Vehicle Tyre Compressor wired direct from battery to pump. Wire overheats.

[BML]

I just bought a 12 volt tyre compressor and the instructions say connect it directly from the battery. The pump worked well but when I disconnected it the wires were very hot. Does this mean that the wire is not sufficiently robust?

 

[Richard Burns]

Yes really.
The wires may well get quite warm but should not get hot.i.e. hotter than you can hold for a while.
If they are getting hot then they are taking more current than they can readily handle and if the compressor is left running they may start to melt.
The supply cables should probably be of a thicker diameter or they maybe only planned for very short term use (not a good design)

 

[telectrix]

or a poor connection to the battery terminal/s crearting a high resistance.also, as Richard said, these compressors are only rated for short term use. some even say to disconnect after a minute or 2 and allow to cool.

 

[PEG]

^ As above,the instructions,probably an amusing translation,will state a "duty cycle". This may be 2 mins on,8 mins off. In practical terms,this is usually ignored,as everybody wants their tyre pumped up...not HALF pumped up...

With judicial use,warm,soft cables,are a regular issue.

I have a similar compressor,an RAC 900,i think,which has been in use for 7 or 8 years,now. I tweeked the relief valve,to allow it to reach 95 psi,my trailer tyres requiring this.

On occasion,i have had to drape a wet cloth on the compressor head,but it still functions :yesnod: