Compressors, and Batteries, and Wires, Oh My!

[Krayziekid]

Lol sorry for the crappy title. I like to think I'm funny. But this is a serious question so here goes.

So I have a few mods planned out for the future, but nothing too insane. Probably just some skids, a stealth light bar, and some ditch lights. But first and foremost, I want to get a decent compressor into my 03 so I can have on board air for the trails. Simply being able to air up/down is really my main goal here.

I have read about as many threads as I can about installing on board air. With that said, I have a number of questions about getting an air compressor installed in the car. I’m hoping someone can chime in and help me out so I can get a better understanding of what I am getting in to.
1. So first and foremost, does a compressor require a second battery for “safety” reasons, as in so I don’t drain my primary battery? I am planning on getting one and putting it in my engine bay somewhere, and I need to factor whether a second battery needs to go in there. It will really only be used for airing up and down.

2. If a second battery is not required, what are the best practices for wiring and uses? I was planning on having everything wired to a switch I can activate. Should I only use my compressor when the car is on to make sure I don’t drain my battery? Or if it’s just for airing up will it not matter?

3. I am currently just running an OEM Toyota battery. I have a 2003. Pretty sure it was replaced at some point, but it is still OEM. If I don’t want to do dual batteries, but still want to run the compressor and stuff, should I look in to one larger battery that will fit the OEM spot? (Any recommendations if that’s the case?)

4. And finally, what compressor does everyone run that can fit behind the air intake box? I am hoping to just run the compressor and no tank, so I’d prefer a slightly beefier compressor as opposed to a small one with a big tank. Here are two that I have been looking at. Anyone have experience with them? Really interested in the ARB compressor.

ARB On-Board High Performance 12 Volt Twin Air Compressor (CKMTA12)

VIAIR Corporation - 450C-IG Compressor (P/N 45050, 45058)

As for installation, I remember reading somewhere that the ARB compressor will mount to the Dirty Parts battery tray with a little trimming, so that would be ideal, but can anybody confirm? As a whole, it doesn’t seem like installation is too hard, but you just have to think through it logically. Are there any hang-ups that people had?

Sorry for all the questions, but I like to know exactly what I am doing before I do it. I appreciate any and all responses and look forward to hopefully helping others when I’m done with it!

 

[Jeremy556]

1. No, you should have your engine running while using the compressor, so the alternator will supply the power.
2. Engine should be running. A decent compressor will be drawing a high load and will drain a battery quickly.
3. Sure. Diehard Platinum Group 31 is what I use, not sure if it will fit stock location on 4th gen
4. I have dual viair compressors. If I were to do it all over from the start, I would go with the twin ARB.

 

[Krayziekid]

1. No, you should have your engine running while using the compressor, so the alternator will supply the power.
2. Engine should be running. A decent compressor will be drawing a high load and will drain a battery quickly.
3. Sure. Diehard Platinum Group 31 is what I use, not sure if it will fit stock location on 4th gen
4. I have dual viair compressors. If I were to do it all over from the start, I would go with the twin ARB.

Ok, thanks for all of the advice. So if a compressor is really that draining, I'm thinking a new, higher capacity battery might be a good idea too. Any idea where I can get the specs of the OEM battery (both power and size wise) so I can compare with newer batteries? And did you put your Diehard Platinum in the stock spot or move it elsewhere?

I am leaning towards the dual ARB compressor as well. Seems like a nice all in one kit. Why would you pick that over the viair kit if you were to do it again? And do you have your dual compressors in your engine bay?

Sorry about all the questions, but I really appreciate your help!

 

[Jeremy556]

My setup pulls up to 60 amps, the ARB will be similar. No idea on stock battery specs. I used the stock location, not sure if it will fit in 4th gen (I have a 5th).

My current setup has a little higher CFM than the ARB, but it took a lot of time, energy, and more money to build, than the ARB. It also takes up more room.

 

[Krayziekid]

My setup pulls up to 60 amps, the ARB will be similar. No idea on stock battery specs. I used the stock location, not sure if it will fit in 4th gen (I have a 5th).

My current setup has a little higher CFM than the ARB, but it took a lot of time, energy, and more money to build, than the ARB. It also takes up more room.

Ah ok. Thanks anyways. Yea I'm thinking the ARB looks promising. Just gotta figure out how to mount it in the engine bay. Do you have a tank with your setup as well, or is it possible to just run the compressor for airing up and down? I'm really trying to avoid a tank to begin with, but may add one in the future. The twin ARB should be able to do 4 33s pretty easily right?

 

[riceandpho]

check your pm , also do a big 3 upgrade while your there with a new battery, itll help increase some power, but do stabilize it.

 

[BlackWorksInc]

You probably don't want/need as much air as I plan on running in my 4Runner in the future; but I'll throw this on here for consideration:

Product : Extreme Outback

It's a beast and I plan on using this set-up in my 4Runner in the future with a dual battery set-up to soak up voltage variations when running it and/or a future winch.

