Wiring up an air compresser

Ranger James · Mar 30, 2007

I just got an air compresser, nice med sized portable electric one that can run heavy duity air tools in short bursts and most other tools all the time. I would like to mount it on my truck for 2 reasons

Being able to have air for tires and tools anywhere, great for tubin down rivers in the summer

and i dont have a shop thats mine, so i need to store it somewhere....

i think i found a spot to mount it, but im wondering, how do i wire up something like this in my 2004 Ford Ranger?

Thanks guys,
:beer: James :beer:

KarlVP · Mar 30, 2007

I run my ViAir 400H straight to the battery with a 40A inline fuse.

You can find fused distribution blocks at electrical shops so you can run your accessories from the battery.

KarlVP · Mar 30, 2007

http://www.ba-electronics.com/pwrhdwr.htm

there is a link to some distribution blocks, I will keep searching for the one I have.

EDIT: http://www.electerm.com/holder.html

Ranger James · Mar 30, 2007

cool! i think i can do this ! :cheer:

84Toyota4x4 · Mar 31, 2007

Watch the overall amperage rating of the fuse block too. I have a fuse block similar to the one Karl linked to, but its only rated for about 50 amps total or something. I used it for my offroad lights and CB and crap, but at 25 amps per light circuit (two 130 watt lights per circuit), that doesnt leave a lot of wiggle room.

Ive had my eye on a marine type fuse panel, but I havent ponied up the money for it yet. Heres a link

http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wc...295&subdeptNum=124&storeNum=9&productId=91545

You can find them other places for different prices but thats just the first place I thought of. Theyre built really well compared to the others Ive seen, and have some nice features, including the cover for terminal protection. Check em out if you have a lot of additional circuits to run.

~T.J.

sco44 · Mar 31, 2007

Also looking for info on wiring my compressor..It has 30 amp draw, here is what I was thinking, leave compressor switch in on mode, run 12ga wire to a 40a relay, relay to dash switch, where the 12v fused comes in?? is this the proper way??

Thanks, Scott

Zoediak · Apr 1, 2007

sco44 said:
Also looking for info on wiring my compressor..It has 30 amp draw, here is what I was thinking, leave compressor switch in on mode, run 12ga wire to a 40a relay, relay to dash switch, where the 12v fused comes in?? is this the proper way??

Thanks, Scott

that is about it... but personally I would still place a fuse from the relay to the compressor as well. I have had relays screw up and the second fuse is just a little bit of security. Nothing worse than an electrical fire out on a trail.

Are you going to run it through a pressure switch? and does it have a tank with it??

if you are using a tank with it I would make sure you have a pressure switch inline there as well. It is what I place inline with the ones I have set up for onboard air (using a/c pumps) this way I can have a master switch that I turn on and once it is on it will stay full.

just my 2 cents worth... but it isn't too tough to wire up. Basically the same as a set of lights w/ a relay.

sco44 · Apr 1, 2007

The compressor came with a 1.5 gal tank. But I am remote mounting a 3 gal tank. it will use the stock pressure switch that came with the compressor.

where is the best place to get air line and fittings? should I use push to fit fittings?

Scott