Help! Air Compressor Aux Switch Wiring Question

[same_O_G]

Hey guys -

I'm in the middle of wiring up my ARB single and I'm stuck with a question...

I'm following the how-to video from our friend on the site of which we do not speak. I'm going to wire the compressor direct to the battery terminals and would like to use one of the aux switches from the factory Aux Switch Package to turn the compressor on and off... but my question is, which one?

The gentleman from video says to use one of the 40 amp ones (Switch 1 or 2).... but is that really necessary? Since the compressor is wired directly to the battery and has in-line fuses wouldn't it make more sense to use one of the 15 amp switches (Switch 3 or 4)?

Thanks in advance!

Sponsored

 

[JeepOfTheseus]

When you say direct to battery, do you mean via a relay?

It sounds like you’re planning to wire the pressure switch to the aux switch, and yes - that draws very little, I have a 5A fuse on mine. Curious about your overall wiring plan, though.

 

[same_O_G]

When you say direct to battery, do you mean via a relay?

It sounds like you’re planning to wire the pressure switch to the aux switch, and yes - that draws very little, I have a 5A fuse on mine. Curious about your overall wiring plan, though.

Sorry, should have been more descriptive.

I just meant I'm not running an aftermarket fuse block. The wiring harness that comes with the ARB compressor has a fuse and a relay built into it. So I'm going to run the red/black main power lines from the harness direct to the battery terminals. I assumed that would be fine, but now you have me second guessing it, LOL.

If you have a minute to watch it, the [Banned Site] guy has a video on Youtube that I'm following. You can fast forward to the wiring part, which toward the end.

It seemed pretty straightforward, save for the part where he says to use one of the 40 amp aux switches. That didn't really make sense to me...

 

[JeepOfTheseus]

Yea, their provided harness is fine, if not a bit convoluted because I think it comes with a switch (illuminated, too, iirc) and it also provides expansion for adding two lockers.

It sounds like you have the right idea. One of the simplest diagrams I have seen is the following:

The 40A here is of course the one between the battery and relay. As you pointed out, that's where the compressor itself is drawing power from (via the relay, once it's closed by the switch). The relay coil itself only draws like 150-200mA. So no, 40A aux switch is not necessary. Even 15A is overkill. It takes very little to close the relay.

What's slightly unique here is the pressure switch, which sits between your actual aux switch and the relay. The label indicates that it draws up to 5A, hence my fuse size choice.

The only reason you'd use a 40A switch is if the compressor were drawing directly from it, but that doesn't really make sense to do because you need to make use of the pressure switch. If you just powered the compressor on directly via a switch, it would run non-stop.

The "S-Tech" wire leading out at the very top of this diagram is basically your aux switch wire that you choose to use.

 

[same_O_G]

Yea, their provided harness is fine, if not a bit convoluted because I think it comes with a switch (illuminated, too, iirc) and it also provides expansion for adding two lockers.

It sounds like you have the right idea. One of the simplest diagrams I have seen is the following:

The 40A here is of course the one between the battery and relay. As you pointed out, that's where the compressor itself is drawing power from (via the relay, once it's closed by the switch). The relay coil itself only draws like 150-200mA. So no, 40A aux switch is not necessary. Even 15A is overkill. It takes very little to close the relay.

What's slightly unique here is the pressure switch, which sits between your actual aux switch and the relay. The label indicates that it draws up to 5A, hence my fuse size choice.

The only reason you'd use a 40A switch is if the compressor were drawing directly from it, but that doesn't really make sense to do because you need to make use of the pressure switch. If you just powered the compressor on directly via a switch, it would run non-stop.

The "S-Tech" wire leading out at the very top of this diagram is basically your aux switch wire that you choose to use.

Dude, you are awesome. That's perfect. Thank you.

 

[Jaxmax]

I did my single the way Ryan is showing you ,yes use one of the lower amp rated aux switches. I’m very pleased with the single for my 33” tires 18 to 39 pounds in about a minute and a half a tire…..Jack

 

[same_O_G]

Thanks guys! I think I should be good to go now .. but I wont know for a bit. The compressor didnt come with the T-fitting thingy that you need to connect the pressure switch and hose coupler to the unit. So now I have to order one and wait ?

Sponsored