Glad I put the switched relay next to the pressure switch. Made switching wires over a lot easier. Thanks for the heads up Roger. Saved me replacing a solenoid or possibly the compressor.

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