Scored a MV50 compressor. Should I mount it?

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Hayes

Hayes

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Found the last MV50 air compressor in my area ($25!)

I'm new to the whole airing down process, and I'm certainly not a hard-core off roader, but I'm excited to have the option now.

Should I mount the compressor on my 80? If so, where?

Or should I just leave it portable and carry it around in my box o' stuff?

Hayes
 
I would not mount it under the hood. The unit itself gets very hot, and certainly doesn't need to start out warm/hot when filling tires.

I have mine portable, no big deal.
 
Hayes,
Depends on your intended use. As a package, the MV50 (NV-1050) is a great set up. Bag, coil hose, air chuck, carrying handle, pressure gauge, on/off switch, fused cables, all in one neat and portable package.

That being said, I have mounted mine. I got the MV50 to replace a kludged-up dual small compressor set up that I put together 18 months ago. Where the spare used to be has a 6 gal air tank and a box for the compressor and associated wiring & plumbing. Setting up an OBA rig like this is not a trivial project.

Take a look at CH05's ROTW. He mounted his in the cargo area along with a false floor he installed.

-B-
 
Since you're new to airing down and wheeling I would wait a while and see how often and how you use it. Then you will be better able to determine if you want it mounted or not.
 
see my post here about mounting in my FJ40 - maybe it will help?

BTW, I do not have issues with heat in the engine compartment. I have driven hours out to trails, aired down, wheeled for 4 hours strong, pulled off trail and aired up tires and drove home no problem.
 
Any examples out there of one mounted in an 80 series? :)
 
For those considering mounting the MV50, be sure to run some heavy gauge wire to the unit. In addition to the in-line 30A fuse there is a relay inside the black plastic cover where the switch is located. This relay is labeled 80A. During testing, I had the compressor running for about an hour and the wires going back to the compressor were too small (12 ga) so things overheated. The internal relay failed before the 30A fuse blew so I suspect the relay is not the best quality and obviously not an 80A relay. I replaced it with a Hella 30A relay and it is working fine.

-B-
 
Beowulf said:
For those considering mounting the MV50, be sure to run some heavy gauge wire to the unit. In addition to the in-line 30A fuse there is a relay inside the black plastic cover where the switch is located. This relay is labeled 80A. During testing, I had the compressor running for about an hour and the wires going back to the compressor were too small (12 ga) so things overheated. The internal relay failed before the 30A fuse blew so I suspect the relay is not the best quality and obviously not an 80A relay. I replaced it with a Hella 30A relay and it is working fine.

-B-
Click to expand...

This is good to know. Thanks for the info.
 
BW, this was running the compressor with no load for 1 hr?
 
Beowulf said:
For those considering mounting the MV50, be sure to run some heavy gauge wire to the unit. In addition to the in-line 30A fuse there is a relay inside the black plastic cover where the switch is located. This relay is labeled 80A. During testing, I had the compressor running for about an hour and the wires going back to the compressor were too small (12 ga) so things overheated. The internal relay failed before the 30A fuse blew so I suspect the relay is not the best quality and obviously not an 80A relay. I replaced it with a Hella 30A relay and it is working fine.

-B-
Click to expand...

Funny, I was thinking that same thing yesterday when I was reading up on them. An amplifier installation kit from Crutchfield/Circuit City/etc. with at least an 8 gauge wire would be a good way to go. Car stereo enthusiast sites have charts for telling you what gauge wire you need for what length of run at what amperage -- unfortunately I don't have time to Google it right this moment.
 
The compressor was filling a 6 gal tank to 120psi. There was some cycling between 100psi and 120psi as I was testing the auto-shutoff switch in my OBA system. I pinched an air hose between the body and frame and had to repair the leak and test all the connections.

The switch & relay behind the black plastic cover was a nice touch. The switch triggers the relay and keeps power from going through the switch during operation. The wires were securely soldered to the relay legs and covered with a protective insulation material.

-B-
 
I mounted it next to the driver's seat. I permanently connected the positive wire to the battery so all I have to do is connect the negative clip to any ground point.
mods 009 (Small).webp
 
just used mine the other day. A bit over 1 min / tire from 30 to 40 psi in a 285. Not bad.
 
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