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Topic: Another AUX compressor issue (Read 354 times) previous topic - next topic

Another AUX compressor issue

I've owned my 99 320 for about 2 months now and have yet to see/hear the compressor work correctly. Within about 2 days, the tanks will drain to 0 and the compressor never kicks on. It WILL turn on if I push one of the "up" buttons on the HWH leveling board. While the button is pushed (by someone else), I can pull the relief valve on the compressor and it releases air. What I'm not understanding is why the compressor is not auto-running to fill the tanks. All fuses in the hwh box appear to be intact (continuity test) and all other parts of the system seem to be working correctly, just not the compressor.

I don't have a switch on the dash. The compressor will run when pushing an up button. The compressor will not turn on on its own. Anyone have any answers to the mystery?
1999 U320 WTFE #5586
2014 Subaru Forester 6sp
4000 watts of solar
650 aH @ 24v

Re: Another AUX compressor issue

Reply #1 –
The compressor isn't there to keep your tanks full. It only turns on if the HWH calls for it
to keep the coach level.
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Another AUX compressor issue

Reply #2 –
Does your coach go out of level? And are you putting the HWH panel in "manual" mode or "auto" mode?
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: Another AUX compressor issue

Reply #3 –
Quote from: oldguy –
The compressor isn't there to keep your tanks full.
FYI - somewhere around 02 or 03, they did start configuring these to keep the tanks aired up I believe. But agreed, not on Zach's coach.
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: Another AUX compressor issue

Reply #4 –
Quote from: Elliott –
Does your coach go out of level? And are you putting the HWH panel in "manual" mode or "auto" mode?

I guess it's a misunderstanding of the system. I figured it would need air in the tanks to keep it level. Coach was out of level yesterday, so I refilled the tanks and got it level. I have also figured out that I had kept the level button active (solid red light) thinking that was auto. Yesterday after filling the tanks, I pressed the button enough to where now it flashes about once a second. Not sure what the difference is as it hasn't done anything different since I did that.

So, the compressor will run if the system senses the rig is out of level, but will bypass the tanks? If that's the case, that's fine. It just hasn't done so yet, but my bags also seem to be maintaining level pretty well. I guess to test the system, I could put the coach out of level to see if it'll run on its own.
1999 U320 WTFE #5586
2014 Subaru Forester 6sp
4000 watts of solar
650 aH @ 24v

Re: Another AUX compressor issue

Reply #5 –
I have the same issue with my compressor although I can't get it to come on even with the raise button. I know it works(??) because I did hear it once quite awhile ago.  I also thought it was in auto with the red button solid red. Is my thought on this incorrect.? My red light has NEVER flashed once a second, only dimly flicker
Peter    Alberta Canada
'98 U320 40'  Build 5359 M11 450 HP, Aqua hot, Blu Ox

Re: Another AUX compressor issue

Reply #6 –
Quote from: Zach –
1.  I guess it's a misunderstanding of the system.
2.  So, the compressor will run if the system senses the rig is out of level.
2.  Not necessarily.  I can't speak for every iteration of the HWH system - newer models might act different.  But generally, the way Auto Level works is is two stages.  If the system is armed, and the coach is out of level (yellow light on) the system will first try to level by exhausting air from one of the four "corner pairs" of air bags.  The air bag "corner pairs" can be either the two front corners, or the two rear corners, or the front and rear corners on either side.  The auto leveling system always works with two corners at a time.  The system will usually, in my experience, continue leveling (as required) by releasing air from the bags until that mode no longer works because one or more corners are all the way down on the mechanical stops.  Only at that point will the Auto Level system turn on the AUX compressor and use it to fill the bags necessary to achieve level.

1.  If you misunderstand the system, the way to correct that condition is to read the manuals.  Through study comes enlightenment!  Links provided below:

https://www.hwhcorp.com/ml11148.pdf

https://www.hwhcorp.com/ml20635.pdf

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: Another AUX compressor issue

Reply #7 –
Quote from: dicksop –
I have the same issue with my compressor although I can't get it to come on even with the raise button. I know it works(??) because I did hear it once quite awhile ago.  I also thought it was in auto with the red button solid red. Is my thought on this incorrect.? My red light has NEVER flashed once a second, only dimly flicker

Upon reading I believe the flicker is also considered a flash. My flickers as well, as in it doesn't completely go out every second. It dims.  I think I'm just so used to modern systems telling you how to work the system vs reading through manuals to understand how it works.

From one of HWH's manuals "AUTO LEVEL INDICATOR LIGHT: This light will flash
during the automatic leveling function."
From HWH 600 model "AIR OPERATION light - This light will be on when the system
is on, and flash during automatic leveling."
1999 U320 WTFE #5586
2014 Subaru Forester 6sp
4000 watts of solar
650 aH @ 24v

Re: Another AUX compressor issue

Reply #8 –
Quote from: dicksop –
I have the same issue with my compressor although I can't get it to come on even with the raise button.
If the air pressure in your brake tanks is down below about 50-60 psi and you push the "RAISE" button or any of the individual "UP" buttons on the panel, your AUX compressor should run.  Depending on what you are trying to do, it may take a while for you to see any actual movement in the coach, but you should at least hear the compressor running as it trys to inflate the appropriate bags.  If your system does not act properly, there is a trouble shooting section in the manual that will offer guidence as to what to check.

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: Another AUX compressor issue

Reply #9 –
Quote from: Zach –
I pressed the button enough to where now it flashes about once a second. Not sure what the difference is as it hasn't done anything different since I did that.
From ride-height: press "air" once for manual mode, and a second time for "auto" mode. The air light will flash when it's leveling and then go solid once it thinks it's level.

Quote from: Zach –
So, the compressor will run if the system senses the rig is out of level, but will bypass the tanks? If that's the case, that's fine. It just hasn't done so yet, but my bags also seem to be maintaining level pretty well. I guess to test the system, I could put the coach out of level to see if it'll run on its own.
Correct on all accounts. If it senses out of level, one of the yellow lights on the control panel should light up to tell you where it thinks it's out of level.
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.

Re: Another AUX compressor issue

Reply #10 –
Also, check out compressor for a 12v power switch. It could be turned off.

Your compressor has two power sources, one off the batteries and one from the ignition. On my coach, the switch disables power from the batteries but not the ignition.
1987 Grand Villa ORED
2001 U320 4010

Not all that wander are lost... but I often am.