Thread: installing compressor in D4 engine bay

Originally Posted by PTCAAR

Here's a few more clearer photos of the finished product. Hope this helps!!
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Yep, thanks. I reckon if that black steel plate can be removed, i should be able to bend it back enough to give me clearance to get the air compressor in. A job for another weekend now.

Originally Posted by PTCAAR

Yeah I don't have rear A/C so have the room, it's the small ARB compressor (CKMA 12). The compressors are great as you can change their configuration to suit your chosen location. It took a few trials and errors to get the right configuration. I then took the thick steel plate under the foam out, it's what I mounted the compressor to. It's held in with 2 torque screws under the carpet, with a little work it comes out, then I drilled 4 mounting holes and put the plate back into the car. (I tried to mount the compressor to the plate first then mount the lot to the car but there wasn't enough room!!!) Then mounted the compressor. It's pretty tight fit and very fidgety but with a little patience it all fits!

I like this setup and I think it's better than under the bonnet.
But sadly no good for me due to rear air.

Cheers,
Scott

Originally Posted by TuffRR

Yep, thanks. I reckon if that black steel plate can be removed, i should be able to bend it back enough to give me clearance to get the air compressor in. A job for another weekend now.

For me this was the best location for the compressor, no dirt, mud or water to worry about and I can reach all tyres with the 1 hose, including the camper trailer when towing.
The black steel plate provides the perfect mounting point, you can remove it to do your required modifications so no chance of damaging the car (there really isn't enough room in there to do what you need to do anyway) and it's thick enough to provide a nice solid base for the compressor. The switch is also tucked away out of sight and reach (once the covers on), from my 3 little apprentices

Thanks to everyone for your ideas on mounting a compressor. I've decided on the mounting position under the bonnet, inside the drivers side battery box (the box with the ABS etc). Despite an extremely tight fit, everything is looking good, but I now need to figure out how to power this thing. I don't have a second battery set up yet, so need to run off the main battery. I only want the compressor to have power once the ignition is on. I guess I should connect to some accessory wire that has a fuse of a least 25amps. Does anyone know if this is correct? Also, can anyone suggest a relatively easy to access wire that I can connect to? I can't seem to find anywhere to access power without dismantling half the dash. Cheers

Originally Posted by Andrewsg

Thanks to everyone for your ideas on mounting a compressor. I've decided on the mounting position under the bonnet, inside the drivers side battery box (the box with the ABS etc). Despite an extremely tight fit, everything is looking good, but I now need to figure out how to power this thing. I don't have a second battery set up yet, so need to run off the main battery. I only want the compressor to have power once the ignition is on. I guess I should connect to some accessory wire that has a fuse of a least 25amps. Does anyone know if this is correct? Also, can anyone suggest a relatively easy to access wire that I can connect to? I can't seem to find anywhere to access power without dismantling half the dash. Cheers

For me the battery box was the best location as access to the rear compartments is often difficult with the load in the car- I can always get to my setup under the bonnet. You can pick up the low current feed for the switch (and then to the relay) with a piggy back fuse in the passenger side fuse box. The ARB loom has a fuse for the feed from the battery to the relay so you can run that high current power lead to the battery directly.
I'm sure someone will be along shortly to propose a good fuse to piggy back
David

Thanks David. That makes heaps more sense than how I was thinking about going about it. Now I just need to get into the passager side fuse box!
Cheers
Andrew

Originally Posted by Andrewsg

Thanks David. That makes heaps more sense than how I was thinking about going about it. Now I just need to get into the passenger side fuse box!
Cheers
Andrew

In the engine bay battery box. Very easy to get to
David

Originally Posted by Tombie

Just FYI..

Digging it out and setting up an Anderson plug is just as quick and arguably more convenient than popping the bonnet, removing the cover, attaching the hose etc.

Agree with Tombie totally.
Under the bonnet too much heat and they get filled up with crap, water and mud.
Anderson plug front and back Bobs your uncle.

Cheers