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1 Increased comfort Better driveability More safety VB-FullAir-2C Air suspension for Campers User manual UK

2 2010, VB-Airsuspension B.V. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise, without VB-Airsuspension B.V. s prior consent. VB-Airsuspension B.V. continually works at the further development of its products. For this reason, please understand that changes in the delivery volume, functionality, and technology are possible. The make-up of this user manual is a momentary impression of the present state of affairs. VB-Airsuspension reserves the right to make technical changes without any prior notification. The air-suspension has been designed to support the maximum GVW of the vehicle. Because the vehicle will always be at ride-height and because that will hinder the visual inspection of overload, regardless of its load factor, the chance of overload increases. Never overload the vehicle because this will result in damage to the air-suspension and other components of the vehicle. If you are unsure about whether the vehicle is overloaded or not, please weigh the vehicle. Damage caused by overloading will not be refunded. If an error occurs, you are advised to stop driving with regard to the possible damage that may be caused. In exceptional cases, driving with adjusted speed and precautionary measures is possible. 2

3 Contents Foreword 4 Basic information 5 System description 6 Advantages of air-suspension 7 Increased comfort Improved road handling Improved stability Constant ride-height Adjustable fl oor height Safety on the road 8 Maintenance Errors Modifi cations Leaning vehicle Operation 10 Remote Control Extra options 15 Extra operation switch Stand-by time Identifying problems 16 Mechanical error Error-codes Maintenance service

4 Foreword Congratulations! Your vehicle has been equipped with the VB-FullAir-2C air-suspension system from VB-Airsuspension B.V. This manual contains all the necessary information regarding your air-suspension system. Next to a description of the working principle of the air-suspension, it also provides information on all the functions of the system, including an explanation of all the possible options. The next page describes which options your vehicle has been fitted with. By choosing VB-Airsuspension s air-suspension, you have opted for a very safe suspension system. The chapter Safety on the road contains important information on how to ensure that the air-suspension system will always function optimally. In the case of an unexpected error, the chapter Identifying problems provides information on how to solve small intrusions yourself. We advise you strongly to read this manual carefully before you start using the vehicle, and to keep this manual with your other registration papers. Enjoy driving! VB-Airsuspension B.V. 4

5 Basic information Vehicle information Make and type: Chassis number: Milometer reading before fi tting: km Kit number: VB Identifi cation stickers: Kit sticker Warranty sticker Installation company Name installation company: Name mechanic: Address: Postcode/City: Telephone number: Date of fi tting: Fitted options Extra operating switch Stand-by time Air pressure tank for accessories 5

6 System description The VB-FullAir-2C air-suspension system consists of air springs in combination with an electronic control system. This system ensures a consistent vehicle height, whether the vehicle is loaded or not. This however does not compensate for tyre deflection when the vehicle is heavily loaded. Above, you can see these parts fitted on a vehicle with a beam axle, which has been fitted with the VB-FullAir-2C airsuspension system. necessary, the VB-ASCU will give an order to the compressor (2), and, depending on the situation, will either inflate or deflate the air springs (3). Depending on the situation, it might take up a while after a change in load, before the VB-ASCU responds to the changes. This time delay was put in deliberately; to prevent the system from responding in unwanted situations, or in a nervous way. In general, the system functions as follows: A heightsensor is fitted on both sides of the rear axle, between the body and the axle (1). These heightsensors continually measure the ride-height of the vehicle, and send this information to the Air-Suspension Control Unit; the VB-ASCU. This unit has been fitted onto the compressor unit (2). The VB- ASCU compares the data with the preprogrammed ride-height, and decides whether it is necessary to intervene. If 6

