running airbags from Pacbrake compressor

[JCasper]

I currently have my Pacbrake compressor just running my brake and air horn. I had a firestone compressor prior to installing the pacbrake so I just left it to control the airbags. Well the firestone compressor is dead now.



My question is this: Can I just buy an air solenoid and wire it to the firestone controller to activate the solenoid and then T into my pacbrake system for air?



I hope that question made sense. I'm trying to do this as cheap as possible

 

[SRadke]

Just pull the Firestone compressor and run a feed line from the Pacbrake system to wherever the Firestone system starts.

 

[JCasper]

Hi Scott!!!!



You know, after I posted this I was thinking that same thing



I could just run a feed line to the line that was attatched to the compressor and then the valve/control in the cab should work. At least I think so



I will try it manually, with a hose tomorrow before I T into the pacbrake system.

 

[SRadke]

I don't know what you have for controls, gauges etc in the Firestone system but you can supply the air to it from anywhere. Just takes plumbing.

 

[JCasper]

I don't know what you have for controls, gauges etc in the Firestone system but you can supply the air to it from anywhere. Just takes plumbing.

I have a control that looks like this



If I remember right there is the line coming from the compressor, to the gauge, then out to the bags. When you dump the air out it lets it out right at the gauge/control panel.



There are power wires, but they are to just turn the compressor on. Since I will be supplying air to it all the time I would just be using the valve part of it. I wonder if it's up to the task of that much constant pressure?

 

[SRadke]

So you have a pair of solenoids mounted somewhere? One for each bag? Or just one and the bags are plumbed together? Reguarless it doesn't really matter. Whever the lie from the Firestone compressor goes (be it the solenoid, gauge valve, or tank) just run air to there from the Pacbrake system. FWIW you'll be better off if the two bags are plumbed individually.

 

[JCasper]

Nope, no solenoids.



It's just like a dump valve. Air comes in when you move the lever up. That turns the compressor on. When you move the lever down it dumps the air.



My bags are plumbed together. I know individual is better, but mainly for hauling campers and loads that are top heavy.



I'll try it tomorrow and see how it goes as long as it's not raining too hard at break time in the morning.

 

[CDonaldson]

I would at least consider putting a check valve in line to the air bags. If you had an air bag line fail or an air bag fail, your whole system would be down.



CD

 

[Pacbrake]

The check valve is a good idea, I would pick up your feed line from the tank to run to your air bag gauge kit.

 

[JCasper]

The check valve is a good idea, I would pick up your feed line from the tank to run to your air bag gauge kit.

Thanks



At break time this morning I am going to go and temporarily plumb this up



I have been hauling tire chains all week and I'm afraid I will damage the bags without enough air in them.

 

[JCasper]

Alright, I just went out and hooked it up.



Seems to work so hopefully I don't have any problems.



No check valve yet though

 

[Pacbrake]

It shouldn't be to much of and issue we ran without the check valves for a number of years.

 

[JCasper]

It shouldn't be to much of and issue we ran without the check valves for a number of years.

Good deal



I hope that little compressor keeps working for a while. I'm only using the little pacbrake tank that came with the EB.



I don't however use the airbags much so it shouldn't add a lot of stress to it.