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Topic: Step slide air shut off valve to preserve cylinder (Read 1298 times) previous topic - next topic

Step slide air shut off valve to preserve cylinder

Our step slide is usually open and while traveling we close the slide.  Both open and closed positions have air pressure on the single air cylinder.  Finding the air cylinder mountings a little difficult to reach to replace and figuring that air pressure is not needed to keep slide in open or closed position, we decided to install an air shut off valve to reduce wear and tear on cylinder.

A 3-way valve is mounted on air pressure hose into step slide control valve which is mounted behind our step.  12-volt power to 3-way valve allows air to flow normally to cylinder.  Removing power drains residual air pressure from cylinder.  We ran a pair of wires up through floor into our drink cup holder area and mounted a toggle switch next to the original step slide control switch.

Switch was purchased from Grainger, cost $53.  We added a bronze filter to vent and all valve fittings are female 1/8" NPT.  Valve is Ingersol Rand P251SS012DG / F1062.  Photos show valve label.

Re: Step slide air shut off valve to preserve cylinder

Reply #1 –
Thanks for the pictures and write-up. Here's another crazy idea to add to it....power the 3way "supply" valve with a timed relay (say 10seconds). Wire it so that when you switch the sliding floor to open or close, the relay turns on for 10 seconds and powers the supply. This allows the step to move, then shuts off air after 10 seconds.

This prevents having to add another switch and associated wiring.

The supply valve could also be added to the door step. Wire it in to the ignition circuit.
1998 U270 34'

Re: Step slide air shut off valve to preserve cylinder

Reply #2 –
Barry,
We replaced our cylinder a couple of years age due to air passage in the retracted position. I opened it up and found that the cylinder wall was damaged on the side that faced down, under the piston. Apparently this was a result of road vibration. My conclusion was to operate the slide on a regular basis.
The selected media item is not currently available.Bob & Faith Rozek
1997 U320 40'
Xtreme Remodel
2010 Scion XD

Re: Step slide air shut off valve to preserve cylinder

Reply #3 –
The outside step uses air pressure to stay closed. Using the same 3-way valve to control both inside slide and outside step defeats our purpose to minimize when the slide cylinder is pressurized.

Using a time delay could work with slide, but would have to turn air pressure on before activating the open-close switch. You could also use a momentary push button that is held down before operating the Foretravel switch, but we found this took too much finger coordination, so we changed from push button to toggle switch.

We have to turn on our new 3-way valve to fill the cylinder with air pressure a few moments before operating the Foretravel slide switch. The Foretravel 4-way step and slide valves have an adjustable filter / air flow restrictor on the exhaust port. The slide and step cylinders normally would have air pressure on one end or the other. When the Foretravel 4-way valve changes position from open to closed & vice versa, air pressure on the 'other' side has to be exhausted, and the adjustable restrictor prevents the slide and step from slamming open or closed. Turn restrictor clockwise to slow down, turn counter clockwise to speed up.

We found that if we change the Foretravel slide switch and THEN activate our new 3-way valve to let air pressure move slide, the slide slammed to the other end because there was no air pressure to be exhausted.

Re: Step slide air shut off valve to preserve cylinder

Reply #4 –
 Barry, your last comment in post above is what I do. Turn the toggle switch on (air pressure is now in line at valve) and then operate FT switch as before. This allows normal use without "slamming" and once you have finished using slide, turn the "new" air control valve off and there is no air to escape past cylinder seals etc. While driving it is no big problem but once parked for hours or days the leakdown happens quickly.
FT should have used a better quality cylinder for this awkward place and  Bob's comment that he feels vibration could have played a major part of the demise of his is probably true. This cylinder is a non repairable thin walled one with very chinzey seals for one that is so long. I cannot believe it is so expensive (according to FT charge) and am sure there is a very dependable replacement out there of better design and life span. Once I took mine out I decided not to bother replacing it with a new one and do what I did to solve the issue.
JohnH
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: Step slide air shut off valve to preserve cylinder