7 Advantages of air-suspension The VB-FullAir-2C air-suspension system offers the following advantages: Increased comfort An air-suspension system filters out the unevenness of the road surface and leads to a decrease of energy (vibrations) that passengers are subjected to. Passengers value this highly, and it reduces fatigue. Because of this, more and more car manufacturers equip their vehicles with air-suspension. Improved road handling In most cases, fi tting an air-suspension system requires a modifi cation of the shock absorbers. With every air-suspension system, VB-Airsuspension supplies the appropriate shock absorbers to improve the vehicle s road handling and turning capabilities. This improved road handling will reduce tyre wear. Improved stability Because of VB-Airsuspension s unique construction, every air-suspension system has its own integrated stabiliser. This improves the vehicle s stability, and offers the driver a greater sense of safety which is required while driving the vehicle. Constant ride-height The electronic system ensures that, regardless of the load, the vehicle will always have the pre-programmed rideheight. When the vehicle has reached its maximum load, the rear end of the vehicle will not lower. Furthermore, the constant ride-height also positively infl u- ences the vehicle s fuel consumption. Adjustable floor height The air-suspension system is always equipped with a remote control. This remote control offers the possibility to raise or lower the rear end of the vehicle. In this way, loading or unloading the vehicle will be considerably easier. 7

8 Safety on the road Maintenance VB-Airsuspension s air-suspension is a maintenance-free product. We do however advise you to have your vehicle checked on a regular basis at your installation company, in accordance with VB-Airsuspension s maintenance guidelines. A yearly check-up ensures a longer life span of the air-suspension system, and prevents possible errors or intrusions. Please stamp these maintenance check-ups at the back of this manual <Page 20>. Errors When you experience an imperfectness on your air-suspension system, or when the system itself detects an error or intrusion, please read the chapter Identifying problems, which can be found at the end of this manual. ATTENTION: Please note that with some errors, it is prohibited to keep driving. This might lead to further damage to other parts of the vehicle. Furthermore, the vehicle might show some unexpected behaviour, which can cause dangerous situations, and might lead to accidents! Modifications The air-suspension kit fitted underneath your vehicle has been designed in accordance with the latest developments, and therefore meets the strict requirements set by car manufacturers and European law. Car parts that are not standard on your air-suspension kit can cause damage to the air-suspension system or cause unexpected driving behaviour. It is therefore prohibited to change or modify components of the air-suspension kit without VB-Airsuspension s consent. Moreover, an incorrectly built up body can result in damage to your air-suspension system. We therefore advise you to notify your coach builder and to refer to VB-Airsuspension s building guidelines, which are available from all installation companies. ATTENTION: Please note that modifying the air-suspension system or ignoring VB-Airsuspension s building guidelines can result in severe damage to the air-suspension, and can cause unexpected driving behaviour, which in turn can lead to accidents. 8

9 Leaning vehicle It may occur that you fi nd your vehicle leaning This can have several causes, and does not necessarily mean that there is a problem. A small tolerance in the automatic rideheight system has been put in. This was done to prevent the system from behaving in a nervous way, because it wants to correct small differences. This tolerance can cause leaning, which can lead up to a centimetre in difference between the left and right side of the vehicle. This phenomenon has no consequences for the handling of safety of your vehicle. One possible cause of leaning is a change of load after the air suspension has been turned off. Additionally, small changes in temperature or minor leaks in the system within the tolerance range can also cause leaning. ride-height within 24 hours after the last ride, please contact your installation company to check for leaks in the system. When an error occurs in which the airsuspension system cannot be adjusted to ride-height, it is only allowed to drive with low speed (maximum 30 km/h) to the nearest installation company. Driving at higher speeds can cause damage to other car parts! ATTENTION: When the vehicle cannot be adjusted to the required driving height, driving can cause both damage to the components of the air-suspension kit or the vehicle itself. In this situation we advise you to turn on the ignition and to let the air-suspension system bring itself to ride-height automatically. When the vehicle needs more than one minute to put itself to ATTENTION: When the compressor switches on several times per minute to keep your vehicle at ride-height, we advise against driving any further with the vehicle. When this occurs, please contact your installation company. 9

