Outer Limits 4x4 Board

So who's using a 150psi preasure switch with a Arb compressor and late model air-lockers and what are your thoughts?

Why would you?

vanbox wrote:Why would you?

Faster, more positive engagement helps keep the ring teeth intact when crash locking. I believe it's an ARB approved fix.

I thought 135 was the limit?

I ran a 135 on the old type solinode and the solinodes leaked air, so I went back to the 100. Are the new type solinodes different? Maybe mine are worn out ?

On the new style lockers you need all the help you can get to stop the engagement gear wearing out!! I have had 3 gears go in not alot of driving!
Older style ones dont like the pressure on the orings.

New style lockers can handle up to 500PSI of pressure (Locker not the solinoid) and warantee covers up to 300PSI I believe BUT requires special actuating equipment and bottled air.

Old Style no probs at all at 150PSI should work up to 300 but not recommended........assuming in good condition...See below straight from the disigners mounth

"Quote"
Old style up to 150PSI should be no problems
All Air Locker diffs, compressors, switches, pneumatics (tubing, fittings, etc) have been fully tested and approved for use at 150PSI. That approval dates back to our older RDCKA compressors also. We will warranty your full air system for use with that 150PSI switch regardless of what switch you first purchased your air system with.

For comp use on race teams where guys have come to us to say "I really need the extra 10ths of a second I gain by crash locking, I know its going to wreck stuff (locker, ring and pinion set, uni's, tranny, etc) but I'm willing to fix stuff for the time advantage - how can I get the most out of it?" we have fully tested 300 PSI and found significant mechanical improvement. We didn't invent high pressure dog boxes - NASCAR did - and it does improve. We will also warranty your new style diff for this pressure should you choose to run it. We cannot warranty an old style diff at this pressure as the internals could be damaged by the increased force. We also can't supply you with solenoids that support this pressure as anything over 150 PSI starts to oppose the solenoid valve return spring and bleed air out. And our compressors are not suitable to produce air pressure any higher than by the 150 PSI switch. Competitors running this system are using bottled gases and industrial solenoids or air toggles.

-daniel
AIR LOCKER

And another

The seals are capable of a lot. More than you would be advised to run within the bounds of personal safety. We performed full long distance lab and field testing at 300 PSI in order to certify our range for 150 PSI. But the older 3 piece diffs are at risk of internal damages if you push past the 300 mark. New style diffs will eat 500 PSI and laugh about it, but over 500 you will start to shorten your long distance wear rate on the seal housing seals. You won't damage the diff, just cause extra wear on the seals. With regular oil changes and running anything up to 150 PSI all of your Air Locker seals should last the life of your vehicle, if not your next vehicle also.

But keep in mind that our compressors will only do 150 PSI, as will our solenoids, so over 150 you're looking at bottled gas and a regulator run through either mechanical air toggles or a higher rated electric solenoid. "Powertank" in the USA does a comp kit for Air Lockers to provide 300 PSI supply. There may be others but they haven't approached us to demo their systems.

-daniel
AIR LOCKER
"Quote"

BUT the simple reality is that what ARB says is true maynot be the same as our real world experiences!!!!!!
Hope this helps................

racing/crash locking aside (why would you crash lock if not racing is beyond me) My lockers have been running 85-90 (regulated from my 150 supply) for over ten years now and not a hitch. Only had the leaking O-ring at one stage

Pauly im not 100% sure but I believe with the newer style locker there having trouble with getting the locking gear to slide all the way onto the teeth therefor needing abit extra preasure, if anyone has abit more info would be good..

Jive wrote:Pauly im not 100% sure but I believe with the newer style locker there having trouble with getting the locking gear to slide all the way onto the teeth therefor needing abit extra preasure, if anyone has abit more info would be good..

The new locking gear system is CRAP!!! I had alot of problems with them to the point I swapped mine for the older style lockers in my ute.
I didnt crash lock them but 3 in 2 years is not good. I had the old style lockers in my wagon for 4 years and not 1 issue! and it was driven alot more.

The new gear is approx 9mm wide so its only locking with about 4mm of teeth when its locked. It also has a very square edge to it tends to wear the corners away quickly. Once they wear it will not stay locked very well

Ive been running the 150psi solenoid on the small compressor on both lockers for the past year without issue. i dont crash lock it, but the extra pressure to keep it all engaged I think is a good thing.