Install Viair Constant Duty Air Compressor/Air Horns On My 2017 Ram 5500

[Wiredawg]

Friends,

I'm back! Just when I thought is was going to whoop this out, I read the Ram Upfitter Guide as a refresher AND discovered the 40 AMP Aux Switches/Circuits are rated a 28 AMPs continuous duty! Holy Crap BATMAN. Anyhoo, going to configure it ANYWAY. It should blow the fuse before it FRIES the system, shouldn't it if it's running 30 or 35 Amps continuous duty air compressor? We'll SEE.

PS: If OEM Aux System DOES crap out, I guess I can use the 40A (28A continuous) circuit to operated yet another relay (100A rated) AND 40A resettable fuse directly off the battery.

Cheers, Ron

 

[TFucili]

Pretty quick and tidy to just add the extra relay anyway, no?

 

[Wiredawg]

Pretty quick and tidy to just add the extra relay anyway, no?

Tom,

Yes Sir! Just a little disappointing. I'll read my Viair again tomorrow and verify numbers again. In fact, I have all the STUFF already to do it.

Thanks a bunch! Ron

 

[Wiredawg]

The Fire Drill is OVER. Had this been and ACTUAL emergency, there would have been smoke in the cabin. I just got GOOD NEWS: Check this out:

450C is a continuous duty cycle compressor. Features include a standard 1/4” NPT stainless steel braided leader hose with inline check valve and insulated wiring for simple installation.

Note: Use thread sealant for proper installation. Thread tape is not recommended. Properly sealed, recommended torque is 12 to 15 ft. lbs.

FEATURES
– Thermal Overload Protector
– Check Valve
– Vibration Isolators
– Mounting Hardware
– Stainless Steel Braided Leader Hose
– Air Line for Remote Mount Air Filter
– Remote Mount Air Filter Assembly
– (2) Replacement Air Filter Elements
– Installation Instructions
SPECIFICATIONS
– 12-Volt
– Permanent Magnetic Motor
– Duty Cycle: 100% @ 100 PSI
– Max. Working Pressure: 150 PSI
– Max. Air Tank Size: 5.0 Gallon
– Max. 12V Amp Draw: 23 Amps
– Ingress Protection Rating: IP67
– Dimensions: 10.6″L x 4″W x 6.87″H
– Net Weight: 10.80 lbs.

SOOOO, Nevermind! First plan...Good Plan.

Cheers, Ron

 

[JR]

I did not know Viair makes portable units as well. I came across one at a truck stop of all places. 25 minute duty cycle @30 psi, 120 psi max, 20 amp rating. Comes with a quality 16 ft air hose with 10 ft power lead. Rated for up to a 33" tire.

I'm not an impulse shopper but for $60 I figured why not....figured it would be a good addition to the tote box in the camper on road trips. I've used it around here a handful of times as well, it's a handy little deal.
For the price point it actually performs very well.

 

[TFucili]

I have the 450RV kit I carry in my truck. Works well.

 

[AH64ID]

450C is a great compressor. I’ve had a couple of them over the years. No issues, as you noticed, with the 40A aux switch.

I went with a 400 this time. Similar size, but nearly double the fill rate. In the last 13 years that I’ve owned 450’s I’ve never needed the continuous duty cycle, so I opted for speed this time. It also happens to draw the magic 28A that our circuits are rated for.

Im very pleased with how easy the aux switches were to wire, but I would have preferred the pigtails to be 10ga. I’m sure it won’t cause any issues thou.

 

[JR]

I have the 450RV kit I carry in my truck. Works well.

Is that the constant duty cycle rig with the nifty carry bag?
When I bought the 88 I looked it up online, wow. They have a nice assortment. In hind sight I probably should have held off and spent a little more coin on the next model up but this little guy does well enough for what I do.

 

[TFucili]

Is that the constant duty cycle rig with the nifty carry bag?
When I bought the 88 I looked it up online, wow. They have a nice assortment. In hind sight I probably should have held off and spent a little more coin on the next model up but this little guy does well enough for what I do.

Yes, that's the one. I have aired up my old 2500 rear tires from empty mode @55 psi +/- to 80 psi, and it is reasonably fast for a portable.

