Using the air in my brake system

[jameshawk]

I have a 2014 Dutch Star 3736. Can I access the brakes compressed air to use to fill up tires and such?

[FlyingDiver]

Yes. There's a female air connector up front by the generator, and another in back in the engine compartment. There should also be male fittings cable-tied to a strut in both places, so you have the matching size. You just need an air hose and tire valve fitting.

[MJFZ]

Originally Posted by FlyingDiver

Yes. There's a female air connector up front by the generator, and another in back in the engine compartment. There should also be male fittings cable-tied to a strut in both places, so you have the matching size. You just need an air hose and tire valve fitting.

What FlyingDiver said is important. Our 2012 DSDP 3734 air manifold is located on the front firewall above the generator towards the drivers side. Our coach was delivered without a matching male connector. I discovered this, when the coach had to be towed 50+ miles on late Sunday afternoon in Northern Michigan. This where the tow operator will connect his air system to the coach to keep the air suspension inflated when being towed. I also learned that day that not all tow operators carry all fitting-- at least this operator did not. Fortunately, we did find a fitting that worked in the bottom of my tool box. Now, I have the appropriate male fitting with both male and female hose end connections tie wrapped to the compressed air manifold, just in case. If you search on the forum, you will find several threads about making a tire pressure rig, that will allow you to blow- off enough air to have the engine driven compressor kick back on to build air pressure back up to max. This makes filling the tires faster and easier. I carry this rig along with a 50' rubber airline and it has been very handy.

Mike

[PDR John]

I replaced the female fitting with an universal female fitting, available at Home Depot.

After 20 years in autobody, they have been the only universal that last. All my air tools now have different ends and it doesn't matter.

1/4 in. FNPT x 1/4 in. Brass Universal Coupler-13514HOM - The Home Depot

The o fitting under the hood up front, I cover in a plastic bag. I also use it to back fill my air tanks from the pancake compressor.

[99phantoms]

Originally Posted by PDR John

I also use it to back fill my air tanks from the pancake compressor.

Can you expand on that?

[Dutch Star Don]

I added a permanent (coiled) air hose to mine. You can see it on the right, yellow hose.

The downside is that the tanks are small and drain quickly. You need to have the engine running to get reasonable use.

[dpinvidic]

Originally Posted by jameshawk

I have a 2014 Dutch Star 3736. Can I access the brakes compressed air to use to fill up tires and such?

One thing to be aware of is that your coach air pressure will change between 75 - 125 PSI.
The compressor kicks in at 75 PSI and stops at 125 PSI.
So to inflate your tires, you need to be sure the air pressure is higher than the tire pressure...or you will actually be deflating your tires.
There are several posts which show an air gauge on the end of the air hose to show the tank pressure.
the trick is to let air out of the coach system until the compressor kicks in, and as soon as the pressure is higher than your tire pressure, start inflating.

regards,

Dan

[PDR John]

Originally Posted by 99phantoms

Can you expand on that?

If I have my coach inside or if we're planning on leaving early in the morning, where a 5 min high idle will be a "issue".

I hook the hose from my pancake compress (110 volt) up and prefill the coach tanks.

Then I can pull outside/away from the area as quickly/quietly as possible.

Tow companies and trucking companies do it, that's where I learned it.

[dennis45]

Originally Posted by PDR John

If I have my coach inside or if we're planning on leaving early in the morning, where a 5 min high idle will be a "issue".

I hook the hose from my pancake compress (110 volt) up and prefill the coach tanks.

Then I can pull outside/away from the area as quickly/quietly as possible.

Tow companies and trucking companies do it, that's where I learned it.

Thank you for this tidbit. I use a piece of 4" Dryer vent to extend outside my garage but always end up with Diesel smell. I'll give this a whirl.

[PDR John]

It makes a huge difference.

[Gaetan Lavoie]

Originally Posted by Dutch Star Don

I added a permanent (coiled) air hose to mine. You can see it on the right, yellow hose.

The downside is that the tanks are small and drain quickly. You need to have the engine running to get reasonable use.

I don't see a problem with adding an air hose to the air brake system when needed to inflate the tires as long as you disconnect the air hose when you are done. If you are travelling down the road with that air hose connected, it will swag up and down, side to side and eventually fail resulting in a slow to a rapid air loss. Depending on how rapid the loss of air happens, you may have time to stop before the maxibrakes come on.

Gaetan

[Dutch Star Don]

Good point, but the air nozzle is secured and the air connection has an ON/OFF valve, so no issues there. You can zoom in on the photo and see it.

[Qwert66]

Does anyone know if the air goes thru the dryer if back feeding the air line with a compressor? Not wanting to start a debate just curious as we have done this prior to fill the bags and blocking to work under.

[twinboat]

It does not, that would involve tapping into the line ahead of the air dryer. It would work, but only for putting air in. No air would come out past the check valves.

As long as you drain your tanks every month or so, the little compressor won`t do any harm.

Enjoy