Thread: Powering a portable compressor

Originally Posted by Jimlr

Thinking of getting a portable compressor, and wondering about a way around having to use croc clips on the battery each time...

Can the factory 12S towing socket be used to power it (with engine running), with a suitable adapter lead made up - say from 12S to pair of Anderson power poles, and corresponding Anderson plug on the compressor fly leads?

Edited to add: current draw of the compressor I guess is the issue....32Amps Max on the ARB one I'm looking at....can the cars 12S socket, the cars wiring and fuses handle that?

I think the factory plug is fused at 25amp. I would run a dedicated Anderson plug. If you install a Traxide kit, Tim includes a rear Anderson plug option in his kits.

The bigger compressors will easily top 40 amps under load.

I run my ARB compressor from my Thumper Battery pack. I got a second power lead for it and attached an anderson plug. I still have the original lead just in case I have to clamp onto a battery.

I have a Traxide kit with a rear anderson plug and I put an Anderson plug on my compressor and I just plug it in. I put the croc clips I cut off the compressor on an Anderson plug as well so I still have that option.

You could probably pretty easily rig up an Anderson plug under the bonnet from your main battery if you don't want to put a dual battery system in.

Originally Posted by ADMIRAL

The bigger compressors will easily top 40 amps under load.

My compressor blew its 40A fuse yesterday when restarting with the hose blocked due to the valve fitting not properly fitted and pressure over 100 psi by enough to destroy its gauge.

I clip my ARB portable compressor to the aux battery terminals when needed.

Originally Posted by AnD3rew

You could probably pretty easily rig up an Anderson plug under the bonnet from your main battery if you don't want to put a dual battery system in.

Might look at that then, something along these lines:

http://andersonpower.com.au/index.ph...1891d37f7041b2

would the neg lead go to the earth nut on the body, rather than direct to the neg battery terminal??? And is ok to run wires like this directly, without a fuse or isolator?

Without an isolator is fine, I wouldn't do one without a fuse however

Agree I would put a fuse in the line, you can order inline blade fuse holders online quite cheaply or buy from SCA.