Is there a MAXIMUM air pressure setting?

Guntoter · Apr 27, 2012

I had an interesting conversation today about the governor on my air compressor. Everyone knows that you must have at least 60 PSI in your air system when the light/buzzer comes on.

I have looked for an hour in FMCSA and cant find anything about the MAX amount of air you can have in the system. The closest I can find is that the air tanks must hold 500 PSI before bursting.

Can a driver be cited for having 150 PSI on his gauge?

Heavyd · Apr 27, 2012

Yes, in Ontario the air pressure cannot exceed 135 psi.

Smellfunny · Apr 27, 2012

I would think he could be cited for having 150 in USA because 150 is usually the point that the relief valve goes off if I am not mistaken, so it could possibly be unsafe and could be interpreted as an unsafe condition.
I usually set drivers governors at 135. Gives them a little extra air if they need it.

freightlinerman · Apr 28, 2012

There are buses in Florida that are set to 140-150 PSI for various reasons.

CondoCruiser · Apr 28, 2012

http://www.fmcsa.dot.gov/rules-regulations/administration/fmcsr/fmcsrruletext.aspx?reg=571.121

The only thing close I could find is S5.1.2.2, the tanks have to withstand the cutoff pressure for 10 minutes. Every tank according to ANSI standards should have a spec label on it. Boom! No good!

S5.1.1 Air compressor. An air compressor of sufficient capacity to increase air pressure in the supply and service reservoirs from 85 psi to 100 psi when the engine is operating at the vehicle manufacturer's maximum recommended r.p.m. within a time, in seconds, determined by the quotient (Actual reservoir capacity×25)/Required reservoir capacity.

S5.1.1.1 Air compressor cut-in pressure. The air compressor governor cut-in pressure for each bus shall be 85 p.s.i. or greater. The air compressor governor cut-in pressure for each truck shall be 100 p.s.i. or greater.

S5.1.2 Reservoirs. One or more service reservoir systems, from which air is delivered to the brake chambers, and either an automatic condensate drain valve for each service reservoir or a supply reservoir between the service reservoir system and the source of air pressure.

S5.1.2.1 The combined volume of all service reservoirs and supply reservoirs shall be at least 12 times the combined volume of all service brake chambers. For each brake chamber type having a full stroke at least as great as the first number in Column 1 of Table V, but no more than the second number in Column 1 of Table V, the volume of each brake chamber for purposes of calculating the required combined service and supply reservoir volume shall be either that specified in Column 2 of Table V or the actual volume of the brake chamber at maximum travel of the brake piston or pushrod, whichever is lower. The volume of a brake chamber not listed in Table V is the volume of the brake chamber at maximum travel of the brake piston or pushrod. The reservoirs of the truck portion of an auto transporter need not meet this requirement for reservoir volume.

S5.1.2.2 Each reservoir shall be capable of withstanding an internal hydrostatic pressure of five times the compressor cutout pressure or 500 psi, whichever is greater, for 10 minutes.

S5.1.2.3 Each service reservoir system shall be protected against loss of air pressure due to failure or leakage in the system between the service reservoir and the source of air pressure, by check valves or equivalent devices whose proper functioning can be checked without disconnecting any air line or fitting.

S5.1.2.4 Each reservoir shall have a condensate drain valve that can be manually operated.
Click to expand...

Guntoter · Apr 28, 2012

Thanks... Im keeping mine at 135. The next level 1 that I get I will ask DOT if there is a statute. I will let you know.

KW Parts Guy · Apr 28, 2012

All new KW AD-IS EP drier have a preset gov @ 135 psi.

58Skylane · Apr 28, 2012

I set mine at 130. But the #### maintenance crew keep setting it back at 120. I'm going to glue the #### cap on the governor next time.

Heavyd · Apr 28, 2012

A little higher pressure does help a bit with trailers with many lift axles, but regular trucks really do not benefit from it and you just over stress your compressor.

Guntoter · Apr 29, 2012

The truck Im talking about is a mobile home toter. I need to air the mobile home tires to at least 130 so thats the main reason.

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