Onboard Inverter - AC Air Compressor

[agjake01]

Looking at air compressors for the trail and wondering if there are any good ones out there that would work off the 2400w inverter? I like the Viair compressors, anyone use a DC/AC converter with them? I’d like to avoid popping the hood if possible. Any recommendations? Not sure if the max amp draw with these would be too much for the onboard..

 

[Lenny33]

Could be wrong - not an electrical guy, but would be surprised if any portable compressor would over-run 2400 watts. Probably a 30 amp capacity?

 

[Paint]

It's been a while, but I always found it immeasurably easier and cheaper to just carry a tank. We made our our own back then, but they've got some awesome setups made to order now. You can air up like 20 35" tires with one full tank. And it'll air up each tire in seconds instead of waiting forever for a tiny compressor to do its work. If I were to be doing it today, I'd go that route again.

 

[DctrEvil]

Would love to see if the built-in compressor that the Tacoma trail hunter has, could be retro-fitted somewhere into the rear cargo area of the LC. I had an OEM air compressor in my recent modern Defender 110 (sold, thank god!) and like the one in the new TH Tacoma, would deflate tires to your desired pressure and also inflate each tire to the same setting, by just moving from tire to tire. Very handy!

 

[agjake01]

Would love to see if the built-in compressor that the Tacoma trail hunter has, could be retro-fitted somewhere into the rear cargo area of the LC. I had an OEM air compressor in my recent modern Defender 110 (sold, thank god!) and like the one in the new TH Tacoma, would deflate tires to your desired pressure and also inflate each tire to the same setting, by just moving from tire to tire. Very handy!

Agreed, I would have paid extra for the onboard ARB. Wish they would have offered it on the LCs like the Tacoma and the 4R. I think some of the mobile compressors peak under 15amp so the inverter should handle the smaller ones with an AC plug adapter.

 

[Teebo]

The 4runner trail hunter has one built in by the converter. That would be nice if it was on the LC250 as well.

 

[agjake01]

Anyone that’s taken delivery, have you tested out the inverter yet? Specifically auto start with the vehicle off and the inverter regulating battery draw/charge? Interested to hear how it works IRL.

Thanks!

 

[DctrEvil]

I agree, if it works as I hope, this would be one huge redeeming feature of the hybrid. And figuring a way to link this to onboard air!

 

[Rk1679]

I agree, if it works as I hope, this would be one huge redeeming feature of the hybrid. And figuring a way to link this to onboard air!

Re-uppin this topic. I’ve always used a portable a/c clipped on the under hood battery on 4Runners. Any better way to air up our LC’s?

 

[TrailWhale]

I was hoping for the same thing, but the 12V battery access is pretty easy in the trunk and will probably just end up with a 12V alligator clip pump. I’m in no rush though, so curious to hear about other folks’ experiences.

 

[Lineman]

For me, I have a Viair 450P. As much as I use it, I just pop the LC hood and clip on to the jumper terminal. It’s a direct battery connection. And no other modifications necessary.

 

[Rk1679]

I found the under hood terminal. That should work just fine

 

[TheKent]

I used to run a Vlair and pop the hood on my 4Runner. It gets old. With the LC, I made a platform and mounted the small ARB. It's wired directly to the battery right there at the back. This is so much more convenient, and quicker.

 

[JSFoster75]

Could be wrong - not an electrical guy, but would be surprised if any portable compressor would over-run 2400 watts. Probably a 30 amp capacity?

2400 Watts at 110v = 22.73 Amps
2400 Watts at 120v = 20.83 Amps

Source: Watts to Amps Conversion Calculator

 

[EOD Guy]

ViAir 485C installed in front of the Dvr's side fuse box.

 

[Trailman]

ViAir 485C installed in front of the Dvr's side fuse box.

Appreciate your build thread. Love what you are doing with your vehicle. Mine has finally shipped via rail and on its way. I'm looking forward to working on it and getting rid of the boxes piling up with stuff waiting for it to arrive.

 

[Don]

I used to run a Vlair and pop the hood on my 4Runner. It gets old. With the LC, I made a platform and mounted the small ARB. It's wired directly to the battery right there at the back. This is so much more convenient, and quicker.

I found a good four connector air down/up kit helps a lot with the "getting old" part. You may have that.

The only powerful 120V potable inflator I found had bad company reviews. The usual small Chinese business thing of not answering support emails. But eventually either we will find an appropriate 120V unit or someone will make one.

It's possible that a good air down/up kit and the basic 120V garage is the best value for some people. But I would test that inexpensive compressor at home. The cheap 120V inflator may be as fast as some of the mid level 12V units.

 

[McCloud_Rainbow]

I’m not airing up and down much, but I just run with this Makita portable compressor and a couple batteries on trips. Batteries go forever. Saved me a few times and I use it at home in the shop and for bike maintenance. It is powerful enough to seat the beads on tubeless bike tires and the batteries can be used for all my other tools.

Makita 18V LXT Lithium-Ion Cordless Electric High-Pressure Portable Inflator (Tool Only) DMP181ZX - The Home Depot

Inflate car tires, bike tires, or sports balls quickly with the 18V LXT Cordless Inflator. The Makita-built motor delivers up to 160 PSI. An auto-stop function automatically stops inflation when the preset

www.homedepot.com

 

[JTP]

Dumb question - 1st time with under the hood air compressor use - obviously positive terminal
Goes to the positive lead labeled in the fuse box. Negative just clipped to the grounding bolt? Or is there a specific negative terminal that I do not see

 

[LCOceans]

Dumb question - 1st time with under the hood air compressor use - obviously positive terminal
Goes to the positive lead labeled in the fuse box. Negative just clipped to the grounding bolt? Or is there a specific negative terminal that I do not see

I am glad you ask this question. I have the Viair 450P as well and attaching those clips to the battery in the back seems weird. Very tight fit.
Under the hood there is a fuse box with a part that says battery terminal that I think you can use. But how? Do we clip the alligator clips directly to that little part or is there an attachment that ties into that small piece in the fuse box?