SERVICE MANUAL
Fig. 1 AE-1 Alcohol Evaporator
BENDIX AE1 & AE2 TYPES
DESCRIPTION
The alcohol evaporator is designed to permit
vaporized alcohol to be drawn into the air brake system
to overcome possible freezing of any moisture in the air
brake system.
IMPORTANT
Installation of an alcohol evaporator does not mean that
daily draining of all air reservoirs is not required. In a
moisture-laden atmospheric air system, a properly
installed and maintained alcohol evaporator and daily
draining of all reservoirs will be very effective in
preventing air system freeze-ups.
The AE-1 alcohol evaporator (Fig. 1) is the older
style evaporator. It has a die cast body which houses the
filter, filter cap and evaporator tube. The die cast body
also serves as a mounting bracket. The container can
either be glass, plastic or metal and may also either be a
pint, quart or two-quart size.
Fig. 2 AE-2 Alcohol Evaporator
The newer alcohol evaporator is known as the AE-2
(Fig. 2). The body and evaporator tube are molded
translucent plastic and is available in the quart size only.
The new style evaporator is not available with a steel
container; therefore, it cannot be used with turbocharged
compressor induction.
Some installations require the use of a check valve
to prevent alcohol entering the engine induction system.
OPERATION
When the air compressor is in the compressing
cycle, a partial vacuum is present at the compressor
intake. A line from the evaporator is connected to the
compressor intake, therefore a vacuum is created above
the alcohol in the alcohol reservoir. Air at atmospheric
pressure or greater, depending upon the type of
installation, enters the evaporator and passes through
the tube which is immersed in the alcohol. This air
passing through the alcohol causes the alcohol to bubble
and the vapor formed by the bubbling is induced into the
compressor intake and on into the air system.
CTS-4079 - CHAPTER XIII - Page 3
