Rear air suspension - vehicle battery or leisure battery?

[MisterB]

Just starting to fit my rear air suspension and cant decide whether to power it from the leisure battery or the vehicle battery?

im not sure it makes any real difference, other than making sure i can operate it without the ignition having to be on, if for instance we need to use it to 'assist' in levelling the motorhome on site AND yes i know its not really for that but sometimes our bathroom door sticks if its not 'perfectly' level, so the odd half inch can make a difference (in my best Frankie Howard voice ..... ) Just for clarity, i can wire it direct to the vehicle battery so it can be on without the ignition being on, but thats a bit more work for me - not a great issue but just trying to make the install easier.

BUT if anyone can identify why i definitely shouldnt wire it to the leisure battery (lithium !!) then please feel free to advise ...

 

[Happy Jack]

Wired mine to the leisure battery but to be honest I think it would make no difference.
You won't need to use it often enough to drag either one down.

 

[oldiesontour]

Mine is on vb for ease of fitting I incorporated solenoid valves and switches giving independent up/down,left/right and a dual digital gauge, compressor/valves under bonnet rest on dash.Not through ignition.But no reason u shouldn't use lb in my opinion

 

[Happy Jack]

Mine is on vb for ease of fitting I incorporated solenoid valves and switches giving independent up/down,left/right and a dual digital gauge, compressor/valves under bonnet rest on dash.Not through ignition.But no reason u shouldn't use lb in my opinion

Mone is full kit from Martech including separate gauges and independent up/down.

 

[oldiesontour]

Mone is full kit from Martech including separate gauges and independent up/down.

As always Iwas too tight to buy a kit and preferred to have it my way by design.Total cost from memory under £250. 2 yrs ago wouldnt be without it 2020boxer

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[enark]

Mick at SAP wired mine to vb, no reason as to why, or why not though.

 

[MisterB]

thanks for the responses - its an independant gauges and switches kit from MarTech, dash operated. Just means i have to relocate my growler alarm switches for illumination and bike security, which i was looking to do anyway, just need to decide where to put them, having already moved the internal movement isolator to a better position for how we use the motorhome.

just ordered some more air tubing as i am locating the compressor in the double floor behind the driver/passenger seat, under the grill for the heating ducting.

The leisure battery is right next to this so it will make it easier to connect to that as opposed to the vehicle battery

 

[Happy Jack]

As always Iwas too tight to buy a kit and preferred to have it my way by design.Total cost from memory under £250. 2 yrs ago wouldnt be without it 2020boxer

Yes, it's great on my 2016 Ducato.

 

[buzz1]

thanks for the responses - its an independant gauges and switches kit from MarTech, dash operated. Just means i have to relocate my growler alarm switches for illumination and bike security, which i was looking to do anyway, just need to decide where to put them, having already moved the internal movement isolator to a better position for how we use the motorhome.

just ordered some more air tubing as i am locating the compressor in the double floor behind the driver/passenger seat, under the grill for the heating ducting.

View attachment 998123

The leisure battery is right next to this so it will make it easier to connect to that as opposed to the vehicle battery

Nice job
battery location not sure if it makes a difference?
I connected to V B as it was closer and sited compressor the same as you between double floor on a bit of rubber as compressor does vibrate quite a bit, but not a problem as it not used much really .

 

[Happy Jack]

thanks for the responses - its an independant gauges and switches kit from MarTech, dash operated. Just means i have to relocate my growler alarm switches for illumination and bike security, which i was looking to do anyway, just need to decide where to put them, having already moved the internal movement isolator to a better position for how we use the motorhome.

just ordered some more air tubing as i am locating the compressor in the double floor behind the driver/passenger seat, under the grill for the heating ducting.

View attachment 998123

The leisure battery is right next to this so it will make it easier to connect to that as opposed to the vehicle battery

Sounds like exactly same kit as mine.
Also located my compressor in same place. Didnt need any extra tubing though.

Pic of the guages/switches. Sorry just taken it but it's a bit dim out there even with lights in in cab area.
Have full set of internal and external covers on to keep the cold and light out.

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[MisterB]

Sounds like exactly same kit as mine.
Also located my compressor in same place. Didnt need any extra tubing though.
View attachment 998142
Pic of the guages/switches. Sorry just taken it but it's a bit dim out there even with lights in in cab area.
Have full set of internal and external covers on to keep the cold and light out.

I could use 'spare' tubing from the feeds to the airbags themselves, but I wanted to have a definite visual difference between the pipework feeding the airbags and the pipework from the compressor to the controller, on the basis that it might help any future owner should any issues arise.

I will also add some extra rubber as buzz1 suggested to reduce vibration

 

[Happy Jack]

I could use 'spare' tubing from the feeds to the airbags themselves, but I wanted to have a definite visual difference between the pipework feeding the airbags and the pipework from the compressor to the controller, on the basis that it might help any future owner should any issues arise.

I will also add some extra rubber as buzz1 suggested to reduce vibration

Ran my tubing in split convoluted different coloured plastic conduit. Also gives a bit of mechanical protection.

 

[MisterB]

Ran my tubing in split convoluted different coloured plastic conduit. Also gives a bit of mechanical protection.

the kit from Martech also came with the plastic conduit, pain in the bum fitting it inside the conduit, but i mastered the dark art after a few minutes faffing !!!

 

[Happy Jack]

the kit from Martech also came with the plastic conduit, pain in the bum fitting it inside the conduit, but i mastered the dark art after a few minutes faffing !!!

Yes, mine did also; black. Got some red from ebay, one side in black and the other in red.