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ARB Airlockers

Posted: Thu May 27, 2004 9:53 pm
by Shorty40
OK

I run my compressor for long enough to engage my lockers

I flick on my front locker

I flick on my rear locker

NOW ..................................

If I turn off my compressor, will my lockers remain engaged indefinately (or until I hit the locker button) ?

Basically, what I am asking is, does the compressor only build enough pressure to activate the lockers and then it is not required ?

Posted: Thu May 27, 2004 9:56 pm
by spazbot
depending how they are wired if you turn the comp off the solenoids will disenage when the power goes. (the std wiring for arbs makes the lockers depend on the compresser be on and able to run)

once they lockers are engaged they are seperated from the compresser, but the locker wont stay engaged for ever they will prolly leak slowly over time as does the tank on the compresser.

Posted: Fri May 28, 2004 4:48 pm
by MQ080
yeah,

i'm yet to see one that doesn't leak, regardless of who fitted it

Posted: Sat May 29, 2004 4:15 pm
by G_loomis
I will agree with the leaking comment. Cant say I have ever seen one that doesnt leak.

I have air locks fitted front and read and if I turn the compressor off the locks are disengaged...More often than not I only use the front locker so I just leave that switch turned on and just turn the compressor switch on/off accordingly...Doesnt save a lot of time at the end of the day though just a habit I have got myself into.

Posted: Sat May 29, 2004 7:20 pm
by MissDrew
I don`t know the correct pressure but the lock need about 95 psi to ingage but only need about 40 psi to hold in the locked position.

Posted: Sat May 29, 2004 9:02 pm
by dumbdunce
MQ080 wrote:yeah,

i'm yet to see one that doesn't leak, regardless of who fitted it


the only one I've ever fitted that leaks (that I know of) was yours, and that is probably because you were too cheap to put new o-rings on it. or it could be in the didgy manifold block setup somewhere. anyway that is Giffo's problem now.

Posted: Sat May 29, 2004 9:38 pm
by chimpboy
G_loomis wrote:I will agree with the leaking comment. Cant say I have ever seen one that doesnt leak.

I have air locks fitted front and read and if I turn the compressor off the locks are disengaged...More often than not I only use the front locker so I just leave that switch turned on and just turn the compressor switch on/off accordingly...Doesnt save a lot of time at the end of the day though just a habit I have got myself into.


Does anyone think about fixing the leaks instead of just living with them..? ie, if the leaks are really almost universal, the cause must be discernable, and probably fixable..?

Jason

Posted: Sat May 29, 2004 9:53 pm
by dumbdunce
chimpboy wrote:Does anyone think about fixing the leaks instead of just living with them..? ie, if the leaks are really almost universal, the cause must be discernable, and probably fixable..?

Jason


there are a few places they can leak - internally at the side o-rings or at the 'u' ring right in the guts of them, and it's a lot of work to pull the diff and pull it all apart to replace them - plus in the case of the u ring the part is relatively expensive ($40ish from memory) - if the locker works and the leak is minor, that is, the compressor only runs once every 5 minutes or so, it's really not worth the work required to fix it. of course they also leak external to the diff - air lines, push fittings, screw fittings, compressor tank etc, and these leaks are easy to chase and fix - a spray with soapy water detects them in a second and some teflon paste/tape etc usually has them sorted out - but once again if the locker is working it's hardly worth the effort.

the first airlocker I ever installed would be up to around 80,000km now and it has never leaked, I have just sold that vehicle so I guess I'll never know how long it will last. the installation is critical in terms of aligning the side air housing on the carrier extension, if they are not aligned correctly they will work ok for a while but the orings will wear excessively quickly and they will start to leak after some km.