Writeup/Review: Universal Air Suspension

[GROUNDED]

FYI to all concerned VIAIR leader hoses suck. Every one i have ever had leaked both at the check valve and back through the heads.

[Simans82]

Originally Posted by GROUNDED

FYI to all concerned VIAIR leader hoses suck. Every one i have ever had leaked both at the check valve and back through the heads.

I'm going to have to agree with this statement. Zack has been more than supportive in helping me fix my system, but these leader lines ended up being the cause of all of my problems (aside from the bad pump of course).

The "good" leader line that I had (with the functioning check valve) was the one I originally thought was causing the leaks due to it not sealing itself at the compressor (see the picture of the joint below). For some reason, I completely forgot that this was the original leader line that I was looking at replacing. So when I paired this line up with the good compressor, it still drained the tank over night. Blah... I just hooked up my nitrogen tonight and the compressors are out of the picture for now. I'm not gonna even lie, nitrogen finally showed me the light after all these compressor problems. lol I kinda like having air ride again.

[Simans82]

I had a few random questions that came about last night when I hooked my system back up.

1. Is the only purpose of the slowdowns to quiet the system? I took mine out and the only real difference was that I was practically deaf after dumpin' the air out. lol

2. Also, (this was mentioned somewhere in another one of the air ride threads, but I can't find the post) where is the best placement for the water traps? I believe it was mentioned to put them as far away from the compressors as possible. Can someone refresh my memory?

Thanks!

[GROUNDED]

Originally Posted by Simans82

I had a few random questions that came about last night when I hooked my system back up.

1. Is the only purpose of the slowdowns to quiet the system? I took mine out and the only real difference was that I was practically deaf after dumpin' the air out. lol
A: They are used to not only slow the rate of the valve dumping but also they muffle the noise from the valves. In some instances like when your vaves are mounted outside the vehicle they can keep sand and such from making its way into the valve. I personally dont like them because I like the noise so what i do instead is use home depot brass reducing bushings that shrink the opening from 1/2" npt to 1/4 or so. A more cost effective way to do this is to order 1/2" fill and 3/8" dumps which will save money on valves. IF you like having the option to adjust the dump rate look into adjustable air mufflers.
2. Also, (this was mentioned somewhere in another one of the air ride threads, but I can't find the post) where is the best placement for the water traps? I believe it was mentioned to put them as far away from the compressors as possible. Can someone refresh my memory?
A:I just try to mount them at the end of the leader hose where it would enter the tank. IDEAL but not practical would be if they were mounted before each of the fill valves. I wouldn't recomend this. Also remember mabey every other season or so empty your tanks!
Thanks!

[Simans82]

Thanks for your advice. I emptied my tank after last year, and there was a ton of water. Crazy how much builds up in there.

Are the water traps going to catch much installed at the end of the leader lines? Does it let enough through to really be concerned about? I'm assuming I'm still going to want to empty the tank each year regardless if I have water traps or not.

[GROUNDED]

yes you will have to empty the tanks but the water traps will catch their fair amount. Just keep em clean and you will be golden.

[Blowndakrt]

Originally Posted by Simans82

I had a few random questions that came about last night when I hooked my system back up.

1. Is the only purpose of the slowdowns to quiet the system? I took mine out and the only real difference was that I was practically deaf after dumpin' the air out. lol

2. Also, (this was mentioned somewhere in another one of the air ride threads, but I can't find the post) where is the best placement for the water traps? I believe it was mentioned to put them as far away from the compressors as possible. Can someone refresh my memory?

Thanks!

You want the water traps as far from the compressors as possible. At the end of the leader hose is not far enough to allow the air to cool off enough for the water trap to pull much water from the air. As the air cools, the water trap can do a more effective job of pulling the condensation from the air.

Shawn

[Simans82]

Originally Posted by Blowndakrt

You want the water traps as far from the compressors as possible. At the end of the leader hose is not far enough to allow the air to cool off enough for the water trap to pull much water from the air. As the air cools, the water trap can do a more effective job of pulling the condensation from the air.

Shawn

So how would you recommend running the traps then? Extend the leader line and then put the traps on the end of the extension?

[Blowndakrt]

Originally Posted by Simans82

So how would you recommend running the traps then? Extend the leader line and then put the traps on the end of the extension?

There are a couple of ways to do it. On mine, I am running to a manifold with the leader hoses. Then off the manifold I have a air line fitting with plastic air line that goes to the tank. Then at the tank, I have another air line fitting with male threads. That screws into the water trap and then the water trap has a 1/2 to 3/8 reducer that connects the water trap to the tank.

You may be able to get by just using a female air line fitting. Screw that onto the end of your leader hose, then run air line to the tank, with the fittings to attach to air line to the water trap to tank.

The only issue there would be if the air coming out of the leader hose is still too hot for the air line and cause it to melt. I don't think it would be an issue since I have 6 compressors feeding to a manifold and then air line coming out of that. I would think that would be even more heat on my setup than yours would.

Shawn

[GROUNDED]

Originally Posted by Blowndakrt

There are a couple of ways to do it. On mine, I am running to a manifold with the leader hoses. Then off the manifold I have a air line fitting with plastic air line that goes to the tank. Then at the tank, I have another air line fitting with male threads. That screws into the water trap and then the water trap has a 1/2 to 3/8 reducer that connects the water trap to the tank.

You may be able to get by just using a female air line fitting. Screw that onto the end of your leader hose, then run air line to the tank, with the fittings to attach to air line to the water trap to tank.

The only issue there would be if the air coming out of the leader hose is still too hot for the air line and cause it to melt. I don't think it would be an issue since I have 6 compressors feeding to a manifold and then air line coming out of that. I would think that would be even more heat on my setup than yours would.

Shawn

Hydraulic line will take the heat and can be substituted for that. FYI the line used for most plow hydraulics is 1/4"npt so places that fix/install plows should have this part.