Air Dump switch

[csp]

Has anyone changed the air dump switch to a switch that does not have to be held in until the air is dumped. I would like to push a switch to a position and walk away while it dumps. Any input would be helpful.
Thank You Chris

[Barlow46]

Most momentary switches are put there for a reason. Wouldn't want someone to accidentally hit the on/off switch and dump the air when you really didn't want to do that. Probably a safety thing.

[rex]

Use a large washer about the size of a silver dollar under the bottom of the switch lever and it will do the job.

[Mike Canter]

You should think twice about doing that with the dump switch. If you forget and leave it ib the dumped position and move the MH then it will not automatically raise back up. On my MH if it is in the dumped position and I turn the steering wheel and can hit the body/fenders with the tires and mess them up. Also in the dumped position I can hit the transmission pan on a raised area in the ground.

[dmason]

My wife is in charge of the air dump switch when we're getting ready to level. Seems she doesn't mind pushing buttons, mostly mine!

[Ken Gluckman]

I made this change on my RV. I used a double pole switch. One side connected to the existing dump switch so that when the switch is thrown, it dumps. The other side I connected to a flashing red LED that I installed in the instrument panel -- I took power for this from the cigarette lighter circuit, so it is always powered. This way, when the switch is thrown and the air dumped, there is a very bright red light flashing in my face. And, since this is normally used when parking, it continues to flash even when the RV is turned off and parked. Hopefully this will make it impossible for me to forget to throw the switch so that the suspension can function normally next time it is driven.

[hardy1000]

Originally Posted by csp

Has anyone changed the air dump switch to a switch that does not have to be held in until the air is dumped. I would like to push a switch to a position and walk away while it dumps. Any input would be helpful.
Thank You Chris

If you want to dump air faster pump the brake pedal while holinding the air dump switch down.

[Always-RVing]

I never use it.

[tom49]

Originally Posted by csp

Has anyone changed the air dump switch to a switch that does not have to be held in until the air is dumped. I would like to push a switch to a position and walk away while it dumps. Any input would be helpful.
Thank You Chris

I would think long and hard about that. Hate to have someone flip that switch while driving down the road. After all you do have AIR BRAKES and what happens when you loose air pressure with air brakes?

[Jimmy F]

Originally Posted by hardy1000

If you want to dump air faster pump the brake pedal while holinding the air dump switch down.

If you do this make sure your tires are blocked so the coach won't move, then release your parking brake. Pumping the brakes with the parking brake on can cause big damage to your air brakes. It's called compounding your brakes, and you can bend the push rods etc.


Jimmy F

[ShapeShifter]

Originally Posted by tom49

I would think long and hard about that. Hate to have someone flip that switch while driving down the road. After all you do have AIR BRAKES and what happens when you loose air pressure with air brakes?

The air bag's connection to the tanks should be through a pressure protection valve, such that they should not be getting any air if the tank pressure goes below 60 PSI. That is normal procedure for any air operated accessory, such as air bags, air horns, or pneumatically controlled devices like step covers. Those protection valves are there specifically to protect against losing all air pressure in the case of an accessory system air leak.

In my coach, if I let go of the air dump switch while there is more than 60 PSI in the tanks, the bags will start re-inflating right away. If I drain the tanks to less than 60 PSI, the bags stay deflated. The pressure protection valve is doing its job.

Originally Posted by Jimmy F

If you do this make sure your tires are blocked so the coach won't move, then release your parking brake. Pumping the brakes with the parking brake on can cause big damage to your air brakes. It's called compounding your brakes, and you can bend the push rods etc.


Jimmy F

That is a valid concern. Many newer rigs have some sort of protection against compounding, and it's less of a concern. Still, even with that protection system, it's still wise not to press the service brakes firmly while the parking brake is engaged -- shallow rapid feathering of the brakes is enough to bleed the pressure down quickly. But if you don't specifically know that your brakes are protected against compounding, it's best to never apply service and parking brakes at the same time. If you're not 100% sure, don't do it.

[Dutch Star Don]

I use the eraser end of a pencil. When I get ready to level, I pull the pencil out.

[Pusherpilot]

Originally Posted by Diplomat Don

I use the eraser end of a pencil. When I get ready to level, I pull the pencil out.

I use one of those erasers you stick on the end of a pencil. On my coach I have to have the ignition in the acc position to dump the bags. The worse I've done is leave it in the acc position and discover it later.
Ron

[MACRacing]

I also stick something handy under the switch and leave it. Its usually a pen or pencil with big eraser
Mat