| Author | Message | ||
| Henry R. Bergman, Jr. (Henryofcj) (65.194.145.44)
Rating: |
Hello All; I am wintering in SW Oregon, gets LOTS of rain (over 100 inches) and drive my '74 Crown ex-schoolie stripped shell aound about once a month for an hour or soosssss to keep things loosened up. Takes that long to fully warm things up. Would my coach be a good candidate for an add-on air brake air dryer? Very cool and humid up here. What kind and manufacture of air dryer would work the best for me and how much would it $cost$? Love this board and thanks in advance. Henry of CJ | ||
| jmaxwell (66.42.92.9) Rating: N/A |
Henry: Any bus that does not have one is a good candidate for one. I have Bendix on both buses and they work good. Should be lots of them available from donor transits. About $50-60 to rebuild them with new core. They also separate the oil out of the air to prevent that sludge in the system. | ||
| FAST FRED (209.26.115.204) Rating: N/A |
For least maint , the pull cable style tank drains are a huge step up from the std. twist valves, and are about $7.00 each at your local truck parts store. When set up right they will let the tank drain to zero pressure , BY DA Book, and get all the water out. The stock Alcohol injection will still be needed in cold weather. for cost & maint comparison, FAST FRED | ||
| jmaxwell (66.42.92.10) Rating: N/A |
FF: Have to respectively disagree Fred. Appears that u think air dryers are overpriced contraptions and installing a convenient tank drain is an acceptable replacement. Not so. With a good operating and well maintained air dryer system the need for tank drains is essentially eliminated. Stands to reason that if the moisture and oil residue never reaches the system there will be none to drain. Granted, condensation can take place, but even that is minimal since there was nothing but dry clean air going into tanks and lines. I check my tanks maybe twice a year and have never gotten more than a couple of drops of anything from anywhere in the system but I do maintain the dryers by the book. When we get AAADD's (Age Activated Attention Deficit Disorder) any assistive devices that perform or eliminate routine operations for us is welcome and appreciated by me. Now, if I could just find a bullet proof tire pressure monitor and maintenance system and a C3PO to drive? | ||
| jmaxwell (66.42.92.10) Rating: N/A |
Sorry Fred, make that respectfully!!!!! | ||
| Buswarrior (Buswarrior) (64.229.211.178)
Rating: N/A |
Just to spice it up a little more.... If you have the money, an air dryer is a GREAT thing. If you don't have the money, drains will work just fine, with an alcohol evaporator/injector for those in sub-freezing climates. As I read it, FF was offering a completely acceptable, easily operated, cheaper alternative, $o that Henry (and the re$t of u$) knew there are alternative$ to $pending money. And an air dryer is an ongoing maintenance item. Before anyone else goes off half-cocked and continues the flaming, let's remember that an awful lot of safe road transportation went on before 1970 when Bendix finally invented the air dryer. If someone isn't particularly skillful, and doesn't have boodles of ca$h, I'd suggest that folks spend their money inspecting, servicing, rebuilding or replacing as needed ALL the brake valves, hoses, and chambers and paying to have the wheel ends and steering inspected by a mechanic periodically before spending one's limited money on an air dryer. But after that's done, save up and get one! happy coaching! buswarrior | ||
| Henry R. Bergman, Jr. (Henryofcj) (65.194.145.47)
Rating: N/A |
Thanks everyone; My 1974 Crown Super Coach 40-foot 3-axle 10-wheeler ex-schoolie stripped shell (yew!) has a little decal do-hicky thing on the left windshield that reads; "drain air tanks daily." Only I haven't. Shame on me. Lazy I quess. The air leaks out anyway over a couple of days, soosssss, the question is, where is it leaking and does this serve the same purpose as daily draining? Already know the answer to that one is NO!. Now my question is where exactly on the bus is/are these mysterious drain valves and how do I get to them? Assume they are on the bottom of the air tanks. The problem is that the Crown only has about 10 inches of ground clearance. Actually too little for me to crawl underneath the chassis without lifting the whole thing up on very heavy cribbing. Plus add in the weeds, mud, bugs, black berry thorns and you get the idea. Sosssss, the question regarding the air dryer/remote pull valves, which is a good idea. Going to place them on top of the short list of necessary mods, probably AHEAD of the planned Jake Brake. Thank you everyone and ...CROWNS FOREVER!!! Henry of CJ | ||
