air tank in basement door aft of mid door contessa keeps running?

[LaMonte Monnell]

On my 2001 Contessa mid door coach I notice an air tank filling but after it shuts off a few seconds it starts running again.

It has a manual drain on it also.

The motor comes on when you turn the ignition key on and fills a tank, then it shuts off a few seconds,  and then the pump comes back on.

No idea what its for but maybe someone here knows?

[Eric Maclean]

Lamont's
It sounds like from your discriptionthe that air compressor may be a makeup air form an air leveling system
Does your coach have air leveling or hydraulic leveling system.
Either way you will have to isolate and repair the air leak
Can you get us a picture of the compressor and tank in question.
Eric

[LaMonte Monnell]

Ill go out and get a couple of pictures of the parts and get them on here.

[Steve Huber Co-Admin]

The 01 Contessa had hydraulic leveling.
Steve

[LaMonte Monnell]

Mine doesn't have hydraulic leveling anymore. I had all those removed and HWH in Moscow Iowa put in a custom system tied into the airbags for air leveling.

My issue now is that the original air pump fills the small cylinder, shuts off for 5-10 seconds, then runs again. I guess that would mean I have a small air leak somewhere causing the pump to cycle back on?

The pump/compressor is made by Thomas Pumps part #315CDC45/12

The tank is Firestone part #9155 061 01 that is next to the pump compressor.

[LaMonte Monnell]

I think after pulling the tank and the pump compressor down that they are working correct. The pump fills the tank and shuts off, but after 3-5 seconds it comes back on. I must have a small air leak somewhere causing this to keep cycling over and over. This only runs with the key on, I guess this is proper?

[Steve Huber Co-Admin]

Lamonte,
It's for your HWH air level system. Couple of possible causes for the pump running so often.
  -a leak, but I suspect it isn't very small if it triggers the pump after a few seconds.
  -a faulty check valve (but very unlikely)
  - a pump that is not producing enough pressure. (The Thomas pumps are not known for long life IMHO). Put a pressure gauge on the pump output and see what PSI it is producing. Should be ~100 PSI. Mine failed by slowly loosing compression causing longer and longer run times. At ~70 PSI it ran continuously.

Pump should be wired to run with ignition off. Otherwise coach will be unable to re-level when boondocking and tank supply is low.
Steve

[Eric Maclean]

What your going to have to do is hunt down and repair the air leak.
Use dish soap and water to make up a solution and spray all the lines and fittings associated withe leveling system spray and look for bubbles by the sounds of it you have a pretty good leak which should not be had to find .
REMEMBER TO DRIVE THE COACH UP ON BLOCKS SO AS TO GIVE YOUS SELF ROOM UNDER THERE IF THE BAGS WHERE TO EMPTY SUDDENLY please avoid getting crushed!!

The HWH system uses two six pack valve body's with solenoid valves to control the air bag inflation for air leveling and they have been known to leak at the O rings .
There are many posts on the forum about the leaks and repair procedures I think Mike may even have the O ring numbers for you
In the coach assist section of the forum there is an HWH manual which should help you in understanding and troubleshooting the system
Hope this helps
Eric

[LaMonte Monnell]

Is Thomas pumps and compressors still in business to purchase a new one if it is low pressure in the pump?

Got all that back in and getting ready to hunt for leaks......oh what a joy!

[Steve Huber Co-Admin]

Thomas pumps are available if you want to go with a direct replacement. They are pricey at about $400. If you are willing to do a bit of modification to the mounting and an easy electrical mod, Viair is a better pump IMHO at less than $200 on eBay for a 200PSI pump.
Steve