Need Help With Air Tank Fitting - Hose - Air Ride Seat

[Busventure]

Hi Everyone,
I am very excited to install my new Legacy Silver Air Ride Seat! Unfortunatley the original seat in my 1998 Thomas Vista was not air ride.
Luckily it looks like there is an unused hookup on my air tank that sits conveniently right below the driver seat.

I need help finding a fitting for the unused hookup on my tank.
Please have a look at these pictures.

https://ibb.co/3Bnf8n7
https://ibb.co/FKBGQfd
https://ibb.co/pz56pwt

[rossvtaylor]

I think what you want to do is pull that fitting out, where it's threaded into the tank, then use a tee to add a fitting for the seat tubing. I don't believe you need to actually find a female match to that brass fitting...whatever that is. We've got several buses now, and have had others before...and I'm not familiar with that type of fitting. Odd... I'm confident I'll learn something new from someone else soon, though!

[mmoore6856]

can not legally hook to the air tank without using a brake saver valve

[Busventure]

Thank you! Can you provide a link to the T fitting please?

[Busventure]

Interesting. That makes complete sense though. Can I remove the existing valve seen in the picture and install the brake saver valve in that same hole?

[rossvtaylor]

MMoore is right, if that's a brake air tank. I should have clarified. Some of our buses have 3 different systems...primary/secondary brake tanks, auxiliary (airbag and door actuators) tanks, and an air starter tank (which is huge!). If this is a brake system tank, then you do indeed need a fitting as MMoore mentioned so that a failure won't immediately drain your air brake pressure. I know them as PPVs... pressure protection valves. The brake saver name is new to me, but like I said - I knew I'd learn something today.

[Busventure]

Does this PPV look correct?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MgeI7uOr4zI

[rossvtaylor]

Originally Posted by Busventure

Does this PPV look correct?

Yes, exactly! That's what it does and here are several options:

https://www.anythingtruck.com/catego...reprotect.html


While you're under there, adding a safe air supply circuit, you can add a quick connect fitting for an air hose. You can use that to air up tires or run an impact wrench. After all, you have a 180+ horsepower air compressor!

[bus-bro]

If plumbing off your auxiliary tank you might need a pressure regulator between it and the seat. It all depends on the tank psi and what the seat inputs. I do believe I have a regulator between my air seat and the auxiliary tank.

[Busventure]

How should I go about figuring out the correct Open and Close PSI? The air gauge on my dash has two needles(one for each wheel?). When they both pass around 80 - I am able to start the engine.

This valve looks to be the correct one beign 1/2 threaded male.
https://www.anythingtruck.com/product/810-032219.html

[Busventure]

Good point

[Native]

If you have air actuated accessories (stop sign, crossing guard, doors, etc.), then you can add a "T" fitting in one of those lines and plumb the 1/4" plastic line from there to the seat.


By the way, we have installed Legacy Silver seats in our bus.

[Brad_SwiftFur]

Originally Posted by Busventure

How should I go about figuring out the correct Open and Close PSI? The air gauge on my dash has two needles(one for each wheel?). When they both pass around 80 - I am able to start the engine.

The 2 needles on your air gauge indicate "Primary" and "Secondary" systems. Most will also have a "wet" tank which receives air from the compressor or air dryer (if you have one, many systems do), though no gauge for it. Air from the "Wet" tank feeds into the primary system. There will be another valve that allows the primary system to feed the secondary, its secondary function is to isolate the 2 systems should either one depressurize suddenly, thus maintaining enough air reserve to retain control of the bus and bring it to a safe controlled stop.
It seems to me you should be able to start the engine regardless of air pressure - otherwise how does it build pressure? 60-80 PSI is the common range for protection valves, mine's around 60 or so.