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Topic: Aux. Air Compressor Dessicant Bowl Failure (Read 977 times) previous topic - next topic

Aux. Air Compressor Dessicant Bowl Failure

Was eating breakfast one morning, heard the compressor come on and do it's thing, then shut off. After that heard a loud pop! Strange noise I had never heard before, went out to investigate and found the dessicant bowl  had broken off the top rim. (Pics below) and the metal cover was still holding but the bottom had been pushed out. The whole assembly including the bowl had been changed out to all new components in 2013 per Steve's excellent write up back when he did his. Has anyone seen this or had this happen before? Also with the bowl broken there is no air going to the slide air bladder . I had some spare parts so was able to fix it. But has anyone come up with an emergency method to fill up the small slide air bladder tank.  This may only concern 03 - early 06's with side bladders and dessicant dryers. If I am wrong about the years please feel free to correct me.

Re: Aux. Air Compressor Dessicant Bowl Failure

Reply #1 –
Ellen - we helped the owner of a 2008 or 09 Nimbus with exactly the same issue.  He had a catastrophic failure of the bowl while on the road. 

Re: Aux. Air Compressor Dessicant Bowl Failure

Reply #2 –
Could the electric purge valve be inoperative allowing pressure to build?

Re: Aux. Air Compressor Dessicant Bowl Failure

Reply #3 –
No , heard the compressor go off like normal.

Re: Aux. Air Compressor Dessicant Bowl Failure

Reply #4 –
Ellen,
You can add a Schrader valve in line 75, which can be used in an emergency to pressurize the slide air tank. Line 75 has a check valve that allows air to flow toward the tank, but not back.
With it you can use any external air pump/compressor. Just know the air will not be dried, so get the original equipment repaired as soon as possible.
See photo.

Dick

Re: Aux. Air Compressor Dessicant Bowl Failure

Reply #5 –
On my last yearly service at FOT they found my filter bowl cracked.  I would much prefer replacing on inspection than after a failure. 

Re: Aux. Air Compressor Dessicant Bowl Failure

Reply #6 –
On an 01, we have an air tank dedicated to level and bladder.  It has a drain valve on the bottom to open after each trip to be sure no moisture is in the tank.

you can run an air line from that bottom valve over to a wheelwell fender and put a valve on it to open 90 degrees and more easily check the tank for dessicant or water.

With that relocated valve you can easily use a compressor to fill the third tank and it will thus be available to empty the bladder should you lose the aux compressor.

Dick's methid lets you add air, clever way, but relocating to the fender may encourage checking the tank for moisture more often?
,

Re: Aux. Air Compressor Dessicant Bowl Failure

Reply #7 –
I added the Schroeder valve as Dick indicated above and it has helped me out several times. Two weeks ago I removed the Dessicant bowl that was leaking.

Re: Aux. Air Compressor Dessicant Bowl Failure

Reply #8 –
When using the Schraeder valve how many PSI does it take to pressurize the slides air tank?

Dick's gauge shows about 110 PSI.

Re: Aux. Air Compressor Dessicant Bowl Failure

Reply #9 –
Why do I remember 60 psi in the tank to deflate the bladder?  Someone must know what is minimum.  But on the air gauge I have for that system, it needs air at 64 and cuts out taking air at 85

Re: Aux. Air Compressor Dessicant Bowl Failure

Reply #10 –
T-Man,

My DC compressor is set to 110 lbs in order to operate the ZipDee AutoAwn - which doesn't work very long or very well.  According to ZipDee, the Thompson compressor never was intended to operate the AutoAwn very well. The regulator for my slide seal is set at about 7 pounds. Not sure about one set for 60 pounds.
Jim

2002 U320