 

[AH64ID]

Is that the constant duty cycle rig with the nifty carry bag?
When I bought the 88 I looked it up online, wow. They have a nice assortment. In hind sight I probably should have held off and spent a little more coin on the next model up but this little guy does well enough for what I do.

My brother has the 88P and will go from 25-30 up to 65-80 on all 4 corners prepping to leave elk camp. It does well. He takes his time and doesn’t exceed the duty cycle.

 

[JR]

I just can't believe I didn't know these exist. When I saw this one in the aisle way it was like finding a unicorn to me
I really thought I was on to something new. Turns out I just live under a rock

 

[DavidC]

I just can't believe I didn't know these exist. When I saw this one in the aisle way it was like finding a unicorn to me
I really thought I was on to something new. Turns out I just live under a rock

Need to get out more ?

 

[HPSimpson]

I have a Extreme Air Compressor 3/4hp, 49 amp draw @ 100psi, 1.5 cfm 100@ psi 120 psi pressure switch 2 gal air tank mounted in fender area. I have mounted the compressor with 1/2" rubber pads to cut down the noise this bird puts out, fills my Jeep tires real quick. At least it's not still on the drawing board.

 

[AH64ID]

My dad has an extreme air, thou I’m not sure of the model. It’s huge! Takes up 3-4x the space of my 400C, or even my previous 450C.

While my 400C isn’t continuous it does 1.45CFM@100 psi and only draws 27 amps. It fills my tires fast enough to not need a continuous duty rating.

 

[Wiredawg]

Friends,

I didn't complete my compressor installation due to not being happy with location inside the truck. This is the last portion to finalize the installation. As a side note, I had thought about tapping trucks instruments lights for the air compressor gauge light, but read it's not recommended, even though I am using an LED bulb. Instead, I installed a dimmer switch and will run battery lead through 3 amp fuse connected to aux sw 1, also feeding compressor. Here are pics of gauge testing dimmer switch:


lowest dim setting

and full brightness

And location:

So, I may complete tomorrow, yeah, yeah, I know... but finally am certain where i want the gauge and air horn on/off switch.

Che-eers, Ron

 

[AH64ID]

You might not be as tall, but I wouldn’t be able to get in/out of the truck with it there. My knee almost touches the dash as I climb in, out has a little more clearance.

 

[Wiredawg]

You might not be as tall, but I wouldn’t be able to get in/out of the truck with it there. My knee almost touches the dash as I climb in, out has a little more clearance.

Yeah, I have a Sasquatch sized friend that's 6ft 6in, and he would definitely hit it. I'm right sized at 5ft 10in so no problemo. I may get Genos single steering column gauge mount if I end up not liking this.

Cheers, big fella!
Ron

 

[HPSimpson]

Two things I will mention, first need better location for mounting the gauge as for power switch is-there no Aux switch available? Second thing the light is way to bright! dim down less reflection, and easier to view not blind you.

 

[Wiredawg]

Two things I will mention, first need better location for mounting the gauge as for power switch is-there no Aux switch available? Second thing the light is way to bright! dim down less reflection, and easier to view not blind you.

Homer,

My answer to two things:
1. My knee doesn't come close to touching it and I can see it unobstructed. Original location in dash required drilling the covey, then using grinder on Dremel to tilt gauge face towards driver position. too much.

2. The dimmer switch controls the brightness, pic one is lowest setting and 2nd is highest setting. I am wiring the fused gauge LED in parallel with compressor on Aux SW 1. I don't configure my Aux Switches for auto on with ignition, meaning after startup, I'll turn Aux SW

Aux Sw 2 is wired ACC on for LED Backup Lights; Aux SW 3 is IGN on docking LED lights; Aux SW 4 is CB; and Aux SW 5 us reserved for LED lights in tow body tool boxes. The higher end tow bodies have them, and sometime I will install them.

Thanks for the input...

Cheers, Ron

 

[HPSimpson]

Ron,
Sounds like all aux switches are taken, scratch that item moving on I had gauges near door before and had to move then I have big feet! So i rest my ideal good luck.