Using 12v Air compressor

[mountaindrm]

Sorry if this is a dumb question but I haven’t been able to find an answer. I would like to order a Viair 12v aid compressor. Can I use the “jumper terminals” under the hood to power the compressor? Crawl under and use the house batteries? Curious how you power it.

Thanks!

[Silvr_Bullet]

The only dumb question is the one that’s not asked. Yes, you would use the battery under the hood of your TV Viair recommends operating the engine of the TV. That’s how I use mine.

[mountaindrm]

I should have clarified, I’m on a 2017 sprinter 3500 and so I don’t have direct battery access, I have the “jumper port” (under the red knob). Is that okay to use?

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by mountaindrm

Sorry if this is a dumb question but I haven’t been able to find an answer. I would like to order a Viair 12v aid compressor. Can I use the “jumper terminals” under the hood to power the compressor? Crawl under and use the house batteries? Curious how you power it.

Thanks!

Yes the jumper terminals under the hood should have sufficiently large cables to the remote battery, to support this use IMO. We recently used our Viair 450 in this manner, with our TV van with remote batteries.

Peter

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by Silvr_Bullet

The only dumb question is the one that’s not asked. Yes, you would use the battery under the hood of your TV Viair recommends operating the engine of the TV. That’s how I use mine.

The OP sets forth different details IMO.

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by OTRA15

Yes the jumper terminals under the hood should have sufficiently large cables to the remote battery, to support this use IMO. We recently used our Viair 450 in this manner, with our TV van with remote batteries.

Peter

To clarify and correct, it would actually be only the positive terminal with a large cable to the remote battery in our van IMO. The negative connection is via a nearby large bolt on the engine compartment metalwork.

Your AI terminals might be different? Whatever your manual instructs for jump starting should work for the Viair IMO.

[c21]

Originally Posted by mountaindrm

Sorry if this is a dumb question but I haven’t been able to find an answer. I would like to order a Viair 12v aid compressor. Can I use the “jumper terminals” under the hood to power the compressor? Crawl under and use the house batteries? Curious how you power it.

Thanks!

I have a Viair and I use the jumper posts to power mine.

[Titus]

My 2012 Sprinter came with a 12V compressor in the compartment accessible when the passenger door is open. It plugs into the cigarette lighter socket. I have run it for appx 5 minutes without blowing a fuse.

[OTRA15]

The Viair compressors draw too much wattage to use that method.

[Airtandem]

Viair has a model 85P that is 12 volt lighter connection. Does not have much power or run recovery time. I have the 88 P and like,it. Get the extension hose. Mine does not reach from battery to right rear tire.

Mike

[OTRA15]

Thanks Mike for that correction.

Peter

[PirateChris]

I have a 2016 Interstate and regularly use my Viair 12 V compressor from the jumper lugs in the engine compartment. Be sure to have the engine running, as the Viair is a big amp draw that needs engine support.

Electrically speaking, the jumper lugs are at the same electrical potential as the battery lugs.

OK...be well and good luck.

Pirate Chris

Originally Posted by mountaindrm

Sorry if this is a dumb question but I haven’t been able to find an answer. I would like to order a Viair 12v aid compressor. Can I use the “jumper terminals” under the hood to power the compressor? Crawl under and use the house batteries? Curious how you power it.

Thanks!

[cazual6]

Originally Posted by mountaindrm

Sorry if this is a dumb question but I haven’t been able to find an answer. I would like to order a Viair 12v aid compressor. Can I use the “jumper terminals” under the hood to power the compressor? Crawl under and use the house batteries? Curious how you power it.

Thanks!

Short Answer: Yes.

Recommend you have the car running.

Secondly, I use this to make it easier for me.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

[OTRA15]

That accessory will not work with the larger capacity Viair compressors, like our 450, because the AWG #16 wire is too small. Also our 450 has the alligator clips like a jumper cable to attach directly to a battery (or remote terminals like the OP). [See earlier posts]

Peter

[Brezzin]

I have and use the Viair 88P and connect to the terminals under the hood with no issues.

[Pahaska]

I installed a marine trolling motor socket in the rear of the AI with #12 wires to the batteries and put a trolling motor plug on my air compressor. I fused the lead to the compressor.

[ROBERT CROSS]

Originally Posted by cazual6

Short Answer: Yes.

Recommend you have the car running.

Secondly, I use this to make it easier for me.

https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/...?ie=UTF8&psc=1

The 'car running' thing...I just pulled the 'Burb out today getting ready for the coming Season. All tires were at 25psi & off the ground.
I just connected our new 450P RV and filled all tires to 70psi., Took the Vair 15min of running time.
The battery,(Interstate Plus), was still at 12.6v w/o the engine running. Very impressed with this unit.

Originally Posted by OTRA15

That accessory will not work with the larger capacity Viair compressors, like our 450, because the AWG #16 wire is too small. Also our 450 has the alligator clips like a jumper cable to attach directly to a battery (or remote terminals like the OP). [See earlier posts]

Peter

Peter it was your purchase that led me to the 450, Thanks.

Bob
🇺🇸

[Silvr_Bullet]

XX for Viair 450P RV I am very happy with its performance I have these photos in my photo library to refer to.

[OTRA15]

Originally Posted by ROBERT CROSS

. . .
Peter it was your purchase that led me to the 450, Thanks.

Bob
����

Thanks. Funny, that was a while ago, and I only tested the thing in the last week or two, getting ready to go camping.



What a great carry case and nicely made unit. I am going to order a longer air hose and a small regulator set-up.

Thanks,

Peter

[OTRA15]

PS -- So that this thread does not turn into a Viair 450 discussion, there are plenty of other AF mentions:

https://www.google.com/search?q=Viai...com&gws_rd=ssl

Happy trails!

Peter