10 Operation This chapter contains all necessary information regarding the use of the airsuspension system. When you are on the road with your vehicle, the vehicle will not respond to the remote control. The system will always keep the vehicle on the pre-programmed ride-height. The air-suspension system is independent from the engine and is active when the ignition is on, or when the extra option Stand by-time is active. The air-suspension system is connected to the speed indicator. When the vehicle is stopped, the manual operation will be activated. When the vehicle is driven at low speed, the manual operation will switch off, and the vehicle will return to ride-height. ATTENTION When the airsuspension is equipped with the option air pressure tank for accessories, is it possible that it takes up to 10 seconds, before the remote control responds to a command. The compressor is currently working to get air pressure in the tank. Remote Control Your camper is equipped with a remote control, as you can see on the picture. This remote control allow you to use all functions of the air-suspension system SERVICE CHECK FRONT REAR. ( 1 ) Check-control light ( 2 ) Forward position ( 3 ) - ( 4 ) Raise vehicle height ( 5 ) Lower vehicle height ( 6 ) Front-rear indication ( 7 ) Front-rear selection ( 8 ) - ( 9 ) - (10) - (11) Backward position (12) Switch off the air-suspension or read out error codes

11 When the manual operation is not activated, the system is functioning correctly and the vehicle is at ride-height. No light on the remote control will be light up. With activating the manual operation, the light of the rear-axle will light up (at 6). It is possible that one of the arrow keys will light up. This means that the vehicle is not at ride-height. (1) Check-LED When the air-suspension system is started, usually by switching on the ignition, the CHECK-LED will light up for a second. This means that the system was started correctly. It can occur that the remote control beeps while starting the system. This is a warning to indicate that the vehicle is not at ride-height. In this case, let the system return to right-height before driving away. When an error is detected by the system, the CHECK-LED will fl ash, possibly in combination with a beeping sound. In this case, please consult chapter Identifying problems. <Page 16> (12) Service-Key With the SERVICE-key, the air-suspension system can be switched on and off. This might be desirable during maintenance or reparation to the system, or when certain errors occur. Switch on the Service-mode: Turn off the vehicle and turn on the ignition. The manual operation is activate. Press the SERVICE-key briefl y, the LED will light up. ATTENTION: It is not allowed driving, when the Servicemode is switched on. This may cause damage to parts of the air-suspension system. Switch off the Service-mode: Press the SERVICE-key again. The LED in the key will light down, after that the CHECK-LED will light up for 1 second. The system is ready for use. ATTENTION: In safety, the Service mode will be disabled above 25 km/h automatically. When the option Stand by-time is available, this option can be switched off at an early stage using the SERVICEkey. To do this, please read the description in chapter Extra Option. <Page 15> The SERVICE-key is also used to read out errors in the system. To do this, please read the description in chapter Identifying problems. <Page 16> 11

12 (6) Front-Rear-indication The image of the vehicle shows which axle of the vehicle is activated to operate the air-suspension. Because this is a VB-FullAir-2C air-suspension system, only the light of the rear axle will light up. (7) Front-Rear-key When the vehicle is not at ride-height, using the FRONT REAR-key can return the vehicle to ride-height by pressing the key. To do this, briefl y press the FRONT REAR-key. The system will now look for the required ride-height. Whether this means up or down, one of the arrow keys will fl ash until the required rideheight is reached SERVICE 1 CHECK FRONT REAR While operating the system, an electric air compressor will be heard when the vehicle is raised. When lowering the vehicle, a hissing sound will be heard, caused by the drain of air. (4 & 5) Arrow-keys When the manual operation is activated, you can adjust the vehicle height using the arrow keys and. There are three standard positions: highest position, ride-height, lowest-position. Using these two keys, the rear-axle airsuspension can be adjusted to all positions between the highest and the lowest position. 12

