Why are you even using a 3 way solenoid? Oh and windex makes a great leak finder!

 

I suggested that he use that. It's in/out/exhaust all in one until.

http://www.frightprops.com/pneumatic...0926-0001.html

 

Guess it depends on how the system is plumbed. My compressor came with a backpressure check valve so all that was necessary was a simple open/closed valve. Closed to block air from escaping the system and open to let air exhaust.

 

Yeah mine too thats why I asked

 

I need yall to come down here and install this on my bike. I have way too much custom machining to do to be playing with compressors and switches. I have the shocks on my bike. It does look cool slammed.

 

Really? Just do it.

 

ok ill come install it for some custom parts!

 

Well, I worked on installing the system not for a couple of hours but for two days! Why? Becuase I think I'm too smart to read directions. Got the frightprops air in/out/exhaust 3 way solenoid first and immediately went to checking it out for operation. Tried hooking it up to a battery to see if it would click over to exhaust but it wouldnt. No matter, I'll install it and see. Then the compressor showed up a couple of days later, the Viair098c. I actually did manage to get it on the left side of the bike over the fuseblock after rearranging a bundle or two of wires. Drilled four holes into the left side of the battery box and carefully mounted it...It just fit. I then decided that the additional piece that came on the end of the nozzle of the compressor extended my piping too long for me to get the side cover on so I took it off. This, unbeknownst to me was the check valve. I discovered this later. I went from the female of the compressor immediately to a nipple and then to a 90 degree fitting that faced downward. This allowed me to put my frightprops solenoid on as long as I reworked the in and out openings to my shocks. the diagram online shows you what openings allow air in and out with the solenoid in the off and on position. So I figured out and in are the same whichever you use..whats the difference? Everything fit better my way. Here's what happened....I (without the solenoid) could pump my shocks right up. When i installed the solenoid inline I could pump them up but they wouldnt come down. What the heck is the problem? So I worked on taking apart the solenoid to see what the problem was, determined that the lubrication had dried up and wasnt allowing the plunger to slide. I lubed it, graphited it, checked the little spring inside it, worked on it for about three hours, trial and error, hooked it up, checked it for action, etc. Reinstalled it, attempted to pump shocks up and nothing! Now whats the problem? Took the solenoid off the system, hooked everything back up, nothing. Compressor was blowing air but wouldnt pump the shocks up. Here's what happened to try to make this shorter than it was because I worked on this allll weekend. For all of you guys putting this together, this is what you want to do. READ THE INSTURCTIONS. As it turns out the valve openings on the 3 way solenoid ARE NOT reversible. you MUST hook the piping up as it states in the frightprops instructions. The in valve from the compressor is just that..the IN valve. It cannot be reversed to be used as the out valve. the frightprops solenoid not only works off of electrical current but also relies on a bit of pressure behind it. This is the reason that I couldnt get it to react on the bench by just hooking it up to a battery. It needs to be pressurized. As it turns out I blew the seal on the compressor midway thru trying to figure out why the solenoid wasnt working. After I figured out my mistake with the solenoid i then had to figure out why the compressor wasnt doing IT'S job. Lines plugged? nope..shocks messed up? nope...the seal on the side of the compressor was comprimised and although air was coming out of the valve (VERY decieving) it could not achieve enough pressure to bring the shocks up. Took the compressor apart (voiding the warranty) and discovered that not only was the seal blown but the piston ring inside was no good anymore. I just got done ordering BOTH solenoid and compressor for the second time...as it turns out (and usually is the case) the instructions for the solenoid addresses most of the questions that were rumming thru my little brain all weekend long. Solenoid must be hooked upas shown, keep the check valve on the compressor and wait for everything to be hooked up before determining that something isnot working. Ugh...at least it's Winter. The bike is in the garage with all of the body parts lying on a quilt awaiting my second shipment.

 

Note to future installers. You dont beed a three way valve. Its just something to give you problems. All you need is a one way/NC(normally closed) solenoid valve. This valve can be mounted anywhere. Just T into the air line anywhere after the compressor and run it to the NC/dump valve wherever you choose to put it. No need for a line out of the dump valve.

 

I found that using the three way valve was advantageous in that it could be attached directly to the compressor and therefore save room. Makes for very neat install