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Thread: Manual SLS airbag inflation

  1. #1
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    Manual SLS airbag inflation

    Hi all,

    Apologies, it seems to be the season for SLS questions but I didn't want to hijack someone else's thread.Long story short, we're currently on a 4 month trip and managed to break a ride height sensor and then fry the compressor getting ourselves back to base (they definitely don't like 100% duty cycle).

    I've fitted schraeder valves so I can manually inflate the bags but have hit a snag. We have an ARB single on-board compressor which in theory goes to 100 psi, which would be enough but the digital inflator we got with it only goes to 75 psi. My understanding is the ARB fittings are non-standard - has anyone switched fittings to a different inflator? ARB don't seem to sell any others.

    We managed to get enough air into the bags to drive by jacking the car and then getting a workshop to top them up - they need about 90 psi when loaded. They're holding pressure pretty well but would be nice to know we can inflate them ourselves if needed. We'll be in Cairns in a few days so hoping we can sort something there.

    Cheers,

    Andy
    2003 DIIa TD5
    Oval Split level roof rack
    DIY Storage system
    Barrett HF - Tango 1026
    GME TX3200
    Traxide dual battery controller

  2. #2
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    It's annoying to get non ARB type accessories fitting up easily(as in locating and price).
    I removed the arb fitting at the compressor and installed a much more easily found Nitto type(female). Did same on their supplied tyre inflator line too(obviously to female).

    IIRC the threaded ends are 1/8NPT types. Don't hold me to this 100% . I think this is so, only because just about every connector I have is 1/8NPT, and it's been a while since I changed them over(I may have had to purchase other thread types to do so, I just can't recall that far back in time).

    The only things I'd recommend if you choose to swap out the ARB quick release fittings is to use thread sealant instead of a tape sealer for the threads.
    I now prefer to use LOXEAL over most other thread sealants(cheap and easy to find).
    Arthur.

    All these discos are giving me a heart attack!

    '99 D1 300Tdi Auto ( now sold :( )
    '03 D2 Td5 Auto
    '03 D2a Td5 Auto

  3. #3
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    You could at a pinch use a high pressure manual bike shock pump eg: Control Mini Shock 1 | Giant Bicycles Giant Cairns
    Cheers

    Simon
    2003 D2a TD5, ACE, SLS, Vienna Green.

  4. #4
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    Quote Originally Posted by AK83 View Post
    It's annoying to get non ARB type accessories fitting up easily(as in locating and price).
    I removed the arb fitting at the compressor and installed a much more easily found Nitto type(female). Did same on their supplied tyre inflator line too(obviously to female).

    IIRC the threaded ends are 1/8NPT types. Don't hold me to this 100% . I think this is so, only because just about every connector I have is 1/8NPT, and it's been a while since I changed them over(I may have had to purchase other thread types to do so, I just can't recall that far back in time).

    The only things I'd recommend if you choose to swap out the ARB quick release fittings is to use thread sealant instead of a tape sealer for the threads.
    I now prefer to use LOXEAL over most other thread sealants(cheap and easy to find).
    Thanks for that, sounds promising at least. Might try and buy spare fittings from arb in Cairns rather than swap over but not sure if they sell them. If not will try and find the sealant.

    Cheers,
    Andy
    2003 DIIa TD5
    Oval Split level roof rack
    DIY Storage system
    Barrett HF - Tango 1026
    GME TX3200
    Traxide dual battery controller

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by simonmelb View Post
    You could at a pinch use a high pressure manual bike shock pump eg: Control Mini Shock 1 | Giant Bicycles Giant Cairns
    Yeah, thought about a bike pump - I have one at home that would do the job so if all else fails will go down that route.

    Cheers,
    Andy
    2003 DIIa TD5
    Oval Split level roof rack
    DIY Storage system
    Barrett HF - Tango 1026
    GME TX3200
    Traxide dual battery controller

  6. #6
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    The other thing that occurred to me is that part of your issue is the max 75psi tyre inflator.

    I don't know the tyre inflator you refer too, but does it literally stop inflating at 75PSI?
    I would have thought that the max 75PSI part of it is simply that it doesn't indicate pressure beyond that, and that it should still allow you to continue adding pressure(ie. air) to the system regardless of what it's output reading says.

    That is, it may or will, allow you to add (say) 90psi if you needed it, just that it won't show you how much you've added.
    Or is it a set and forget type inflator, where you input a value and it auto stops at that point?

    if it's the run of the mill, regular type where it just displays the tyre pressure, I'd say it should let you add more than max value .. just that you need to guess what that value will end up at. If it is that, then I'd add air till it's at a point where you're happy with the level of the rear and go with that. You can then search your local area for a tyre pressure gauge that simply shows how much pressure you've added ... which can be found pretty much universally(repco, supercheap, tools shops, hardware shops .. etc).
    Arthur.

