| Author |
Message |
Chuck Lott (Chuckmc8)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 24, 2005 - 11:56 am: | |
Well, I guess it's what I get for fixing stuff-
USED to, and I'm not complaining, my bus (MC8) the air would leak out of the front syspension overnight, and then it was an EZ step to get inside- Then,I fixed those pesky air leaks and installed a new leveling valve and now.....Da bus stays up. (months without re-air)
I would like an Simple,EZ and inexpensive way (all oxymorons in bus converting) to discharge the air from the front bags when desired, without re-inventing the wheel- Anyone devised a simple way that can be controlled from the drivers seat? I have a few 24V air solenoid valves that could be incorporated.
Thanks in advance. Chuck Lott Douglasville Ga. |
TWODOGS (Twodogs)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 24, 2005 - 12:16 pm: | |
I had a dump valve on my trailer airbags...almost a necesity for loading those customized vans..believe it was a ball valve,but can't see any reason a solenoid wouldn't work |
James Maxwell (Jmaxwell)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 24, 2005 - 12:58 pm: | |
TD is on target for the simplest I can think of. The simplest would be a manual 2-way (3 port) plumbed to a convenient accessible location from the air spring supply line, but that will also require a shut-off of supply air to the leveling valve as it will fall to the "raise the bus" position and bleed off all your aux. supply air. Two opposite acting solenoids would accomplish the same thing; one as a leveling valve supply valve and one as a branch bleed on the air spring supply line. Now, with a little DOT tubing and a couple more valves you can have an over-riding park level system!!!!! Or, there are always double acting, 5 port valves........... |
John that newguy
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 24, 2005 - 9:29 pm: | |
Hey Chuck...
Just let the air out the tire..
Uhh... how about a retractable step. It'd come in handy for locations
that defy leveling.
When I drove the LI R/R bus, we used the same step-stool that
they had on the trains.
(by the way, that parts manual came in handy for the umpteenth
time! I thank you again!) |
Sojourner (Jjimage)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Sunday, April 24, 2005 - 11:45 pm: | |
Extra leveling valve, one 3 way solenoid and air relay valve to release air fast from truck salvage yard.
Or just one air relay valve. Air switch valve on dash & line to relay valve to close or dump bag's air line.
MCI SERVICE INFORMATION
http://www.mcicoach.com/Parts-Service-Support/technicalSupportMaintenanceTips.htm
Click on year 2000 Service Tip about kneeling at bottom of page.
Still not sure why extra leveling valve for other than maintain kneeling height?
FWIW
Sojourn for Christ, Jerry |
Geoff (Geoff)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, April 25, 2005 - 7:37 am: | |
Chuck, all you need to do is get one of your 24v solenoids and hook it up to the supply line for the air bags, inbetween the leveling valve and the air bag feed. When you activate the solenoid, the air would dump out of the bags to lower the front down. However, this would only be good for a short period of time as the leveling valve would then start to fill the bags again. This may enough time for you, otherwise you need a second solenoid to cut off the air going into the leveling valve so it can't supply air anymore. Add a third solenoid and you can even add air to the system to raise the front end. |
John that newguy
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, April 25, 2005 - 8:31 am: | |
Chuck..
"I would like an Simple,EZ and inexpensive way (all oxymorons in
bus converting) to discharge the air from the front bags when
desired, without re-inventing the wheel- Anyone devised a simple way
that can be controlled from the drivers seat? I have a few 24V air
solenoid valves "
One valve to stop the supply to the bag(s); Insert a "T" between
that valve and the bag(s); Add the remaining valve to the "T",
leaving it venting to the world.
Flip the switch and while one valve shuts off the supply to the
bag(s), the second one allows the air to evacuate the bag(s).
Seems too simple though, don't it.... |
Sojourner (Jjimage)
Rating: N/A
Votes: 0 (Vote!) | | Posted on Monday, April 25, 2005 - 10:11 am: | |
Re-clarification of my post. Need two (instead of one, sorry) continue-duty normally-close SV (solenoids valve) 150 psi or greater rating. At least one 3 way & 2 way valve. Plus one switch from fused power source.
You may already have both SV and 3 way have 3 opening (with plug remove if any).
Install 3 ways between Tee from air bag branch to NV (leveling valve) leaving exhaust open (center of electromagnet’s top) and 2 ways between LV to source. Be sure normal 3 way’s clear passage is to air bag branch Tee side. Either mouth or air gun blow check to determine normal opening.
To kneel switch off power to valve or power on to normal level.
Another way to kneel using air relay valves in place of SV but with air switch lever on dash.
About fourth NV….I think bigger exhaust opening in newer MCI???????????
However if you want to us 4th NV system, then both SV are 3 ways and 4th LV in between 3 way’s exhaust tap.
Set 4th NV adjustment to kneeling height.
FWIW
Sojourn for Christ, Jerry |