Reply #5 –
It would be interesting to source a new one... Did you measure the stroke on your cylinder? I would guess just a bit over the distance of the slide travel... Princess auto here in Edmonton has a pretty good selection of air cylinders. My preference would be to find an electric actuator to replace the air system, but it would need to have the correct stroke, though there are some that are adjustable.
Don
Quote from: John Haygarth –
Barry, your last comment in post above is what I do. Turn the toggle switch on (air pressure is now in line at valve) and then operate FT switch as before. This allows normal use without "slamming" and once you have finished using slide, turn the "new" air control valve off and there is no air to escape past cylinder seals etc. While driving it is no big problem but once parked for hours or days the leakdown happens quickly.
FT should have used a better quality cylinder for this awkward place and  Bob's comment that he feels vibration could have played a major part of the demise of his is probably true. This cylinder is a non repairable thin walled one with very chinzey seals for one that is so long. I cannot believe it is so expensive (according to FT charge) and am sure there is a very dependable replacement out there of better design and life span. Once I took mine out I decided not to bother replacing it with a new one and do what I did to solve the issue.
JohnH
The selected media item is not currently available.
Don & Tys
1999 U270 3602 WTFE #5402
Xtreme Stage 1 w/Headlight, Step Conversion, etc.
2009 Honda Fit Sport with Navi
Freedom is NOT "just another word for nothing left to lose"... with apologies to Kris Kristofferson

Re: Step slide air shut off valve to preserve cylinder

Reply #6 –
 Don, I did not measure the stroke or diameter etc as once I saw it out I just knew I was not going to replace it with another cheapy one and the solenoid came to mind as a fix. We have a Princess Auto in Kelowna but this problem is fixed for me so have not gone any further with it.
JohnH
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: Step slide air shut off valve to preserve cylinder

Reply #7 –
Hi there we are having issues with our step not coming back in after the door has shut a few times with the engine running. We can have somebody come up and nudge it and that brings the step in.  We are trying to identify the cylinder that needs work or the hose can you review the picture attached?
Thanks,
Kath & Mike
2007 Foretravel Nimbus 336
Toad 2022 Jeep Gladiator Overland edition

Re: Step slide air shut off valve to preserve cylinder

Reply #8 –
I am not  familiar with your year and model but can suggest that you first pull by hand the step out and look under it to see the shaft in the air cylinder. Maybe by just lubricating it with some spray on grease (white lithium comes to mind) then moving it back and forth by hand possibily may stop it from freezing up. Good chance the seal is holding it back but in reality the air pressure should be able to overcome it. I first would try this suggestion.
If it seems to have solved the problem then do the greasing  again. I would also suggest you find the valve (maybe the one in picture) and undo the air line and spray some into the line so the air carries it into cylinder and lubes the inside. Worth trying!!
JohnH
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: Step slide air shut off valve to preserve cylinder

Reply #9 –
check the regulator pressure.. if it isnt enough it will not retract.. the item to the left of the regulator is the valve that runs it or the slide step cover.. might be 2 valves.. it might be stuck or not closing all the way. check the cylinder first to see if you can move it by hand and if so is it because the air pressure is to low? or is it leaking.. I have read some have shot grease in the shaft through the rubber boot and it helped but if that isnt the issue, maybe the valve is stuck or regulator is failing..

Clarification

Mine has 2 valves in that area and 1 regulator. Valve for the slide step cover and 1 for the step. Mine is 02 u320

Re: Step slide air shut off valve to preserve cylinder

Reply #10 –
Sounds like you are having an outside step problem, NOT an inside step slide cover problem?

For safety reasons, never put a kill switch on an outside step.

Control air valve is a 4-way valve with one connection being an exhaust port with a 'filter' cover that when dirty or mal adjusted will limit exhaust preventing captive air from exhausting from cylinders.  Another problem on our coach is door magnetic switch that can get out of alignment.