Checking for a proper ground connection could be the answer.

Why is my compressor sluggish or not working properly ?  This is a question we receive from time to time and generally the answer is the same :  ITS ALL ABOUT VOLTAGE DROP !

The best example of voltage drop you may relate to is when your vehicle engine and your 12v compressor is running, you can hear the compressor running at a certain speed BUT as soon as you turn off the vehicle engine the compressor slows down, sound familiar? That symptom is caused by VOLTAGE DROP, a drop in voltage being supplied to the compressor from 13.8 V to 12V or less depending on the efficiency of your vehicle battery. Thats not a problem at all but there are other things that are not so obvious that can cause far more voltage drop and problems such as :

Cable size and length.

Its a fact that voltage drops over longer distances and at 12 Volts it drops off pretty fast, so when using a heavy load like a compressor, the cable size must be increased to offset the voltage drop. In addition if the cable size is too small it will generate heat, and I mean lots of heat,  in some cases it can melt the cables causing safety issues and serious damage. There are some great charts available on the web that calculate the correct size cable to be used for these applications, stay safe and Google it!

This is why Boss has produced specific wiring looms matched with our compressors to take all the guess work away. 12v Compressor Wiring Looms are  here- 

Poor connections

The second biggest issue we find is when the connections and termination points of heavy load equipment such as compressors is not done correctly, the Voltage drops and the compressor will not run property. It’s also a fact that if a connection is not made cleanly and securely the connection may heat up and eventually cook and break. While that is happening the compressor will either run slowly or intermittently.  In that case there is nothing wrong with the compressor, its just the connections but long term voltage loss will damage the compressor.

Make sure your positive and earth connections are very secure and paint free so there are no restrictions to voltage and current flow.  REMEMBER this applies to both Positive and Negative connections.

Corrosion

This one is a classic, its all about connectivity, the free flow of electricity. Its OK to start with clean connections and terminals but over time if exposed to the elements under the bonnet or vehicle connections can corrode, you would have seen corrosion on batteries. The same thing can happen to connections so check them before you suspect there is an issue with your compressor.

Reminder

Its nearly Christmas so give your compressor air tank a present, DRAIN IT!  Yep we see it all the time, tanks full of water pushing grit and water through valves. Save the pain and give the tank a drain

Compressors are incredibly reliable but only if the installation is up to standard and maintained so check everything before you blame your compressor.

Avoid air fitting failures and follow these simple instructions!

One of the problems that can be experienced in an on board air system or air bag system install is leaking fittings, valves and other components. Lets start by saying that dust, grit and dirt are not an air systems best friend. It doesn’t take much contamination to foul air components .

The best way to avoid problems is take care with installation. Make sure all airlines are clean and free of any debris whatsoever. Specifically clean out all the air lines before you connect them to any fittings. The best way is to run some air through the air lines to clean them out before pushing them in to the air control system.
When running air line, cover the ends with some masking tape so they are not picking up debris while being dragged through or under the car.

Also make sure you make a good clean cut when trimming the airline to length, push the airline into the fitting firmly and give it a tug backwards to engage the claws.

On a side note I have mentioned before regularly empty the condensation out of your air tanks to avoid contamination of air fittings is a must-do maintenance procedure.

A little bit of care at the point of installation and general maintenance will ensure trouble free operation of your air system.

A common tech question we get at Boss Air Suspension is “we can’t align the top and bottom plates”

This is an easy fix and is detailed in the instructions but what man reads them ?

So – Assemble the Airbags by bolting on the top and bottom end plates to the alloy rings on the air bags with the 6 threaded nuts and bolts and spring washers (top and bottom) supplied in the kit.

Its important to make sure you leave the 6 bolts on each end just loose enough to be able to twist the top and bottom plate around on the bag (this moves the aluminium ring with it) to allow for final alignment during the fitting process. (See the red arrows on the diagram)

Once aligned properly, tension the bolts. Important – Don’t over tighten as this can cause leaks. Tighten all bag bolts evenly ensuring the gap is even all the way around and should end up around 1 -1.5mm.

