How to slow my dump and fill valve speed?

[charx2]

I have a problem here, I have 1/2 hoses run to all my valves and when I fill the bags it shoots the air into them and almost jumps the truck off the ground, same thing happens when I dump them valves only it slams it to the ground. It's very hard to dial into a certain psi for the bags because of how fast it fills and dumps and I have looked on ***************** and all those control valves are sold out. Is their a inexpensive way to slow the fill and dump? I would like it a little bit slower but not to slow ya know what I mean? Please, someone help me, I can't seem to figure out a solution and I would like to address it while I have the truck somewhat dissassebled. Thanks. I have 2 compressors, 2 5 gals, 8 valves and all 1/2 hoses and I'm not going to rerun all my plumbing. Also, would shocks slow it down?

[hotrodhomi]

You could buy a needle valve or valves and set the flow to the desired speed. Also, why are you not using shocks?

[edflores]

Ball valves for the fill, and reducers/ muffles for the dumps. Also shocks and a sway bar slow lift and fill slightly.
Are you running 200psi? You can get away with a 150 psi system.
Learn to hit the switch too.

[POPO1984]

buy a plug for the dump valves and drill a small hole in them to slow the release of air. make sure its a pretty small hole. i had to do a few before i got the speed that i wanted. i dont know about the fill valves

[blime81]

Originally Posted by edflores

Ball valves.....

x2 Cheap, easy to add into your system (you can buy 1/2" npt ones at Lowes and Home Depot) and you can also put them on your dump valves.

Easy adjustments.

[JWall]

My truck had 1/2" valves on it and the lift speed was about right but the dump was too fast to try to control while driving (in my opinion). I got some fittings and put it the dump valve that reduced it down closer to 3/8" dump & i liked it much better.

You can just buy a 1/2" plug for the dump valves and drill a very small hole in it & try it, if its too slow then drill the hole just a bit bigger and so on.

[N2TRUX]

Try inserting a short length of the next smaller line inside yours. I have been told this will work.

[charx2]

Originally Posted by POPO1984

buy a plug for the dump valves and drill a small hole in them to slow the release of air. make sure its a pretty small hole. i had to do a few before i got the speed that i wanted. i dont know about the fill valves

Where did you get the plug from?

Also,

The PO never installed shocks on this truck so I'm in the process of getting all the relocators and figure out what compression and extestion I need. Once that is done I will weld or bolt on the relocators and shocks, then go to junk yard and get a sway bar.
I really don't want ball valves because they look kinda goofy and where my valves are mounted you would clearly see them. I'm thinking if I got a plug like POPO stated and put in on the dump, then I would be able to control psi on the dump, I can live with a fast fill I guess.

[charx2]

Originally Posted by edflores

Ball valves for the fill, and reducers/ muffles for the dumps. Also shocks and a sway bar slow lift and fill slightly.
Are you running 200psi? You can get away with a 150 psi system.
Learn to hit the switch too.

I have a 200psi system, what do you mean by "hit the switch"? I try just tapping it up or down so slightly but it's so damn quick not much I can do really, if that's what you mean.

[michael bustamante]

mufflers for the dumps for sure or get a reducer 1/2 to 1/4 and then a muffler. and Id use ball valves for your fills. or if yo dont like that, maybe reduce you lines for fills to 3/8 with reducers

[Shane]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Try inserting a short length of the next smaller line inside yours. I have been told this will work.

Ken is absolutely correct. A system will only flow as fast as the smallest orifice within the system allows.

You can also use tube adapters on the either side of the valve (fill/dump) that "steps down" the tube size. In other words, the valve may be a 1/2" valve, but using the tubing adapters allows you to use 3/8" or even 1/4" tubing which will slow the system down due to the smaller I.D. (orifice) of the tubing.

I would say the NPT pipe plug with a small hole drilled in it idea would be the simplest and least expensive option.

[tubbedII]

Originally Posted by N2TRUX

Try inserting a short length of the next smaller line inside yours. I have been told this will work.

Originally Posted by Shane

I would say the NPT pipe plug with a small hole drilled in it idea would be the simplest and least expensive option.

These are your cheapest and easiest solutions...

[hotrodhomi]

Originally Posted by charx2

I have a 200psi system, what do you mean by "hit the switch"? I try just tapping it up or down so slightly but it's so damn quick not much I can do really, if that's what you mean.

You can also adjust or replace your pressure switch. 200 PSI is more than you need.

[charx2]

Well, actually the pressure switch is a 185psi I think, it cuts off at about 185, so I guess I have a 185?

[Shane]

it's really not as much a matter of pressure as it is of volume ... 200 psi thru 1/4" tube is the same pressure as 200 psi thru a 1/2" tube ... the difference is the greater volume the larger line allows at the same PSI.

[hotrodhomi]

Originally Posted by Shane

it's really not as much a matter of pressure as it is of volume ... 200 psi thru 1/4" tube is the same pressure as 200 psi thru a 1/2" tube ... the difference is the greater volume the larger line allows

True Shane, but pressure does have an effect on volume. The lower the pressure, the lower the CFM.

[kev2809]

what kind of switches are you using? i have the little 5 button rocker switches and run 1/2" line too. its fast as hell, a little too fast, but i can tap them in right where i want them, not very hard. i hit the "all up" button, then tap it down to ride height.

when i get it on the road i will use plugs and drill the small hole ken was mentioning, probably the easiest way to slow them down without spending a bunch of money and re doing your whole setup

[Shane]

Originally Posted by hotrodhomi

True Shane, but pressure does have an effect on volume. The lower the pressure, the lower the CFM.

not to be argumentative homi, but that is incorrect. take a peep at the spec tag on the air compressor in your work shop. notice how the higher the pressure the lower the CFM rating is.

Boyle's law states that when pressure on a sample gas (ambient air in this case) increases the volume decreases proportionately if the temperature remains constant and visa- versa.

P.S. I'm curious about the no shock thing as well.

[DZL1]

I'm using flow controls on mine with 1/2" line. works great cause you can adjust them to your liking.

DZL1.

[charx2]

I have just the cheap old 12 switch box I think. I have fbss. Anyway, i've been going to these truck shops that work on brake lines and getting my parts but they don't have any caps for me to put on that I can drill through. I ordered my shock relocators and shocks today from cpp!! Can't wait to get her back on the road with shocks and see the difference which I know will have to be huge! That thing used to beat my back up! I drove over some railroad tracks that were on a little hill and the whole bed of the truck came off the ground and bounced like crazy, it was pretty scary when it happened, thought I was going to die!

[charx2]

Flow controls would be nice but not trying to spend that type of money on it.

[blime81]

Check Lowes or Home Depot for brass npt threaded caps. They usually have them in with the plumbing stuff.

[N2TRUX]

I would try the smaller line trick to see how it works. a 12" piece of line should be in your budget. If not, give me your address and I will mail you one...

[kev2809]

i think ace hardware should have them too...just make sure the threading is the same.

[edflores]

Any 1/2 NPT plug will work. even the chaepo steel ones.
And you can do a 110-145 pressure switch. 145 is a lot less "violent"
And learn to tap the switch. Get switch extension, that will make tapping easier. I ran 350+ psi, with dual 1/2" fills, open 1/2" dumps, fed by Nitrogen and 10 gallons of reserve on a Cadillac that I used to hop, but I never had trouble getting it to ride height. you should be able to "tap" it 2 to 3 times per second.