Viair 88P Keeps Blowing Fuses....?

[Crow Horse]

I recently did some minor mods to my Viair 88p compressor. New gauge, swapped out the hose for a 25' Flexzilla hose, and replaced the battery clamps with a Anderson connector. I ran about 6' of 10AWG directly from the battery to another Anderson connector.

The fuse blows after using the compressor a bit and I had this issue before I did the mods. Today, for example, I topped off 3 tires without issue but on #4 the fuse blew. Replaced it and it blew again. Putz around scratching my head and replaced it again and it filled the tire without issue. The compressor isn't new and I've had it for a number of years but almost never got used as I preferred using my CO2 tank for fast top offs. I'll be relying on the compressor more now so I'd like to resolve this issue. I searched for slow blow ATO/ATC fuses but no joy. I'm going to try a 20a circuit breaker type III and see if that helps.

Any ideas as what might be causing the excessive amp draw? I'm guessing that it runs just at the cusp of the 20a threshold.

 

[rancherbill]

I ran about 6' of 10AWG directly from the battery to another Anderson connector.

I think 10awg is way too light for 20a at 12v.

 

[BrandonV]

The engine is running, right?

 

[RTM]

Unless you are really far away, Viair thinks you are fine

Wiring & Plumbing Diagrams

www.viaircorp.com

 

[BillK]

Check the voltage at the battery and at the compressor or at the closest connector. Low voltage will result in higher current draw. If one of your connectors has a high resistance it might be causing the problem.

 

[danielbuck]

I think 10awg is way too light for 20a at 12v.

most charts say 10gauge is fine for 20amps, especially for only 6 feet long.

 

[BrandonV]

Check the voltage at the battery and at the compressor or at the closest connector. Low voltage will result in higher current draw. If one of your connectors has a high resistance it might be causing the problem.

This. It's why they want the vehicle running.

 

[Crow Horse]

Thanks guys! I'll check the voltage at the connection and report back.
Yes, engine running.

 

[Luciferi]

you need a bigger fuse than 20a if your compressor pulls 20a. Is viair’s 20a rating at 14.4 volts or 12v? At 12v it will be more than 20a. It sounds like the fuse is getting hot and letting go from being undersized. Put a 30a in.

Also i have been seeing poorly made chicom molded fuse holders that get hot as hell from poor internal connections.

 

[BrandonV]

Is viair’s 20a rating at 14.4 volts or 12v?

The former from my experience.

 

[Crow Horse]

These are the performance specs for the compressor. At 30 psi the chart states that it pulls 18a's. I'm also using 25' of hose as compared to the original 16', if that makes any significant difference (?).
Battery voltage is 13.75v and at the connector it read. 13.74v, so the battery to connector run seems to be good.

 

[5ubtle]

... Battery voltage is 13.75v and at the connector it read. 13.74v, so the battery to connector run seems to be good ...

Is that with the compressor pumping? If so, that is crazy low resistance. If not, please check it as close to the compressor as possible, while the compressor is pumping.

As suggested before, you should probably put a 25-30A fuse in it and call it a day.

 

[WWheeler]

I don't know what size tires you are trying to fill but I bought an 88P and quickly found out I would max out it's duty cycle whenever trying to air back up all four 33" ties after deflating them for offroad. It would kick the fuse every time it got near its limit unless I gave it rest for a while before continuing. I bought a 400P instead and it's been great for going on 8 years now. I gave that 88P away to my brother and he still has it.

 

[Crow Horse]

Is that with the compressor pumping? If so, that is crazy low resistance. If not, please check it as close to the compressor as possible, while the compressor is pumping.

That was without a load.
Stock 265's airing up from 25psi to 32psi.

Wasn't able to measure the amp draw because the gauge that was lent to me wasn't suitable for the application. I'll try using a 25a fuse and see where that leaves me. From what you guys have shared and read in other places, when the compressor is running it's quite close to drawing 20a's. As it heats up it'll draw more amperage and depending on how long it's run it might blow the 20a fuse. It seems to make sense to me. I'm not a fan of putting in a larger fuse but in this case it might be the answer.

 

[RTM]

Or a circuit breaker.

If you can set up an ammeter test before committing to the change would be best.

 

[Crow Horse]

Replaced the original fuse holder with a Posi-Lock fuse holder with a 20a breaker. Used it once and no issues. So far so good.