insignia Posted March 24, 2010 Share Posted March 24, 2010 Autocruise Starspirit 2004 Our van has an air suspension called Top drive system consists of 2 separate guages for topping up the air,so far have not been able to find a connector that doesnt let air out while trying to put air in can anyone help or will I have to take it to a tyre fitting garage which is a bit of a pain Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Philman Posted March 24, 2010 Share Posted March 24, 2010 It should have a schrader valve for connection to an air line or small compressor. Halfords sell some suitable for car tyres which should provide sufficient oomph ( that's a technical term ) (lol) I keep mine at about 35 psi, 2.5 Bar for running about and pump up to about 60 psi, 4 Bar when fully loaded with the scooter or motorbike on the back. These pressures give a nice ride and keep the van level. Phil. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Brian Kirby Posted March 24, 2010 Share Posted March 24, 2010 If there are two gauges, I would expect two top-up points, one per side, or else, a valve to divert air to one, or other, of the air units from a single top-up point. However, I believe gauges are more often fitted to systems that have a 12V compressor built in, with a switch for the compressor somewhere near the gauges. If unsure, try tracing the tubes from the suspension units to the gauges looking for any branch tubing, and follow that to its end via whatever else you find. All should become clear. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted March 24, 2010 Share Posted March 24, 2010 insignia It looks like "Top Drive" was an Italian-made system http://www.topdrivesystem.it/documents/Brochure_eng_web.pdf Pressure gauges are not uncommon on 'manual inflation' systems (they are standard on the Al-Ko version) and, as Brian says, two gauges indicates two inflation-valves and the potential to level the vehicle (to a limited degree) from side to side. If you can't satisfactorily connect your present tyre-pump to the inflation valves, then you may have to obtain a pump that has a threaded connector rather than the more common push-on/over-centre-lever type. Are you pushing the pump's connector well down the valve's 'stem' before moving the lever? (Perhaps the location of the gauge-panel makes this difficult to do?) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
insignia Posted March 25, 2010 Author Share Posted March 25, 2010 Hi ,Each guage has its own air top up with a schrader type valve but unlike the bike it does not have any thread inside or out so there is no provision to screw anything on to it. the location of the guages are such that their is not enough room in the locker to be able to use my push on bike pump.I also have a halfords / michelin 12v pump for the tyres but because their is no thread on the guages I can"t screw it on so far all I have achieved is to let air out Many thanks to Philman/Brian/and Derek for trying to help me out on this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
insignia Posted March 25, 2010 Author Share Posted March 25, 2010 Hi ,Each guage has its own air top up with a schrader type valve but unlike the bike it does not have any thread inside or out so there is no provision to screw anything on to it. the location of the guages are such that their is not enough room in the locker to be able to use my push on bike pump.I also have a halfords / michelin 12v pump for the tyres but because their is no thread on the guages I can"t screw it on so far all I have achieved is to let air out Many thanks to Philman/Brian/and Derek for trying to help me out on this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebishbus Posted March 26, 2010 Share Posted March 26, 2010 I use my bicycle track pump, it has an 80cm connecting hose and a good quality dual connector. It is a Joe-Blow Sport. Brian. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Derek Uzzell Posted March 26, 2010 Share Posted March 26, 2010 insignia - 2010-03-25 12:55 PM ...Each gauge has its own air top up with a schrader type valve but unlike the bike it does not have any thread inside or out so there is no provision to screw anything on to it... That's strange! I'm tempted to think that the push-on/over-centre 'thumb-lever' connector on my 12V pump would adequately grip a valve-stem with no external threading as long as the stem's outside diameter were the same as a standard schrader threaded stem. I also wondered initially if you had 'smooth stem' bicycle-type Presta valves, but these are threaded at the very top to take a protective cap and it's plain how you inflate though them. It sounds like you are going to need to consult a tyre-fitting specialist about this to see if there's some sort of special adapter. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebishbus Posted March 26, 2010 Share Posted March 26, 2010 The a advantage of using a bicycle track pump is having a rubber connecting hose, if the clamp will not hold on, you can press and hold it on as you would your bicycle pump, whilst you or somebody else pumps. Brian B Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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