Rubicon Locker Air Pump question (how to wire your Rubicon air pump)

[paultyler]

I transplated Rubicon Axles under my YJ. I am in the process of hooking up an air source to the lockers. I have access to a set of the stock locker air pumps that come on the Rubicon. I know the lockers work on low pressure 6-8 psi.

I have two questions: (1) Do the air pumps themselves have a pressure switch that turns the pump off when the proper PSI is reached or is that controlled by computer?

(2) When the pumps are turned off, do they have an automatic pressure release valve or is that too handled by the computer?

Obviously I do not have the Rubicon computer so I am hoping the air pumps are self contained in that they have their own pressure switches, etc.



By the way: If you know the answers to these two questions, you know waaaayyy too much about Jeeps!

[2fastlx]

we put a rubicon front d44 in my buddy's tj, he had an arb in the rear. we used an arb pump and solenoid for the front, however we had to install a regulator to get the pressure down to around 5 psi for the ruby locker.

[greendozer]

If you still have access to the donor jeep you should pull the little pumps off of it there really small probably 3" x 3" If I remember right thewre located on the skid plate by the oil pan and all the wiring it is not contolled by the computer. You are not the first to do this I have seen it on other forums I think Rubicon unlimite or Jeeps unlimited I can't remember. If you dont have access to the donor just use an air compressor regulator.

[cincytj]

Originally Posted by paultyler

I transplated Rubicon Axles under my YJ. I am in the process of hooking up an air source to the lockers. I have access to a set of the stock locker air pumps that come on the Rubicon. I know the lockers work on low pressure 6-8 psi.

I have two questions: (1) Do the air pumps themselves have a pressure switch that turns the pump off when the proper PSI is reached or is that controlled by computer?

(2) When the pumps are turned off, do they have an automatic pressure release valve or is that too handled by the computer?

Obviously I do not have the Rubicon computer so I am hoping the air pumps are self contained in that they have their own pressure switches, etc.



By the way: If you know the answers to these two questions, you know waaaayyy too much about Jeeps!

1. yes they are self regulated. they pump just as hard as they can (5 or 6 PSI) until the power is cut 2. then they just bleed down very quickly

I researched this to go the regulator route but a bad regulator = blown locker seals so I opted to use the rubi set.

[paultyler]

Originally Posted by cincytj

1. yes they are self regulated. they pump just as hard as they can (5 or 6 PSI) until the power is cut 2. then they just bleed down very quickly

I researched this to go the regulator route but a bad regulator = blown locker seals so I opted to use the rubi set.

So basically if I hook them up with a separate switch for the front and the rear, when I turn one on, it will pressurize to 6-8 PSI and then turn itself off? Even if the power switch stays on?

Then when I turn the switch off the air is vented?

[loudog3114]

They will pump til you turn them off.

A very KISS design; Keep It Simple Stupid.

[paultyler]

Originally Posted by loudog3114

They will pump til you turn them off.

A very KISS design; Keep It Simple Stupid.

That seems nuts. What keeps it from building up too much pressure? I was going to mount them under my seat. Are they noisy?

[cincytj]

Originally Posted by paultyler

That seems nuts. What keeps it from building up too much pressure? I was going to mount them under my seat. Are they noisy?

the motors cant push any harder than 5-6 psi. when you have a leak or a bad pump you hear them pump one or two beats every so often othwise they stop. When you turn off the switch they release. You can just hook 12v through a relay for front and back independant. Thats what I did on mine.

[cincytj]

I moved mine under the hood here:

[cjflyrod25]

Did a transplant to my TJ, any good sources for alternative pressure sources ?? Tempted to try the air tank & regulator method with a 8 PSI blow-off, have not located any yet...thx

[paultyler]

Originally Posted by cincytj

the motors cant push any harder than 5-6 psi. when you have a leak or a bad pump you hear them pump one or two beats every so often othwise they stop. When you turn off the switch they release. You can just hook 12v through a relay for front and back independant. Thats what I did on mine.

OK. That is what I will do. From what you are saying it sounds like they "turn off" simply because they can't push anymore pressure into the line after 6 psi.

[paultyler]

Originally Posted by cincytj

I moved mine under the hood here:

Thanks for the picture!

[JerryC]

Originally Posted by loudog3114

They will pump til you turn them off.

Sorry, that's not right. The pumps have a built in pressure switch.

Apply power with the air line disconnected and they will run continuously. Plug the air line and the pump will stop when the line is pressurized to ~5 psi.

This is a handy feature when troubleshooting. If your locker isn't working and the pump is running continuously, remove the line at the diff. If it doesn't shut off when you plug the line, the problem is upstream, in the line or the switch in the pump. If the pump shuts off, you have a problem at the fitting or inside the diff, most likely the cheesey air line from the fitting to the diaphragm. Otherwise it's the diaphragm that's bad.

[paultyler]

Originally Posted by JerryC

Sorry, that's not right. The pumps have a built in pressure switch.

Apply power with the air line disconnected and they will run continuously. Plug the air line and the pump will stop when the line is pressurized to ~5 psi.

This is a handy feature when troubleshooting. If your locker isn't working and the pump is running continuously, remove the line at the diff. If it doesn't shut off when you plug the line, the problem is upstream, in the line or the switch in the pump. If the pump shuts off, you have a problem at the fitting or inside the diff, most likely the cheesey air line from the fitting to the diaphragm. Otherwise it's the diaphragm that's bad.

Great. That is an even better set up. That is what I was hoping for.

[tjrunner]

Hey Paul, how did this end up working out?

I have installed a front Rubi D44 in my jeep. I wired up the factory pump and put a pressure gauge on it. It pumped up to beyond 10 psi but did not turn off. The gauge I used only went to 10 psi.

There are three wires coming from the pump. Red, pink, and black.
There are two wires coming from the differencial.

Can you give me a rundown of how you wired your up?

Thanks,
Eric B.