| FAST FRED (209.26.115.225) Rating: N/A |
Most coaches were designed for service every 3 or 4 days over a pit. The air valves ARE on the bottom of the tanks (3 or 4 tanks) and usually has a pet cock that can be seen. Before replacing the pet cocks with a truck pull chain , It was easy to reach under the coach with a long stick , that simply had a couple of saw cuts to go over the handle , and give the 1/4 turn needed. Da Book (GM)Sez to let the tanks drain all the way down ,so overnight is easy. You may be amazed at the amount that does come out , it could be in the gallons , if it's been years. The KEY here is drained tanks don't rust as fast as full tanks . WE pull the lanyard every shutdown in very cold weather to be sure that the alcohol IS getting into the systems , and protecting everything as designed. Works for me, FAST FRED | ||
| JD-Crown.GA (66.245.142.121) Rating: N/A |
My 1968 Crown 35 ft has three drain points with lanyards attached. Here are the lanyard locations: One passenger side rear, under the fuel door. Lanyard is attached to a bolt. 2nd is in the first engine bay where the oil fill is located, attached to the oil fill tube. 3rd is harder to get to. It's located behind the front tires, drivers side I think. You have to crawl under there a bit. Going to rework that one for easier access. Most of the water comes from the 2nd one. Not much water in the other two, but keep a check on the one in the engine bay for sure. Hope this helps, Henry Jim | ||
| Henry R. Bergman, Jr. (Henryofcj) (65.194.145.49)
Rating: N/A |
Thank you Jim, Fast Fred and all the others who have taken time to help me out. Will look for the possible drain valve pull handles. Thanks again. CROWNS FOREVER!! Henry of CJ | ||
| R.C.Bishop (128.123.221.194)
Rating: N/A |
Henry.....I have them on my coach and they are located as follows: 1) two small tanks and pull lines (under the coach) in front of the driver area by the steering box. 2) a pull line at the curbside rear forward wheel; haven't chased the tank yet. 3) two pull lines at the front wheel, drivers side, that maintain two tanks in the area of the front axle and NOT the tanks or lines I mentioned in item 1. I have a leak, but it is the front leveling valve located on the front axle. Needs to be replaced, I am told. West Coach has some, but not sure they have exactly what I need, which I understand should be a "Universal Leveling Valve". OE was Delco and not the same part number as WC has. HTH R.C.Bishop | ||
| Alan Baker (152.163.188.227) Rating: N/A |
Don't let FF bully you into using ancient technology. If something wasn't invented before 1970 it doesn't mean that it was as good as what replaced it. There was need for change. You should be able to get an air dryer for little or nothing. The dessicant cartridge goes for about 25 bucks. The unit installs in any convient place after the compressor. It needs to be secured to something but its not heavy. Why introduce water and oil into the system then go chasing after it with alcohol then have to drain it out. A practice that could leave an embarassing puddle. Unless your looking for originality points at an antique show modernize. You can probably do it for the price of 3 pull valves, several feet of cable and at least 6 cable clamps. Alan Baker | ||
| Chuck Harris - PD4104 (207.172.11.147) Rating: N/A |
FF bully someone over the internet? I think you are getting a little shrill there Alan. -Chuck | ||
| A;lan Baker (205.188.209.11) Rating: N/A |
Yo Chuck, I assume you had your tongue in cheek when replying. Alan | ||
| R.C.Bishop (128.123.221.140)
Rating: N/A |
Thought we were all looking for opinions here... and not necessarily the same as our own. That's what makes it a worthwhile effort... reading the endless possibilities offered by talented, and some not so talented folks. As the saying goes, there's more than one way to skin a cat. Who is to say which way is best... Your way, of course!  Lighten up~Be kind to your fellow bus nuts. You might learn something. RCB | ||
| Emery Leraand (205.206.198.220)
Rating: N/A |
