Air bags and ping tanks

[LJones]

So quick update, after contacting Summit Racing it was quickly determined that the website was incorrect. So they are sending out an Air Lift bag setup instead or the Firestone. Does anybody now the difference, who make the bag itself?

 

[MLee]

Have you guys had problems with the "quick connect air lines"? mine leaked so I used the more perminit type with the ferrule and non-crush type set up.

 

[mpaulson]

Have you guys had problems with the "quick connect air lines"? mine leaked so I used the more perminit type with the ferrule and non-crush type set up.

Yes, back about 5 trucks ago I installed my bags using them and when the temperature dropped they'd start to leak due to contraction of the plastic lines. Ever since then I chuck those things and buy my own with the furls and the inserts (non-crush type as you put it)that go inside the end of the tubing to keep things straight when you tighten them up. I personally hate those quick connect things.

 

[lawdog1]

I just installed Airlift 5000 Ultimate Bags and their multi-function wireless remote and compressor. A few things I learned:

1. Airlift does not recommend ping tank(s) with the wireless system. The software and internals of the compressor cannot recognize/support the tank...it is designed solely to operate the bags. They have a separate tank kit with a hard wired controller if you are compelled to have ping tanks. So if you want ping tanks or a spare tank in addition to your bags to air up tires or run air horns the wireless control system is not for you.

2. The bags on my 2012 2500 were offset on the mounting bracket which caused me concern. I sent photos and called Airlift tech support. The mount has three holes for mounting bolts and on the 2500 Ram you are supposed to use the inboard mounting holes closest to the chunk which make the bags off center on the bracket. I was assured this is okay/part of the design and will not cause a performance issue loaded or unloaded. I was further informed that if any problem were to develop the bags have a lifetime warranty for manufacturer defect...good to know.

3. Regarding ride comfort, it is a bit stiffer. When I talked to Airlift they advised 5 psi is acceptable unloaded which softens things a bit. Also if you have a 2 inch level and it is effecting the harshness of your ride, look at your front shocks (did you change them to bilstein silvers or another shock made for a 2 inch lift?). If you did not and have stock front shocks your ride is likely suffering because you dont have full shock travel with the lift...you are into the bump stop or limit of the shock travel at the smallest road imperfection.

Hope this intel is helpful.

 

[CBari]

Thanks Lawdog that is what I was wondering if the Ping tanks would work with the wireless remote. I also want an aux tank and larger compressor so I will be going back to the drawing board.

 

[mpaulson]

Pac brake has good quality compressors and some that have 100% duty cycle so you could fill a larger tank and run it long enough to fill a truck tire in one continuous fill. I assume the only reason the Airlift system won't work is because the compressor doesn't have the duty cycle to run that long without burning up. Otherwise, how would it know you have ping tanks??

 

[seafish]

I am also curious as to the specifics as to why the AirLift woreless system will not work with ping tanks??

 

[PC12Driver]

I'd agree with mpaulson. The standard Airlift compressor is pretty tiny. Adding more volume to fill probably would push it over the edge.

 

[CBari]

They have a special switch to use with the airlift system if you already have on-board air. The problem I think with the wireless is that it always tries to maintain the pressure you set it at, so with ping tanks on rough road as the air has more room to compress the pressure will change enough that the wireless controller would try to add or remove air setting up a constant battle on rough roads.


I don't know this for sure but this was my theory why it wouldn't work before I saw Lawdog's post that the manufacture said it wouldn't work.

 

[Doubleclutch]

Cbari- if you put a restriction in the line (throttle valve) between the pressure sensor and the ping tank, the pressure surges will dampen out, stopping any cycling of the compressor... if that is the real issue here. I suspect it has more to do with the duty cycle thing, myself. Airlift should really have some interest here since ping tanks make their product operate better.

 

[mpaulson]

They have a special switch to use with the airlift system if you already have on-board air. The problem I think with the wireless is that it always tries to maintain the pressure you set it at, so with ping tanks on rough road as the air has more room to compress the pressure will change enough that the wireless controller would try to add or remove air setting up a constant battle on rough roads.


I don't know this for sure but this was my theory why it wouldn't work before I saw Lawdog's post that the manufacture said it wouldn't work.

Actually the ping tanks would make the pressure fluctuation a smaller range when hitting bumps and dips since there is more volume to compress, so not as much of a reaction psi wise. Just the filling of the tanks as well as the bags would/could over heat the compressor if lacking duty cycle. I have seen this in my new truck since this is the first time I've done ping tanks. I don't even see the digital gauge change while driving. Now that maybe because the digital gauge doesn't register quick enough to show the change compared to a mechanical gauge that I had in the last truck. On the last truck I'd easily see a 20 psi variance as I hit dips and bumps with a load on. I don't think ping tanks would be a problem personally other than the volume the compressor may have to pump if doing a major fill to the bags/tanks.

 

[lawdog1]

When I called airlift and asked about a ping tank to add on to their wireless system I did not get into the details of why it would not work, I just took their word for it. The tech was nice and seemed like he would answer more questions, but I don't have enough of a baseline of knowledge about the ping tank set up and how one might be plumbed to have an intelligent conversation on the subject. I need to get some edumacation about the way one should work first! (Ha!) The tech did mention that he knew of one person who had got a ping tank to work with a wireless system after substantial effort but I did not delve deeper into the subject and again they did not recommend it so I let it ride. If someone does call airlift and get more information on how it might could work (and can explain it slowly and in real simple speak to lesser able folks like me) I would like to learn how to do it...b/c I want the best system I can get as long as it is reliable and not ridiculously expensive.

 

[AH64ID]

I have spoken with airlift on other issues, unless it's part of their kit it's not recommended.

They won't warranty a single part of the wireless system if you don't use their compressor, even if it's a big brother to their Viair and hooked up in the same am. We.

 

[CBari]

Well my only desire for the wireless system was so I didn't have to run any wires or mount any gauges inside the cab of 2013. I am sold on pacbrakes bags and the viair larger duty compressors as I will also be adding a 5gal tank to the truck. I just wanted to be able to use the wireless portion of the airlift kit but I think I have come to the conclusion that they don't like to play well with others.

 

[AH64ID]

Well my only desire for the wireless system was so I didn't have to run any wires or mount any gauges inside the cab of 2013. I am sold on pacbrakes bags and the viair larger duty compressors as I will also be adding a 5gal tank to the truck. I just wanted to be able to use the wireless portion of the airlift kit but I think I have come to the conclusion that they don't like to play well with others.

IMHO it's all a "we want the sale" and not a "it wont work" thing.

I fully plan to add it someday, and after this thread maybe even 1/2" lines and small ping tanks.

I don't see how the controller or solenoids would know if they are working with a 1/2 gallon of air or 5 gallons.

There controller should have a delay, or averaging, component to it or the pressure would change every few seconds. If it where my setup I would build it with a 30 second delay so it doesn't change pressure on corners.