Ultra-Sonic Detectors

[dalej]

Do any of you have a air leak detector that you really like? I have the desire to get rid of all leaks and to check for them once or twice a year.

After I changed air springs, I thought I should check to see if all the 10,000 air fittings and lines are air tight.

[tdelorme]

Sorry, Dale, once again I couldn't resist.


http://i72.photobucket.com/albums/i174/tdelorme1/ear.jpg

[Jon Wehrenberg]

Do any of you have a air leak detector that you really like? I have the desire to get rid of all leaks and to check for them once or twice a year.

After I changed air springs, I thought I should check to see if all the 10,000 air fittings and lines are air tight.

Dale,

Do you want me to UPS it to you or do you want to pick it up in TN and send it back when you are done?

[dalej]

Thanks Jon,

If you bring it to TN. I can use it there or bring it back with me and then UPS it back to you.

You sure you don't mind?

[merle&louise]

Dale,

I have the same unit that Jon has, but I can't understand how it works. I tested it on my air supply connection (I connect an air hose to fill my tires at this device) and I can feel and hear the air escaping but it doesn't register on the Ultra Sonic meter. I'll bring it to TN and we can play with it.

I used Jon's stethescope @ Debi's house in Landrum, SC and that really works great. I must be doing something wrong with the Ultra Sonic leak detector.:eek:

[dalej]

Tuga, sounds like we will both learn somthing.

I checked this morning and my air pressure went from 106 to 94 pounds from 9 last night to 8:30 this morning, so it's not to bad.

[merle&louise]

Dale,

Looking forward to learning more about this leak detector. My coach loses air fast that yours; 110 to 30 in 24 hours! But it doesn't lean; guess the leaks are somewhere other than the leveling valves and solenoids.:confused:

See you in TN

[Jon Wehrenberg]

The short answer is that different types of leaks are detected in different ways.

An ultrasonic detector will never identify a leak in the rubber portion of an air spring. Your ears, a stethoscope or bubbles might detect one however. But alternately a minute leak that your ears or a stethoscope cannot detect may sound like Niagara Falls to the leak detector.

No single method will work for all leaks, and that is what makes trying to create the perfect system so hard.

[wrongagain]

just bought this unit with the optional sound generator.
they are not giving them away, but it works.
found a couple of leaks so far.
might find more if the snow and rain ever stops.
you can hear someone lightly rubbing there finger tips together, even on the lowest setting it sounds like someone rubbing two rocks together.
the sound generator beeps but you cant hear it without the detector.
throw the sound generator in the bus to find any holes in the bus, that might let in water, air, critters, etc.
this detector hears true sounds, some of the units out there only let you hear beeps as you get closer to the air leaks.


http://www.sdtnorthamerica.com/products/flexus.htm

[tdelorme]

OK, Ed, since they don't quote a price on the web site, can you give us an idea what that pup will cost? Hold on, let me sit down first. Alright, lets hear the bad news. Thanks (I think)

[wrongagain]

that little unit will cost you,................ $1600.00 more or less.
and then, since it is truly made in canada, the ups man will tag you about $50.00 for some c.o.d. customs tariff nonsense.
but, on the side of "strange but true", it even found a leak that I couldn't find with soapy water.
who knew.

[Jon Wehrenberg]

I have this one.

http://www.testersandtools.com/Amprobe-TMULD-300-Kit-Ultrasonic-Leak-Detector.php

At the time I bought mine it was $322. You can save money by eliminating the sound generator, but as Ed correctly points out it helps show openings not easily detected. Place the generator on the co-pilot seat and from the outside the leak detector will tell you where the door seal is not making good contact.

These are not the answer for finding every leak, but they are one of the ways to detect leaks.

[wrongagain]

I haven't done my door seal air leak yet, but let me tell you, that thing screams when the air lock is not on, it is only a mildly annoying whistle otherwise.

[Orren Zook]

I'll bring mine along to Tennessee too, I can't remember which brand (but it's not one already shown here). It was also in the $300 range when I bought it. I'll post a picture and info when I pick the bus up next Thursday at DD in Savannah.

[dale farley]

Ted, After a little searching on the site, I see the price for the standard is $899 and the deluxe is $999.

[wrongagain]

I also questioned them about that posted price.
you are correct, but to get all the stuff it is $1599.00

[BrianE]

I asked my Snap-on guy about ultra-sonic detectors and he talked me out of one and into buying an electronic stethoscope which has worked very well for me. It will be interesting to compare these various gadgets at SV.

[tdelorme]

Thanks, Dale. Not as bad as I expected, but I think I'll mooch off Jon while at Sevireville.:)

Well that $1599 is as bad as I expected. Sticking with the above plan.

Dale, your new bus is a gem. Nice ride, man.