13 When one of the arrow keys is pressed briefl y, the air-suspension will adjust to the next available position. From rideheight, the vehicle will adjust to the lowest position when the -key is briefl y pressed. While the vehicle is adjusting its position, the light on the key will be fl ash, and light up when the desired position is reached. When a position other than ride-height is chosen, the light of one of the keys will fl ash on: - - key when higher than ride-height. - - key when lower than ride-height. When the chosen height lower than the ride-height is, the light on the -key will be fl ash. If the -key is pressed briefl y, the air-suspension will fi nd the ride-height again. With another press, the vehicle will adjust itself to the highest position. This mode is also called the Tip-Mode. Variable setting (Follow-mode) The air-suspension can also be attuned in between the standard positions. Press the right or -key as long as is necessary to reach the desired height, and release the key again. The system will then stop at this height. When the system does not respond as described, please consult the chapter Identifying problems. <Page 16> (2 & 11) Special Position With the key (2) the vehicle can be positioned as far as possible forward. This can help when an increased ground clearance is necessary. This function is only available at a vehicle speed less than 25 km/h. With the key (11) the vehicle can be positioned as far as possible backward. This can be easy with loading or unloading from the rear luggage room. The manual operation has to be activated to use this key. This function can be activated by briefly pressing the key. The LED of the key and one of the arrow keys will blink while setting the vehicle to the correct height. When the proper position is reached, the LED of the key will light up continuously. By pressing the key briefly again, or by picking an other function, the selected function will disabled. Also when the FRONT REAR-key is pressed briefl y, the air-suspension will return to ride-height. ATTENTION: To avoid possible damage, the function forwards will be disabled above 25km/h and the function backwards when the manual operation is switched off. Therefore, do not drive faster when this function is enabled. 13

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15 Extra options This chapter provides information on the contents and operation of all the possible options on the VB-FullAir-2C airsuspension system. It is possible that one of more option are not applicable on this vehicle. Please consult chapter Basic Information for the equipment of these options. ATTENTION: It is possible that not all described options are applicable to your vehicle. Please consult chapter Basis Information. <Page 5> Extra operation switch It is possible to fi t an extra operating switch on the air-suspension system. This switch can be fi tted, for example near the rear doors of the vehicle, to ensure that the air-suspension also can be operated at the rear doors. Stand-by time In general, the air-suspension only works when the ignition is turned on. However, when the vehicle is equipped with the option Stand-by time, the airsuspension can be operated up to 6 minutes after switching off the ignition. This might be useful when the air-suspension needs to be operable, for example when the keys cannot be left behind in the ignition lock. The Stand-by time can be switched off at an early stage after switching off the ignition by shortly pressing the SERV- ICE-key on the standard remote control. This switch has just like the arrow keys on the remote control the tip- and follow-mode. With this, the vehicle can be set in all desired heights between the highest and lowest position. Manual operation has to be activated to use this extra operating switch. 15

16 Identifying problems This chapter describes how established errors or defects can be solved. In most cases, it is easy to fi x the error oneself. Below you will fi nd an overview of a number of possibilities, with the appropriate solutions. Further on in this chapter you will fi nd a description of how an error-code from the system can be read out with the appropriate possible solutions. In case these tables cannot provide a solution to the problem, please contact your installation company, which can be found at the beginning of this manual, or send an to info@vbairsuspension. com Mechanical error Description Cause Solution Vehicle is leaning Remote control does not respond. Leaning is within tolerance range, as described in chapter Safety on the road. Change of load after switching off the air-suspension? Manual operation activated? Fuse 7,5A defect? Battery charge too low? Please read chapter Safety on the road. Switch the air-suspension on, lower the airsuspension and let the vehicle adjust itself to ride-height again. Make sure the vehicle is on the handbrake and that the vehicle stands still. Replace the 7,5A fuse underneath the passenger seat or near the battery. Charge the vehicle s battery. 16

