LIT-011-00 – Airflex Air Ride Suspension System – Dexter

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NHTSA ID Number: 10108971

Manufacturer Communication Number: LIT-011-00_4-17

Summary

Airflex Air Ride Suspension System Service Manual Update

 

1 Affected Product

Equipment

BRANDPART NO.PRODUCTION DATES
DEXTEReBayDEXTEReBay

 


OPERATION MAINTENANCE SERVICE MANUAL

AIRFLEXยฎ AIR RIDE SUSPENSION SYSTEM

 

Introduction

This manual is designed to provide information for you to understand, use, maintain, and service your trailer running gear system. Your axles are manufactured by DextereBay. Since 1960, DextereBayโ€™s experience in the design, testing, and manufacturing of trailer axles has resulted in the most complete product line in the industry. The DextereBay running gear system consists of axles, suspensions, and braking systems which are engineered to provide you the finest towing and stopping performance available today.

Two DextereBay philosophies are at work to provide you the best product available and have enabled us to maintain our position of leadership. First, we operate on the theory that โ€œthere is always a better wayโ€ for a product to operate, to be manufactured, and/or to be serviced. We are constantly striving to find that better way.

Secondly, we maintain the highest quality control standards in the industry and adhere to ISO 9001. DextereBay has operated with detailed documented processes and procedures long before completing ISO Certification, continually placing quality and customer service as the focus. This ensures that critical components including axle beams, hubs, drums, spindles, and braking systems are manufactured to the highest quality standards so that we can provide our customers with dependable products, the most comprehensive product offering and reliable, consistent customer service.

Trusting is hard. Knowing who to trust even harder. Through vertical integration we engineer, design, manufacture and test virtually every part in-house to ensure superior quality trailer running gear. We fuss over details, so you donโ€™t have to. Trust DextereBay.

Visit us online at www.dexteraxle.com.

 

Contents

AC-019 Air Supply and Control Kit ……………………………………..3

Enclosure ………………………………………………………………….3

Compressor ………………………………………………………………3

Air Reservoir ……………………………………………………………..4

Relay Switch ……………………………………………………………..4

Circuit Breaker …………………………………………………………..4

Reservoir Drain Valve ………………………………………………….4

Manual Fill Valve ………………………………………………………..4

Pressure Switch …………………………………………………………5

Air Gauge ………………………………………………………………….5

System On-Off Toggle Switch ………………………………………5

Trailer Raise-Lower Valve …………………………………………….5

Tube Fittings ………………………………………………………………6

Instructions for Front Pivot Bushing Replacement …………..6

AC-016 Height Control Valve Kit  ………………………………………..8

Height Control Valve ……………………………………………………8

Normal System Operation …………………………………………………9

Starting the System…………………………………………………….9

Troubleshooting Guide …………………………………………………….11

System Wonโ€™t Start …………………………………………………..11

Trailer Wonโ€™t Rise to the Proper Height ………………………..11

Compressor Will Not Shut Off …………………………………….12

Air System Will not Build Pressure ………………………………12

Compressor Overheats and Circuit Breaker Opens ……….12

The System …………………………………………………………………..13

The Electrical System ……………………………………………….13

The Pneumatic System ……………………………………………..13

Air Supply and Control Enclosure ……………………………………..14

Air System Diagram With 12 VCD Compressor …………………..15

Ride Height Installation Procedure ……………………………………16

Limited Warranty …………………………………………………………….18

DextereBay Video Gallery……………………………………………………….21

 

 CAUTION
This is the safety alert symbol. It is used to alert you to potential injury hazards. Obey all safety messages that follow this symbol to avoid possible injury or death.

 

AC-019 Air Supply and Control Kit

The kit enclosure is a 12″ x 12″ x 5″ stainless steel box that contains the 12 Volt Air Compressor, Air Reservoir, Relay Switch, Circuit Breaker, Reservoir Manual Drain Valve, Manual Air Fill

Valve, Pressure Switch, Air Gauge, System On-Off Toggle Switch, Trailer Raise-Lower Valve, and 50 feet of each of the color coded air lines that are needed for the installation on the trailer. The air fittings are also color coded to make it easy to plumb or trouble shoot the system.

