ISRI Driver's Seat -
Winegrower - 12-07-2020
I've discovered that my ISRI seat needs to have the air lines replumbed. Someone had kinked off the supply line because they were unable to solve an air leak problem in the seat and although the majority of the controls, up, down, forward, backward, back tilt are electric it would be nice to have the air controlled portion of the seat, lumbar and flank support functional. I've attempted to contact ISRI to obtain repair parts or diagrams but was told due to the age of the seat they no longer support it.
Does anyone have a diagram of the ISRI seat air supply for seats around the 2007 vintage?
Thanks
RE: ISRI Driver's Seat -
GuardraiNeb. - 12-07-2020
I had the same problem with my seat 207 #816. Installed a NEW Knoedler Air Chief Seat W/ Cooled & heated 3 different lumbar supports and Vibrator.
www.seat-specialists.com
RE: ISRI Driver's Seat -
Richard - 12-07-2020
Another approach is to replumb the system using air paddle switches, commonly used in air bagged hot rods. On the circuits for the lumbars, put a pressure regulator in line to keep from blowing the internal bladders. You will need full coach pressure on the air bag that floats the seat. A few of us have done this with the Recaro seats for the same reason, no parts for obsolete seats.
RE: ISRI Driver's Seat -
encantotom - 12-07-2020
my 02 has an isri seat that was used in volvo rock trucks no parts avail at all. i traced some down to a company that did fixes for their trucks in north dakota but they were out.
tom
RE: ISRI Driver's Seat -
Winegrower - 12-07-2020
Thanks for all the replies. Perhaps a Google search for used truck parts suppliers is in order. My seat was just recovered with new leather a couple of years ago and I'd hate to chuck it for a new seat if I don't need to.
RE: ISRI Driver's Seat -
Walt Preston - 12-31-2020
PM me and I'll send you the manual I have. For me it is the right family of seats but the wrong model. The easiest way is to put air back on it and see what is leaking. If it is a damaged hose you can probably repair it without a manual, just replace one line at a time until you are out of leaks. If you seat is like mine it takes a 4mm OD "plastic" hose that is not readily available. I found it at Monarch Automation, 513 874-6566, part # PUN-4X0, 75-SW. It was a little over $7 for 12ft. (way more than you'll need but had to make minimum). My coach has an air shutoff valve in the floor against the wall for the seat. It has proven to be handy when a line fails and you have big air leak while you're going down the road.
RE: ISRI Driver's Seat -
Winegrower - 01-23-2021
I sent emails out to North American ISRI seat distributors and Bob Seitz with Northern Engine and Supply sent back an email telling me that Kenny Wanke foreman at their Gillette, Wyoming location has had extensive experience with these seats. Later this year if I've not solved the problem I plan on stopping in on the way to Spearfish, SD. Thought I'd pass along the contact information in case anyone needs it.
[email protected] • Kenny
(307) 686-3713 • Work
5700 Mohan Rd
Gillette, WY 82718-6931
US
https://www.northernengine.com/
RE: ISRI Driver's Seat -
Winegrower - 01-29-2021
I finally got the ISRI Air Seat repaired. Looking back had I purchased all the supplies I needed before I started it would have gone much faster. I think someone had modified the seat in the past as there was a 3/16 OD line along with others that were 4mm.
Walt Preston had mentioned that his seat had 4mm lines and given that these are German seats the metric seems more logical. When we got the coach the air line to the seat and one under the seat cushion itself had just been crimped off to stop the leaks in addition to an attempt to glue one of the tees which had failed.
As a result of the differing air line sizes it was necessary to obtain fittings and adapters to accommodate both sizes. Fortunately McMaster-Carr
www.mcmaster.com had all the parts needed. The parts are listed in the attached photos. It's important to know both the OD and ID measurements because at least in my case the least misfit allowed air leakage. As it turns out 4mm ODx2.4mmID will tightly fit a 3/32" fitting which was what I ultimately used for the connections.
Prior to starting work on the seat I shut off the 120V compressors by removing their fuse on the fuse panel in the electric bay. Then I removed the crimped 1/4" air line tubing and spliced in a 1/4" brass valve so I could isolate the chair for work now and in the future. I remember reading about the surprise one of our members had when his seat airline blew while he was on the road necessitating a change of underwear.
The actual process:
1. Remove the seat cushion held by spring clips and lift off.
2. Remove seat pan secured by 2 hex head bolts which allow the seat to move forward and aft. Once those 2 bolts are removed the seat pan slides forward off white nylon guides on the sides and clear 2 round head retainers on the front.
3. Identify where the leaks are
4. Disconnect, unbolt, and move electric motors if necessary
5. Measure for lengths of tubing needed
6. Create clean 90 degree ends on the air hoses
7. Insert proper fittings and connect air line tubing
8. Test for leaks
9. Rebolt and connect motors if necessary
10. Replace the seat pan, most easily done if the front of the seat is tilted up and the seat is full forward. This allows the pan to clear the support frame below it and will allow an average size hand up into the mechanism to place the fore and aft drive mechanism in position where the bolts on top of the pan can reach the threads of the mechanism to secure it. If for some reason you can't get a hand in there a long piece of dental floss threaded thru the front hole of the mechanism and up thru the pan can pull the mechanism close enough to get the rear bolt started. That will hold the mechanism close enough to get the front bolt started once the floss is removed. Always good to floss anyway.
9. Replace the seat cushion and you're done.
You'll see one quick connect fitting in the repair photos. I could not get a barbed connector to seal while the quick connect did. I was surprised.
Time to complete the job, if all the parts are available 1-2 hours. Degree of difficulty-novice
Thanks to Walt for supplying the seat diagram and alternate source for the 4mm tubing if needed
RE: ISRI Driver's Seat -
rundlc - 01-31-2021
Winegrower,
THANK YOU SO MUCH!!! I was about to pull my hair out and I have none! Ive got this pesky leak under the seat and was wondering why would someone design such a seat UGH Anyway I just ordered all the parts and plan on fixing it as soon as parts arrive. UPDATE parts came in today and since the seat was apart a few days ago I was able to get the leak fixed and back together, again thanks for posting it made a huge difference.
RE: ISRI Driver's Seat -
Dallas2254 - 02-01-2021
Great information! Unfortunately too late. I had to replace my coach air compressors ($1000) due to burnout caused by these seat leaks, I would get another leak a few months later. Always when I was away from the coach for a few months. I finally put an air shut off on the input line. The Plastic hose were just getting brittle with age and would get a hair line crack and break open.
I replace the seat with an all optioned, MINIMIZER seat ($2000) sold at the Peterbilt store nearby. Love the new seat. For anyone that needs a complete original NEWELL seat just like the one in this thread (leaks fixed but still old plastic parts, I have one sitting in my garage in Kirkland WA. Seat is not going back in.