Air Suspension Comprressor(s)

[bartz paul]

Duane:

I have an Electro Level II system that does not have a Dana compressor (have
two small ones and no tank) and I don't have much in the way of leaks. I
only have to re-level every six weeks or so. Maybe five or six times a
year.

I do need to replace one of my two compressors, which are by no means a
heavy duty type. But they worked for 21 years!

Also, the owners manual for my 78 Royale does not recommend that the center
travel switch be operated in other than the HOLD position after the initial
leveling operation.

Paul Bartz

From: duane m simmons [mailto:simmee]
Sent: Sunday, July 25, 1999 3:58 PM
Subject: Re: GMC: GMC Motorhome Digest V2 #562

Paul Bartz
Yes I have 11 years of GMCing as data to establish my statements. I have
seen many after market devices installed on GMCs, including Thomas. They
don't hold up in our application even if they function properly at
beginning. Nothing works better than the Dana that I have seen. I have
been involved is correcting the GMC air system in several coaches that have
diverted from OEM setup. The only items that I have seen that is beneficial
is as follows:
1) Find & Seal up air system leaks
2) Install Wes Caughlan's Upgrade Kit
3) Rewire power to compressor including ground wire
4) Operate the Air System in the Auto/Travel mode at all times,
unless failure/air leak occurs Leaky systems cause the compressor to
cycle on & off many times in operation & therefore will wear our the new
pump in no time at all. No repair parts available & therefore new
compressor becomes a throw-away item. Much better to stay with Dana which
is reliable & repair parts are available.

 

[bartz paul]

Arch:

Do you actually see that happening when I believe there is a 30 second time
delay built into the system so that you don't have a constantly operating
system?

As I see it, when you're driving down the road, with a 30 second delay, at
highway speed, you're going to be a half mile down the road and on a
different level than you were when the clock started. The system is linked
mechanically with arms. Its going to go nuts trying to level every 30
seconds. That would take a computer to control.

Paul Bartz

From: Gcbr [mailto:Gcbr]
Sent: Monday, July 26, 1999 1:00 PM
Subject: Re: GMC: Air Suspension Comprressor(s)

In a message dated 7/26/99 11:43:02 AM Central Daylight Time,

>
> Also, the owners manual for my 78 Royale does not recommend that the
center
> travel switch be operated in other than the HOLD position after the
initial
> leveling operation.
>
Paul

I have read several articles on this subject. I have no first hand
experience
here. It is my understand that GMC was having so much trouble with
the air ride system that they decided to just tell everybody to run in the
HOLD position. With the many improvements now available you might
want to let the lady level herself. Thats what I have seen not what I
know.

 

[bartz paul]

Emery:

I'm very much aware of the availability of those compressor's on a multitude
of GM vehicle's. I even went to a local salvage yard and the owner took me
around to a variety of vehicles that had them installed. Even though most
had the 5-sided cover around them, many had a lot of corrosion due to salt
usage on the highway's in this area, during the winter.

Guess I'll have to have you get some of those $10 units in your area.
Believe it our not, but the guy I visited started out asking $55 and said
he'd take $25 ea if I bought two.

Paul Bartz

From: EMERYSTORA [mailto:EMERYSTORA]
Sent: Tuesday, July 27, 1999 12:40 PM
Subject: Re: GMC: Air Suspension Comprressor(s)

In a message dated 7/26/99 12:42:59 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

I do need to replace one of my two compressors, which are by no means a
heavy duty type. But they worked for 21 years!
Also, the owners manual for my 78 Royale does not recommend that the center
travel switch be operated in other than the HOLD position after the initial
leveling operation.
Paul Bartz
Paul-you probably know this already but the compressor is that same unit
used by GM in several cars (Cadillac, Olds, Buick, etc) that had an air
level system. It is readily found in used auto parts yards and are usually
in good shape because they were protected from the elements quite well on
the inside of the drivers side fender.
I made a portable 12 v. compressor from one that I bought for $10.
With regard to running with the switch in Auto, that is what the earlier
manuals say to do. I agree that GM changed the instructions in later
manuals, such as my 77, because of the problems people have been having with
their air systems. After I got all the leaks fixed in mine, I now drive in
the Auto position all the time and my pump rarely comes on.

 

[bartz paul]

Emery:

I said that tongue-in-cheek. Don't get me any. I'm waiting on Scott to
arrange for the Thomas compressor. Since it takes ~ 5 minutes to level the
coach with the original compressor, thought I'd try something faster.

First I've heard of the "Michigan termite's" term.

Paul

From: EMERYSTORA [mailto:EMERYSTORA]
Sent: Wednesday, July 28, 1999 12:31 AM
To: gmcmotorhome
Subject: Re: GMC: Air Suspension Comprressor(s)

In a message dated 7/27/99 1:31:23 PM Eastern Daylight Time,

 

[walter m. drew]

Paul,
I have three of the compressors that Emery is talking about. These are
rust free New Mexico units. Are you coming to ABQ in October? If not I
can send you one. I am going east from 8/5 to 8/16

Walter

 

[bartz paul]

Walt:

Thanks for the offer. However, if you saw my e-mail on the subject
yesterday, I'm now expecting to go with a Thomas compressor to improve
inflation times over the original type compressor.

By the way, do the units you obtained have a socket with male blade contacts
or wires potted in rubber exiting on top of the compressor head? The
original coach setup uses the former style.

Paul Bartz

From: Walter M. Drew [mailto:wdrew]
Sent: Thursday, July 29, 1999 12:16 AM
Subject: Re: GMC: Air Suspension Comprressor(s)

Paul,
I have three of the compressors that Emery is talking about. These are
rust free New Mexico units. Are you coming to ABQ in October? If not I
can send you one. I am going east from 8/5 to 8/16