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Topic: Got smoke from some valve behind my air gauge. (Read 582 times) previous topic - next topic

Got smoke from some valve behind my air gauge.

Greetings folks. Smoke started coming from this valve behind our air gauge just in front of our steering wheel.

Does anybody know what this valve / solenoid is for?

Where might I look for a new one?

Is it critical? Was supposed to drive into Mexico today!

Guy
2000 U320 4010 WTFE #5609
2017 Ford Explorer toad
Current RVSA Certified RV Technician
Previous 2001 Forest River Windsong 340

Re: Got smoke from some valve behind my air gauge.

Reply #1 –
Hadley is the maker of your air horn and solenoid.  Looks like it shorted out and overheated  BADLY.

Disconnect it so you don't have a fire.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Got smoke from some valve behind my air gauge.

Reply #2 –
I dont recall that on my 2001. I do know that the electrical portion can be swapped out. Most are generic if they have the correct voltage. Sorry im not much help

Re: Got smoke from some valve behind my air gauge.

Reply #3 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
Hadley is the maker of your air horn and solenoid.  Looks like it shorted out and overheated  BADLY.

Disconnect it so you don't have a fire.
Wouldn't it be a intermittent power? Horn would go off if you powered it down otherwise

Re: Got smoke from some valve behind my air gauge.

Reply #4 –
Quote from: dsd –
Wouldn't it be a intermittent power? Horn would go off if you powered it down otherwise

Yes, it SHOULD only be powered with you "blow the horn".  But, sure looks like it stuck ON and melted.
Brett Wolfe
EX: 1993 U240
Moderator, ForeForum 2001-
Moderator Diesel RV Club 2002-
Moderator, FMCA Forum 2009-2020
Chairman FMCA Technical Advisory Committee 2011-2020

Re: Got smoke from some valve behind my air gauge.

Reply #5 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
Yes, it SHOULD only be powered with you "blow the horn".  But, sure looks like it stuck ON and melted.
Yep I will agree to that. Horn is also part of the Smart wheel too.

Re: Got smoke from some valve behind my air gauge.

Reply #6 –
Concur it's the air horn solenoid.  Looked for weeks to find it stocked at auto/truck parts stores and truck stops.  Easy to replace.  Foretravel parts has 'em as does NAPA next day. 

BTW, circuit is hot in my '01 U320, even with the key off.  I know 'cause my dog likes to look out the front window, and he got up on the steering wheel and held down the horn button (no air in system) until the solenoid smoked just like that.  Eventually I'll wire the horn relay into the ignition circuit, but for now I now wedge a rolled up business card below the horn button so he can't repeat the procedure.    >:(
2001 4010 U320 build #5865 "Bluto-d-Bus" since 09/18
2006 Honda Element ESP Toad
Full timing since 2016 in Western MT
Copilot: Sitka
1975 GMC 260 Avion: sold

Re: Got smoke from some valve behind my air gauge.

Reply #7 –
Same story here but had air in the tank and when we got out of the car the horn started blowing from the dog standing on the wheel to see us.
1999 40 ft. U-320 wtfe build 5563 Chuck & Lynda's "Rollin' Inn"  2030 watts solar
prev. mh's 71 GMC 5 yrs. 73 Pace Setter 1 yr. 78 Vogue 5 yrs 81 FTX 40ft all electric 18 yrs. 1996 Monaco Signature 3 yrs.
2014 Grand Cherokee Overland
Dream as if you will live forever. Live as if you will die today.  James Dean

Re: Got smoke from some valve behind my air gauge.

Reply #8 –
I had the same failure and results that I posted about earlier. The solenoid is available on Ebay. Everyone needs to be very careful to not let anything hit the horn button on the wheel, especially when there is not enough air in the system to make the horn activate. That solenoid will burn before a circuit protector opens, and gets VERY hot. Enough to toast near by wires.
1998 36' U295 Mechanical 8.3

Re: Got smoke from some valve behind my air gauge.

Reply #9 –
Quote from: wolfe10 –
Yes, it SHOULD only be powered with you "blow the horn".  But, sure looks like it stuck ON and melted.

Yes we were about to move and placed something on the steering wheel. Don't remember hearing the horn but it was obviously engaged for who knows how long.

Live and learn!

2000 U320 4010 WTFE #5609
2017 Ford Explorer toad
Current RVSA Certified RV Technician
Previous 2001 Forest River Windsong 340

Re: Got smoke from some valve behind my air gauge.

