Power Access for Portable Air

I'm looking at purchasing a portable air system (ViAir 400p), and wondering if anyone has run power from the battery to a Battery Tender style plug that is accessible without popping the hood. My thoughts are that adding something like this to the front and back of the truck would make it very convenient to connect the ViAir 400p to power without messing with a bunch of wires and clipping to the battery. Any thoughts?

 

Just make sure to use a heavy enough wire and plugs to handle the load

Don`t forget Circuit protection .

I have a front and rear setup like that for my portable winch

 

The SAE connectors all seem to be 18 gauge wire. I have no idea if that is large enough to handle the current. This aside, the ViAir 400p has an inline fuse, so that should be sufficient for circuit protection correct?

 

You need to figure out the current draw of your compressor and size wires according to that .

18 gauge wire to the rear of the vehicle for a compressor seems quite small

As for circuit protection it all depends on just how you decide to hook things up .

If direct to the battery or if your using switched power

Direct to the battery I always install protection that way if for some reason you short the wire your not putting full battery voltage to ground

 

Thanks for the input everyone. I think I'm talking myself out of this.

I ordered the ViAir 400p. It should be here next week. I've decided I'm simply going to store it in the can and use it via alligator clips to the battery posts. My thoughts of mounting it under the hood are nixed because the compressor has an air filter and I feel under the hood will get pretty darn dusty at times. Using it as a true portable air compressor seems to be the way to go.

 

And just FYI, 18 guage wire will definitely be too small for an air compressor, incase you change your mind in the future and want to revisit the idea.

 

Thank you for the heads up @Cold_Toad! It's good to know you guys are looking out for me.

 

Here is a handle little wiring chart for any future wire gauge questions