[Archived]

Now that presentation is excellent at understanding the system. I really felt stupid not being able to understand the Prevost drawing with all the airlines.

Thank you for such a great description.

Ed Roelle

Grand Blanc, MI

98 Royale Prevost

[Bob]

Ed,

Hector is a genius at interpreting control systems and then using his computer skills to make us understand things in the simplest of terms. He has not only an understanding of the Prevost suspension system, but an understanding of the entire coach pneumatics. We are lucky to have him willing to share his knowledge.

If we look at the pneumatic diagrams for our coaches taken as a whole it looks pretty scary, but Hector breaks it down into the various systems and sub systems and as he isolates specific sections and functions it all makes sense and becomes easy to understand.

Maybe he will share some knowledge about his Texas Bubbler and how having one can help anyone have a leak free (as in no leaks whatsoever) bus with a little effort and patience.

[Rodger]

Thanks to all for the kind words!!

I developed the suspension presentation from pure desperation, personal desperation. After spending a wallet full of money at “Prevost Experts” and have no success, I decided I needed to understand the details of how our dynamic suspension systems work. The system is not complicated, but you must take the time to understand the interaction of all the components.

Trust me, if I can understand these systems, anyone can. All it takes is time and patience.

Each time I talk on this subject, I always chat about safety. Our coaches are heavy and when the suspension is vented, a human would be crushed if under the coach. I never, never, never crawl under my coach unless it is properly supported by jack stands. An owner should never take any chances concerning crawling under an unsupported coach, it not worth it. I got my jack stands from Jon and I use them aggressively. (A special thanks for him making these available for us.)

I have made a comment earlier, I now have a “leak free” coach. A couple of months ago I undertook the work of detecting a few minor nuisance leaks that caused my aux air compressor to run several times a day. After spending time in detecting and correcting these minor leaks, my aux air compressor rarely runs now. I expect to have future leaks, but I will manage them. The last time I worked on resolving leaks was over three years ago. Its easy! All it take is time and patience.

encourage all to take the time to go through the recorded presentation. The link to the presentation is in the articles page, “How Does the Prevost Suspension System Work”. I used Webex to record the session, so if you decide to view the presentation, the Webex system will ask to download a small snippet of software for the viewer. I have used Webex for years. It is a great program.

In January of 2011, I offered a series of technical sessions, viewed through the internet. Prevost owners from all over the nation logged on and participated. We all had great fun talking “bus smack”. This process is easy to facilitate and perhaps it is time for another session. Topics could be offered on any topic and controlled by anyone. So, if you are a subject matter expert and would like to share information in an internet session, all other Prevost owners could share in your knowledge. This is a great way in sharing knowledge. Jon and tom could participate in any session, these guys are the real experts. I am certainly available to help in the delivery process.

Hector

[Archived]

Hector started it so I will emphasize it.

Do not ever under any circumstances, even to do a minor task get under a coach that has not been supported at the body support points. A number of us use support stands, but in the absence of stands the next best thing is this jack which I also have used: http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200305255_200305255

With the hydraulic portion of the jack in the lowest position it cannot allow the bus to drop, and if the center adjusting screw is fully extended it almost reaches the chassis support point with the suspension fully raised. At 20 tons capacity and absolutely no hydraulic support the bus can be lowered onto the jacks and it will be supported and safe to go under. If you wish you can leave the bus fully raised as long as you take care not to move the jack out from under the support points.

These are stands under the front support point on a 96 XL.

This is a stand under the rear support point behind the tag axle. Looks like I need to shine my transmission.

[Fred]

Just watched your video. I had to figure this all out on my own. WHERE were you then??? I’m redoing a 98 45Xle that had a rear brake fire and destroyed the norgren valves and air lines from center of differential back. all r-12 and 14 anti lock . Good job –would have saved me probably 40 hrs study research time. I did pick up some pointers and will build a bubbler. Factory gives you the info ;; but keeps it vague enough for you to need to go to service center—funny thing ;some of their tech guys can’t understand it either. Thanks for the common language explanation! Bob….PS I’m one of the poor guys that don’t have 1000’s to spend on air leaks.

[Archived]

Perhaps an involved Hector Session could be done on the Webasto System….hmmmm I have read over the article done by the one and only Honorable Mango Mike, but a more detailed ( re: pics) session would proabably help many of us so-so mechanics

[Bob]

I don’t know where Mango is hanging out but if he could jump on here and provide a link to his Webasto manual it makes servicing the Webasto easy.

The importance of having a basic understanding of the Webasto is that it is used as a stand alone heat source, or it is integral to the Aqua Hot units so either way we need to get comfortable with its operation and repair.