Running an air compressor from the NATO Plug

[TexasCrane]

Hi,
I recently picked up a Morrflate setup for airing up/down. I've got their 4 wheel hose, their new Air Hub, and the FiveSix portable compressor. I really, really like this set up. It's super fast and easy to air up/down. This is my first vehicle without onboard air. I prefer it to the onboard ARB compressors I've had in the past.

One thing that I learned very quickly however is that when you pop the hood to hook up the compressor, you immediately have folks stopping to check on you thinking that you've got mechanical problems with the truck. I was thinking it would be pretty slick (and actually more convenient) to power the compressor from the rear NATO plug.

In my ideal scenario, I'd cut the gator clamps off the compressor and add some kind of connector that allows me to either use the gator camps or a nato plug with a pigtail coming off of it. It seems like that should be doable, but I'm honestly out of my depth when it comes to 12V wiring that can support 70+ peak amps (40 continuous) and have no idea what connectors I need to make that happen. I've got plenty of experience with Anderson plugs for much lower amp applications and wiring up "normal" vehicle stuff like lights and ham radios. Can anybody point me in the right direction as to what I need to make this happen? Thanks!

 

[Tazzieman]

Read this thread. Don't fry your vehicle!
NATO mods

 

[Rok_Dr]

For the loads you are contemplating the following sort of adaptor might work. https://www.ctals.com.au/products/ctals-vg96917-to-sb120-dr-25-50mm2-1m?variant=44314824933635

Remember:

• INEOS only warrant the use of the NATO plug to power the rear portable winch. all other uses potentially void the warranty.
• As standard the auto trans needs to be in neutral and vehicle travelling <80kph for the circuit relay to work. This can be modified. See the link in @Tazzieman's post.

Cheers
Steve

 

[AUDIOBUS]

I run a similar setup and use the rear cargo 12v cigarette plug. I cut the battery clamps off the leads and made anderson connections between everything.

• 12v cigarette to anderson
• NATO to anderson
• battery clamps to anderson
• anderson to compressor

And after giving myself all the options I've never used anything but the cigarette plug to the compressor... works great! [edit note: compressor is single cylinder 20a, I've not yet blown the 15a fuse]

 

[aumenta]

I run a similar setup and use the rear cargo 12v cigarette plug. I cut the battery clamps off the leads and made anderson connections between everything.

• 12v cigarette to anderson
• NATO to anderson
• battery clamps to anderson
• anderson to compressor

And after giving myself all the options I've never used anything but the cigarette plug to the compressor... works great! [edit note: compressor is single cylinder 20a, I've not yet blown the 15a fuse]

Can you post any pics? looking to do something similar

 

[holdmybeer]

I’m powering my dual ARB compressor from the NATO outlet.
Compressor is bolted in with Black Sheep hardware.
Wires are fused and reach to the NATO plug, even with door open.
It coils up and fits into the external rear tire compartment.

 

[rovie]

I’m powering my dual ARB compressor from the NATO outlet.
Compressor is bolted in with Black Sheep hardware.
Wires are fused and reach to the NATO plug, even with door open.
It coils up and fits into the external rear tire compartment.

View attachment 7891649

I like your color combination. Is it the Sela green with a beige roof? Or is that lime green? Do you have a photo of the Grenadier from the side?

 

[TexasCrane]

I’m powering my dual ARB compressor from the NATO outlet.
Compressor is bolted in with Black Sheep hardware.
Wires are fused and reach to the NATO plug, even with door open.
It coils up and fits into the external rear tire compartment.

View attachment 7891649

That's almost exactly what I want to build. Do you have a part/tool list?

 

[holdmybeer]

I like your color combination. Is it the Sela green with a beige roof? Or is that lime green? Do you have a photo of the Grenadier from the side?

Yup, Sela Green with Scottish White roof. There should be a side view pic at the top of my user profile if you click on my name. I like the colour a lot. The green looks extremely different under different lighting conditions. It looks good clean but, obviously, it looks best when freshly dirty.

 

[holdmybeer]

That's almost exactly what I want to build. Do you have a part/tool list?

Black Sheep mounting kit

ARB Doppelkompressor Einbausatz Reserverad - Ineos Grenadier online kaufen | Blacksheep Innovations Onlineshop

ARB Doppelkompressor Einbausatz Reserverad - Ineos Grenadier online kaufen im Shop von Blacksheep Innovations ➤ Jetzt mehr erfahren

blacksheep-innovations.shop

NATO plug

2-Pin Plug 24 Volt / 168 Amp, 251270

2-pin slave cable plug, 24 Volt / 168 Amp. P/N 251270. Mates to MS75058-1 or 151211. Easy to assemble, no special tools needed. Solder contacts on pins.

www.eriksmilitarysurplus.com

I used the original ARB wiring harness and fuses. I added some heat shrink tubing to keep things tidier around the fuses and plug. And some strain relief with zip ties. Solder. Iron. Wire cutters and stripper. A hex driver or two. And I think that's about it.\

Depending on the hose or inflation setup you're using, you may need to add a quick release chuck onto the compressor. You see mine there. I use a Morrflate quad 4-tire hose but I guess they're probably all the same. If the chuck is too long, the compartment door may struggle to close.

 

[rovie]

Yup, Sela Green with Scottish White roof. There should be a side view pic at the top of my user profile if you click on my name. I like the colour a lot. The green looks extremely different under different lighting conditions. It looks good clean but, obviously, it looks best when freshly dirty.

Ok. Thank you. In the last photo, the white looked as if it had a proportion of green. But that was due to the reflection. It could have been that you had the roof painted a special color.