Air ride pressure gauges

[solodon]

I'm considering adding the hardware to manually control the height of the bus.  As gauges are generally used I'm wondering at what pressure would an MC9 generally ride?  Also as one hits bumps it seems the gauge would fluctuate with the added load.  What pressure range would be safe?  I've seen gauges at 150# and 200#.  Is the 150 safe and the 200 overkill?  Thanks, Don

[luvrbus]

With a manual system how do you control the cornering with preset pressure on all bags ?

[oldmansax]

Don't know about your MC9 but my Wanderlodge is 42,000 GVW. Front & rear air bags usually run about 40#-60# I'm told. Tag is about 25#. I have a gauge for that. Tag will fluctuate about 10# on a bumpy road

TOM

[gumpy]

With a manual system how do you control the cornering with preset pressure on all bags ?

Leveling does not change during cornering, unless it's a very long corner. The supply and exhaust lines are too small to be of any significance
under normal operation.

Leveling valves set the ride height. They only "level" the bus if they have been adjusted properly.

Adding gauges and regulators for a manual system can be done. Typically,  you would adjust your regulators to provide a proper ride height on each
corner (3 point), regardless of pressure. Of course, once your weight stabilizes to some degree, you can note the pressure and use that to adjust
your bus ride and only compensate when the weight changes significantly.

FYI, the MC9 only provides about 4 inches of adjustment on the air bags. Unless you are on nearly level ground to begin with, it's really not enough
to use for leveling a bus. Also, most air systems leak down over time, so unless you have a compressor supplying constant replenishment, your bus
will probably not be level by morning. Speaking from experience. Your mileage may vary.

[AndyG]

Most mechanical pressure gauges at most accurate in the middle of their range.  Ex: If you want to operate at 100 psi then a 200 psi gauge is recommended.  A 150 psi gauge should work good for airbags.  If the gauges will be near the airbags then consider glycerin filled gauges.  The constant & violent pressure fluctuations from bumps in the road will quickly wreck the guts of a regular gauge.  I think that you will happiest if you keep the leveling valves in place for driving and bypass them for leveling the coach.

[solodon]

Thanks for the replies so far.  I've plated the rear bags, put in new bags, air line and new leveling valves.  The right side stays up for over a month and the left side only a couple of weeks.  When it gets warm again I'll look for the leak.  Have to do the same to the front as it goes down in about an hour.  I've considered adding a vent system so I can just set it down on the stops when I'm staying a few days or more.  Have to figure what I'll do to plumb whatever I decide.  Don

[Scott & Heather]

Fwiw, someone (I think it was don and carols bus) at the rally used an a/c compressor converted to an air compressor to keep his coach aired up. The thing was so stinking quiet, I couldn't believe my ears.


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[digesterman]

I would love to hear more how that was done


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