Problem With Air Valve?

[damnyankee36]

Originally Posted by AccuAirSuspension

The intake and exhaust valves are ported exactly opposite from each other. Let me explain:

The intake valve has tank pressure on the back side of the poppet and bag pressure on the "face" of the poppet.

The exhaust valve has bag pressure on the back side of the poppet and atmosphere on the "face" of the poppet.

Anytime you have approximately 15 psi more on the "face" of the poppet than the backside, the pressure will overcome the poppet spring and the valve will back flow, (This is the case when your tank pressure drops below the bag pressure).

This is why your exhaust could never back flow. Now lets get really crazy about this... if you had zero psi in your bags and the atmosphere suddenly went 15 psi higher than your bags, then the exhaust valves would back flow and your bags would automatically start inflating!!!! I don't think that we should worry about this one though

To further the original question about adding a check valve... All of the suggestions are true... a check valve will surely eliminate the potential back flow concern when your tank pressure drops below your bags. But also keep in mind that a check valve is another part to fail. I'm sure that quite a few people could way in on how many compressor check valves they have had fail in the past. At AccuAir we have solved the whole issue by providing leak free plumbing... yes sounds crazy, but loctite 565 along with top-of-the-line D.O.T. fittings have changed our world.

That helps me immensely! I didn't realize the valves were opposite in their configuration in relation to the bags.

I remember a while back I was wondering how tough a solenoid's job is if it had to have enough spring pressure to keep it sealed yet a strong enough magnetic field to open it. The air bag pressure actually helps hold it shut, at least on the exhaust valve.

Thanks!