How Do Air Lockers Work?
The air locker uses pneumatic pressure from an onboard compressed air source to lock the gears in place. This is usually activated via a switch on the dashboard, with the gear remaining locked until the pressure is released.
Inside the Air Locker you’ll find all the familiar components found in an open differential. When pneumatic pressure is applied, however, the locking ring slides forward, effectively locking the gears together. This action transforms the open differential into a spool.
A vehicle-mounted compressed air source is required to provide air pressure. It is typically connected to a switch on the dashboard. When the switch is engaged, air pressure travels through the air lines to the differential. An internal collar will keep these gears locked together until the pressure is released.
The best selling point of air lockers is that since they work on air pressure, the system engages almost immediately. In fact, the air lock engages in less than a second and can be opened at any speed.
This is a highlight of air lockers. Those seconds and inches of rotation can make a big difference when traversing tricky trails.
How Do E-Lockers Work?
Electronic differential lockers (or e-lockers) use an electronic switch to control a set of magnets that pull two roller cams apart, which then engage a pin that pushes into the side gears – locking the differential. From the outside, they work similarly to air locks, except that no external power source is required other than a standard 12-volt power source. This is a major advantage of electronic lockers, as air lockers require an onboard air compressor to operate. This means that electronic lockers are much more reliable, which is why they are the preferred choice of many commercial users and manufacturers.
But electronic differential locks rely on a roller cam to engage. This means that even after turning the switch on, a certain amount of rotation is required for the locking mechanism to engage. Improper operation of the system can cause damage to the internal moving parts, so caution is required when using these locks.
However, they are slightly less instantaneous than air lockers, and some older models may take several seconds to engage.
Conclusion
Ultimately, both differential lock systems will do the trick. If instant engagement is more important to you than reliability, then air locks are the only option, but for the vast majority of situations, you’re probably better off with an electric lock. As a professional manufacturer, we can always help you, feel free to contact us at sales@xj-ap.com.
