Air hookup

[mikke60]

Where is the best place to tie in an external air source to air up bus?
I have a77 Gmc buffalo
Thanks

[richard5933]

Where is the best place to tie in an external air source to air up bus?
I have a77 Gmc buffalo
Thanks

Here's where I connect on mine. It will supply the entire bus. The location you're looking at is just above the compressor muffler and power steering filter on the upper bulkhead.

The bright silver bit in the left side of the rectangle is the fitting. There is a valve on the line between the fitting and the bulkhead. Looks like this was there from the factory on mine. I did replace the fitting so it was compatible with my air lines at home.

There is also a fitting on the bottom of the tank under the driver, but I have had no luck filling from there as it doesn't supply the entire bus.

[freds]

There's generally a fitting in both the front and rear of the bus. I have one next to the start batteries and another up front near the steering box.

[chessie4905]

I have one under drivers compartment and one in engine compartment near compressor.

[Nova Eona]

If you're going to be using it regularly, tie in before the wet tank so you're not introducing water to the dry tanks.  On my 4104, I added a T with a check valve to the engine compressor's output for this reason, but I've also got a fitting on my auxiliary tank for tools and towing.

[dtcerrato]

Dito what Nova Eona said. Best to stay before the wet tank - that will put your auxiliary air coming into the system before the dryer if you have one. Using down stream to bring in auxiliary air will also put moisture & contaminants into your air system. Our electric auxiliary on board air compressor plumbs into the engine compressor air discharge muffler and can be controlled from the driver's seat. A great redundant back-up...

[Iceni John]

When I recently reinstalled my little electric air compressor I plumbed it back into the bus's Accessories tank, but not before going through a simple air filter that traps a lot of moisture out of its air.   I have 1/4" Industrial quick-connect fittings throughout the bus for inflating tires and running air tools, and an Industrial-to-Automotive adapter in case I need a tow.   Then to air up the bus's other three tanks I put a small valve between the Accessories and Wet tanks to bypass the Pressure Protection Valve  -  easy.   Yes, I know it's best to run this outside air through the air dryer first, but for very occasional emergencies only (I hope) I think my way works OK too.   

John

[buswarrior]

Air driers have a capacity, they have to blow-off to empty...

Putting endless aux air compressor input through it, it will become saturated and not remove the moisture anymore...

So don't get too carried away, thinking you are safe from winter freeze up...

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

[Jim Blackwood]

Couldn't you just run the main engine every now and then? IDK that's why I'm asking.

Jim

[buswarrior]

You will get run-out if you keep starting that big smelly engine for stupid crap...

An aux compressor is a much more polite way to co-exist with neighbours, both at home and when camping.

Also the quiet air source makes trouble shooting air leaks a lot easier.

Happy coaching!
Buswarrior

[dtcerrato]

Just cause we're on the subject of convenient aux. air besides main engine compressor - I'm brainstorming on carrying a SCUBA tank on board. In the past as a certified SCUBA diver we've used a SCUBA tank to keep the bus rolling in an emergency situation (main air compressor went out. We had the tanks on board so we placed only the first stage of the SCUBA regulator on the tank valve which drops tank pressure (4000 psi!) down to 100 psi. Luckily in a two pound coffee can of misc. fittings I had what I needed to plumb the line from the SCUBA set up into the bus air system. Drove from the southern most NJ turnpike toll entry to Hartford CT on just a fraction of that tank capacity. The funny part was the engine door was propped open & the tank was bungee corded to the cradle strut - wow did the truckers have a blast talking to me - even in the rain with wipers running all the way. Great trip with lots of conversation (piece!)
I used the word brainstorm because I'm thinking on placing a tank or two permanently on the bus for totally silent compressed air when needed... the tanks mostly collect dust on the shelf in the bus barn anyway...

[Jim Blackwood]

We used a bottle of high pressure compressed air in the pits at the 24 hrs of Nelson Ledges. I think the industrial bottles are 2500psi.

Jim