Thomas versus Dana

T

thomas g. warner

New member
Mar 24, 1998
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Are you guys talking about the power level or electro level systems? Big
difference in pump up times. won't the initial pump up time for the power
level system exceed the duty cycle of the Thomas Compressor? The Dana can
be run continuously for long periods of time if necessary with no damage,
for instance if you are on the road and have an unexpected air leak. Can the
thomas do that?

> This pump is not a continuous duty
>> pump but a intermittent pump.
>> It is designed to run for a 15% cycle. 4 minutes on and 20 minutes
>> off. So seconds on and minutes off is perfect for us.
>
>OK,this is some good data from Darren. Now, anyone who has the Thomas
>315 supplying the OEM 2 bag suspension with no air leaks, can you report
>that the from a fully delfated start, your Thomas 315 will pump up to
>the 110 psi in less than 4 minutes?
>
>Phil Stewart
>
>
Tom & Marg Warner
Vernon Center NY
1976 palmbeach
 
I have not got the power level air tank here but I would guess it is about
600 cubic inches in volume versus about 100 cubic inches in volume for the
electro level system. the figures may not be correct but the fact is that
the power level air tank is much larger than the electro level tank. to pump
up the air tank on a power level system in 4 seconds would take a compressor
the size of roughly the air conditioner pump on your coach.

Want to start a real war? Wes caughlin says the best system is the Power
level system.

>>
>> Are you guys talking about the power level or electro level systems? Big
>> difference in pump up times. won't the initial pump up time for the power
>> level system exceed the duty cycle of the Thomas Compressor? The Dana can
>> be run continuously for long periods of time if necessary with no damage,
>> for instance if you are on the road and have an unexpected air leak. Can the
>> thomas do that?
>
>Thomas,
>In my case I'm talking about a Power Level system. Richard's reply to
>my question had me feeling better about the Thomas compressor, but now
>I'm not so sure. What makes the pump up times so different between the
>Power Level and Electro Level systems?
>
>Phil Stewart
>'76 Transmode, TN
>
>
Tom & Marg Warner
Vernon Center NY
1976 palmbeach
 
>
> Are you guys talking about the power level or electro level systems? Big
> difference in pump up times. won't the initial pump up time for the power
> level system exceed the duty cycle of the Thomas Compressor? The Dana can
> be run continuously for long periods of time if necessary with no damage,
> for instance if you are on the road and have an unexpected air leak. Can the
> thomas do that?

Thomas,
In my case I'm talking about a Power Level system. Richard's reply to
my question had me feeling better about the Thomas compressor, but now
I'm not so sure. What makes the pump up times so different between the
Power Level and Electro Level systems?

Phil Stewart
'76 Transmode, TN
 
>However, I believe Richard was referring to the time it takes his
Thomas
>to cycle from 100 psi to 120 psi and not from a deflated condition with
>air tank empty. In that case he reported a 72 seconds as the figure.

Just to confirm, and clear things up..............................

I have the Electro-level I.

When the air bags are full (i.e. coach at "travel" height) and there is
no pressure in the air reservoir, and when I turn the ignition on and
flick the switch to travel auto, it takes about 10 seconds for the
pressure to build from zero to 120 psi in the air tank. This is the
point at which my pressure switch shuts down the compressor.

Then, after the pressure has slowly bled down to 100 psi, my compressor
cuts in. 4 seconds later it has again pressurized the tank to 120 psi
and is cycled off by the pressure switch.

The 72 seconds that you mentioned (actually it was 75) reefers to a test
that I performed starting with the coach at 3" below travel height. It
took 75 seconds to push enough air into the air bags to raise the coach
and then shut off the compressor.

Hope this clears things up.

Richard
 
>
> I have not got the power level air tank here but I would guess it is about
> 600 cubic inches in volume versus about 100 cubic inches in volume for the
> electro level system. the figures may not be correct but the fact is that
> the power level air tank is much larger than the electro level tank. to pump
> up the air tank on a power level system in 4 seconds would take a compressor
> the size of roughly the air conditioner pump on your coach.

Now I'm beginning to catch on. I thought all the air suppensions
systems -- Power Level and Electro Levels ---- used a storage tank like
on my Transmode with Power Level. Apparently not, and that could help
to explain why my system appears to be inferior to others who report
much quicker pump-up times.

However, I believe Richard was referring to the time it takes his Thomas
to cycle from 100 psi to 120 psi and not from a deflated condition with
air tank empty. In that case he reported a 72 seconds as the figure.

So I should now ask: Does anyone with a Power Level System have any
performance figures with the Thomas pump to report?

Phil Stewart
'76 Transmode, TN
 
They are supposed to hiss Arch. Mine does the same thing. A little air is
released as you go from one position to another.

>Phil
>
>I have a Power Level system. I do not have any performance levels for you.
>I was just glad to get her to the point I could get her up with the little
>compressor that could, instead of my shop compressor. Understand that
>I cant touch those rotary valves during pump up------they hiss at me
>every time. They must not like me------or something.
>
>Take Care
>Arch
>
>In a message dated 2/2/99 7:35:32 PM Central Standard Time,

>
>>
>> So I should now ask: Does anyone with a Power Level System have any
>> performance figures with the Thomas pump to report?
>>
>> Phil Stewart
>> '76 Transmode, TN
>>
>
>
Tom & Marg Warner
Vernon Center NY
1976 palmbeach
 
>
> Phil
>
> I have a Power Level system. I do not have any performance levels for you.
> I was just glad to get her to the point I could get her up with the little
> compressor that could, instead of my shop compressor. Understand that
> I cant touch those rotary valves during pump up------they hiss at me
> every time. They must not like me------or something.
>
> Take Care
> Arch
>
> In a message dated 2/2/99 7:35:32 PM Central Standard Time,

>
> >
> > So I should now ask: Does anyone with a Power Level System have any
> > performance figures with the Thomas pump to report?
> >
> > Phil Stewart
> > '76 Transmode, TN
> >
Arch,
Thanks for the reply on these pumps. I was about to bite on the Thomas
compressor modification but may not now having heard all of the
discussion on pumps on the Net. And now there seems to be even another
option, i.e, the York a la the Hamilton's post tonight.

For what its worth, I am inclined to agree more with your view on the
self-appointed gurus of the GMC world than with others on the Net who
have been giving you a hard time. I've persnoally been rebuked by one
of the most prominent gurus for not following protocols (his I suppose)
when I forwarded to the Net an e-mail he sent me in response to a
question I asked him. I had no idea that he would not want to share
with the Net the same information that he gave me since it could have
helped others. I guess its too easy to step on toes these days.

Good luck with your lady.
Phil Stewart
 
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