[Tom]

depends on how many extra air operated items– floor extension over stair well—air operated toliet etc. my old coach ran about 3 to 5 minutes every 10 hrs. FWIW Bob PS first thing to check is check valve between aux comp and coach.

[Archived]

Typically the aux air compressor is set to hold a pressure range in the aux air system of a coach.

Depending on your coach and intended use for auxiliary air settings have ranged from 40-60 PSI to 100-120 PSI.

But regardless of what pressure range yours is set at, or what devices you run on air frequent cycling of the aux compressor is a clear sign you have system leaks, and if your system drops pressure fast enough to start the compressor within minutes from when it cycles off you have a serious leak.

The pressure differential on aux compressor switches is generally 20 PSI so you may have a leak so big you can hear it. Generally some are happy if the compressor only cycles one or twice a day. An exceptionally tight aux air system may hold air pressure for days. As the frequency of compressor operation increases owners reach the point where they address the problem, and if yours cycles as often as described that suggests you have a serious problem that needs service sooner rather than later.

If you have an aux air pressure gauge it is likely it is cycling up and down as you drive. The leak is going to wear out your aux compressor and add to the wear on the engine driven compressor. Unless you need aux air to function while parked you might want to consider shutting off the aux compressor before it is burned out. Our engine driven compressor has a 25% duty cycle and I would not be surprised if the aux compressor has one even less.

[Peter]

Mine does not run unless I use something air operated , I put ball valves in all things that use aux air when parked so I can shut them off then turn one on at a time and see witch one is leaking if air goes rushing into line that might help you find what thing is leaking

[Corey]

Peter,

What size ball valves did you use on small items like step slides? Inlet size, and where did you get them?

[Archived]

I used both 1/4 and 3/8 depending on the application.

Just select the size based on the inside diameter of the air line. In the case above these are for the house air circuits, none of which requires a lot of air flow so smaller ball valves were used because space was a greater concern.

[glen]

I used 1/4 inch ball valves and 1/8 ball vales with small handles the 1/4 is thread size to screw fitting in too and 1/8 is thread size to put comp fitting , I got them at ace Hadware or Fort Garry industries

I used comp fittings in both ends of ball valve

[Archived]

OK,

At Jeff’s last week, he fixed all my air leaks except for one, which is the air lines to the pressure guages behind the dash. He ran out of time to dig into the dash.

Has anyone removed the dash pad on a Vantare H ? If so, what is the process? I heard it was a PITA due to Vantare wiring to all the panel switches?

My other question is, If I wanted to isolate the lines to the guages with ball valves to verify them leaking, or not, where do the air lines from the guages go?

[Archived]

they should be in the steering bay , some of the air lines going to gauges are 1/8 inch lines and would be very hard to put ball valves on some are 1/4 air lines and they would be fine to put ball valves on 1/8 comp fittings are hard to find I replaced my with comp fittings on the Royale they where 1/8 air lines at gauges

[Archived]

Jerry,

Based solely on the posts on the forums over the years when the leak is related to the air lines going to the dash a change of the fitting at the gauge, and trimming the end off the air line solved the problem. I would not put ball valves on those lines because typically the coaches that have the air pressure gauges only have the brake system gauges and you really shouldn’t be doing anything to that system if you can help it. A repair is far better than leaving the leak and addressing it with a valve.

I feel much the same way with the aux pressure gauge if you have one. I do not know how your dash is opened up or how accessible the air lines are. On my coach the top can be lifted off the dash so service work can be performed from the top.

If you insist on adding a valve rather than getting behind the dash (which I can understand if access is difficult) I would urge you to consider a solenoid valve that opens with the key on, but shuts air flow as soon as the key is off. At least that way you will not be trying to remember to open and close a ball valve. Prevost provides 12 and 24 volt “key on” terminals in the electric compartment next to the driver.

[Paul]

I agree with Jon I would not put ball valves on the gauges , I would repair the line or replace the fitting to fix the leak

[Sid]

I agree with both of you as well. I just wanted to make sure the leak is there before I or Jeff tears into the dash, because, I’ve heard that it is a ROYAL PITA to remove the dash cover on a Vantare H. Jeff heard a leak with his air leak “thingy” somewhere behind the instrument panel. I do have a separate Aux guage. They all leak down together.

I definitely would not want a valve to remember as far as the guages, to open each time I drive, just to isolate the problem. I have a 12v air valve I could use as well.

Good news is, since the leaks are not connected to suspension, my bus does not sag or lean (knock on wood).

My aux compressor runs a lot, But, my coach doesn’t use air for anything while parked except to keep the Gen air bags up, which I dry camp a lot, so I need to find the leak. I guess since I only need it for the Gen bags, I could turn the pressure switch way down, since the bags only need 15 psi or so. I have had it set at 120 psi to keep the coach level, but since, my suspension leaks are fixed for now, I don’t need that pressure anymore. It probably wouldn’t run near as much with the pressure lowered from 120 to 20-30 or so.

Jeff said that my coach was really quiet underneath as far as air leaks go, after he fixed a few.

Maybe some of you Vantare H guys can chime in with thoughts on removing the dash pad………or maybe I should just leave it alone, and live with it.

[Archived]

Jerry u could put a check valve at gen air bags if they hold air that way your leak would not bleed air bags down on gen they should hold air for weeks if no leaks that way u could turn off aux comp I did that to my Royale it worked great , the check valve will allow air into bags but not out of bags

[Bryan]

Jerry, I can’t tell you how to remove the dash cover, but I do know that it doesn’t take too long. Parliament had ours off twice to fix the exact same thing. We will be home very soon and the bus is going there to finish up the up-grades to the AV systems. We didn’t have Jeff do the dash light bulbs because they’ll have the dash cover off to do the radio and nav. I will watch the removal process and pass it on. Geo.

[Archived]

Thanks George, looking forward to hearing that process.