On-Board Air HELP

Okay, so I'm wanting to install a small 12v 100psi air compressor from HF on the truck. I was intending to use the outlet in the bed, but I'm unsure how to convert the cigarette lighter plug. Do I need an inverter or is there a way around this?

 

You want to power a 12v DC compressor using your 120v AC outlet?

Why not just wire it into the 12v truck system? The inverter is only good for 400w max AC.

Btw those compressors are junk.

 

What's the easiest way to wire in the compressor? I don't want a switch inside the cab. I just want to get power to it. I haven't found a write up doing such?

 

There isn't a proper power source in the back end of the truck, unfortunately. It would have to be wired either directly from the battery or from one of the ignition sources depending on the amp draw of it. Your best bet is to wire it to the battery with its own fuse. I had a nice Viair cig lighter compressor that drew too much power for most cig lighter outlets so it was constantly blowing fuses.

 

If you don't want a switch why wire it in at all? Just pop your hood and connect to the battery when needed. You probably won't use it every day anyway

 

Well there's already a switch on the unit itself, so I don't really need a switch on the inside of the cab anyway.

 

So I can just clip the end off and wire directly to the battery with a fuse from an auto parts store? The compressor doesn't have any positive and negative wire markings, so how would I figure out which is which? I'm new with electrical, so I'm sure these questions are a pain to answer.

 

Get something like this.

$13 BESTEK 12V 24V Extension Cord Plug Socket with Battery Clamp, 3.9ft/1.2m 16AWG Battery Clip-On Car Cigarette Lighter Adapter

https://www.amazon.com/BESTEK-Battery-Cigarette-Lighter-Extension/dp/B00JOY6U7U

Or disassemble the plug, the wire that is connected to the fuse cup/clip (tip of the plug) is the positive and the wire connected to the spring metal clip on the side of the plug is the negative.

 

Or hardwire a cigarette plug to the battery here is an example

$8 Carviya 12V Car Motorcycle Boat Waterproof Female Cigarette Lighter Socket Power Plug with 17 AWG 180cm/70.85" Fuse Connector Wire

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B019H8LIYM?psc=1