Ping Tanks - Air Bags Anyone running this combinatation? TDR ISSUE 78

[RBellah]

In the new TDR magazine Issue 78 it goes over this Ping Tank being used with Pac-Brake Air Bags making a better ride. Looks like Firestone or Pac Brake could come up with these as an added item. Anyone running the PING TANKS with Firestone Air Bags?

 

[Gonzo 1066]

I assume that "Ping" tanks are a extra tank plumbed into the bag circut that is a reserve to allow compression of the air. I have tanks like that on my Kelderman 4 link towing setup. They work very well indeed.

 

[n7gxz]

Just thought I'd share some pictures of the air bag ping tank setup I just put on. Starting with the 2010 trucks the only ones that get overload springs are the 3500 DRW so I decided to put on a set of Pac Brake air bags after reading the article in the TDR (issue 78 page 124). I went so far as to wire in my own in cab controls to inflate/deflate the bags and pressure sensors on each bag and the main air tank.



Kevin

 

[Allnew2Me]

Nice job, clean install, you did some planning and it shows. Let us know how they work and what you feel with them in the system. Are you able to close them off for a before and after test? Also, did you have any leaks at the compression fittings? They always seem to need a few more turns.

Are the pressure sensors electrical so you can switch the inputs at the gauge to read the various locations?

 

[n7gxz]

Nice job, clean install, you did some planning and it shows. Let us know how they work and what you feel with them in the system. Are you able to close them off for a before and after test? Also, did you have any leaks at the compression fittings? They always seem to need a few more turns.
Are the pressure sensors electrical so you can switch the inputs at the gauge to read the various locations?

I had only one of the compression fittings leak, I use tube insert sleeves.

Yes the pressure sensors are electrical (www.glowshift.com). The left switch is DPDT that switches between the left and right bag/ping tank. The top readout on the display is the main tank and the bottom is the ping tank either left or right. The other two switches are to inflate/deflate the bags.

I used 3/8" Marson threadserts into the front bed cross member to mount the tanks.

Kevin

 

[Allnew2Me]

I see four air solenoids, one each for air in and out I assume? If that is the case, how difficult is it to add or release a small amount of air into the system?

 

[n7gxz]

You are correct, one pair of valves on each side. One is inflate and the other deflate. I've been able to adjust 1 or 2 PSI at a time. I used 1/4" tubing for that side of things so that I could have better control. The deflate valves have 1/8" air tool mufflers so that provides some more restriction and control delating.

Kevin

 

[mpaulson]

Kevin, it looks like you used 1/2" air line between the bags and the tanks, right? Since one wants as much volume flow as possible for the tank to serve the purpose that would make sense. The fitting into the bags are only 1/4" typically as well as most small tanks. What size of tanks are those? 1 gallon tanks? I see that they are Viair, and the Viair ones that I can find only have 1/4" fittings, at least on airbagit.com's site.

 

[n7gxz]

Kevin, it looks like you used 1/2" air line between the bags and the tanks, right? Since one wants as much volume flow as possible for the tank to serve the purpose that would make sense. The fitting into the bags are only 1/4" typically as well as most small tanks. What size of tanks are those? 1 gallon tanks? I see that they are Viair, and the Viair ones that I can find only have 1/4" fittings, at least on airbagit.com's site.

Yes the tanks are 1 gallon with 1/4" NPT threads with 1/2" lines between the tanks and bags. I don't feel like the slight reduction in the internal size of the fittings has caused any problems. Remember that the 1/2" tubing is 1/2" OD. I got the tanks and valves from www.hornblasters.com.

Kevin

 

[mpaulson]

thanks for the reply. Man, I would like the $1,500 set of "real" train horns!!!! I have 5 normal ones and I have allot of fun with those. I have ordered two 2 1/2 gal tanks to use as ping tanks. That amount of volume should be more than enough to cushion the ride.