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Air suspension [message #115385] Thu, 17 February 2011 17:03 Go to next message
Luvn737s is currently offline  Luvn737s   United States
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I met a prospective GMCer who had plenty good to say about this system. I wonder if it's worth it for a retrofit?


http://www.accuairsuspension.com/product_elevel_amp_tpad.html


Randy
1973 26' Painted Desert
Ahwatukee (Phoenix) AZ
Re: Air suspension [message #115448 is a reply to message #115385] Thu, 17 February 2011 22:54 Go to previous messageGo to next message
bukzin is currently offline  bukzin   United States
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Also have a look at Gary Bovee wireless air system.

Seems to me it was well under $500, but he is happy
to share what he learned putting it together.



http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showphoto.php?photo=35440&title=wireless-air-system&cat=5575


Bukzin
1977 Palm Beach
Re: [GMCnet] Air suspension [message #115452 is a reply to message #115385] Fri, 18 February 2011 00:18 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jimk is currently offline  jimk   United States
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By relying on air pressure only is not the best.
The GMC uses the height as the way to keep things in balance.
Load can vary when you have constant wind blowing on one side of the coach.






On Thu, Feb 17, 2011 at 3:03 PM, Randy <Acrosport2@hotmail.com> wrote:
>
>
> I met a prospective GMCer who had plenty good to say about this system. I wonder if it's worth it for a retrofit?
>
>
> http://www.accuairsuspension.com/product_elevel_amp_tpad.html
> --
> Randy
> 1973 26' Painted Desert
> Ahwatukee (Phoenix) AZ
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
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Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
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1-800-752-7502
Re: [GMCnet] Air suspension [message #115461 is a reply to message #115452] Fri, 18 February 2011 06:55 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Luvn737s is currently offline  Luvn737s   United States
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jimk wrote on Thu, 17 February 2011 23:18

By relying on air pressure only is not the best.
The GMC uses the height as the way to keep things in balance.
Load can vary when you have constant wind blowing on one side of the coach.


Doesn't the leveling valve release air pressure to balance air bag pressures and provide leveling? I was under the impression that this system used a digital leveling system, but I could be mistaken.


Randy
1973 26' Painted Desert
Ahwatukee (Phoenix) AZ
Gary Bovee [message #115464 is a reply to message #115461] Fri, 18 February 2011 07:22 Go to previous messageGo to next message
bukzin is currently offline  bukzin   United States
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Maybe he could chime in and again share what he learned
building his system.


Bukzin
1977 Palm Beach
Re: Gary Bovee [message #115466 is a reply to message #115464] Fri, 18 February 2011 07:31 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Keith V is currently offline  Keith V   United States
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That system does use level sensors.
But it's shown as a 2 axle system. I wonder if it's available for a single axle? ( I'm at work and can't speed too much time looking)


Keith Vasilakes
Mounds View. MN
75 ex Royale GMC
ask me about MicroLevel
Cell, 763-732-3419
My427v8@hotmail.com
Re: [GMCnet] Gary Bovee [message #115480 is a reply to message #115464] Fri, 18 February 2011 09:27 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Gary Bovee is currently offline  Gary Bovee   United States
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Richard,

As many of you are aware, you have air systems that are basically
non-operational. The levelors don't work or the solenoids valves are bad
etc, etc. I had a system that was non-operational and was used to driving
with the air bags valves closed. Mine had all the original wiring going to
the system cut off back by the air system. I wanted something simple I
could work on and not have to payout big bucks to someone else to replace
all the parts and wiring it needed to put everything back to original.

I installled the Quadra Bag System from Jim K. and was running short of $$$
and decided to save some buck and install the wireless air leveling system
insteading of trying to fix my old system. I had heard that there may be
over 20% of the GMC coaches on the road today running around without a
working air system. With that in mind I figured OK if all those coaches can
do it without using levelors then installing a wireless air leveling system
that works on pressure only should be OK. I can program each side's air
bags to individual settings to compensate for one side being heavier than
the other. The system automatically keeps each sides air bags within 3 psi
of whatever I program the pressure setting. No more having to manually
release air to level the coach when dry camping or manually adding air when
getting ready to hit the road. Just turn on the ignition key and it
automatically relevels the coach to the programed air setting for travel.

It is so simple to wire up. Just three wires. Positive, ground and ignition
wire and you are done.

I don't have failing levelors, solenoids, old swithches etc. to worry about.
I have a modern air system using modern technology from a company that has
been around for over 60 years.

No I have not driven the coach in strong winds yet. I can tell you that I
had to drive my coach in an all out emergency situation between Redding and
Eureka as fast as I could go. On that winding twisting road going to the
coast. I thought the coach handled just fine pushing it to the MAX +! It
was a great test for handling.