 

Enclosure

The solid stainless steel enclosure box comes completely assembled, fully tested electrically and pneumatically for proper operation. The box must be mounted vertically on a wall or bulkhead with the manual drain valve and fittings on the bottom. There are predrilled flanges on each side of the enclosure to allow easy attachment to the trailer. If it is ever necessary, the rear cover can be easily removed. To remove the rear cover, unbolt the system from the trailer and unbend the tangs of the rear cover which stick through the flanges of the enclosure.

 

Compressor

The 12 Volt DC air compressor provides compressed air for operating the air suspension. It is rated for intermittent duty with a 30% duty cycle; for example, 13 minutes on and 30 minutes off. The compressor motor is internally thermally protected with a circuit breaker that will automatically reset when the motor cools down. This is a very reliable unit with many years of history in this type of application.

 

Air Reservoir

The purpose of this air reservoir tank is to prevent rapid on-off cycling of the compressor and to collect moisture, which condenses from the compressed air so that it can be drained from the system. Draining this water from the system protects the air system from water damage and freezing damage to system components. The reservoir should be drained each time the trailer is operated. For reference, be aware that the reservoir air pressure indicated on the gage on the front of the enclosure, is not the same as the pressure in the air springs.

 

Relay Switch

The relay is an electrically operated switch that turns on or off the high current from the 12 Volt battery supply, which operates the compressor. When the relay is energized by the on-off switch for the system, the small current in the on-off switch that runs through the pressure switch when system pressure is below 110 PSI causes the relay to turn on the high current to the compressor.

 

Circuit Breaker

A 30 AMP circuit breaker protects the compressor and other electrical components from electrical overloads or short circuits. The circuit breaker automatically resets when the overload or short is eliminated and it cools.

 

Reservoir Drain Valve

The reservoir drain valve has a manually operated metal pull cable. To drain moisture from the reservoir, pull the cable. When the trailer is being used, this should be done at least once per day or each time the trailer is operated.

 

Manual Fill Valve

The manual fill valve is furnished for use in the unlikely event that the air supply system fails to function. Simply fill the air system from a typical tire compressor. External fills are only effective for a short distance. The air will bleed off as the height control valve operates. The trailer may still be operated without the air supply. Without air, the rubber torsion suspension is not as soft as the air suspension, but is still a very effective backup suspension providing some level of vehicle and cargo protection.

 

Pressure Switch

The pressure switch is preset to close contacts and if the system on-off switch is on, it will activate the relay switch and turn on the air compressor at 110 PSI. At 145 PSI, the pressure switch contacts open de-energizing the control circuit to the relay switch and shutting off the air compressor. It is important to note: THESE PRESSURES ARE RESERVOIR PRESSURES, NOT AIR SPRING PRESSURES.

 

Air Gauge

The air gauge displays the air pressure in the reservoir. It does not display the air pressure in the air springs. Air spring pressure is automatically controlled by the Height Control Valve based on the load on the suspension.

 

System On-Off Toggle Switch

The system on-off toggle switch completes the circuit to the relay switch through the pressure switch using very small current levels to control the high current needed to operate the compressor. The switch is lit when the system is turned on. The compressor may not come on when the switch is turned on since the compressor only runs when the pressure in the air reservoir drops below 110 PSI.

 

Trailer Raise-Lower Valve

The Raise-Lower valve is a rotary valve that is connected to the output of the height control valve and to the line leading to the air springs. When the control knob is rotated clockwise, the air circuit to or from the air springs is connected to the center port of the Height Control Valve and the height of the suspension is automatically controlled by the Height Control Valve. When the valve control knob is rotated counterclockwise, the line from the center port of the height control valve is shut off and the line from the air springs is exhausted to atmosphere through a muffler attached to the valve lowering the suspension and trailer about 2ยนโ„โ‚‚ to 3 inches. There are no connections to the valve within the enclosure. The black tubing from the air springs is connected to the rear-most port on the valve and the green line from the center port of the height control valve is connected to the front-most port of the valve. When rotated, the valve knob must always be rotated completely until it stops.

 

Tube Fittings

Tube fittings are premium stainless steel push-type fittings for ยนโ„โ‚„” OD plastic tubing. Always be sure that the tubing is cut off squarely on the ends and pushed all the way into the fitting, otherwise the connection will leak. The tubing can be removed if need be from the fitting by pushing in on the small ring on the end of the fitting while pulling outward on the tubing.

