Disco 2 air compressor installation

[awabbit6]

Thought I'd share some pictures of my on-board air compressor installation for those who may want to do something similar.

My car doesn't have SLS so I had the option of fitting the compressor on the SLS cradle on the chassis. The problem with this location is protecting the compressor.
So, with compressor in had I started looking for out of the way places that I could tuck it. I think I found the prefect spot - in behind the rear stowage pocket trim in the passenger side quarter panel.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/05/77.jpg

I made a bracket that I welded to the brace inside the quarter panel that the 3rd row seats would fit to.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2011/01/421.jpg

I was doing the wiring for and Anderson plug to the back of the car at the same time so tapped battery power off that. The cables come in through the factory bung directly behind the compressor.

https://www.aulro.com/afvb/images/imported/2014/05/78.jpg

It fits in very neatly and with the cover on the access hole, you wouldn't know it was there.

[damo_s]

Looks good mate! I'd very much like a set up like that :D

Pardon my ignorance, but what is SLS?


Cheers

[tapout]

SLS self leveling system, for those that have air suspension.

[weeds]

hi paul

i'm guessing there are no issues with mounting the compressor vertically, i.e. sump oil

[awabbit6]

hi paul

i'm guessing there are no issues with mounting the compressor vertically, i.e. sump oil

This was something that I was concerned about Kelvin. I did as much reading as I could and could find nothing that stipulated that it had to be mounted flat.
The bearings are sealed and there doesn't seem to be any oil in it.

[dswatts]

Just a thought, might want to turn it 180 so that any mositure will drain out rather than back into the compressor.
Dylan

[The Tractor]

That is awesome mate. Nice work. How much did you pay for the compressor? What brand is it?

[OffTrack]

That is awesome mate. Nice work. How much did you pay for the compressor? What brand is it?

I did a very similar install using a bushranger black max. The bushranger compressors are supposedly rebadged Viair compressors which have a pretty good reputation and it cames with hard mount hardware. It's straight forward stripping the handles and trim to get down to the bare bones. The black max was a pretty tight squeeze. I'd guess you could do with other portable compressors.

[mr bounce]

I only recently joined the forum, so checking through all the really useful threads. The compressor installation looks great. 10/10.
I've got a 2004 D2 and the previous owner installed coils in place of the air bags. The compressor is still in situ but disconnected. Could it be used for this purpose or is it too small output wise? Maybe just needs an air receiver?

[bsperka]

I've got a 2004 D2 and the previous owner installed coils in place of the air bags. The compressor is still in situ but disconnected. Could it be used for this purpose or is it too small output wise? Maybe just needs an air receiver?

The standard compressor on the D2 for the air suspension has a mind boggling 5% duty cycle. In simple terms, what that means is that if you use it for every 5 min , you have to wait 95 min (over 1.5 hrs) before you use it again). Typically compressor duty cycles are based on a 1 hour period, so you can use it for between 2 to 3 minutes every 1 hour. For self leveling suspension, this is supposed to be ok, except when they get a leak, even a small one, as the compressor is on for more than it should be, which means it burns out. So, in practical terms, the standard compressor is pretty well useless, even for the job it is designed for.