Journey with Confidence RV GPS App RV Trip Planner RV LIFE Campground Reviews RV Maintenance Take a Speed Test Free 7 Day Trial ×
 


Reply
 
Thread Tools Display Modes
 
Old 10-02-2022, 08:22 PM   #1
Member
 
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 61
hooking compressor directly to house batteries

I'm going to be buying a Viair 400p auto air compressor to use for airing up tires (of course) but also to blow out my water lines in the winter as needed. The Viair manual says to connect the compressor to the (chassis) battery and have the motor running when using it to prevent draining the battery. My question is would there be any problem with connecting the compressor directly to the battery terminals on on my 200amp lithium house battery setup instead? This would eliminate the need to have the engine running as well as be a bit more convenient in general.


The compressor is rated at 30 amps max so a fully charged house battery should easily provide enough power without draining too much. What I'm concerned about is whether or not connecting directly to the battery terminals on the house batteries would mess with anything else in the house electric system. I guess I could just use the disconnect switch to separate the house batteries from the house electronics while using the compressor.



Does this seem o.k. to do?


Thanks!

Larry

LarryB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-02-2022, 08:41 PM   #2
Senior Member
 
BrianW's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 4,198
I have a Viair setup that I’m planning to install to the house batteries as you described. Just be sure to properly fuse it. I have 315ah total in house batteries, but I’ll probably still run the engine while airing up if for more than just a few minutes.

I have a similar portable unit (Smittybilt) and just clamp it temporarily onto the house batteries when using, with no issues.
BrianW is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-02-2022, 08:47 PM   #3
Member
 
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 61
Thanks Brian, per your experience, it sounds like it should work fine. The Viair comes with a 40amp fuse inline so that should take care of that issue. (I'll be just hooking the compressor up temporarily like you do with your portable unit.)
LarryB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-03-2022, 02:23 AM   #4
Senior Member
 
Mikerson's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2018
Location: Idaho
Posts: 244
I use that same compressor running from my 280ah house lithium battery, just as you described. No need to run the engine, the 15 or so ah you use filling tires will be recharged in no time on the highway. I installed an Anderson style plug between the battery and compressor. Piece of cake to use now.
__________________
2001 E-250 SMB 5.4L MG Coil Kit, Modified EB57
Mikerson is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-03-2022, 10:56 AM   #5
Member
 
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 61
Thanks Mikerson. I will most likely be using the compressor to winterize more than to fill tires but the same logic applies. I need to look into the Anderson style plug you mentioned--it sounds convenient.
LarryB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-05-2022, 07:24 AM   #6
JWA
Senior Member
 
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Reynoldsburg, Ohio
Posts: 3,765
Send a message via Yahoo to JWA
As nothing more than my opinion I'd run the engine while using the compressor only as a preventative measure in case an electrical glitch would deplete the starting battery(s) so they'd no longer start the vehicle.

If I'm off base my apologies!
JWA is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-05-2022, 08:53 AM   #7
Senior Member
 
86Scotty's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jul 2011
Location: TN
Posts: 10,222
@LarryB, I have installed several of these. No problem at all with what you are describing. I am not sure if you are considering a stand alone Viair or a mounted system, commonly called OBA (on board air). I have done the latter on several vans. Viair's compressors/kits have detailed wiring diagrams that are simple to follow if you're doing a hard wired kit. If doing a portable it's as simple as hooking up some jumper cables, but I would recommend the above set up using Anderson power poles or some sort of dedicated plug for the compressor power. You just need 10 gauge wire running from battery to plug to compressor, with an inline fuse.

As for the question of idling the van or not it really just depends on your battery bank. If it's a noise concern though keep in mind that these small compressors are noisy, as all air compressors generally are. It will be noisier than your van unless you have an open pipe diesel or something. In other words, you won't be airing tires in a quiet campground without everyone knowing it.
86Scotty is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-07-2022, 06:27 PM   #8
Member
 
Join Date: May 2017
Posts: 61
Thanks JWA and 86 Scotty for your input. Just to be clear, I'm talking about a Viar 400P auto portable compressor. Also, I don't believe I need to run the engine in the scenario I'm talking about--connecting to the house batteries directly. While running the engine would obviously help keep the house batteries charged in that scenario, I'm not worried about the drain on a 200 amp system for the short time it would take to blow out the van's water lines. My main concern has been whether connecting directly to the batteries creates any risks for the electronics connected to the house system. It seems that's not really an issue (at least assuming the connections to the battery terminals are done correctly). But still, I may disconnect the batteries from the house system while using the compressor just to be safe.


As far as the Anderson power connectors, I really like that idea, although for the couple times of year I'd likely be winterizing, I don't know if it's worth that extra work or not. Maybe one of these days when I'm in need of a project just to keep me busy (as if that ever happens).


Yes, compressors are noisy. I may have to hand out ear plugs to neighbors if I have to do it in an campground or rv park.
LarryB is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-07-2022, 07:57 PM   #9
Senior Member
 
BrianW's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Philadelphia, PA
Posts: 4,198
Looks like the Viair 400p puts out 150 psi. Be careful putting that much into your system, especially through the pressure-restricted city water fill port. Not sure if you can dial back the compressor pressure or not.
BrianW is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 10-07-2022, 08:54 PM   #10
Site Team
 
daveb's Avatar
 
Join Date: May 2007
Location: Turlock Ca
Posts: 10,407
Garage
I always run my vehicle when jumping another vehicle. The compressor probably pulls a fraction of a hard jump start. But one time I used my winch w/o running the engine. It tripped a sensor and I got an CEL.



I'd use a good rated Anderson type plug and just run the engine while using the compressor. JMO
__________________
2006 Ford 6.0PSD EB-50/E-PH SMB 4X4 Rock Crawler Trailer

Sportsmobile 4X4 Adventures..........On and off road adventures
daveb is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Tags
air compressor, house battery

Thread Tools
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off
Trackbacks are Off
Pingbacks are Off
Refbacks are Off

» Featured Campgrounds

Reviews provided by

Powered by vBadvanced CMPS v3.2.3
Disclaimer:

This website is not affiliated with or endorsed by Sportsmobile SIP or any of its affiliates. This is an independent, unofficial site.


All times are GMT -6. The time now is 03:52 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.8 Beta 4
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions, Inc.