I am totally happy I installed the wireless air leveling system. JMHO

Gary Bovee
Red Bluff, CA
78 Royale by Coachman

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Re: Air suspension [message #115484 is a reply to message #115385] Fri, 18 February 2011 09:48 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Chr$ is currently offline  Chr$   United States
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what would happen if a bunch of us were all parked side by side and all had wireless systems? would our coaches start "dancing" since they would be compensating for each other?

LOL


-Chr$: Perpetual SmartAss
Scottsdale, AZ

77 Ex-Kingsley 455 SOLD!
2010 Nomad 24 Ft TT 390W PV W/MPPT, EV4010 and custom cargo door.
Photosite: Chrisc GMC:"It has Begun" TT: "The Other Woman"
Re: Air suspension [message #115485 is a reply to message #115385] Fri, 18 February 2011 09:50 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Chr$ is currently offline  Chr$   United States
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All kidding aside, Gary is right about non-operational systems. I set my height manually and lock the bags off. I think I will install the wireless system someday.

-Chr$: Perpetual SmartAss
Scottsdale, AZ

77 Ex-Kingsley 455 SOLD!
2010 Nomad 24 Ft TT 390W PV W/MPPT, EV4010 and custom cargo door.
Photosite: Chrisc GMC:"It has Begun" TT: "The Other Woman"
Re: [GMCnet] Gary Bovee [message #115488 is a reply to message #115480] Fri, 18 February 2011 10:00 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jknezek is currently offline  jknezek   United States
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I'm very impressed with this wireless system. I certainly have a broken air levelling system on my coach and when I update to the quadrabag in the next year or two I will definitely look into this.

However, I think it is important to expand on what JimK said. The GMC was designed to have an ACTIVE rear air suspension. That means that as driving conditions change, the system stays level without the driver having to adjust the air system. I've never actually driven a GMC that had a working active system, but that was the intent 30+ years ago. The wireless system is a STATIC air system, meaning it will not automatically adust for shifts in weight, crosswinds?, or sweeping turns to relevel the coach automatically.

I'd imagine that a working active system is a real treat to drive, but I wonder how often it actually makes a difference. I find that I raise and lower my bags depending on what kind of driving I'm doing. The bags go up when I'm doing local or windy road driving to cantor the coach forward and improve the turning radius (and yes it does help as I've proved in my driveway. I can't k-turn around at the top with the bags at the "correct" height, but bags most of the way up and I can make it around in a few k-turns), they go down when I'm on the highway and tracking a straight line as a low back end relieves a large amount of steering movement and push from other vehicles.

I've often thought the "correct" height was a happy medium GM engineers made up because they were afraid people would not understand the advantages of raising and lowering the rear end manually. Of course, if I'm right I always kind of wondered why they just didn't add a "town" and "highway" setting to the controls.


Thanks,
Jeremy Knezek
1976 Glenbrook
Birmingham, AL
Re: [GMCnet] Air suspension [message #115489 is a reply to message #115484] Fri, 18 February 2011 09:58 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Gary Bovee is currently offline  Gary Bovee   United States
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Chris, No. Each air system is set to recognize the signal from the remote
that comes with the system.

Gary Bovee
Red Bluff, CA
78 Royale by Coachman

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Re: [GMCnet] Air suspension [message #115491 is a reply to message #115489] Fri, 18 February 2011 10:12 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jimk is currently offline  jimk   United States
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Gary,
Your system only senses pressure?


On Fri, Feb 18, 2011 at 7:58 AM, Gary Bovee <gcbgold@digitalpath.net> wrote:
> Chris,  No.  Each air system is set to recognize the signal from the remote
> that comes with the system.
>
> Gary Bovee
> Red Bluff, CA
> 78 Royale by Coachman
>
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Applied/GMC, Fremont,CA
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Jim Kanomata
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jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
Re: [GMCnet] Gary Bovee [message #115494 is a reply to message #115488] Fri, 18 February 2011 10:29 Go to previous messageGo to next message
James Hupy is currently offline  James Hupy   United States
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Just how "active" is active? The original system with the compressor up
front and air tanks and leveling valves that was all under pressure
continously could be considered an active system, ie; able to respond
immediately to changes in ride height. The EL1 has different components but
behaves similarly. The EL 2 has all electronic ride height control and has
delay circuits to prevent constant gain or loss of air due to short timed
events like cross winds and uneven road surfaces. It could best be described
as a semi active system. When the ride height sensors are disabled by the
use of manual shut off valves between the ride height sensor or leveling
valves and the air bags, then all active controls are not of any use. Yes,
you can still drive the coach, and it doesen't leak down, but you no longer
have a dynamic or active system capable of responding to changing
conditions. None of the three systems are perfect. Some baffle people who
are electrically challenged, and some seem to have a maze of plastic
plumbing, compressor, tanks, and valves. In my many years twisting wrenches,
the glaring truth is that simple systems have fewer problems than complex
ones. What one person's knowledge base is differs from the next person. All
three systems will keep your GMC ar the optimum ride height when they work
correctly. My personal preference is the EL 2 because my experience with it
is greater. The above info is my personal opinion. Accept it or not for what
you have to pay for it.<GRIN>
Jim Hupy
Salem, Or
78 GMC Royale 403