Got the air dryer for next to nothing from a truck wrecker, and paid good snow pesos for a number of the cable controled drain valves. Something to be said for both a belt and suspenders! Now if I could find a good source of reasonably priced DD3s to replace a nice but apparently dangerous set of MinMax rear brake pots, preferably up here in igloo land... Emery Courier 96 | ||
| Chuck Harris - PD4104 (207.172.11.147) Rating: N/A |
Alan, No, I was being literal. You would have to be extremely weak willed to be bullied by FF over this BBS. His reply was polite, concise, and labeled as being his opinion. Opinions are what was being asked for. What more do you want of FF? -Chuck | ||
| Alan Baker (152.163.188.227) Rating: N/A |
Chuck, Who are you, the captain of the FF anti defermation league? Believe me, when I ruffel FF's feathers he'll let me know. He's a big guy and can hold his own particularly against the likes of me. The fact is that FF qoutes from a book that had to have been written before 1953 and edited in the late 50's to be ready for the release of the 4106 in late 1960. Are we to suppose FF still runs bias belted tires on split rims? Maintains the origional ICC break rather than installing maxie (safety) breaks? Or still has the origional break application valve (treddle valve). He could but I dought it. Its my OPINION that FF is bullieing folks particularly new commers into beleving every word in his long suffering probably tattered and dog eared "Da Book". The book was right in the 50's as was the building code and the medical journals of that era. I'm sure you have insolation in your home and when your knee goes bad you will try noninvasive surgery rather than a proceedure that will keep you from working on your bus for several months. Its 19 degrees this morning in Hampton Roads, VA and its not supposed to get any warmer all day or over night. So, this is what I did before I left for work. I shoveled our camp fire onto a flat rock and dragged it into our house. Yep right in the middle of the living room. Then I got up on the roof and cut a good sized hole for the smoke to exit. Damn it works good, I'm going to call it central heat. All of the preceeding is of course my opinion. Presented in my way. If all you want to read is FF's opinion just read his stuff. It's OK. No need to correct my spelling it's also my way. Alan | ||
| RJ Long (24.127.74.29) Rating: N/A |
You OK, Alan? RJ PD4106-2784 Fresno CA | ||
| Chuck Harris - PD4104 (207.172.11.147) Rating: N/A |
Huh? Got up on the wrong side of the bed, I guess? -Chuck | ||
| Henry R. Bergman, Jr. (Henryofcj) (65.194.145.59)
Rating: N/A |
Alan; I also as a individual ask how are your doing? Sounds like you may have other stuff on your mind. I am a good listener. Cut loose if you want. My E-mail address is henryofcj@hotmail.com What I have learned in 53 years, a 140+ I.Q., 2 college degrees and no money, (he he he) is to respect the opinions and views of others who have been there and done that when I HAVE NOT. I am very knowledgeable in lots of areas, but NOT when it comes to coach conversions or full timing. Thus my many questions. Just starting out. When someone talks, I am very willing to listen. Sorry I caused such a scene. Henry. | ||
| Gary Stadler (Boogiethecat) (68.7.217.217)
Rating: N/A |
Henry, I went to a bus junkyard that had some superior schoolies for scavange, and nabbed three cable operated pull valves for ten big bucks. Superior uses them in all their busses. They fit right into my Crown tanks and now I just walk around the bus each morning I run it, and step on the cable with my foot for a few seconds. Makes draining a cinch! I'm sure they're cheap at truck stores too. I don't blame you for not purging your tanks with the factory valves... for all the good reputation Crown has for decent design, putting those three drain valves waaaay under the bus where the crap coming out will hit you right in the face if you turn them, no matter how you position yourself, isn't my idea of good user friendly design. All it took was once for me and I never did it again 'till I got those cable operated pullers. They're GREAT now! Cheers Gary | ||
| Buswarrior (Buswarrior) (64.229.208.139)
Rating: N/A |
Just because it is new, doesn't make it better. Just because we disagree, doesn't mean its wrong. Just because I ask, doesn't mean I'll listen. It may be a logical issue, but I may make an emotional choice. I'm glad we're all different, because I don't want to share my underwear. happy coaching! buswarrior |