 

Instructions for Front Pivot Bushing Replacement

Notice to Buyer

It is recommended that both pivot bushings be replaced at the same time to ensure continued axle alignment. Additionally, each side needs to be replaced while the other side remains intact to maintain control over the suspension components.

 

Safety Precautions

It is recommended that if you are unfamiliar with this type of work, you should refer to a qualified service center specializing in trailer suspensions. It is also recommended that if you choose to do this yourself, that a factory service manual be obtained for the proper procedures pertaining to removal, replacement and proper torque specifications for your vehicle. This instruction set is intended as a guideline for the safe installation of DextereBayโ€™s polyurethane bushings, once you have removed the factory components from your vehicle.

 CAUTION
Do not lift or support the trailer on any part of the axle or suspension system. Never go under any trailer unless it is properly supported on jack stands which have been rated for the load. Improperly supported vehicles can fall unexpectedly and cause serious injury or death.

 

AC-016 Height Control Valve Kit

This kit contains the Height Control Valve, all required fasteners, brackets, and linkage. The Height Control Valve mounts to the predrilled frame bracket and the free end of the pre-assembled linkage attaches to the predrilled hole in the side of the lower air spring beam.

 

Height Control Valve

The Height Control Valve controls the height of the trailer and air spring air pressure automatically. When starting or after loading, the Height Control Valve will, through a linkage, cause the valve to open, allowing air to enter the air springs until the trailer rises to the predetermined design height. The air spring air pressure rises as the trailer load is increased. When the trailer is unloaded, the trailer will rise due to the higher than needed air pressure in the springs. When this occurs, the Height Control Valve will open allowing the air springs to exhaust air until the trailer comes back to the pre-determined design height. Normally, the trailer will raise 2ยนโ„โ‚‚ to 3 inches from the air-exhausted height to the design height for highway use.

 

Normal System Operation

Starting the System

Check around the trailer to be sure there are no people or obstacles under or around the trailer.

 CAUTION
Do not get under the trailer or in pinch points around wheel wells at any time. Air suspensions can descend suddenly and without warning, which can cause serious injury or death.

 

  1. Rotate the system Raise-Lower valve counterclockwise to the Lower position.
CAUTION
Be sure all items and people are clear of the descending trailer.

 

  1. Turn the system On-Off toggle switch to the On position. The compressor should come on.
  2. Allow the system air pressure to build to approximately 145 PSI. The compressor will automatically shut off at about 145 PSI.
  3. Rotate the system Raise-Lower valve to the Raise position. The trailer should rise 2ยนโ„โ‚‚ to 3 inches at the wheel wells. When the trailer is at the proper height and the reservoir air pressure is at about 145 PSI, the compressor will shut off.
  4. The trailer is ready for operation.
  5. When pulling the trailer, the compressor will come on from time to time, more often in stop and go operation in the city. This is normal; however the compressor should not run constantly.
  6. When parking for short periods of time, it is not necessary to turn off the system. When stopping overnight or longer, it is recommended that the trailer be lowered and the system turned off to prevent running the battery down. The trailer should be lowered and the system should be turned off before disconnecting the trailer from the tow vehicle.

 

Troubleshooting Guide

System Wonโ€™t Start

  1. Check battery condition for full 12 Volt charge. Also check ground, wire and battery connections.
  2. If connections are tight and battery is fully charged, it may become necessary to open the air supply enclosure.
  3. Once the enclosure is opened using a multi-meter, check the circuit breaker for continuity. If circuit breaker contacts are open replace the breaker.
  4. Check On-Off toggle switch for proper operation. Check switch contacts and proper wire connections.
  5. Check air pressure switch for continuity. If contacts are open when air pressure is not present, replace the switch.
  6. Check electric relay switch for proper operation. Terminals 86 and 85 are connected to the relay coil windings and should show continuity at all times. Contacts 87 and 30 are normally open and should close when 12 Volt power is applied to contacts 86 and 85. Replace switch if this is not the case.

