Finally got some Accs :D now what..?

[hardcore]

Hi Dudes!

My local hydraulics supplier have come up trumps & got me 4 x .33l accs - result!

Only slight issue is they come pre-charged at 100bar but that's fine - they have the equipment to sort it out. Am I right in saying 40bar is the recommended pressure as a starting point? Then I can let more out (they have a hex key on top) to further soften the ride as I requre?

I just wanted to confirm before I make a hash of things that I need to tee-off where the pipes go from the dumps & screw in the accs (possibly after a lock-off if I can afford 4 of them; may have to wait til later)?

Really looking forward to getting the old girl back on the road!

Thanks in advance for your help,

HC.

[Tony100]

The accumlators needs to be "in line of the rams" before the dump vavle

[hardcore]

The accumlators needs to be "in line of the rams" before the dump vavle

Cool, that's what I thought (pump>dump>acc>pipe>ram)    cheers!

Does it matter if they're not vertical? They seem to be in most installations but space is a bit tight in mine so they might have to point forwards.

HC.

[fatdaddy]

accumulators (and shut off if yu use them) need to be tee'd into the line from dump to ram
NOT in line.

There is no need to order accs with more then 40 bar but if you've got more to start with that doesnt matter, the adjusting pocess is the same.

be VERY carefull when you crack the bleed allen bolt though. With 100bar behind it the nitrogen will leak out fast and I would wear gloves in case you slip and there is any dirt around, that much pressure would push oil into your skin.

[hardcore]

Thanks FD - I thought I had tees but it turns out they're a much smaller thread size than my pipes (& the accs)
I ordered them at 40bar, not sure why they sent them at 100! Could you talk me through the adjusting process please? Would I be better off getting them reduced to 40 before I even start (they said they'd do it for me it I wanted & I've gotta go back for tees anyway)

Also what's the dealio on mounting them vertically?

Thanks again,

HC.

[fatdaddy]

http://uklows.com/forum/index.php/topic,1659.msg15934.html#msg15934

vertical and as near to the ram as possible is best in theory........................... but you'll hardly notice any difference if they are in the boot and angled at  horizontal.
if your going back anyway may as well get them dropped to 40.

[hardcore]

Ahh jeez    now I'm unhappy!

I posted up exactly what my setup is & asked what I need to do to stop it bouncing around uncontrollably (due to removeing the shock absorbers to fit rams) and the unanimous answer was to fit accumulators.

Now having read your link I see that's not what they do and therefore aren't what I need at all.

Due to the total unavailability of parts & me needing the car on the road by the 20th I ended up getting them from a local supplier at a cost of £320 - all I can say is I hope they do refunds! (doubt it)

Looks like I'll be spending next weekend removing the hydro's & refitting standard shocks & springs (if I can get some) so I can actually use the fekking car 

[fatdaddy]

I know my memory of RR may be clouded by beer.................... but I thought you were going to have a pair of rams from Andy or Kris so you could do away with the coils.
Anyway even if you still have them Accs WILL do what you want to an extent, just not as well as if you have no coils.
bouncing = too little travel in coils or coils too stiff ( bounce is because you run our of travel or cant move the coils so the tyres are acting like a trampoline)
wallowing = coils too soft.

Acc WILL make a big difference to bouncing but will make very little (if any) difference to wallowing.

£320 is HUGE     
You need to check what type of Accs they have given you. Some range from 100 bar - 350 bar. these wont work well at under 100 bar. Some are 100 bar max which are the ones you need.
The link you have seen here to FCH will get you a pair of the right ones at the right price [both Rus and Billy have used it]

[hardcore]

Firstly apologies for the positivity failure in my last post - your advice is very much appreciated. As you say£320 is waaay too much but they were available so I grabbed em; probably a poor decision but one born out of frustration! I used to use this car every day but since spending a fortune making it a LowRider it’s been out for 2 weekends and is now sitting rotting its wires off    I just want my car back!

I know my memory of RR may be clouded by beer.................... but I thought you were going to have a pair of rams from Andy or Kris so you could do away with the coils.

I don't remember that at all sorry - too many beers for me as well...
Still running the RayVern items at the rear - that's a 'Wanted' add for another day!
Fronts seem ok, rears drop slowly & jerkily (presumably somewhat curved, or not fitted straight) Could really use some tips here before they ruin completely please.

Anyway even if you still have them Accs WILL do what you want to an extent, just not as well as if you have no coils.
bouncing = too little travel in coils or coils too stiff ( bounce is because you run our of travel or cant move the coils so the tyres are acting like a trampoline)
wallowing = coils too soft.

Acc WILL make a big difference to bouncing but will make very little (if any) difference to wallowing.

Hmm, maybe I'm not explaining the problem too well. Basically, if you push down the back of the car (compress the coils) then let it go it will bounce up & down 4-5 times before coming to a rest. You can imagine what that’s like to drive!
Is that what you consider wallowing?
I’m sure it’s not the springs running out of travel or being too stiff, quite the opposite in fact.

You need to check what type of Accs they have given you. Some range from 100 bar - 350 bar. these wont work well at under 100 bar. Some are 100 bar max which are the ones you need.

Pics speak a gazillion words:





Thanks again

[fatdaddy]

can you find anywhere to  mount shocks between the bottom arm and something ?

I think the accs are OK but I havnt used that make.

If it was mine I would sort the ram alignment first. Jerky rams usually means they are either mounted wrong, have seals that have twisted or are bent BUT as you have Rayvern rams they will be displacement rather than piston sealed. This rules out seals (as there aren't any!), also to an extent rules out bent as they  only have gland support anyway. They should be "guaranteed for life" so first call should be to see if you can get them exchanged.
If you can then start with good rams you have three choices..........
put them back with the coils and make sure they don't bind as the suspension moves
or
as above + shocks somehere
or
mount them without coils and use accs.

If you cant get them exchanged get another pair that you can mount at both ends and use accs.   

[rudey]

On the lovol, there were fuck all springs or shocks and the ride was ace... the accs once set up make for a good balanced ride, im no expert, but if you can get ride of the above and just run the rams then plumb in the accs (with lock offs for faster moves) then you'll be a happy (or happier!) man

[hardcore]

Thanks gents - I think this weekend I'll see if I can mount the rears better then plumb in the acc's & see what's what.
I'll probably take another turn or 2 off the coils so they're not really doing anything but locating the bottom of the ram - hopefully that'll let the acc's do a better job!?  Will sit lower on full drop then too 
Long-term I guess I'll have to replace the rams with ones I can mount at the bottem too - will remind myself how the standard shocks attached

HC.