Reply #10 –
Sound like putting in a lower amperage circuit breaker might be a good idea. 
Peter and Frieda Morin
1999 36ft. U320 Foretravel
Build # 5436
1998 Suzuki Sidekick Sport

Re: Got smoke from some valve behind my air gauge.

Reply #11 –
Quote from: oldguy –
Sound like putting in a lower amperage circuit breaker might be a good idea. 
Agreed, enough amperage to smoke up the place is most likely too much!
2000 U320 4010 WTFE #5609
2017 Ford Explorer toad
Current RVSA Certified RV Technician
Previous 2001 Forest River Windsong 340

Re: Got smoke from some valve behind my air gauge.

Reply #12 –
Quote from: oldguy –
Sound like putting in a lower amperage circuit breaker might be a good idea. 
The problem with that is the circuit breaker is sized for the carrying capacity of the wires.  A more permanent solution is to swap out that solenoid valve for one that can be permanently on.  Intermittent versus continuous.  As always you'll need the "industrial" catalog.
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: Got smoke from some valve behind my air gauge.

Reply #13 –
Quote from: GuynChrista –
Agreed, enough amperage to smoke up the place is most likely too much!
The problem is the solenoid was not rated for continuous use. A smaller breaker would have not stop the solenoid from burning up if it was supplied the amperage it needed to work correctly.
2014 ih45  (4th Foretravel owned)
 1997 36' U295 Sold in 2020, owned for 19 years
  U240 36' Sold to insurance company after melting in garage fire
    33' Foretravel on Dodge Chassis  Sold very long time ago

Re: Got smoke from some valve behind my air gauge.

Reply #14 –
Quote from: turbojack –
The problem is the solenoid was not rated for continuous use. A smaller breaker would have not stop the solenoid from burning up if it was supplied the amperage it needed to work correctly.
Right, I mean engaging the horn is definitely an intermittent activity. (unless you live in NYC)  :D
2000 U320 4010 WTFE #5609
2017 Ford Explorer toad
Current RVSA Certified RV Technician
Previous 2001 Forest River Windsong 340

Re: Got smoke from some valve behind my air gauge.

Reply #15 –
Here is a clever mod: Put an air pressure switch in series with air horn solenoid coil wire.

Never burn out existing horn solenoid anymore.

Use a pressure switch that closes at the PSI needed to for the air horns to make a sound. Is that 10 - 20 PSI ?

Re: Got smoke from some valve behind my air gauge.

Reply #16 –
Quote from: Barry & Cindy –
Here is a clever mod: Put an air pressure switch in series with air horn solenoid coil wire.

Never burn out existing horn solenoid anymore.

Use a pressure switch that closes at the PSI needed to for the air horns to make a sound. Is that 10 - 20 PSI ?
Amazon.com: WEICHUANG 3PCS DC 3-24V 90dB Active Piezo Electronic Buzzer Beep...
Or a buzzer to alert you to it being  activated. No airlines and under 6$
As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.

Re: Got smoke from some valve behind my air gauge.

Reply #17 –

You could eliminate the electrics altogether and go all Big Rig with one of these:

Amazon.com: Kleinn Air Horns 311 Brass Hand Pull Valve : Automotive

As an Amazon Associate Foretravel Owners' Forum earns from qualifying purchases.
1992 Foretravel Grand Villa
U225 SBID Build No. 4134
1986 Rockwood Driftwood
1968 S.I.A.T.A. Spring
1962 Studebaker Lark
1986 Honda VF700C
1983 Honda VF750C
Charlie, the Dog was broken out of jail 24 Oct 2023
N1RPN
AA1OH (H)e who must be obeyed.

Re: Got smoke from some valve behind my air gauge.

Reply #18 –
Follow up on my hot horn complaint and fix.

On the breaker panel behind the cover by the entry door, I removed wire #15 from breaker #26 (BAT buss) and moved it to breaker #13 (IGN buss) to get horn only with ignition switch on.  There was just enough wire to make the run without a splice.  Breaker #13 is self resetting 6 amp and only powered the ether relay wire #12, (which I removed from the breaker and will connect if I ever need ether....never been used as far as I know....sure is rusty), horn tested good. 

If I lay on the horn too long while underway some day, the auto resetting breaker could possibly trip, which to me is safer than having the solenoid let the smoke out again!!  JWID.  DWMYH.  Happy New Year, Woody.
2001 4010 U320 build #5865 "Bluto-d-Bus" since 09/18
2006 Honda Element ESP Toad
Full timing since 2016 in Western MT
Copilot: Sitka
1975 GMC 260 Avion: sold