 

Trailer Wonโ€™t Rise to the Proper Height

  1. If compressor has built air pressure to 145 PSI in the reservoir, check to see if air pressure is in the blue line going to the height control valve.
  2. If the blue line has air pressure, check the green line for air pressure. If there is no pressure in the green line, check the height control valve linkage for damage, wrong adjustment or pinched tubing.
  3. If the green line has air pressure, check the black line for pressure. If no pressure, check the Raise-Lower valve for proper position. It must be rotated fully clockwise to the raise position. If air does not flow through the valve when the valve is in the proper position, check for proper airline hook up and pinched tubing; replace the valve if necessary. If the black line does have air pressure, check down stream tubing for pinched tubing.

 

Compressor Will Not Shut Off:

  1. Replace the pressure switch if switch contacts do not open when 12 Volt power is not present.
  2. Replace electric relay switch if contacts 87 and 30 do not open when 12 Volt is not present.

 

Air System will not Build Pressure to 145 PSI and Cause Pressure Switch to Open

  1. Turn Raise-Lower valve to the fully lower position. Turn compressor on and allow time to build up reservoir pressure. If compressor does not build to proper pressure, check air lines and fittings on the blue and green tubes. If these fittings and tubes are secure and no leaks are found, open the enclosure and check tubes and fittings inside the enclosure. If these are secure and no leaks are found, it may be necessary to replace the compressor. Read and follow all trouble shooting instructions found in the Viair User Manual (280C Air Compressor part #28021) provided with your system. A clogged air filter may also be the culprit. Check it and replace or clean it.
  1. If the air system pressure builds to 145 PSI and shuts off as it should when the Raise-Lower valve is in the fully lower position, there must be an air leak downstream from the Raise-Lower valve. With the compressor on, rotate the Raise-Lower valve to the fully raise position.
  2. Check the air line fittings on the black tubing for leaks.
  3. Use water with soap to check for bubbles at air leaks.

 

Compressor Overheats and Circuit Breaker Opens

  1. Check for the use of too small wiring size or loose wire connectors or a loose ground connection. The compressor will overheat if operated with a low voltage or a partially discharged battery.
  2. Clean or replace the air filter.

 

The System

There are two parts to the system 1) the electrical system and 2) the pneumatic system.

 

The Electrical System

A vehicle battery supplied by the customer. Connected through a circuit breaker to a low current control circuit and a high current circuit.

 

Low Current Circuit

  1. On-Off switch with lighted rocker.
  2. Relay Switch: Input side – terminals 85 and 86.
  3. Pressure Switch: closed at or below 110 PSI. Open at or above 145 PSI.

 

High Current Circuit

  1. Relay Switch: Output side – terminals 30 and 87. Normally open unless terminals 85 and 86 are energized.
  2. 12 Volt DC air compressor: 30% duty cycle – thermally protected.

 

The Pneumatic System

12 Volt DC Air Compressor

  1. Replaceable inlet filter.
  2. 18 inch braided metal output hose.
  3. Check valve attached to end of braided hose.

 

Installation Procedures

Height Control Valve Adjustment

 

Trailer Design Height Adjustment

  1. Check all around and under vehicle to be sure the area is clear of people and obstacles.
  2. Set landing gear so that the trailer is level and place wheel chocks.
  3. LOWER the trailer by exhausting air from the air suspension.
  4. Measure the frame to ground dimension and record.
  5. RAISE the trailer by adding air to the system.
  6. Measure the frame to ground dimension at the same location as step 5.
  7. Subtract the LOWER dimension from the RAISED dimension. The difference should be 2″ to 2ยนโ„โ‚‚”.
  8. If the result dimension is more or less than 2″ to 2ยนโ„โ‚‚”, adjust the height control valve setting.
 CAUTION
Keep clear of trailer, tires and fenders when adjusting the height control valve. DO NOT GET UNDER THE TRAILER. Failure to do so could cause crushing injury or death.

 

  1. With air in the system, loosen the adjustment clamp nut.
  2. If the trailer is too low, rotate the height control valve arm counter clockwise to RAISE to the height required.
  3. If the trailer is too high, rotate the height control valve arm clockwise to LOWER to the height required.
  4. There is a three to five second delay before air flows when adjusting.
  5. When the trailer has moved the desired height, tighten the adjustment clamp nut to 24-48 Lbs.
  6. Using Raise-Lower feature on the air system panel, check the design height setting by lowering the trailer again and then raising it back to design height, recheck the dimension. Re-adjust if required.


LIT-011-00_4-17

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