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Guide for Air Management Systems - How to Choose the Right System

What to Consider When Buying a Controller for Your Air Suspension

An air management system is a crucial part of any air suspension. It not only controls the ride height but also the comfort, stability, and safety of the vehicle. When choosing a system, you need to consider a range of technical factors that suit your needs and your car. This guide helps you navigate through the key considerations.

1. Purpose of Your Air Management System

Before choosing a system, think about what you want to achieve. Will the car be used for daily transport, show cars, or motorsport? Different purposes require different features. Show cars benefit from precise control for perfect presentations, while everyday vehicles need reliability and ease of use.

2. Automatic vs. Manual Control

Manual systems: A manual control system typically consists of simple switches that directly control the air supply to each airbag. This system has no sensors or monitoring functions and requires the driver to manually adjust the pressure to achieve the desired ride height. There is no feedback or automatic correction, making it less precise and riskier, especially with heavy loads or changing road conditions.

Electronic systems: Electronic systems constantly monitor the pressure in the airbags and can precisely adjust the ride height via preset values such as ride height, slam height, and safe ride height. These systems often include safety features like automatic pressure loss monitoring to prevent damage to the car. They also allow you to save multiple profiles, so you can quickly switch between different ride heights depending on the situation. An electronic system is therefore ideal for those who want both comfort and safety.

Manual Control via Up/Down Button

Manual Air Control

Digital Control with Presets

Digital Control from Streetec

Digital Control with Height Sensor

Control with Height Sensor

Digital Control with Mobile Control

Mobile App Control

3. Benefits of Auto-Leveling with and without Height Sensors

Pressure-based auto-leveling: These systems use sensors to measure the pressure in each airbag. While they are accurate, they cannot fully compensate for uneven loads, as pressure does not always reflect the actual height.

Height sensor-based auto-leveling: Height sensors measure the actual height of the vehicle at each axle and adjust the airbags to ensure precise leveling, regardless of weight or load distribution. They combine pressure and height data to provide the most accurate and stable result. This is especially useful in vehicles that often carry varied loads or where perfect balance is crucial - below you can see an illustration of a mounted height sensor - for some cars, you can get model-specific brackets to make installation significantly easier.

Height Sensor Installation on Strut

4. Compatibility with Your Setup

It is important to choose a system that fits your car's setup. Consider whether you need a universal system that works with different car models and components, or a car-specific kit tailored to your setup. Also, check if the system is compatible with existing valves, airbags, and controller units from other manufacturers.

5. Features and Technology

Connectivity options: Many modern systems offer Bluetooth® connectivity, allowing you to control your air suspension directly from your smartphone. This makes it easy to adjust settings or perform software updates via an app.

Advanced features: Features like cross-load control, precision overshoot (which adjusts pressure in small increments), and Rise-on-Start are examples of technologies that enhance the user experience. With app control, you can also get visual feedback on pressure and height, ensuring optimal control.

6. Installation and Ease of Use

If you plan to install the system yourself, pre-assembled cables and labeled connections can make the process much easier. Some advanced systems require professional installation, but this can provide a more reliable setup with fewer errors.

7. Quality and Reliability

Quality is crucial, especially for components exposed to high pressure and constant use. Look for systems made of materials like anodized aluminum, which ensures corrosion protection and long life. A robust design with a reliable valve block is also important to avoid leaks and failures.

8. Legality and Certification

Ensure that the chosen system is TÜV or ECE-R10 approved, meaning it meets the necessary safety standards and legal requirements. This is especially important if you use the car on public roads.

9. Price and Budget

Air management systems range from entry-level models to advanced systems with all features. Consider your budget, but remember that a slightly more expensive system often provides better reliability and more upgrade options. As a rule of thumb, an electronic control with presets starts at an additional cost of around 6,000 DKK - and then you can add height sensors - so add around 4,000 DKK for App Control and again around 4,000 DKK if you want height sensors for the dampers - so from the cheapest entry-level manual adjustment to the premium solution, there can quickly be an additional cost of around 15,000 DKK.

10. Service and Availability

Choose a system from a manufacturer that offers good customer service and easy access to spare parts. Well-known brands like STREETEC and TA Technix often have better support and a strong reputation for reliability.

11. Future Upgrade Options

If you plan to upgrade your setup in the future, choose a system that is flexible and compatible with additional features like height sensors, advanced controller units, or extra safety features.

Conclusion

Choosing the right air management system depends on your needs and your car's setup. By choosing a system that matches your requirements, you ensure an optimal balance between precision, safety, and ease of use. Take the time to explore the options and choose a solution that is both reliable and future-proof.

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