17 Description Cause Solution Compressor will not switch on. Compressor will not stop. Air-suspension will not lower, not even slowly. Air-suspension will not raise, not even with running compressor. Vehicle will not adjust to rideheight when the extra switch is used. Vehicle on ignition? Fuse 40A defect? Battery charge too low? Turn the ignition on. Replace the 40A fuse underneath the passenger seat or near the battery. Charge the vehicle s battery. Compressor relay Remove the 40A fuse defect? and contact the installation company. Manual operation activated? Fuse 7,5A defect? Make sure the vehicle is on the handbrake and that the vehicle stands still. Replace the 7,5A fuse underneath the passenger seat or near the battery. Vehicle overloaded? Decrease the load of the vehicle. Fuse 7,5A defect? Battery charge too low? Replace the 7,5A fuse. Charge the vehicle s battery. ATTENTION: When an error occurs where the air-suspension cannot be brought to ride-height again, it is only allowed to drive to the nearest installation company with limited speed (maximum 30 km/ h). Driving with a higher speed can cause damage to other parts! 17

18 Error-codes Remote control The remote control is shown on the right. When the system fi nds an error, the CHECK-light will fl ash. CHECK When the SERVICE-key is pressed, a combination of fl ashing or lit up lights will follow to indicate an error-code. The next page lists a number of possible error-codes with possible causes and indications to repair these errors. SERVICE FRONT REAR. - The lights of the keys are off. - The lights of the keys fl ash - The lights of the keys are on 18

19 Code A Description Solution Compressor has been used intensively. Thermal safety. Let the compressor cool down. In case of regular repetition, contact installation company. Valve block has been used intensively. Thermal safety. Let the valve block cool down. In case of regular repetition, contact installation company. Exceeded maximum allowed load. Decrease the load. Maximum workload of the compressor reached. Decrease the load. Battery charge too low to raise the air-suspension. Start the vehicle. Battery charge too low for the air-suspension. Charge the vehicle s battery. In case this table has not been able to provide a solution to the problem, or the error-code displayed on the remote control has not been listed here, please contact your installation company, which can be found at the beginning of this manual, or send an to info@vbairsuspension.com. 19

20 Maintenance service On this page you can fi ll out the maintenance check-ups. Here you can see when the air-suspension has had a check-up, and possibly what has been repaired. Ask your installation company to fi ll out this booklet. Date: Milometer reading: km Work done: Stamp maintenance company: Date: Milometer reading: km Work done: Stamp maintenance company: Date: Milometer reading: km Work done: Stamp maintenance company: 20

21 Date: Milometer reading: km Work done: Stamp maintenance company: Date: Milometer reading: km Work done: Stamp maintenance company: Date: Milometer reading: km Work done: Stamp maintenance company: 21

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VB-Airsuspension B.V. postbus 130 7050 AC Varsseveld Frankenweg 3 Varsseveld The Netherlands T: +31 (0)315 241075 F: +31 (0)315 244232 info@vbairsuspension.

24 VB-Airsuspension B.V. postbus AC Varsseveld Frankenweg 3 Varsseveld The Netherlands T: +31 (0) F: +31 (0) info@vbairsuspension.com VB-Airsuspension France S.A.R.L. 73, rue Principale Traenheim France T: +33 (0) F: +33 (0) steinpatz@vbairsuspension.fr VB-Airsuspension UK L.T.D. Unit 13, Elder Court, Lions Drive BB1 2EQ Blackburn, Lancashire United Kingdom T: +44(0) F: +44 (0) drinkwater@vbairsuspension.co.uk VB-Airsuspension Deutschland GmbH Brinkerfeld 11 D Ennepetal Deutschland T: +49 (0) F: +49 (0) info@vbairsuspension.de

USER MANUAL VB-SEMIAIR. Increased comfort Better driveability More safety. making everyday smoother COMMERCIAL VEHICLE - MOTORHOME

USER MANUAL VB-SEMIAIR. Increased comfort Better driveability More safety. making everyday smoother COMMERCIAL VEHICLE - MOTORHOME USER MANUAL making everyday smoother Increased comfort Better driveability More safety VB-SEMIAIR COMMERCIAL VEHICLE - MOTORHOME INFORMATION - MANUAL - SERVICE Better safety and comfort on the road It's