 

[Krayziekid]

You probably don't want/need as much air as I plan on running in my 4Runner in the future; but I'll throw this on here for consideration:

Product : Extreme Outback

It's a beast and I plan on using this set-up in my 4Runner in the future with a dual battery set-up to soak up voltage variations when running it and/or a future winch.

Haha thanks for not making the decision any easier! That thing does look like a beast! And it draws like 80-something amps?! That sounds kinda crazy.

You mentioned that you were putting this in with dual batteries. Where are you putting it if your second battery is going behind the stock air box (assuming you are putting it there). That is what I am having trouble visualizing. I can't figure out where to put my compressor when I get one. I think behind the stock v8 airbox would work, but I don't necessarily want to drill holes back there. Any thoughts?

 

[morphious]

I have on board air. Is dual battery necessary for this? I don't think so, but this is what I did and air is on post #8.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/199237-electrical-upgrade-rebuild-complete.html

 

[Jeremy556]

You probably don't want/need as much air as I plan on running in my 4Runner in the future; but I'll throw this on here for consideration:

Product : Extreme Outback

It's a beast and I plan on using this set-up in my 4Runner in the future with a dual battery set-up to soak up voltage variations when running it and/or a future winch.

Dang... I wonder if I could fit 2 of those. That would be like 45 seconds per tire to air up.

 

[Krayziekid]

I have on board air. Is dual battery necessary for this? I don't think so, but this is what I did and air is on post #8.

http://www.toyota-4runner.org/4th-gen-t4rs/199237-electrical-upgrade-rebuild-complete.html

That's a nice setup you have there! Yea, I don't think a Hal battery setup is needed as long as it isn't always running and I have the car running. Probably gonna get a battery voltage monitor to be safe.

But holy cow, I can't believe you for a compressor in that little space! How hard was it? Is it bolted down anywhere? I currently have the stock tools and Jack in there, but I guess I could put those elsewhere and put my compressor in there if I wanted to. Thanks for the help!

 

[BlackWorksInc]

Haha thanks for not making the decision any easier! That thing does look like a beast! And it draws like 80-something amps?! That sounds kinda crazy.

You mentioned that you were putting this in with dual batteries. Where are you putting it if your second battery is going behind the stock air box (assuming you are putting it there). That is what I am having trouble visualizing. I can't figure out where to put my compressor when I get one. I think behind the stock v8 airbox would work, but I don't necessarily want to drill holes back there. Any thoughts?

(I haven't actually run this set-up yet because I other mods planned first) The dual battery will go behind or infront of the air box (will have to relocate the power steering reservoir) and will be wired so that all accessories are powered through it (i.e. winch, lights, compressor ect.) I had a reason for this that mainly revolves around redundancy. As for the compressor itself, since I plan on running a full metal rear bumper; I was considering installing it in the spare tire area at the rear of the vehicle.

Dang... I wonder if I could fit 2 of those. That would be like 45 seconds per tire to air up.

Lol that's a lot of current draw! But yeah, the basic idea was that I wanted a 100% duty cycle heavy duty compressor to run with a small air tank. The idea being to have the tank as reserve and when it runs dry the compressor can provide plenty of air to power tools and other air needs. So far (based on my searching) anything larger than the unit I linked is either a 24volt or steps into the service truck category (which are big boy compressors for sure.)

 

[morphious]

[MENTION=127401]Krayziekid[/MENTION] I actually got the idea from another member who installed something similar to fill his rear air bags. It is simply a portable 12volt plug in compressor that I took apart and and basically zip tied to the metal cross brace. As you can see I still have my jack and tools in there with the additional air hose and accessories. I run a circuit to it from dual battery setup and have it fused with a 10amp fuse. I have used it several times and surprisingly it does a quick and efficient job. Here are some additional pics:

 

[Krayziekid]

[MENTION=127401]Krayziekid[/MENTION] I actually got the idea from another member who installed something similar to fill his rear air bags. It is simply a portable 12volt plug in compressor that I took apart and and basically zip tied to the metal cross brace. As you can see I still have my jack and tools in there with the additional air hose and accessories. I run a circuit to it from dual battery setup and have it fused with a 10amp fuse. I have used it several times and surprisingly it does a quick and efficient job. Here are some additional pics:

Wow that looks great. So you just have it zip tied all over the place in there. Is there a reason you chose to put your compressor in there as opposed to the engine bay? I'm really digging the ARB twin compressor, and I might have to do some measuring to see if I could fit it in there. That would be a really ideal spot, but running wiring would be a PITA.

 

[morphious]

Basically it was a space that I wasn't using for anything else and when filling up bike tires or other items when camping I am usually at the back of the truck not the front. Also, not sure how durable a cheap air compressor taken apart would be mounted under the hood.

 

[Krayziekid]

Basically it was a space that I wasn't using for anything else and when filling up bike tires or other items when camping I am usually at the back of the truck not the front. Also, not sure how durable a cheap air compressor taken apart would be mounted under the hood.

That makes sense. Guess I just gotta measure some stuff and figure out what will fit in some spots. Thanks!