SP36 Air Dryer Relocation

[bobbiemartin]

This post got me to thinking about moving the air dryer and governor. In the SP36, the dryer is above the transmission in a rather inaccessible location. While the transmission is out seemed the best time to move it. I decided to buy a new AD-9 dryer and a new governor. The old governor is bolted to the back of the air compressor, you can get to it but it's a bit of a pain. So moving both seems the best plan.

Looking around, the area behind the Primus boilers is the best location I could find. There is just enough room, it's easily accessible and there is a C channel welded to the frame I could bolt a bracket to. I fabbed up a bracket (in the interest of full disclosure I hired out the welding as mine looks pretty bad, likely because it is) to mount the dryer. It's probably way more than what's required, but it's solid! Once it was done, I had it powder coated.

Next step was mounting the dryer. In addition to the bracket, the chamber bolts to the rear bulkhead. I had added a piece of diamond plate aluminum a while back to stiffen the bulkhead up as it was kind of flimsy. I just got the new hoses this afternoon, once I get them installed I'll report back.

Picture 1 shows the old air dryer above the transmission.

Picture 2 shows the area behind the Primus boilers. I had unbolted the Horton fan solenoid as it needs to be moved to fit the air dryer.

Pictures 3 & 4 show the bracket.

Picture 5 shows the bracket mounted.

Picture 6 shows the air dryer mounted. The Horton fan solenoid is mounted above, out of the picture. The governor will be mounted just above the dryer.

[isp2952]

I'm impressed Bobbie. Looks good to me and I wished I had that talent to make my life easier. Getting into where my air dryer is, is more than these old bones can handle. The last time I did that was several years ago in Rick Davis's pit. We took my air dryer out and changed the filter. But since then I can't seem to get in there and do what I need to do. If it was located "conveniently" it would get much more attention.

[edscreven]

Dryer is an easy out …..HARD put back. 😩

[shaaksma]

Just a heads up, I had water in my lines after re-locating the dryer because 10 foot of length was not long enough for the air to cool. Adding another 10 foot for of airline for 20 foot total lowered the air temp at the drier by about 10 degrees (no more condensate in the air lines after the dryer).

Not sure if you are shortening the lines or not, just a heads up.

[tintent]

nice job I will have to put this mod on my list. I just rebuilt my dryer so it shpuld be ok for a while

[bobbiemartin]

I'm finishing up the air drier lines. There is an air line fitting to air up the bus, it was originally going to the delivery (output) side of the drier through a check valve. I'm thinking it would be better on the input side as it could introduce moisture in the system. Or maybe there is a reason it shouldn't be connected to the supply (from the compressor)?

[Marc_in_CT]

If you ever want to inject Marvel Mystery Oil to your system, you will want it on the output side.

[bobbiemartin]

Got the air dryer done. I opted to use braided hose (stainless steel on the large hoses, fabric on the smaller ones) with JIC ends instead of plastic lines. It came out rather well, airs up and unloads as it should. I did install a fitting for an air compressor on the inlet side of the dryer. When I get a chance I'll rework it for better access and I want to add a supply fitting on the output side as well. But it's much easier to get to should the need arise.