I need more reach for my 12v compressor to get to spare tyre on van. Which would be more efficient.1- 12v cable extension suitably sized wire of 4 metre or 2- a pre -made coily compressor hose off an old compressor, approx 8 metres 3/8. Opinions or true knowledge both fine.
use the hose, it will give you more capacity. There may be flow issues if you are in a hurry (doubt it, just saying).
Extending the leads will cause voltage drop.
My 12 volt compressor (suitable for four wheel drive), says to have the engine running when in use
I made a 5 meter length of 6 mm square twin core extension lead, and it works OK, with the engine running
I have never measured the voltage drop, as the compressor works OK
I use my 1200Amp?? Jumper leads and connect the compressor clips to the ends, with a rag around the positives, and run the engine while using the compressor. From memory the compressor takes 45Amps..
Went through that with mine . Found it easier to extend the wires ., I have twin 6mm2 jumper with Anderson plugs each end. With Anderson - fuse - clips for battery connection ., Moved compressor closer to tyre . Easier to fold, store away .,
I have both. An older Truck Air compressor with a pressure gauge incorporated in it and a very short hose and it was easier to extend the wiring so I could reach all the tyres. I used the same size cable as the original and it worked fine. The compressor was slow anyway and, as I wasn't in a hurry, 'voltage drop' didn't worry me. My current compessor is an ARB type, about 8 years old, in a plastic box. It has a short length of cable and sufficient hose to reach all the tyres. Again, no problems. The only problem was that there was no on/off switch. The cables attach to the battery with aligator clips and to stop/start the compressor the clips have to be connected/disconnected from the battery which was a pain. To make life easier I fitted an on/off switch in the compressor box which enables me to operate the compressor without disconnecting it.
Regards EJP
Thanks all,
I have to make Anderson to Alligator lead anyway, so will do it both ways. There is friction in an airline, don't know if is would affect a small run like this much. I will try to advise the results.
I have 3 ARB compressors & 4 Litre air tank as I couldn't be bothered waiting. Up to 100 amp current, mostly around 85 amps, while engine is running. As a very rough guide deduct 1% for every metre of airline hose, connector & right angle junction. Upgrade the power cable as all cables are under size to start with. Run your engine while pumping up tyres to speed things up. 3 compressors are a wisker ahead of what I can push into a tyre with 8 mm ID air hose. Most of the cheaper air compressors have a pretty poor duty cycle, even the single ARB compressor is only 50%. For example 5 minutes running each 10 minutes.
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Yes its a balance of weight , size for storage over efficiency. I tell ya . If you have to wait 30
Min to pump a tyre ? Much much better than no compressor at all ! My little twin piston has got myself and atleast 6 others out of trouble !
use the hose, it will give you more capacity. There may be flow issues if you are in a hurry (doubt it, just saying). Extending the leads will cause voltage drop.
With daily on & off road pumping up tyres I wanted as fast as possible setup. 3 compressors it's 30 seconds per corner from 20 to 35 PSI & I run a 6awg supply straight to the battery with an Anderson plug.
A very "scientific update", used 8mm wire to extend the cable by 4 metres. It works perfectly, maybe 0.1 volt drop from vehicle anderson plug. I then tried the extra airhose and the pressure indicated on both hose gauges almost identical. I have enough length of wire without the extra hose, so will keep it for a spare.