    All these discos are giving me a heart attack!

    '99 D1 300Tdi Auto ( now sold :( )
    '03 D2 Td5 Auto
    '03 D2a Td5 Auto

  7. #7
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    Quote Originally Posted by AK83 View Post
    The other thing that occurred to me is that part of your issue is the max 75psi tyre inflator.

    I don't know the tyre inflator you refer too, but does it literally stop inflating at 75PSI?
    I would have thought that the max 75PSI part of it is simply that it doesn't indicate pressure beyond that, and that it should still allow you to continue adding pressure(ie. air) to the system regardless of what it's output reading says.

    That is, it may or will, allow you to add (say) 90psi if you needed it, just that it won't show you how much you've added.
    Or is it a set and forget type inflator, where you input a value and it auto stops at that point?

    if it's the run of the mill, regular type where it just displays the tyre pressure, I'd say it should let you add more than max value .. just that you need to guess what that value will end up at. If it is that, then I'd add air till it's at a point where you're happy with the level of the rear and go with that. You can then search your local area for a tyre pressure gauge that simply shows how much pressure you've added ... which can be found pretty much universally(repco, supercheap, tools shops, hardware shops .. etc).
    The inflator is the digital one that arb sell. As best as I can tell, the inflator is stopping the supply of air at 75 psi. I’d be happy if it allowed the compressor to keep pumping to 100 psi as I could then just let a bit out to achieve the ride height. Everything I’ve found says the compressor pressure switch is on at 75 and off at 100 psi so that only leaves the inflator as the barrier. Having said that, it’s not clear to me how it could do it 😒

    Cheers,
    Andy

  8. #8
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    Well, looks like I was wrong. Finally found specs on the inflator and the scale goes to 200 psi, it’s just the stated accuracy that’s 25-75 psi. Attached it to the lines and it reads 85 which is just down a bit on the 90 the workshop put in a week ago. Which means the compressor can only deliver about 75 psi despite supposedly being rated to 100.
    I can’t easily access the compressor with the drawers in the back so will have to think of plan B.

    Thanks for the suggestions

    Cheers,
    Andy
    2003 DIIa TD5
    Oval Split level roof rack
    DIY Storage system
    Barrett HF - Tango 1026
    GME TX3200
    Traxide dual battery controller

  9. #9
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    Just as a follow up the air bags in my D2A, using a kings double pump seem to take about 120 psi to get to ride height, I have tried 3 different inflators and they all seem go between 120/130 psi, I tend to use a tape measure on the top of the front guard and the wheel centre and raise the rears to about 30 mm less
    owen
    Owen
    SII /A 109 Serial not too sure as yet
    2004 D2a S - Silver - V8 Auto, Crumby

  10. #10
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    Quote Originally Posted by AndyRevill View Post
    ..... Attached it to the lines and it reads 85 which is just down a bit on the 90 the workshop put in a week ago. Which means the compressor can only deliver about 75 psi despite supposedly being rated to 100.
    I can’t easily access the compressor with the drawers in the back so will have to think of plan B.

    ....
    It would most likely supply 100psi of pressure, but only under certain circumstances. eg. a tyre.
    You should understand that it's ability to supply a certain amount of pressure has to be offset by how much pressure it has to operate against.

    For a tyre, the pressure fighting the compressor will be less significant than for say an air suspension system ... as you may have noted already, if you inflate a tyre from basically nothing, it begins inflating at a faster rate, then slowly decreases with time(or pressure it's already supplied) .. the more you add, the harder it becomes to keep adding.
    So in your situation, I'd suggest you try to relieve some of that resistance in the SLS system.
    The most obvious way would be to jack the rear of the D2 up a bit ... not fully, you don't need to fully lift the wheels off the ground, just raise it say a few inches. Doing so you don't have say 1 ton of gravity fighting the compressor trying to fill the air bags.

    Obviously we don't know your setup, what you have with you .. are you towing, have to 'fully loaded' the rear of the car .. etc. What jacking setup(s) do you have access too, when you want to refill the SLS ... and so on.
    So as an example, you should be able to use the standard jack, under the towbar if fitted, or chassis box section, be sure to try to centre as near as perfect(for safety) .. if you need to extend the jacks height, use timbers bricks, rocks .. whatever. Then lift the rear of the vehicle a few inches. I bet you could easily get a few more psi in the SLS if you try something like that.

    Alternatively! if you are towing something, and say you have 100 or 200 kg on the towball .. then unhitch it .. once that 'pressure' is off the rear suspension ... you should get more pressure out of the comp, and into the SLS.
    Arthur.

    All these discos are giving me a heart attack!

    '99 D1 300Tdi Auto ( now sold :( )
    '03 D2 Td5 Auto
    '03 D2a Td5 Auto

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