help identify part

[Adarian]

Does anyone know what the red canister is on the bottom of the air tank and what purpose it serves?
It is very low to the ground and expose to being hit by road debris.

[John316]

Looks like a drain, or something. Couldn't really tell from the pic, to blurry. However, I would guess it to be a drain.

God bless,

John

[buswarrior]

It better be some sort of draining device.

Unfamiliar looking to me.

However,

I have yet to hear of a passive automatic tank drain that works reliably. Great theory of operation, they just don't keep working once the ravages of time infest their insides.

It needs a heater wired up for cold weather operation. 

You want to know what is coming out of your tanks for diagnostic reasons.

Therefore,

Busnuts are well served by manual drains, the cable operated type being quite convenient for frequent and easy use by routing the cable to the side of the coach, down on one knee and watch what comes out when you pull.

happy coaching!
buswarrior

[Adarian]

I know of the 6 air tanks on the bus, this is the only one with that device. It is also the only one that is not easily reachable.
If it had a manual drain, you would have to go underneath the bus to drain it.
I have been looking on the web and can't seem to find another device like it.

[Ob1quixote]

Somebody will probably run with it and make a buck or two...

Why not take the overpressure blow-off and route it to air operated valves at air tank to automatically open drain valves momentarily every time the blow-off actuates?

[NewbeeMC9]

Flex Capacitor

[D+C4106]

It resembles a solenoid valve to me.  ( An Electrically controlled drain maybe ?)  Picture is too blurry to say for sure.   Denis

[Adarian]

No wires run to it.  I will take a better picture and post.

[DaveG]

Yep, looks like a drain...maybe and old Stemco.
http://www.stemco.com/LinkClick.aspx?link=TechTips%2F003-Moisture_Ejector_Install.pdf&tabid=90&mid=573

Might have to cut/paste Yep, missing the signal line.

[TomC]

I have one also on my "wet" tank-that's another name for the first tank after the air compressor.  This tank is where most of the water will condense after the air compressor-hence the "wet" tank.  If you have an air/water dryer (you can tell that you do if you hear a big air release when the compressor turns off), then you'll not get much water out of it.  If I were you, especially with the valve so close to the ground, I'd remove that valve and just replace it with a ball valve.  Much simpler and then you can control it yourself.  I always like the manual, simple way of doing anything.  Good Luck, TomC

[Adarian]

the air dryer is located in front of the transmission.
The tank in question is the rear most air tank. I will trace lines to be sure it is the first one after the compressor.

[belfert]

My only comment is the valve looks pretty new.  Maybe the previous owner replaced it shortly before you got the bus?

Teflon tape and brass tend to get dirty looking before too long.

[Adarian]

moisture ejector is the winner. I think I will remove it as it hangs very close to the ground. Plus it is not fully hooked up.

[gus]

You don't have to go under the bus to drain the tank, you can get a cheap manual air drain valve with a long cable to run wherever you want it.

Any auto parts store will have one.

[Adarian]

Well the moisture ejector broke off today when going over a speed bump.
Air low warning lamp came on and I had just enough time to pull over.
Went to NAPA to get a manual drain valve but they didn't have one.
Had to extract one end of the brass pipe from the air canister.
I just put a plug in it until I find a manual drain valve.
The moisture ejector was full of water, not sure it was working anyways.
The water that came out was clear and didn't look oily.

Something told me that is was just hanging to low.