On-board auto-stop air compressor $200 - DIY setup

[malicious1]

I figured now that everything is mounted up I would share my "super-budget" on-board compressor solution. There is no doubt that this solution is fraught with safety questions but it has proven an inexpensive solution for my priorities:

1. On-board hardwired compressor
2. Compressor mounted in cargo area but not affecting the storage space
3. Sub 10-minute air-up from 20psi to 36psi with a 4-tire inflator

My one required previous mod was mounting an amp behind the right rear cargo side panel. This brought a 4ga power wire to that back right side which made it possible to hardwire my compressor with sufficient amperage.

Here is what I did. I picked up the Samout 7.06CFM single compressor with LCD control panel and Preset target pressure on sale from Amazon for $100 and a Rough Country Side Window Molle Panel Kit for $80 on an open-box Amazon deal. I realized the Samout compressor is a square body so I remounted the "foot" to the back instead of the bottom. There were some fins I had to make some small relief cuts to get around. I matched up the hole pattern in the molle and drilled mounts in the stock foot plate. Using a 50amp inline breaker (Amazon $11) I connected the compressor cord to my 4ga amp power cable and grounded to a body lug. The molle panel is designed for the hard top but since I have the SSV speaker box on the driver's side I was able to cut that mounting plate up so it would mount to soft-top bracket. This molle panel compressor solution now works with both my soft top and my hard top.

Testing from 20-36psi with a 4 tire inflator ($61 Amazon) was 7min and 30sec. The compressor head was still cool enough to touch but the 4 way gang was pretty spicy.

@ThinBlueBronco and I tested it on the trail with a 40amp breaker and it tripped a few times. The Samout is rated for 45amp so it must use most of that even at lower pressures so I change to 50amp and haven't had any further issues.

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[buzpro]

I figured now that everything is mounted up I would share my "super-budget" on-board compressor solution. There is no doubt that this solution is fraught with safety questions but it has proven an expensive solution for my priorities:

1. On-board hardwired compressor
2. Compressor mounted in cargo area but not affecting the storage space
3. Sub 10-minute air-up from 20psi to 36psi with a 4-tire inflator

My one required previous mod was mounting an amp behind the right rear cargo side panel. This brought a 4ga power wire to that back right side which made it possible to hardwire my compressor with sufficient amperage.

Here is what I did. I picked up the Samout 7.06CFM single compressor with LCD control panel and Preset target pressure on sale from Amazon for $100 and a Rough Country Side Window Molle Panel Kit for $80 on an open-box Amazon deal. I realized the Samout compressor is a square body so I remounted the "foot" to the back instead of the bottom. There were some fins I had to make some small relief cuts to get around. I matched up the hole pattern in the molle and drilled mounts in the stock foot plate. Using a 50amp inline breaker (Amazon $11) I connected the compressor cord to my 4ga amp power cable and grounded to a body lug. The molle panel is designed for the hard top but since I have the SSV speaker box on the driver's side I was able to cut that mounting plate up so it would mount to soft-top bracket. This molle panel compressor solution now works with both my soft top and my hard top.

Testing from 20-36psi with a 4 tire inflator ($61 Amazon) was 7min and 30sec. The compressor head was still cool enough to touch but the 4 way gang was pretty spicy.

@ThinBlueBronco and I tested it on the trail with a 40amp breaker and it tripped a few times. The Samout is rated for 45amp so it must use most of that even at lower pressures so I change to 50amp and haven't had any further issues.

What a great idea!!! Absolutely love it. I'm gonna be your first copy cat with my comp but i will have to do it in a way to have a quick release on the platform. I don't want it installed 24/7.

GREAT JOB MAN.

 

[malicious1]

Honestly if you put a 50amp quick disconnect in the middle of the cable, you only have to zip off those 4 Nylon nuts and it's out. If you mark the holes in the Molle you could put anything else up there normally and then just swap out for the compressor.

 

[Ninjak]

That's a hell of a setup. Great job. Question on your SUB? How is that working out? I am thinking of upgrading, and I am looking at that as I want to do the Alpine setup, Bass and AMP from Trail Seven. I can put that sub together myself.

 

[adam1991]

I figured now that everything is mounted up I would share my "super-budget" on-board Using a 50amp inline breaker (Amazon $11)

shudder.

 

[malicious1]

That's a hell of a setup. Great job. Question on your SUB? How is that working out? I am thinking of upgrading, and I am looking at that as I want to do the Alpine setup, Bass and AMP from Trail Seven. I can put that sub together myself.

I love the Alpine 10" with the SSV Works enclosure. It is really boomy. You do have to work around it in the cargo area but I swap tops as the seasons change so it's really not that bad (it works great with both). With the Alpine A55 and the LC5i-Pro behind the cargo panel there was no space for a sub. I didn't want the weight or to use space on the tailgate and I didn't want it on the floor of the cargo area.

 

[malicious1]

shudder.

The 40amp tripped reliably at 40amps draw, I haven't put the multimeter on the 50amp and it is nice to have a manual physical disconnect button. I leave disconnected all the time and only reset the breaker when I am using the compressor. (Kinda more like a switch than a breaker)

 

[adam1991]

I'm thinking more of it being a cheap piece from Amazon. But yeah, leave it disconnected and it's passing current only while you're using and watching it.

 

[malicious1]

I'm thinking more of it being a cheap piece from Amazon. But yeah, leave it disconnected and it's passing current only while you're using and watching it.

Yes, Amazon quality should be suspect and I agree it is only reset when running and then manually tripped to isolate it the remainder of the time.

 

[warpoet]

I have a Milwaukee M18 tire inflator and it can air my 35’s from 25psi to 39psi in about ten minutes on one battery. It’s freaking amazing.

 

[wgw]

I figured now that everything is mounted up I would share my "super-budget" on-board compressor solution. There is no doubt that this solution is fraught with safety questions but it has proven an inexpensive solution for my priorities:

1. On-board hardwired compressor
2. Compressor mounted in cargo area but not affecting the storage space
3. Sub 10-minute air-up from 20psi to 36psi with a 4-tire inflator

My one required previous mod was mounting an amp behind the right rear cargo side panel. This brought a 4ga power wire to that back right side which made it possible to hardwire my compressor with sufficient amperage.

Here is what I did. I picked up the Samout 7.06CFM single compressor with LCD control panel and Preset target pressure on sale from Amazon for $100 and a Rough Country Side Window Molle Panel Kit for $80 on an open-box Amazon deal. I realized the Samout compressor is a square body so I remounted the "foot" to the back instead of the bottom. There were some fins I had to make some small relief cuts to get around. I matched up the hole pattern in the molle and drilled mounts in the stock foot plate. Using a 50amp inline breaker (Amazon $11) I connected the compressor cord to my 4ga amp power cable and grounded to a body lug. The molle panel is designed for the hard top but since I have the SSV speaker box on the driver's side I was able to cut that mounting plate up so it would mount to soft-top bracket. This molle panel compressor solution now works with both my soft top and my hard top.

Testing from 20-36psi with a 4 tire inflator ($61 Amazon) was 7min and 30sec. The compressor head was still cool enough to touch but the 4 way gang was pretty spicy.

@ThinBlueBronco and I tested it on the trail with a 40amp breaker and it tripped a few times. The Samout is rated for 45amp so it must use most of that even at lower pressures so I change to 50amp and haven't had any further issues.

Very neat and clean…nice work sir

 

[SquatchHappens]

Good idea about the quick disconnect, as I also wouldn't want to keep it mounted 24/7. I just don't wheel enough to warrant a permanent mount, but a semi-permanent mount for trips is very appealing.
Thanks for sharing your work! Well done!

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