[jonyb]

I'm adding helper bags to my truck with a 5-gallon tank for on-board air. On my last truck I had a compressor, tank, trainhorn, bags that were filled manually, and plumbed with an airhose to fill tires.

This time I wanna do it a little different. Gonna add a tank, compressor, helpers, horn in the future, and plumb it like the last one. Instead of filling the bags manually I want to add some valves and a switch with gauges inside. Valves are new to me, so I know nothing about them.

In the cab, I want to add a gauge panel with 2 gauges and 3 switches. 1 gauge will be a single needle for tank pressure, the other will be a dual needle for bag pressure. The switches will be fill (1 for each bag) and dump.

Something like this:

Any suggestions?
Should I use 1/4" or 3/8"? I'm sure for helpers that 1/4" will be fine.
Do I use the same valves for fill and dump (2 separate valves)?
What about switches? Should I just use a pushbutton? Or are they wired a little different? The switches in the pic look like toggles.

If I'm not on the right track or there's a better way to do it, please let me know. I'm kind of on a budget too so if anyone has anything cheap or used post it up..

Thanks

 

[tommy]

i would just 1/8th line for the gauges and 1/4 to the bags. i'm unsure what's recommend for the horns. i would have one 1/4 line to your 1/4 valve assembly then to a T and then to your 2 bags.

are you wanting 150 or 200 psi? i would have a push button for the train horns and a single toggle for the valves. i would also run a pillar pod for the guages and hide the switches.

 

[dava flav]

one toggle would be on-off-on. momentary so on toggle will operate the fill and dump of each bag. then your third toggle can be for horns or a override for the relay.

 

[jonyb]

3rd switch was gonna be to turn power on or off to the compressor. It'll have a pressure switch and relay, but I'd want to turn power off to it when the truck is parked with the alarm on.

 

[nick993]

viair makes a relay and pressure switch all in one, it would be good for your application. as for the valves, i see guys that run shrader valves separately to help with uneven loads. so depending on what you haul, you would need 2 valves and a t fitting and bag fittings if its just for towing. or if whatever you haul is heavy on one side in the bed, then look at getting 4 1/4" valves.

 

[bigoakes50]

Just wire to the ignition so when the truck is off the compressor won't kick on in the middle of the night, easier and cleaner than running multiple switches, unless you want control of the compressor while your truck is running as well.

 

[jonyb]

Just wire to the ignition so when the truck is off the compressor won't kick on in the middle of the night, easier and cleaner than running multiple switches, unless you want control of the compressor while your truck is running as well.

That's a good point, but I'd like to control it when the truck is on. What would happen is that when I activate the remote start, the compressor would kick on and run while the truck is trying to start.

Schrader valves? Got a link?

Nick, Do you have a link for that relay and pressure switch? I've got a pressure switch and always keep relays on hand for my alarm installs, but that may sound pretty good.
^^Edit: found what you were talking about: http://www.suspensionconnection.com/cgi-bin/suscon/90111.html?id=nDF337j9

You guys also said have 4 valves. Is there anyway I could use 1 valve for dump, 2 for filling? Just T into the dump with both lines?

The load I carry is a 5500# boat. It's pretty tongue heavy, so I'm assuming I'd need 2 valves, or would it be okay with just one? If it's just one, that would save money by using a single needle gauge instead of dual, less valves, and less fittings.

 

[vartz04]

Unless you haul a lot of uneven loads, you only need one gauge and 2 valves. one dump and one fill, no sense in over complicating a helper bag system. I plan to do something like this as well (onboard air), Just not sure where I want to mount the compressor.

 

[jonyb]

That's kind of what I was thinking now Jeff, thanks....

So it looks like this so far:
1 single needle gauge for tank pressure
1 single needle gauge for both bags
2 1/4" valves (1 dump, 1 fill)
1 toggle switch for compressor on/off
1 3 prong momentary switch for fill/dump
1 relay/pressure switch

Already have a tank, so don't need that, but will still need a compressor....

 

[leviticus]

check out Dakota Digital , they might have something you'd like for a pressure gauge.

 

[jonyb]

I'd love anything they have, but probably don't wanna pay for it.

 

[LaydSierra]

That's kind of what I was thinking now Jeff, thanks....

So it looks like this so far:
1 single needle gauge for tank pressure
1 single needle gauge for both bags
2 1/4" valves (1 dump, 1 fill)
1 toggle switch for compressor on/off
1 3 prong momentary switch for fill/dump
1 relay/pressure switch

Already have a tank, so don't need that, but will still need a compressor....

just get 1 dual needle gauge, it'll be cleaner & easier to mount. & just run the pressure switch to switched power, when i had my 2 AZs they would come on when i would remote start my truck & never had a prob out of it. oh yeah, don't forget line & fittings

 

[jonyb]

just get 1 dual needle gauge, it'll be cleaner & easier to mount. & just run the pressure switch to switched power, when i had my 2 AZs they would come on when i would remote start my truck & never had a prob out of it. oh yeah, don't forget line & fittings

I think I've got plenty of line and a few fittings. Probably get the fittings locally once I get everything together and laid out on the floor.

 

[GMracer]

I would run the bags seperate, that way when cornering the air doesn't transfer from bag to bag.

 

[SamCarroll]

whered you get a helper set up big enough with the lift?

 

[JoeR]

whered you get a helper set up big enough with the lift?

hes running stock springs so it should work like on a stock truck as long as it mounts on the springs and not the axle.

It would be different to run helper bags on a truck like mine or yours with full rear springs

 

[SamCarroll]

hes running stock springs so it should work like on a stock truck as long as it mounts on the springs and not the axle.

It would be different to run helper bags on a truck like mine or yours with full rear springs

thats what i wanted to know, damn. I wouldnt mind getting some helpers for mine.

 

[jonyb]

I'm gonna be using the Ride-Rite 2430 bags and a 6" spacer. Gotta call tomorrow to see if the spacer will work on my truck. I've got a thread in the lifted forum about it.