Air compressor power from 7 way trailer plug?

[JPR4LFE]

I have a Viair 300P portable air compressor that I am debating replacing the alligator clips with a 7 pay trailer connection (this idea was originally given to me by my dad). The connection would utilize the ground and 12 V supply (usually reserved for charging a camper) and convert it to a "quick connect" that is already utilized on most vehicles. Has anyone every seen this done, or is there anything that I should be worried about? All three of my vehicles use a 40 amp fuse on that circuit, and the 300P has a 40 amp inline fuse as well. Manufacturer specs for the 300P call out a 28 amp draw. It would be a little bulky, and a dedicated quick connect connection for the air compressor wired to the grill or back of the vehicles would be cleaner (as would a hard mounted compressor, but it is a universal connection that could be used on most vehicles with no modifications. Any feedback is appreciated.



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[jeep-N-montero]

I personally would stick with the battery clip setup so you are getting power directly from the battery. I have seen several compressors blow their fuses trying to air up past 35psi on heavier rigs and having only one fuse to change is much easier.

 

[JPR4LFE]

Thanks for the feedback! The problem with the current setup is the length of the supplied leads to the alligator clips. I primarily use this on my 97 Cherokee. The battery is on the passenger side, and the leads are not long enough to set the compressor flat on the ground when I am doing the drivers side tires. So doing the drivers rear tire the leads regularly come unclipped while stretching the hose, making it almost a two person job. By going to the trailer plug, it is centered drivers and passenger side and closer to ground level, so the reach should be better. I could also solder additional cord and extend the leads to the alligator clips, but the trailer plug would allow me to keep the hood closed and not worry about the clips popping off or the cord getting caught in the belt.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

It's easy to upgrade the leads with longer wires of a heavier gauge, I used old jumper cables when I upgraded mine and works great.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

And you do not want to simply extend your current cord, amps decrease over a certain length of wire and you need thicker wire to retain amp current with a longer wire, there are charts online explaining it better.

 

[Ducky's Dad]

The rule of thumb on compressors is that you extend the hose before you extend the wiring, due to voltage drop. A longer hose is a cheap, simple, effective and safe solution. Or just get a second hose to quick-connect to the existing hose when you need more length. I carry a 25' polyurethane hose on my truck and it reaches all the tires on a LWB Dodge 2500, and reaches other trucks when they need air. Keep it simple. Or am I missing something here?

 

[JPR4LFE]

Keeping it safe is my primary goal. If it works effectively, it seems that it may be the simple solution as well. Utilizing a connection terminal that comes factory installed on most new trucks and SUVs that's fuze protected, is designed with a gauge of wire large enough to charge a 12V trailer circuit, and that you don't have to go into the engine bay on a regular basis to use. I do not have problem clipping directly to the battery, and a longer hose is likely the simplest solution. Just trying to build a better mouse trap

 

[Ducky's Dad]

Don't overthink this. The hose is your answer. And it's cheap.

 

[kwill]

^^This^^. You can get an extension hose that just screws right on the end of your existing hose.

 

[Gooseberry]

Best thing to do is get the heat resistant extension and use it connected to the compressor that way the plastic hose will never fail and you get to the back of the truck.


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[Tazman]

I was thinking about using the Anderson plug on the back of my rig. I installed, this popular in Austrailia, to power the charging of the battery on the trailer. This location will allow me to air up the trailer or truck tires. It is rated to 50Amps and is fused and isolated. I will also attach an Anderson plug on the clip on compressor leads so I can always use for other vehicles.

https://www.autoelec.com.au/ssl/public_autoelec/store_v4/product_detail.asp?id=2102&cat=28

 

[JPR4LFE]

One could make an adaptor going back to clipleads using on a car without an RV connector.

This is what I was thinking. I don't want to be stuck with just the RV plug as the only source of power as it defeats some of the usefulness of a portable air compressor being compatible with any vehicle.

 

[rayra]

nevermind

 

[verdesardog]

I bet using the trailer connector would be just fine if you used good soldering techniques when installing it on the power supply wire. I had Anderson Power Poles before I went hard mount.

 

[robgendreau]

I was thinking about using the Anderson plug on the back of my rig. I installed, this popular in Austrailia, to power the charging of the battery on the trailer. This location will allow me to air up the trailer or truck tires. It is rated to 50Amps and is fused and isolated. I will also attach an Anderson plug on the clip on compressor leads so I can always use for other vehicles.

https://www.autoelec.com.au/ssl/public_autoelec/store_v4/product_detail.asp?id=2102&cat=28

The plug is 50amps; fine. But what about the wire leading to the plug from the engine compartment? In fact if memory serves when I last checked on my Ford the fuse and/or relay was only 30A, and I'm not sure if that was just for like trailer brakes. So you'd be running the risk of overwhelming the wiring, and certainly blowing the fuse, with many compressors. Not to mention the voltage drop. Might be worth it to run another heavier gauge wire back there, with appropriate circuit protection, if you're gonna go to the trouble of using that socket. I ran welding wire back to run a small winch off an anderson plug; worked great. Sometimes you can find an easy route for the wire.

Or just use your jumper cables to extend the clamps from the battery to the air compressor. We do that all the time, and you may be carrying them already. Even used a heavy duty extension cord that we hacked for solar panel use. You could make it all cool by installing power poles on both ends.