hard wiring bushranger maxi air compressor

[viperguy]

hey guys.. im doin a hard wire install of my maxi air compressor complete with tanks and pressure switches etc...

my question is..do i need to wire this to a relay to provide power or can i just hook it straight to power? there is a 30 amp fuse in line in the power wires, and im intending to use a dash swith to turn compressor on and off. any sugestions? and also, when powering the pressure switch is it as simple as running power from the compressor through the switch? and help would be much apreciated...cheers guys..

[bruiser]

yeah
definetly need a relay. unless you want to run huge cable all the way inside the cab and back out.
steve

[viperguy]

thanks dude.. does it matter that its being installed in the engine bay and the wiring will be only a relatively short run? and any further help with the pressure switch? im using 2 small i gallon tanks in series to get the air storage..should be a pretty neet install. those small tanks are pretty sweet. any reason why i shouldnt run compressor in engine bay??

[-Scott-]

Typically, the compressor will get hotter running in the engine bay, especially with the bonnet down. My ARB works OK mounted on the driver's side guard, but when pumping up tyres I normally run it with the bonnet up.

The ARB setup uses the pressure switch to switch a relay to switch the compressor. I'm guessing this is to ease the load on the pressure switch - the compressor motor is a large inductor which draws large current, so when you switch it off it can create arcing across the contacts. Better to arc contacts in a $10 relay?

Cheers,

Scott

[viperguy]

do u have a diagram of that set up that i could follow? im keen to do this right..once and for all.just bought all my air fittings.. turned into a bit of a costly exercise but should be good when all up and running

[murcod]

Do a search and you'll find info on my Maxair that I'm running into a tank with an ARB pressure switch. There is a relay located under the black plastic cover that houses the on/off switch- all you need to do is cut one of the wires from this switch and put your pressure switch in line. You could relocate the switch from the housing to the interior of your 4WD if you wanted at the same time.

Put a fuse as close to the battery + as possible-> the Maxair fuse IIRC is down the same end of the cable as the compressor.

[bruiser]

Still need a relay even though it may be close to battery cause at the end of the day no matter where it is you will be rinnung cable all the way inside to your switch inside cab and back.
If you hasd the switch in the engine bay with the compressor that might be different, but then even so most switches are not rated for high curent and designed for use with relay.
Steve

[murcod]

I don't know if my previous post wasn't clear? The Maxair has a relay running off the standard switch under the plastic cover on the end of the motor housing- ie. you don't need to install another relay.

Simply hook a pressure switch in series into the wiring hanging off the factory on/off switch (pull off the end cover and all will be revealed.) If a switch inside the cabin is desired, then remove the switch from the end cover, extend the wiring and mount it inside the cabin.

[viperguy]

murcod..i removed the grey plastic end cover to reveal the wiring as u said and did not see a relay.. all i could see is the wiring for the switch.. is the relay further in the unit? what i think i might do..and u can tell me if im wrong as i am by no means a auto sparky..is wire it up with a relay, cut in a dash mounted switch, keep switch on compressor unit, and wire the pressure switch inline.

are u happy with the performance of ur max air? do u think the max air will be suited to be used with 2, 1 gallon tanks? i have the pressure switch coming of a T piece on one of the tanks. the tanks are fed inline. i have 1 tank plumbed to a air connection to the rear of vehical and the other to the front.

[murcod]

Interesting- so the little "ON/OFF" rocker switch is switching the 20-30 Amps on your's without a relay?!? I haven't got pics of under the cover of mine, but there is a relay under there; although it is a PITA to change the wiring as they'd soldered the crimp connectors onto the relay terminals on mine!

All I did was hook into the switch wiring and run some wires out from the cover to an ARB pressure switch mounted on a manifold I fitted to the compressor outlet. With about a 1 litre tank mine runs for about 5-6 secs when first turned on. It shouldn't have any problems filling two 1 gallon tanks.

[viperguy]

yeah i definately dont have a relay in mine.. wire dirctly in, the switch soldered in like u said...and no relay..i will be running 2 x 1 gallon tanks. i like what u have done though.,.. very schmik.

once i get things sorted i will post up pics of the install..if it works how i am hoping it should be a trick bit of gear. thanks for ur help buddy

[kranked_dirt]

g'day guys, i'm thinking of doing a similar install on my 40 series. Murcod: Did you buy that manifold from somewhere or did you get it made up, if so where from??
cheers,

ads

[murcod]

g'day guys, i'm thinking of doing a similar install on my 40 series. Murcod: Did you buy that manifold from somewhere or did you get it made up, if so where from??
cheers,

ads

Supercheap should still have them.

It's the best thing I ever did to mine- no more switching it off in between pumping tyres and it gives a nice burst of air when you first start pumping up each tyre. Can even get decent short bursts for dusting off stuff etc.

The down side is it's made an already heavy compressor very heavy. BTW it all still fits into the standard bag easily!

[kranked_dirt]

cheers mate, the weight of it doesnt concern me as itt will be hard wired. Will go check out supercheap now. thanks again

ads

[viperguy]

plumbed and wired my max air this morning..although not in the mav..just on the floor outside.. just wanted to see the plumbing and wiring work before i installed it. worked a treat. pressure switch worked awsum, tank capacity will be sweet.

another question as to the needs for a relay.. i have absoluty searched the compressor over and over and cant find a relay mounted under the cap where the switch is..if the compressor dont have a relay and uses the alligator clips to go direct from the battery, will i need the relay to hard wire it?

i am thinking it needs.. but am just wondering why it didnt have from factory.....any thoughts? and if u giys say yes, can u tell what type, rating and maybe show me what wires should go where considering i have pressure switch and want a dash switch to control compressor, as well as keeping compressor mounted switch to act as a shut off for the whole system

[viperguy]

this is the mock up of what i intend to install into my vehical. dummied it up to see how it all works and how pressure switch and stuff all operate. all is fine. will be mounting tanks bolted to underfloor of vehical, between chassis rails and sills of my mav shorty.. they will be protected from getting bashed up by the sliders that will be the next mod

[murcod]

Looks good!

I'd put a relay in- Supercheap here in SA sell Bosch 30A ones- that should do the job. A 40Amp one would be better though, if you can find one.

I'm surprised there's no relay- that's a lot of current for that little switch to handle.

[GUJohnno]

Where did you get the tanks from.....?

[viperguy]

i got the steel one first (silver hammertone) from snake racing and then realised the alloy tank (blue) was available at half the price from bigballs offroad. steel tank is $120 odd and alloy is $65. the neccessary fittings are the expensive bits.. almost $150 in fittings. u will need to take the tanks and compressor to a good compressor shop to get everything u need with the right size threads and fittings etc..

[GUJohnno]

Great.... and the size and volume of the tanks....?
John.

[viperguy]

i gallon each.. alloy tank has 3 ports, steel tank has 2.. dimensions identical...just under 400mm long and 100mm diameter.

[GUJohnno]

Cheers 4 that.