Air Locker Electrics

[bigbluemav]

****CROSS POST****

Evening All

Just got the Mav' back today after having the 4.6's and air lockers installed. GREAT to have the original gearing back!!

Now I've just got to get the air lockers hooked up.

I've got the old A.C. compressor going as an air compressor, after earthing it properly so it works!! I'm going to get an old truck air brake tank (or an array of them) and hook them up with a one way valve, pressure cut off switch, pressure relief valve etc. etc.

The ARB instrucions in relation to the electrical side are excellent, but I have a few questions.

Firstly, in the wiring diagram (for two lockers) P.31, Fig. 27, it shows a "plug in fitting" between the solenoid and the switch. This isn't included, do I have to get it as an extra from ARB after already spending $2200, or can I do without it, or is it a standard size that I can get from an electrical outlet??

Secondly, it recommends wiring it so the front locker will only work with the rear locker "on", is this a good idea or am I better off wiring them independently?

Also, while I was out playing at Ormeau on the weekend, I heard one bloke advise a bloke with a Surf with a rear air locker to wire the switch through a constant power source instead of through the ignition, so the lockers wouldn't disengage when the engine was turned off. Is this a good idea?

Any help greatly appreciated, as I'm going to Blackduck in 4 weeks.

[big red]

to get lockers to work independently...

cut yellow wire that goes to terminal 2 on switch two [front locker].
terminate the cut end of the yellow wire that comes from switch one.
join the the other piece of yellow wire to the red wire that goes to switch one terminal 2.

job done

[big red]

i think they're only a spade type fitting inside the solenoid plug so just use the appropriate spade terminal on the wires.

[turps]

I am going to wire mine thru a constant supply, when it gets re-wired. As when you stall the car, turn the ignition off or have to restart it disconnects all over power. Which means it temporilly disconnects the locker. So when you hav 2 wheels off the ground the car can roll. Which sometimes can be a pain in the arse.

(whoops)

[chimpboy]

I am going to wire mine thru a constant supply, when it gets re-wired. As when you stall the car, turn the ignition off or have to restart it disconnects all over power. Which means it temporilly disconnects the locker. So when you hav 2 wheels off the ground the car can.

The car can...?

What are you, Alfred Hitchcock? The murderer is...!

Finish your sentence!

[J Top]

You havent got all of this stuff because some of it comes with the ARB compressor.The reasoning behind this is if you already have your rear diff and then buy your front you don't need another wiring loom.
The reason for wiring the diffs up so the back can't go without the front is
Safety.With a locked front diff you have reduced control.It is common for front locker's to pull the front across the face of a climb towards the wheel with the most grip,turning the vehicle sideways and perhaps rolling.If you have the rear engaged as well you are less dependant on the front.
J Top

[chimpboy]

I have to admit I am not clear on a situation where it would matter much if your lockers went off when you restarted your motor, since most likely at this time you'd have your foot on the brake which is kinda more-locked-than-lockers.

But I am just theorising, I'd like to hear a scenario where it mattered.

On the wiring separately, if it were me I would probably want MAXIMUM CONTROL so I'd wire front and rear separately. If you are worried about the scenario above it would be easy to wire them so it's REAR LOCKED or BOTH LOCKED but not FRONT ONLY locked. The danger sounds overrated to me though since lots of people fit front auto lockers and don't do anything in the rear.

Jason

disclaimer: never had a locked anything, talking through ass.

[ozy1]

i have front and rear air lockers, and both are independantly wired, i have at times been trying to climb things with both locked and couldnt make it, i turned the back locker off, and drove it the same as before, dont ask me how, or why, but this has happened on more than one occasion,

i feel its best ti be wired independantly.

id also suggest having the relay off the ignition, so that if you leave the car, and forget to turn comp off, it wont drain your battery.

[bigbluemav]

Ta All

Advice much appreciated.

Ozy, compressor not an issue as I'll be using the endless air type.

Thanks again for all your assistance, mow to get it all done!!

[J Top]

ozy1
I sold twin ARBs and 33s to a turbo d 5cyl diesel 70.
He came back later moaning that he could climb a greasy slope better
without one or both lockers in.
He felt that he did not have the power to spin the tyres up enough to clear them when he was spinning all four.
I traded him back to 32s but never heard if it helped.
J Top