OTHER HELPFUL HINTS:
1 If you have a problem with air leaking around the alloy ring area, remove the 6 bag bolts and rotate the alloy ring 90 degrees to get it will
properly
2 The alloy ring is designed to bite into the bag bellow to seal it, that’s why its important to tighten bolts as mentioned above
3 When installed, initially inflate to 80-100psi and then reduce pressure to “normal” before using (“normal” varies depending on vehicle and
load etc., and you will find what is right for you). This is important to allow the rings to “bite” into the rubber and give a good seal.

Spring is here and is a great time to check on your air suspension installation.

Boss Air Suspension Airbags/ Air Springs require very little maintenance as they are designed and manufactured to last a lifetime under a vehicle. For best results, we recommend performing basic maintenance on your air bellows at least a few times a year.

Below are a few basic air bellow maintenance tips we recommend for the spring that you can complete in 5 minutes or less and could save you both time and money.

Check Air Pressure
When the vehicle is unloaded, check the air pressure in your air springs to ensure that the minimum recommended pressure of 5 PSI is maintained. Minor dips and increases in air pressure can be expected as the temperature cools and warms, but if you are consistently losing air, you may have a leak. If this is the case, perform a leak test by spraying soapy water (1/5 liquid dish soap and 4/5 water) on all valves and fittings.
Remember you can add a Boss Air Suspension Incab Air Compressor System to inflate and deflate your air springs with the touch of a button from within the cab.

Visual Inspection
Perform a visual inspection of the airbags under the vehicle to ensure nothing was knocked loose by road debris or obstacles.

Be sure to check:
• Exhaust system: Ensure the airbags are not closer than 50mm from heat of the exhaust.
• Airline: Ensure that all airlines are still securely attached to the vehicle. Re-tie any loose airline with zip ties. Inspect the hose for any chaffing or kinking and make sure it is not rubbing on the airbags as this can rub a hole in an air spring very quickly.
• Airbags: Make sure there is no evidence of rubbing on the air springs, take special note of any debris, cuts, deformities, or rubs that may lead to an imminent failure. There should be at least 20mm of clearance around the air spring when inflated to approximately 40PSI. Re-align the air spring possition if necessary. Also check the tension of the 6 bolts on top and bottom of the airbag and tighten if necessary.
• Mounting Hardware : Check all mounting hardware bolts and make adjustments if necessary.
• Compressors: If you have an air compressor installed, check the filter for debris and clean if necessary.

Airbag Cleaning
Use a garden hose to clean off salt, dirt, gravel or any road debris that may have collected on the air springs, fittings, brackets, or valves.
You can also clean the air spring with a soapy water solution. This will help expose problems hidden from normal visual inspection.

If you are having work done on the vehicle be mind full of the following:
• Protect the rubber from weld spatter. When welding, always ensure that the bellows is adequately protected.
• Do not paint the rubber bellows as the paint will attack the rubber. (This also applies to paint splatter).
• Make sure no solvents, chemicals or acids come into contact with the airbags as this will cause failure.

Performing these simple maintenance tasks above can ensure the longest life and best results of your air springs.

Most service calls result in customer error rather than faulty parts.

The Boss Simple Inflation Kit is supplied with 2 x Pneumatic manual deflation valves, if these do leak, there is generally 2 reasons:

• Dust dirt has blown through the airline and into the valve when exhausted causing the valve O ring not to seat correctly.
  To Remedy: – Remove Valve and blow air through the small exhaust hole in the fitting while holding the button in.

• The airline has not been pushed into the fitting correctly.
  To Remedy: – make sure the airline has gone at least 12-14mm into the fitting and a sharp pull backwards to lock the tube.

It is imperative that airline is flushed clean before connecting to any fittings. Failure to do this could result in blockage of valves and fittings.
Best practice is to tape ends before routing through vehicle and use compressed air to clean the lines of foreign matter before connection to push fittings.