[rfoster]

I can attest to the use of Jons Detector. We found 2 leaks in Norgren Valves that were internal, that had never surfaced with soapy water. This was in Stewart Florida in Jan 07 and my bus behaved for several months, -- now it is leaning again after about two days. Time for another check up.

[jimshoen]

Brian,
What brand of electronic stethoscope did the Snap On dealer sell you?
How much did it cost?

[JIM CHALOUPKA]

Brian,
What brand of electronic stethoscope did the Snap On dealer sell you?
How much did it cost?

Jim, here are three electronic Stethoscopes, they are all a little different than each other, and by Automotive Specialty. Look down the link list to find them.

http://www.google.com/products?hl=en&client=firefox-a&channel=s&rls=org.mozilla:en-US:official&hs=MAm&resnum=0&q=electronic+stethoscope&um=1&ie=UTF-8&checkout=1&sa=X&oi=product_result&resnum=1&ct=checkout-restrict

[BrianE]

Jim and jim,

JC, Thanks for jumping in. We were on the road and off the web. The Steelman 97170 is on the link you provided.

Jim S, This detector was about $100.00 from Snap-on so is priced way below the ultra-sonics. It will be fun to compare them at SV. I have been able to hear internal leaks in Norgren valves, also wind noise leaks on the front windows of our bus. That being said ????

[merle&louise]

I was reading on another forum about locating air leaks. Here is a copy of what I read.


Yep, I have found some interesting leaks. One of the solenoid valves for the air op dump valve was leaking by, the check valve at the 120V compressor was leaking back, the actual cylinder seal for the air cyl for the generator slide was leaking.

The only thing that I have not accessed is the solenoids and piping for the air pocket door, and that's because you have to disassemble a number of panels in the closet to get access. It is next on my list.

I did run a rather interesting experiment. When the coach system was completely empty, I put a little R134a in the air system, and then pumped it on up with the compressor. Using my refrigerant sniffer, which is a sensitive little devil, I was able to find a few leaks that I had not detected with soapy water.__________________
Richard Rhonda Ty and Alex Entrekin
1995 Newell # 390
Honda CRV toad
CoMotion Tandem
More hiking boots than Imelda Marcos

[merle&louise]

This is a copy of the PM that I received from Richard. It has some important caveats.

Re: Permission

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sure No problem. It will generate all kinds of comments of what the gas might do to the seals, but the truth is that 134a is quite inert. My degree is in Chemical Engineering, so I was pretty confident in putting a little 134a in the system. It doesn't take much.

Do also mention that the 134a was from a bulk bottle and contained NO lubricant. Using one of the auto store refill cans would also introduce some PAG or POE lubricant into the system and that is not a good idea, since those lubricants form acids in the presence of water.
It does need to be introduced into the coach system. Meaning that if you use the quick disconnect at the back, it will put it into the brake system. I got better results breaking the piping at the aux compressor and putting it in there. Since there is a check valve at the aux compressor, it didn't leak out. I repiped the aux back in and brought it up to 90 lbs to sniff for leaks.


Also don't hesitate to use my email richard.entrekinATalconlabs.com , substitute @ for AT, for correspondence. It will be quicker than going through the forum.

[Jon Wehrenberg]

I think that is an excellent idea and I'll bet it will shorten the leak detection process considerably.

If you pressurize the Aux air system exclusively with freon (use 134 or something cheap) and let it find its way to the leak the leak detector should be screaming by the time you get in the area of the leak.

[Ray Davis]

This may be a dumb question, but the above implies there are special leak detectors for 134a?

Ray

[JIM CHALOUPKA]

Tuga's discovery would be a quick and clean way to check out new air bags before installation.

Tuga, what's the deal, can't you get satisfaction from P O G? ;) You shouldn't need any other discussion groups. :rolleyes:

:)JIM

[merle&louise]

Tuga's discovery would be a quick and clean way to check out new air bags before installation.

Tuga, what's the deal, can't you get satisfaction from P O G? ;) You shouldn't need any other discussion groups. :rolleyes:

:)JIM

Jim,

I read POG, prevost-stuff, and NewellClassic.com

I pick up good info from all three.:D

[wrongagain]

I tried a similar experiment with the ultrasonic leak detector I am selling on another thread.
The leak detector has a noise generator option, which I bought.
I made a 4" pvc pipe capsule with an air fitting adapter on one end and piped it into the system, and you could hear it thru the piping.
Granted not as loud as when I put it in the bus and was under it looking for any potential critter holes, or trying to find the air whistle noise on the entry door,"which it did find".
But it did work for all those jobs.
As well as a stand alone leak detector.
I dont know how sensitive the ones some of you guys are using are, but this one, for example, if you just slightly, just barely, rub you finger tips together it sounds like someone is rubbing to bricks together on top of your head.
It found leaks I could not find with gallons soapy water.
I was going to try my freon sniffer but this did it so I didnt bother, excellent idea though.