Air Dryer Upgrade

[colecruzer]

Hi,
I have a 79 MC5C conversion with the orginal air dryer system.  I would like to upgrade to a better system and want to know what you used and did you locate it in a different location than in front of the steering axle?  Thanks -  Rich

[Nick Badame Refrig/ACC]

Hi Rich,

Welcome!  and thanks for posting your question!

I don't know much about air dryers but, I do know that you want to hear it pop off when you reach 120 psi so you will

know if a problem arrises. So, I wouldn't recommend moving it. Some of our members will answer your other questions I'm sure.

Good Luck
Nick-

[niles500]

Rich - I just upgaded to the AD-9 - most current model - As far as I know the minimum recommended distance from your compressor is 6 feet - most Air governors are adjustable from a min. (approx.) 90 PSI to 130 PSI - FWIW

[compedgemarine]

I am upgrading to a AD-IP bendix unit. a friend of mine works for fleetpride truck parts and told me that the original unit on my 81 Eagle is outdated and difficult to get parts for. he said he can find parts but if I were out on the road and had a problem with it it could take days to find the parts. for that reason alone I chose to update to a new unit. on my Eagle it is directly behind the drive axle so it has about a six foot run to it.
steve

[TomC]

Highly recommend you pay attention to the 6 foot rule and re position the air dryer back near the air compressor.  You want the air dryer close enough so that it will also warm up with the air to help with water removal.  When the air dryer is too far from the compressor like at the front of the bus, the air cools and the water will drop out of the air into the air hose and create a sluge over time.  Believe me you can still hear it sneeze when the compressor kicks off even back by the rear axle.  Good Luck, TomC

[Ncbob]

Rich, I added an AD9 Dryer to my MC5A last year.  It's mounted  diagonally across from the compressor just inside and to the left of the access door.  When it vents...I can hear in anywhere in the bus. I still have the cable pull dump on the wet tank and use it. I get a bit of vapor but no water.

FWIW...you might find the braided hoses cheaper at Fleetpride than NAPA.

NCbob

[buswarrior]

Hello colecruzer.

I'd leave the air dryer where it is. Works just dandy up there in many thousands of MCI.

Depending on what you have under there, it may be just fine. Some out there swear that the old AD-2 still equals or outperforms the newer ones.

If you want to upgrade, it has become popular to replace the entire unit and return the core. So just pay the core fee and you are all set, with a fresh rebuild cheaper than a new one.

Make sure you have power to the heater wire.... it has been known to get cold once in a while in every nook and cranny of the continent. Prevents the beast from freezing.

happy coaching!
buswarrior