317 Thomas compressors.

[d. winchtester]

I have some interest in these as replacements for the units on my electro
level II, but have some questions and reservations that some of you may be
able to answer.

Does any one know how the Thomas performs in relation to new OEM
compressors, in-particular volume, and pressure.

The other Question concerns comments about the leak down and release valves
built into the head of the OEM unit and the aux valves added later. I have
had this coach for 18 years and have never had a leak down problem, in-fact
it will hold air for 6 months with no noticeable drop. I think the valves
in the compressor heads are the work horses in the system not the added
solenoids. To verify this I just went out and disconnected the airline from
the dryer which is between the solenoid and the compressor and had instant
leak down of the bags which indicates that the solenoids are doing nothing.

Considering this test result I am reluctant to give up the compressors with
the valves built into the heads.

Also adding the Thomas compressor would eliminate the dryers, is that a
potential problem?

Can anyone give some thoughts on this?

Dan Winchester
78 Royal
Portland, Oregon

 

[wayne newland]

Dan

Go hug your coach and whisper sweet nothings to your leveling system, because
you have something special. The reason that I eventually bought a GMC, was that
I read an article by Wes C that he had figured out how to seal up the leak-down
problem. I'm getting closer to where you are. Congrats....

Wayne Newland

> I have some interest in these as replacements for the units on my electro
> level II, but have some questions and reservations that some of you may be
> able to answer.
>
> Does any one know how the Thomas performs in relation to new OEM
> compressors, in-particular volume, and pressure.
>
> The other Question concerns comments about the leak down and release valves
> built into the head of the OEM unit and the aux valves added later. I have
> had this coach for 18 years and have never had a leak down problem, in-fact
> it will hold air for 6 months with no noticeable drop. I think the valves
> in the compressor heads are the work horses in the system not the added
> solenoids. To verify this I just went out and disconnected the airline from
> the dryer which is between the solenoid and the compressor and had instant
> leak down of the bags which indicates that the solenoids are doing nothing.
>
> Considering this test result I am reluctant to give up the compressors with
> the valves built into the heads.
>
> Also adding the Thomas compressor would eliminate the dryers, is that a
> potential problem?
>
> Can anyone give some thoughts on this?
>
> Dan Winchester
> 78 Royal
> Portland, Oregon

 

[gary miller]

Dan et al,
Air is air---the air bag system including the dryer and check valve don't know
where the air comes from, Dana, Thomas, or what ever. The replacement of the
Dana with a Thomas should result only in a difference in pump up time (if any).
The "valves" in the Dana head should not be relied on as a "valve" to limit air
leaking back out; this is the job of a properly functioning check valve.
Gary
North Bend, Oregon Coast
(Looking for a sweltering 70 degrees today)

> I have some interest in these as replacements for the units on my electro
> level II, but have some questions and reservations that some of you may be
> able to answer.
>
> Does any one know how the Thomas performs in relation to new OEM
> compressors, in-particular volume, and pressure.
>
> The other Question concerns comments about the leak down and release valves
> built into the head of the OEM unit and the aux valves added later. I have
> had this coach for 18 years and have never had a leak down problem, in-fact
> it will hold air for 6 months with no noticeable drop. I think the valves
> in the compressor heads are the work horses in the system not the added
> solenoids. To verify this I just went out and disconnected the airline from
> the dryer which is between the solenoid and the compressor and had instant
> leak down of the bags which indicates that the solenoids are doing nothing.
>
> Considering this test result I am reluctant to give up the compressors with
> the valves built into the heads.
>
> Also adding the Thomas compressor would eliminate the dryers, is that a
> potential problem?
>
> Can anyone give some thoughts on this?
>
> Dan Winchester
> 78 Royal
> Portland, Oregon