[AL]

That is what I said. Others were saying the Marathon air supplied air to the slide seal. But forget who is right or wrong. Every Marathon owner needs to verify how the slide seal on their coach is getting air, both with the engine running and when parked. The consequences of not keeping the seal inflated when the coach is outside in the weather can be significant.

[AL]

Tom,

Ok couple of things: just asking for clarification and understanding… in no way picking a fight…

is your slide prevost or Valid ?

if:

“The only way the slide gets air is the engine compressor running and charging the Prevost aux air tank. “

how does the slide stay aired up when the coach is parked for months and months without running the engine?

Now jump to the Marathon side and the aux compressor installed by Marathon. On my 04, there is a red valve that when closed, only supplies air to the Marathon accessory side, doors, gen air bags, toilet, etc., not the slide.

unless I am missing something, I don’t think I have a red valve on mine. I will look it over when I’m back home…

To combine Marathon aux air with Prevost (and the slide) the red valve has to be open.

So normal operation, red valve open and Marathon aux compressor is charging everything. While driving of course the engine compressor is charging air and the aux compressor is out of the loop.

this too is different on my coach. was told not to combine marathon and prevost unless something breaks. I will check mine out again and see if I can find the red valve.

Bill

[Archived]

I wish we sitting under the awning Bill, this would be much easier. Your vintage is likely different than mine, my 02 was different from my 04.

Ok couple of things: just asking for clarification and understanding… in no way picking a fight…

is your slide prevost or Valid ? Prevost

if:

“The only way the slide gets air is the engine compressor running and charging the Prevost aux air tank. “

how does the slide stay aired up when the coach is parked for months and months without running the engine? Marathon aux compressor with red valve open.

Now jump to the Marathon side and the aux compressor installed by Marathon. On my 04, there is a red valve that when closed, only supplies air to the Marathon accessory side, doors, gen air bags, toilet, etc., not the slide.

unless I am missing something, I don’t think I have a red valve on mine. I will look it over when I’m back home…

To combine Marathon aux air with Prevost (and the slide) the red valve has to be open.

So normal operation, red valve open and Marathon aux compressor is charging everything. While driving of course the engine compressor is charging air and the aux compressor is out of the loop.

this too is different on my coach. was told not to combine marathon and prevost unless something breaks. I will check mine out again and see if I can find the red valve.

[Archived]

Here are valve choices on my bus….all orange valves

What happen to red valves ?

[Robert]

Guys, I think the discussion would be easier to understand if colors are left out and the valves are differentiated by their function.

I believe the two valves Tom describes are the valve that is used to inflate or deflate the slide seals. That is installed by Prevost for their slides and is generally located in the vicinity of the slide pneumatic controls and the slide pressure gauge. THAT VALVE SHOULD ALWAYS BE IN THE POSITION WHERE IT INFLATES THE SLIDE SEALS. Its purpose is to allow the slide seals to be deflated for various service purposes, but except when the slide system is being serviced it should always be open to allow air pressure into the seals.

That valve is actually not a part of the discussion unless for some obscure reason an owner opens and closes that valve.

The other valve in the discussion is the one that when open merges the Marathon accessory air with the coach accessory air and as I stated from the git go, if you are parking your bus in the weather outside you need to insure the seals remain inflated and unless you always monitor your slide seal pressure to insure it remains at 10PSI for longer periods than yu intend to remain without the engine running you need to keep the Prevost system supplied with air pressure from your aux compressor and that involves opening the valve that otherwise isolates Prevost air and Marathon air.

I have no clue about any other slides, or how they get their air supply, but as owners you need to know because water damage can get very expensive

[Jimmy]

I liked my 02 system better, one yellow valve that isolated the Marathon side and the reason was I didn’t have to be concerned about aux compressor water contaminating the Prevost slide. Remember, those aux compressors make a lot of water.

Now with my 04, that is exactly what happens and I’ll need to stay ahead of the water by draining the various devices often.

[AL]

From what I’ve learned Valid slides have built a manifold for 3 slides that has less chance of failure. Taking into account owner does his regular inspections mainly for water. I do like this location in an electrical bay, keeping moist air at a minimum.

Arrow points out a sight glass. In my 2 years ownership no water has been found in this sight drain. Location of incoming air is at bottom of manifold which helps drop moister by gravity. Another site glass is located in drivers bay.

Staying ahead of air leaks means less operation of compressors which produce water. There is no perfect AUX air system and locating air leaks has been a priority in my maintenance program. My AUX system sitting idol holds air appox 2 days before Thomas compressor cycle.

[Archived]

AL, do you have Prevost or Valid Slides?

Bernie confirmed with me via PM that I have a correct understanding on my coach… which was all I was after. Sounds like the Prevost slide or other model year changes might impact the setup. I too prefer to keep the marathon air seperated from Prevost as they make a lot of water…

Good discussion… and Jon is correct that you need to know what is the “correct” answer for you bus but with all the variables with Valid, Prevost and model years I think we can all now agree there is more than one “correct” answer.

Bill

[Art]

Bill, I have 3 Valid slides.

One leak was found in manifold to right of arrow at site glass above arrow.

As maintenance, I replaced the “O” ring on the site glass which is another source of minor leak.

Marathon-Coberg has found manifold leaks before.

Blames the housing bolts not firmly tightened. Blue thread lock was added upon reassembly.

AL