Air Ride for Dummies

[LUV2XCLR8]

Just like the title says, I am picking up a ride that has a 3/4 done
system on it, lines are already run, tanks and valves are there, it
needs brackets made to hook up the compressor & all the wiring,
so where do I find info on how to do it? it's a 6 switch system, he
has one for the compressor, one for each bag (4), and one to use
as a Pancake? switch, I guess that lays it out all at once, about
10 years ago I did USAC and IASCA in autosound, so wiring does
not scare me, but having an idea on what to do exactly does

Here's a pic of his contol panel, 6th switch not installed (Comp.)

[see ten]

Craig I don't know squat about it but I have found some great info here.
http://www.bagginit.com/

[LUV2XCLR8]

WOW, neat site, TYVM

[jimmydean]

I am using a 7 switch system. Front, back, each bag, and pacake. The valves are easy, power and ground.

<edit> I used 8' of Street Wires 9-wire to run my valves. It was $.90 a foot at Car Toys (car audio retail store). I hope to get pictures up some day if I ever finish it.

[SlammedDime]

www.airridetalk.com is an even better resource than bagginit.com.

[LUV2XCLR8]

Originally Posted by SlammedDime

www.airridetalk.com is an even better resource than bagginit.com.

To the Board, and TYVM

Originally Posted by jimmydean

I am using a 7 switch system. Front, back, each bag, and pacake. The valves are easy, power and ground.

TYVM

[SlammedDime]

I think I should shed some light on your question too, rather than simply providing shameless plugs... haha.

I think you have a good idea going with that panel, and it will work well for you, however I would discourage you from using a switch to control your compressor. A pressure switch is an automated device designed for the task, and removes chance of error (leaving the compressor on and overworking it). Now if you were to install a push button switch to override the pressure switch, I suppose that would be okay, but a toggle switch to control a compressor is something I would stray away from.

As for wiring diagrams, I dont have any regarding wiring valves, as they are pretty much straight forward. Each valve has a positive and negative lead or terminal. Some valves have three terminals, two which are parallel, and a third that is perpendicular to the other two, and below them. That third one IS NOT used. Only the two parallel pins are used. One is ground, one is +12v, it doesn't matter which. Simply ground the ground, and run a wire from the switch to the +12v lead. If you're familiar with wiring, then I dont think I need to explain anything beyond that. The switches probably have three terminals. The middle would your source power, and the outside terminals would go to a fill and dump valve.

For compressor wiring diagrams, I have plenty of those that can be seen at www.airridetalk.com/wiring-info/

For the pancake switch, unless the switch has 12 terminals (which I doubt, based on the switch in the picture), you will need to use diodes on the two outside terminals, 4 for each (one for each fill valve, and one for each dump valve). Otherwise, if you hit one of your regular switches, if all of your fill wires go to the pancake switch, then you will essentially pancake the vehicle with every switch. The diode will prevent that.

Im off work this afternoon, and plan on doing some work on my engine driven compressor setup, but I will try to make some simple wiring diagrams for valves.

Also, what manufacturers do you have going on here? Compressor, valves, bags, etc?

[jimmydean]

One of the advantages of using the switchbox setup I bought was the pancake swithch and front/rear switches are pre-wired as well.

The 7 switch setup is more than enough for me. Still not bad for $30.