Compressor mounted under seat?

[Rhetly Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rhetly]

Hi All

I am about to install an onboard compressor and was intending on putting it in the engine bay, however I have heard mention that a few people mount them under one of the front seats.

Apart from being out of the elements, are there any other benefits to mounting it in the cab? Knowing that they are designed and pre-tested to be exposed to a certain degree 'weathering', i just thought there may be some reasons that I have failed to see why they are much better off inside the cab.

At this stage I am leaning towards the engine bay positioning, as with a young family I don't like the idea of waking a sleeping dragon in the back if I need to use the air. But want to consider all options before the drill comes out!

Cheers, Rhet

[ozwapet2 Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close ozwapet2]

Re: Compressor mounted under seat?

I think one the main reasons people mount them under the bonnet is because you need a direct connection to the battery, and fairly heavy cables needed to supply the current.

It's easy to run these cables around the engine bay to the battery, but slighlty more effort routing them through the firewall and under the seat.

[bilo33prado Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close bilo33prado]

Re: Compressor mounted under seat?

Ther's all so a lot of heat and noise generated? IMO i don't think i'd put it in the cab? Even after use it holds it's heat for a long time.

[clifton Advanced Member Find all posts View Profile Close clifton]

Re: Compressor mounted under seat?

Hi Rhetly,
No way would I put an air compressor under a seat, the Guys are spot on with their info, the compressor cylinder heads and crankcase get very hot and remain so for a fair amount of time so yes heat soak is a big issue, also you need substantial supply cabling from the battery +Ve and -VE terminals with would need to come through the firewall bulkhead grommet. My ARB underbonnet compressor still runs like new after a couple of years now.
Hope this helps a little

[Rhetly Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Rhetly]

Re: Compressor mounted under seat?

The feedback is greatly appreciated.

The 2 main points that have arisen out of this are ones that I had completely overlooked. Obviously the heat generated is an issue but the cabling certainly, I hadn't even thought of. The rubber boot through the firewall is already struggling for room with the amount of wires connected to switches without putting some heavier power cables through it as well.

It will be going under the bonnet.

Cheers, Rhet

[Boomslang Senior Member Find all posts View Profile Close Boomslang]

Re: Compressor mounted under seat?

mmm.... I had an ARB compressor installed a few weeks ago. I was going to put it in the enginge bay but Mannell Motors convinced me that the spot under the passenger seat will protect the compressor better. Reluctantly I gave in but I must say after going bush the other day and gave it a test run, I'm very happy with the decision. It was very quick to access, not as loud as I feared and the heat was not an issue at all. I was already inflating before the other guys had the engine bay open and the noise is dampened by the seat. The unit was fitted with a flange to protect you from the hot parts. Now I have a spot empty in the engine bay to fit something else. Very happy. I tested the unit and the compressor takes just over 2 mins to inflate my Cooper ST from 20psi to 40psi. I can post some pics if anybody is interested.

[Jvg Lurker Find all posts View Profile Close Jvg]

Re: Compressor mounted under seat?

Can you perhaps send me some pics, i would like to install my compressor there as well. I am sure it will last longer...

[mcsumway Junior Member Find all posts View Profile Close mcsumway]

Re: Compressor mounted under seat?

Just a note with fitting the compressor under the seats. If you decide to go to lockers you can get diff oil up the lines and filling the cabin - IT STINKS.

I would never do it again.