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ARB Air locker question

Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 11:51 am
by turbo gu
What is tha max air pressure you can run into a locker before causing problems with orings?

Also what is the usual pressure that the pressure switch cuts out at on a locker only compressor? (little one)

Posted: Wed Aug 26, 2009 1:09 pm
by Red Dog 4x4
100 PSI is the max, thats what the pressure swich is set at.

Re: ARB Air locker question

Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2009 8:46 am
by dbongard
turbo gu wrote:What is tha max air pressure you can run into a locker before causing problems with orings?

Also what is the usual pressure that the pressure switch cuts out at on a locker only compressor? (little one)
Air Locker O-rings and X-rings are capable far beyond the upper pressure limit set by the ARB pressure switch, which is closed 75 PSI / open 105 PSI.

Note however that increasing the line pressure exerts increased loading on the O-rings which will marginally excellerate wear between the seals and the surface they run on. At 105 PSI you have approximately the life of the vehicle before seal replacement (we have seen vehicles in Aus with over 300,000 kms on their first seals and still going strong), and at higher pressures that life expectancy will gradually shorten.

This is obviously not an issue if you do not do allot of distance, and there are competition vehicles out there running approx. 200 PSI without any problems.

Also note that the Air Locker solenoid is rated to 10 BAR which is 145 PSI. Over about 175 PSI the spring inside the valve stem cannot hold back the pressure and will constantly by-pass the valve. So you would need a higher rated solenoid if you intend to surpass 145 PSI line pressure.

-daniel
AIR LOCKER

Re: ARB Air locker question

Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2009 11:34 am
by TheOtherLeft
dbongard wrote:This is obviously not an issue if you do not do allot of distance, and there are competition vehicles out there running approx. 200 PSI without any problems.

-daniel
AIR LOCKER
What is the benefit of running 200PSI? Is it faster engagement?

Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2009 3:43 pm
by Thylacine
Increasing line ID will have a much larger effect on actuator speed than a pressure increase, with no down-side.



ed

Re: ARB Air locker question

Posted: Thu Aug 27, 2009 4:31 pm
by dbongard
TheOtherLeft wrote:What is the benefit of running 200PSI? Is it faster engagement?
Essentially it is an anti-crash-locking measure. If you flip the locker switch while still under engine power (a.k.a. crash-locking) then the extra pressure will help get the locking gear engaged. If you crash-lock your diff you WILL cause damage to it, regardless (like changing gears without your clutch), but higher pressures will get you some extra crashes.

That's the only advantage.

Personally I'd recommend just lifting your foot off the throttle for 1/2 a second.

-daniel
AIR LOCKER