[encantotom]

hi all,

i know some of you have put in or have coaches that have a ford vacuum pump that sucks the air out of the slide seal so it wont get caught.  

could someone please put up an electrical and air schematic for me on how it is installed?

i need to do it and dont want to have to figure it out on my own.   yea richard, i know a long time ago i took pictures of yours....somewhere...

tom

[Richard]

Here you go. I think you should already have the three way valve. The concept is pretty straightforward. The valve normally allows air to pass from supply to the seal. When voltage is applied the valve shuts off the air supply and opens the seal to atmosphere. 

When using a vac pump, the vac is applied to the outlet that would normally be open to atmosphere. And the signal to valve is siamesed to run the vac pump.

   
   

[pairodice]

I ordered two vacuum pumps from Amazon a few minutes ago! Will be the first thing I install when i return home next week.

[Chester Stone]

Attached is a photo of the compressor and vacuum pump located on the curb side of my coach.  When compared to Tom's photos, I have no air lines connected to the vacuum motor.  This seems strange and I wonder why.
   

[encantotom]

You do not have a vacuum pump on it.

Tom

[pairodice]

Thanks guys, I will try this when I get the pump(s) on Tuesday.

[RussWhite]

I completed this mod. The only thing I did not expect, and should have, was the time it takes to pull out the air. Longer than I expected, and I suspect, longer than the time it takes for the light to extinguish. So, if you do this, wait just a bit longer, or until you hear the vacuum pump stop before moving the slide. Thanks to Tom for the suggestion on the DOT fitting. This is a great upgrade. Not as cool as replacing the brake pedal with a treadle, but up there on the nifty list. Russ

[encantotom]

russ, it takes about a minute or a little more for the pump to stop pulling a vacuum AFTEr the light comes on. at least on mine. and i usually let it set that long anyway before i pulled them in or out

tom

[pairodice]

Good to know about waiting for the pump to deflate the seals. Hopefully I will get time this weekend to install these!

[RussWhite]

When I did this mod I ordered the DOT fittings Tom suggested to connect the inlet of the pump to the exhaust port of the solenoid valve. I had to order a minimum quantity of five. So, rather than add them to a box of fittings I will never ever likely use again, I would like to offer them to any member who might be planning this upgrade. First PM, email, or post with mailing information gets them :-) Russ