Hey there! I m Dustin from the new products department here at Gregg Distributors. Today
on Gear up with Gregg s we re going to talk about SKF desiccant air dryers and how they
can help your air brake system. With the continuous improvement of commercial
vehicles, and a rise in the use of pneumatic-powered accessories like kneeling capabilities on
buses or better air brakes in trucks, the demand for a reliable compressed air system
is higher than ever. The SKF family of air dryers has stepped up to the plate to meet
those needs, by providing efficient and reliable air dryers across all applications.
A desiccant air dryer acts as a filter for the compressed air that flows through your
air brake system, otherwise known as the ABS. The dryer receives hot compressed air that
is then cooled, dried, and filtered for particulates before it delivers clean air to the supply
reservoirs. By removing contaminants from the compressed air before it continues through
the rest of the air brake system, you are preventing further damage and reducing the
chance of having water in the system. But why does water in your air brake system matter?
Well, compressed air can have water and compressor oil in it, which can cause damage to the ABS
as a whole. For example, in cold weather, water in the system can freeze and cause failures.
Conversely, oil in the ABS components such as automated manual transmissions (AMTs),
or air-operated solenoids can cause swelling and brittleness in seals, to the point where
the equipment will not work effectively anymore. The desiccant series of air dryers, Turbo
2000 and Turbo 3000 are designed to mount vertically between the air compressor and
the air systems supply reservoirs. These units are constructed with a unique spin-off cartridge,
making cartridge exchanges that much easier, are made for all-weather applications, and
both are equipped with a sealed 12 Volt or optional 24 Volt thermostatically controlled
heater. This means that these air dryers will stay toasty warm even on the coldest winter
days. The desiccant Turbo boost series air dryers are rated for all engine applications.
But hold on, what is a desiccant? Essentially it is a hygroscopic, or water absorbing substance,
like those silica beads you find in new shoes or bags. Desiccants suck up moisture in a
way that s a lot like kitty litter. Now that the cat is out of the bag, let s
talk more about the specifics of this great product.
The Turbo 2000 incorporates four pounds of desiccant and a separate purge tank that is
isolated from the vehicle s air system. The purge tank stores clean, dry air to regenerate
the desiccant bed. And when it comes to severe stop and go applications the Turbo 2000 is
perfect as it can handle the high demand these actions place on the air system. The Turbo
2000 features a large purge tank volume, 460 cubic inches to be exact, and an excellent
filtration system that delivers clean, dry air even in the toughest of conditions, and
has been designed with a compressor output of up to 30 cubic feet per minute. With specs
as great as these, the Turbo 2000 can handle almost all of your ABS air drying needs!
While the Turbo 2000 has four pounds of desiccant, the Turbo 3000 only has half that amount!
The benefit of having less desiccant means that this unit is easier to manage and works
perfectly for light duty applications. However, this air dryer stores a set amount of regeneration
air within the desiccant canister. Regeneration air is circulated through the air dryer in
order to maintain a set level of pressure, and reduces purging. This ultimately allows
for the elimination of an isolated purge tank, and since the purge air is self-contained,
it doesn t steal air from brake system! This means your air pressure should remain steady
throughout operation. The Turbo 3000 has also been designed with a compressor output up
to 15 cubic feet per minute. This compact air dryer, is engineered for light duty applications,
and precisely matches desiccant and purge volume in order to reduce its size and weight.
It is also easy to install, thanks to the compact design, and provides quick and easy
access to the clearly marked installation ports. Which makes retro-fitting a one step
operation. Its important to note that the desiccant air
dryers used on trucks have to be able to handle a lot of wear and tear. These air dryers are
mounted where they are constantly vibrating and dealing with an environmental barrage.
Therefore, the clay, beads, and chemicals that usually make up desiccants have to be
strong, so that they don t break down and degrade into powder over time. Luckily SKF
has built some of the toughest desiccant air dryers on the market, so you won t need to
worry about them degrading. Air dryers, like many compressor components,
require regular maintenance. How often maintenance is required for your air dryer ultimately
depends on the vehicle type, the applications you are using it for, and the compressor type.
But don t worry, if you ever need a replacement part, Gregg Distributors has got you covered.
Now if you have any questions feel free to let us know in the comment section down below.
Or you can visit our website at greggdistributors.ca. Again I m Dustin and thanks for checking out
Gear up with Greggs, have a great Canadian day.