On Fri, Feb 18, 2011 at 8:00 AM, Jeremy <jtknezek@hotmail.com> wrote:

>
>
> I'm very impressed with this wireless system. I certainly have a broken air
> levelling system on my coach and when I update to the quadrabag in the next
> year or two I will definitely look into this.
>
> However, I think it is important to expand on what JimK said. The GMC was
> designed to have an ACTIVE rear air suspension. That means that as driving
> conditions change, the system stays level without the driver having to
> adjust the air system. I've never actually driven a GMC that had a working
> active system, but that was the intent 30+ years ago. The wireless system is
> a STATIC air system, meaning it will not automatically adust for shifts in
> weight, crosswinds?, or sweeping turns to relevel the coach automatically.
>
> I'd imagine that a working active system is a real treat to drive, but I
> wonder how often it actually makes a difference. I find that I raise and
> lower my bags depending on what kind of driving I'm doing. The bags go up
> when I'm doing local or windy road driving to cantor the coach forward and
> improve the turning radius (and yes it does help as I've proved in my
> driveway. I can't k-turn around at the top with the bags at the "correct"
> height, but bags most of the way up and I can make it around in a few
> k-turns), they go down when I'm on the highway and tracking a straight line
> as a low back end relieves a large amount of steering movement and push from
> other vehicles.
>
> I've often thought the "correct" height was a happy medium GM engineers
> made up because they were afraid people would not understand the advantages
> of raising and lowering the rear end manually. Of course, if I'm right I
> always kind of wondered why they just didn't add a "town" and "highway"
> setting to the controls.
> --
> Thanks,
> Jeremy Knezek
> 1976 Glenbrook
> Birmingham, AL
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>
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Re: [GMCnet] Air suspension [message #115495 is a reply to message #115491] Fri, 18 February 2011 10:35 Go to previous messageGo to next message
Gary Bovee is currently offline  Gary Bovee   United States
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Jim, You are correct. The system only senses pressure. The Air Lift kit
was designed to be used on pickup trucks towing a heavy trailer so that the
back end didn't sag from the heavy load on the rear axle. It seems to work
for fine for that type of application so I thought it could work OK on my
coach. So far, so good. No complaints from me.

Gary Bovee
Red Bluff, CA
78 Royale by Coachman

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Re: [GMCnet] Air suspension [message #115506 is a reply to message #115495] Fri, 18 February 2011 11:17 Go to previous messageGo to next message
jimk is currently offline  jimk   United States
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Gary,
That is a good reliable system.
Better to have a sysem that works than to have a fancy unit that you
cannot count on.
The wirless control sounds very useful.
Thank you for sharing the information with us.



On Fri, Feb 18, 2011 at 8:35 AM, Gary Bovee <gcbgold@digitalpath.net> wrote:
> Jim,  You are correct.  The system only senses pressure.  The Air Lift kit
> was designed to be used on pickup trucks towing a heavy trailer so that the
> back end didn't sag from the heavy load on the rear axle.  It seems to work
> for fine for that type of application so I thought it could work OK on my
> coach.  So far, so good.  No complaints from me.
>
> Gary Bovee
> Red Bluff, CA
> 78 Royale by Coachman
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
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>



--
Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC, Fremont,CA
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
http://www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
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Jim Kanomata
Applied/GMC
jimk@appliedairfilters.com
www.appliedgmc.com
1-800-752-7502
Re: [GMCnet] Air suspension [message #115508 is a reply to message #115495] Fri, 18 February 2011 11:20 Go to previous message
Mr ERFisher is currently offline  Mr ERFisher   United States
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shotwell has also been using this system
http://www.gmcmhphotos.com/photos/showgallery.php?cat=5647


he did the ground work

gene



On Fri, Feb 18, 2011 at 8:35 AM, Gary Bovee <gcbgold@digitalpath.net> wrote:

> Jim, You are correct. The system only senses pressure. The Air Lift kit
> was designed to be used on pickup trucks towing a heavy trailer so that the
> back end didn't sag from the heavy load on the rear axle. It seems to work
> for fine for that type of application so I thought it could work OK on my
> coach. So far, so good. No complaints from me.
>
> Gary Bovee
> Red Bluff, CA
> 78 Royale by Coachman
>
> _______________________________________________
> GMCnet mailing list
> Unsubscribe or Change List Options:
> http://temp.gmcnet.org/cgi-bin/mailman/listinfo/gmclist
>



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“Give a man a fish; you have fed him for today --- give him a URL and
-------
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