Thread: Is it ok to connect air compressor directly to battery?

Hi oznut and while you can connect any positive wiring/cabling to your cranking battery’s positive terminal, nothing should be connected to the negative terminal of MOST new vehicles, not just Land Rovers.

Connect you compressor’s positive clamp to the cranking battery’s positive terminal.

Then connect the compressor’s negative clamp to a good earth point in the engine bay, preferably close to the battery.

Don’t forget to have your motor running while you use your compressor.

dont forget a fuse

Thanks drivesafe ...but where would you consider a good earth point? ..sorry for the silly question

Thanks Weeds but should there be a separate fuse for the compressor outside of the fuses currently in the car? If so, where should it be installed?

Btw. is getting a separate battery an option or will the battery run out of "juice" before inflating a max of 4 tyres say if we go driving on sand? Any way of changing the clamps to a cigarette lighter plug? ...8o)

Apologies for the dumb questions.

Originally Posted by oznut

Thanks Weeds but should there be a separate fuse for the compressor outside of the fuses currently in the car? If so, where should it be installed?

Btw. is getting a separate battery an option or will the battery run out of "juice" before inflating a max of 4 tyres say if we go driving on sand? Any way of changing the clamps to a cigarette lighter plug? ...8o)

Apologies for the dumb questions.

the compressor will probably have an inline fuse already fitted........if not you will need to wire one inline

you shouldn't need a second battery, as drivesafe mention just keep the motor running this way your alternator will do all the work and your batter will stay fully charged

Btw. is getting a separate battery an option or will the battery run out of
"juice" before inflating a max of 4 tyres say if we go driving on sand? Any way
of changing the clamps to a cigarette lighter plug? ...8o)

A compressor of any size other than a tiny tiddler will demand far more current than the 10 amps that can go through a cigarette lighter plug. The compressor should have written on it how many CFM it is and/or amps. If it could be run by a cigarette plug it would probably have one fitted.

Unless you want to go to the trouble of adding HD wiring the battery clamps are probably best for you.

Regards Philip A

Thanks Weeds and PhilipA ...

Yeah my "Kmart special" compressor which I had for years had a ciggie plug .. but it is slow and only good for topping up my car tyres and our bikes and other inflatables.. I do not believe my Dr Air Pro Flow fit into the tiny tiddler category.

Any thoughts on where is a good earth point?

Just pick a spot close to the battery where there is already an item bolted to the body or a lonely bolt on its own.