Possible area for mounting a Thors Lightning dual air compressor (1 Viewer)

[Adrenaline6]

I bought a Thors Lightning compressor on sale at Prime days and was brain storming on if I could mount it in the emgine compartment. Measuring the power steering reservoir area, and thinking if I move it off to the side, there might be enough room.

So I went down a rabbit hole and moved the reservoir off to the side to see if it would fit. I had to take off one of the hoses on the reservoir to get it on the other side of another hose to allow it to be moved.

Before:

After:

I then checked to see if the compressor fit. It looks like it will....barely. I will have to make a custom bracket to lift the compressor up so it sits above the bracket mounting the airbox it will fit.

What do you guys think? Do you foresee any problems with this? I plan to shield the hoses touching each other with rubber shielding just in case and those screws mounting the reservoir are temporary and will be changed out.

I tell you what...a custom all in one bracket that will use the existing mounting holes that will mount the reservoir off to the side and lift the compressor to the right height would be awesome! I'd buy one. Maybe if enough guys show interest @turbo8 will design one and sell it.

 

[skrypj]

I have a different version of the same pump(Stop and Go off Amazon) and i wouldn’t wanna mount it in the engine bay. It already gets pretty hot just filling through my 4 tire inflator, nevermind getting pre-heat soaked by the engine. You gotta run the engine while it’s pumping since it draws so much current and then it’s just gunna be sucking in hot air from the cooling fan. The intakes are under the black caps.

 

[Adrenaline6]

I see. They say it's rated for under hood mounting but someone who has used it a bunch should know. I wonder what the thermal kickoff temp is?

 

[Fisher23]

Slee makes a aux battery mount that fits there .. you could likely use it.

I have the ARB air pump mounted over by the fuse box.

 

[skrypj]

I see. They say it's rated for under hood mounting but someone who has used it a bunch should know. I wonder what the thermal kickoff temp is?

I don’t think there is one. They are pretty dumb. I modified mine to incorporate a ARB pressure cutoff switch and replaced the stock air fitting with a Flexzilla high flow quick connect.

Best I could tell the pump is just the rocker switch and a 12V relay. Unless the relay itself has a built in temp cutoff it doesn’t have one.

You can see my mods to mine here:

Log in

www.f150ecoboost.net

Don’t get me wrong, I love the pump, it’s an absolute monster, but I just don’t know how it would do under the hood. It’s drawing a ton of power and moving a lot of air.

 

[dubaicruiser]

Was planning but was a bit hesitant to do this, as I was wondering the engine heat (plus the ambient temperature here: summers upto 50C) will cook the compressor or the parts? What you all think?

 

[Adrenaline6]

I don’t think there is one. They are pretty dumb. I modified mine to incorporate a ARB pressure cutoff switch and replaced the stock air fitting with a Flexzilla high flow quick connect.

Best I could tell the pump is just the rocker switch and a 12V relay. Unless the relay itself has a built in temp cutoff it doesn’t have one.

You can see my mods to mine here:

Log in

www.f150ecoboost.net

Don’t get me wrong, I love the pump, it’s an absolute monster, but I just don’t know how it would do under the hood. It’s drawing a ton of power and moving a lot of air.

That link just took me to a login page for that forum.

According to the Thor's website, there is a 150 psi auto cutoff switch already. Not sure if your intention was to install a lower cutoff pressure or not.

I wrote the manufacturer asking about thermal cutoff and operating temps. We'll see what they send back.

EDIT: Got this from the website also: "The Thor's Lightning Bolt True Dual Air Compressor is equipped standard with an 80-120 PSI Pressure Switch for air tank applications and use with air tools".

 

[Adrenaline6]

Ok....I got a reply ftom the manufacturer. On their units, there is a thermal cutoff built in. They recommend mounting it in tailgate/trunk area for Jeeps because their engine bay is known to have heat dispersion issues, but says most engine bays with secondary battery areas should not have any issues.

 

[TeCKis300]

I would caution that area for that compressor. It does see some heat and environmental factors. Enough that it will probably cause an early failure, or failure right when you need it. Low speed off-road crawling really spikes the heat underhood.

I'll say I have my compressors there too, but they are commercial grade IP rated.

Here's a couple threads with more context and temp data.

Having done a power steering relocation mod recently for a yet to be completed twinz project, thought this would be useful for others on how to create a simple and effective relocation bracket. I know others have needed to relocate the PS for other reasons, including fitting dual batts.

Here's the relocation position. This is probably as simple as it gets, as there's no need for any re-plumbing or cracking open the PS circuit for that matter. Plumbing elbows and clearance fits like a glove in this position while also maintaining rubber isolation. Using an unused mounting ear off the radiator.

View attachment 2558494


Remove PS tripod bracket from fender and PS resevoir.

Two major fab steps. One inner fender modification.
1) Modify bracket by cutting it in half, preserving this half of the bracket with one foot and the reservoir holder upright

View attachment 2558488

2) Create a band clamp with a mounting ear and hole large enough for an M8 bolt. I used a 4" band clamp I had around in the garage, but it was longer than I needed so possibly a 3" one could work? Best with a 4" as it's easy enough to cut off excess. Bend and fold a mounting ear into the band. Though want to mock and bend once so as not to fatigue break the strap. It should fold easily in a vice or pliers.

View attachment 2558493

3) Use aluminum stock to make a bracket extension from existing hole to partial tripod bracket. Or drill and tap hole directly in fender which should work. I mounted to flat stock that also integrates to the rest of my project.

View attachment 2558495

I have the second TC in free air adjacent to the PS reservoir. The spots where the two curves come closer together was a brief freeway section. Generally the shroud seems to work well in keeping temps stable and quite a bit lower than underhood air temp at city speeds.
View attachment 3628094

 

[Adrenaline6]

I would caution that area for that compressor. It does see some heat and environmental factors. Enough that it will probably cause an early failure, or failure right when you need it. Low speed off-road crawling really spikes the heat underhood.

I'll say I have my compressors there too, but they are commercial grade IP rated.

Here's a couple threads with more context and temp data.

Ok... that's 2 guys with experience saying no-go, so that's enough for me. In my younger days, I might not have listened, but older and wiser as they say.

What about mounting it on a molle driver side rear window panel? It does have some weight to it. That concerns me. I don't know how strong the mounting points are.

 

[Valgrind]

I have one of these too and my plan is to mount it in the trunk. I have space on the sides of my drawers, since they were made to fit with the rear seats installed so I can fit it on side.

Thors lighting has a setup for quick disconnects so I am going to run wires under the truck and somehow… get them into the back, probably where the jack goes. I am going to hard mount the compressor down, I think this will be the most convenient for me since I have the air hoses in the drawers anyways.

 

[Adrenaline6]

I asked Victory if the molle side panels could handle the weight and they wouldn't commit to a yes. They said the mounting points are strong but never tested a compressor that heavy attached to it, so do it at your own risk