jim65wagon
Well-known member
How does everyone have their compressor wired up for power? Fuse block? Off the battery? Relay of some type? I'm installing a compressor and am curious on the best and/or proper way for the power supply. Thanks
on board air
- Thread starter jim65wagon
- Start date
91xlt
Adventurer
the best and proper way is without a doubt with a relay and off a fuse box, i added a fuse box in the engine compartment for aux wiring keeps cleaner looking as well as safer. an aux fuse box is not needed just a recomendation for this and future projects. but you should definetely use a relay,and a seperate circuit fused at proper size. just my $.02
I'm a newbie here but I'll take a stab at this question.
If you have an electrical compressor, chances are that it'll draw in excess of 20 amps. Usually, the compressor manufacturer recommends a specific wire gauge for their unit. Find the wire gauge and size the fuse appropriately. Use a slow blow fuse so that the inrush current upon startup doesn't blow your fuse. You can also use a circuit breaker that automatically resets itself, similar to a breaker in a house.
As stated earlier, use a good quality relay to power up the air comp. If you use a Hella 30 amp light relay, the contacts may weld themselves close over time. I'm assuming you're using a press switch to turn the a/c on/off based on pressure? This way, you can flip a switch inside the cab and the a/c will just turn on and off as needed. Or you can simply wire it straight to the battery using either a fuse or a proper sized circuit breaker and a toggle switch. In any case, make sure that your wire is the proper size.
Use the wire gauge/fuse size/length of wire from this site: http://www.windsun.com/Hardware/Wire_Table.htm
Go down to the 12vdc wire chart.
For example: for a 30 amp load, you'll need a #10 gauge wire and the max length that it can be run is 6.6'. This length is from the battery to the air comp. If you need to make the run longer, then step up to a #8 gauge wire.
Make sure your connectors, crimps, etc. are good and solid. Don't cheap out at this stage as you'll only reduce the power going to the air comp!
Good luck,
Ali
If you have an electrical compressor, chances are that it'll draw in excess of 20 amps. Usually, the compressor manufacturer recommends a specific wire gauge for their unit. Find the wire gauge and size the fuse appropriately. Use a slow blow fuse so that the inrush current upon startup doesn't blow your fuse. You can also use a circuit breaker that automatically resets itself, similar to a breaker in a house.
As stated earlier, use a good quality relay to power up the air comp. If you use a Hella 30 amp light relay, the contacts may weld themselves close over time. I'm assuming you're using a press switch to turn the a/c on/off based on pressure? This way, you can flip a switch inside the cab and the a/c will just turn on and off as needed. Or you can simply wire it straight to the battery using either a fuse or a proper sized circuit breaker and a toggle switch. In any case, make sure that your wire is the proper size.
Use the wire gauge/fuse size/length of wire from this site: http://www.windsun.com/Hardware/Wire_Table.htm
Go down to the 12vdc wire chart.
For example: for a 30 amp load, you'll need a #10 gauge wire and the max length that it can be run is 6.6'. This length is from the battery to the air comp. If you need to make the run longer, then step up to a #8 gauge wire.
Make sure your connectors, crimps, etc. are good and solid. Don't cheap out at this stage as you'll only reduce the power going to the air comp!
Good luck,
Ali
flywgn
Explorer
The Viair® compressor I use is portable...the better to assist others, and I can move it between vehicles.
The compressor for the air bags on the '04F250 is on board and has its own dedicated circuit/relay/fuse.
The latter also has a secondary valve I can use for the truck's tires, but I nearly always use the Viair®.
The compressor for the air bags on the '04F250 is on board and has its own dedicated circuit/relay/fuse.
The latter also has a secondary valve I can use for the truck's tires, but I nearly always use the Viair®.
jim65wagon
Well-known member
As a temporary quick install, its wired to the battery, but it is fused along the wiring (came that way) it is switched at the back of the compressor. Its mounted on a steel plate using the bolts for the old airbox(long gone) The battery box (new airbox) is a small enough footprint to allow the compressor to fit right next to it. I tried it out on Sunday at GWNF and aired up all four in 20 minutes, no tank, stopping between tires to switch off-change chuck to another tire-switch on. Not bad.
