Portable air compressor - input

Pardon my ignorance regarding this, just today I had a trailer tire issue so was already planning on asking about this when it popped up in recent, are these viair systems hardwired or plugged in? I wanted onboard air since I had my jeep but now it's happening soon. If I read through this correctly, if I were to run a setup like the 88P or 400P with the only usage being tires, I should not need a tank, correct? Sorry for all the questions, I've always used cheap plug in compressors and they typically didn't last more than a couple of uses. I don't need it often but it's higher on the list of things I need now.

 

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The 88P and 400P connect directly to the battery via alligator clips. I suppose you could hardwire these but the pump would need to be mounted in a location that would provide reasonably good protection from dirt and water. A tank of sufficient size is useful for running air tools or re-seating a bead but isn't necessary for refilling tires although it will make the process somewhat quicker.

 

Do you guys think the viair on board air is worth it when compared to something like the 400p? I would imagine the tire will fill up faster but at twice the cost I wonder if it’s worth it.

 

If you’re just filling tires the minute or two you would save with an onboard air wasn’t worth it to me. Plus the portable stays out of the elements and tucked away in the truck, so it last much longer (I’ve had mine going on 7 years now). Everyone has their own wants and needs though so at the end of the day if you want onboard air get it!

 

Interesting article on the smittybuilt 2781 vs other compressors!

https://****************/2018/06/12/smittybilt-2781-5-65-cfm-air-compressor-review/

 

So I'm looking at getting a 300p and hardwiring it in the engine bay. Is the verdict that these need to be covered up when not in use to protect from dirt/water/mud etc? And if it's being hardwired, I need to wire in a switch to turn it on and off? Still a bit confused after going through all 7 pages, ha.

 

I'm on the fence about the 300 vs 400, as well as the 400 auto...and the concept of perhaps hardwiring off the battery makes me think about getting the auto-hood struts, versus using the hood stand/arm.

I like your idea/the ideas about hardwiring for the portable 300P/400P series, but am wondering if there would be a way to hardwire to a plug&play setup so you could pull out the compressor and simply plug into the hardwired system, thus avoiding the hood, clips, setting compressor in proximity of clip wires...then the take down process (I guess it's laziness, but I view it as efficiency improvements!).

Anyone have insight or advice?

 

I think I saw somebody else post this..but you could maybe use these type of wires/connectors. I don't know if they are rated high enough for the powerdraw of a portable compressor but just an idea. Obviously, you will have to cut the stock wires off and put these on. That way you could leave one end on the battery and quick connect/disconnect as you need.

 

If you’re going to hardwire it in the engine compartment just look at the 400H VIAIR offers. It’s already made to hardwire and similar to the 300, with more CFM and faster fill times. At the end of the braided steel hose is a male quick connect fitting so any open ended hose with an inflation tip will work. Just do t get one with a trigger style inflator.

 

Damn, I already ordered the 300p (arriving today, gotta love 1 day prime shipping) and the 400H wasnt on prime shipping... I'll probably just end up using the 300p..hardwiring it would just be cutting the battery clamps off and soldering on some battery terminals on right?

 

Yea that’s ok. Just know the 300P is only IP54 rated so keep it to minimal exposure somewhere. I’ve seen it done hundreds of times though so I wouldn’t worry much!

 

Yeah, I'll probably make some sort of a cover for it so it doesn't get exposed to dirt/water that much in my engine bay.

 

That's a good cost effective option, I was just trying to avoid hard mounting the compressor in the engine bay...and was thinking more of having the ability to simply replace the gator clips with a ring terminal connection at the battery, then splicing in some type of "plug and play" connector that the actual portable air compressor...
Basically so I can store the air compressor in the back of the double cab cubby, but only have to connect the pump wire to the plug and play (both ends would be spliced with connector, versus going to open hood and clip on the battery.)

 

@timlovestacos do you happen to know what gauge wire is used on the gator clip wiring?

 

So you want an expensive one then?

 

I want to say 12 but it could be 16. Either way I would do 12 to be safe.

 

I think, at least initially will just run the alligator clips...but figure running the power via hardwiring and splicing a plug (male and female)...but perhaps this endeavor is far more trouble than it seems (at least in my head!)

 

Along those lines, I bought a Milwaukee air inflator for my mountain bike and have used it to air up all four truck tires after a run a couple of times now. I was going to get onboard air but am seriously reconsidering it.

 

Hey guys, for those of you with a double cab, do your compressors fit in the storage space behind the rear seats? Primarily interested in the Viair 300/400 models, but interested to see if any fit back there.

 

I couldn’t get my 400P-Auto to fit back there. I just tuck it behind the front seats on the floor or in the bed (under the cover).