Looking for people with more experience to pre mortem an electrical modification.

bigthom · 2026-10-15T10:11:23-0500

Ok, I have a plan that I am curious if it would even work or if there is a better solution:

I have a Viair 400P air compressor. It's fantastic, works great and is very compact. Unfortunately, it runs off the 12v battery via standard alligator clips. They are a bit unreliable to be honest. Also, the battery is not in the most easy to access location with limited space.

If I made a set of pos/neg wires, permanently attached to the battery and terminated in an Anderson type plug, then created a corresponding connection for the compressor, would this create any issues? Could I also create a secondary lead to reconnect the alligator leads when used in another vehicle restoring it to the way it is now?

I am a knuckle dragging, paint slopping, anchor swinging deck ape and I know there are some sparkys that scored higher on their ASVAB than me that could set me straight if I am missing something. Please, have at it. Also, I am open to any other more elegant solutions to this issue.

RideWithYanu · 2026-10-15T10:15:23-0500

Search bar, my friend. Several of us have done exactly this and posted our results. Pretty straightforward little project for sure.

basicxj · 2026-10-15T11:18:54-0500

If that was the compressor I had, that would be the path I'd take with the Land Cruiser- place an Anderson connector on a pair of leads connected to the battery and another one on the Viair after trimming the alligator portion off. If you put a corresponding connector on the alligator portion of the leads, you could plug the compressor into either the LC or the alligator connections for occasions where you'll need them.

wpage · 2026-10-15T11:55:44-0500

As fragile as the battery and electrical system seems on the TLC. Caution should be used with any project regarding the wiring. There are some interesting stand alone compressors and also combo charger compressor units available that may suit your need... The search bar is a friend !!)

GR8Santini · 2026-10-15T12:25:38-0500

On the compressor, cut 12” back from your alligator clips & install a 2-lead male/female Anderson connector.

Female on the compressor lead
Male on your pigtail for the alligator clips.
Get another male Anderson connector & connect to a new pig tail with ring connectors

Choices - You can connect inside @ the battery, or another option is to open the hood & install the Anderson/ring leads coming off the Power Distribution Box (PDB) on passenger side. Just how you want to set it up.

I have my NOCO Gen5 wall mounted. It connects the to ring leads coming off the PDB so when I charge my battery it requires my hood to be open, & now all drivers know to unplug it.
My version of ‘Remove before Flight’ pin!

MSINAL · 2026-10-15T12:33:57-0500

I have the same compressor, I use the underhood battery connections. Image shows the hinged positive terminal cap open, toward top of image. The negative clips to the engine lifting bracket.

Easy to do. Keep the engine running while you air up. You can buy the trailer plug adapter for these compressors, which would be convenient, however I've never tried it.

EOD Guy · 2026-10-15T12:39:57-0500

There would be nothing wrong with using Anderson connectors. As far as attaching a lead from the 12v battery again perfectly ok. You might think about using the "under-hood" jump point vs directly to the 12v battery.

I currently have my ViAir connected to the under-hood jumper point with no ill affects.

You may also consider using some heavy duty 12v connectors vs the Andersons. The reason I suggest this is the 10awg should carry the load just fine and it opens up a host of other possibilities that don't necessarily need 10awg wire. For example a trickle charger, work lights or solar chargers. The best part is the size of the connector vs the size and cost of the Anderson. The Anderson does have a neater wire attachment vs the pig tail that would have to be cut and spliced etc. But if you use shrink wrap and use "woven loom" to cover the entire length of the wire, it results in a factory type/look install.

ultane · 2026-10-15T13:20:12-0500

I wish I could do shit like ^^^that^^^

basicxj · 2026-10-15T13:40:53-0500

ultane said:
I wish I could do shit like ^^^that^^^

Yes, we are fortunate to have him here.

bigthom · 2026-10-15T14:02:04-0500

EOD Guy said:
There would be nothing wrong with using Anderson connectors. As far as attaching a lead from the 12v battery again perfectly ok. You might thing about using the "under-hood" jump point vs directly to the 12v battery.

I currently have my ViAir connected to the under-hood jumper point with no ill affects.

You may also consider using some heavy duty 12v connectors vs the Andersons. The reason I suggest this is the 10awg should carry the load just fine and it opens up a host of other possibilities that don't necessarily need 10awg wire. For example a trickle charger, work lights or solar chargers. The best part is the size of the connector vs the size and cost of the Anderson. The Anderson does have a neater wire attachment vs the pig tail that would have to be cut and spliced etc. But if you use shrink wrap and use "woven loom" to cover the entire length of the wire, it results in a factory type/look install.

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This is extremely helpful. My sincere thanks.

EOD Guy · 2026-10-15T15:01:50-0500

bigthom said:
This is extremely helpful. My sincere thanks.

Should you decide to attach to the 12v battery directly..........

I personally wouldn't recommend connecting to the battery post clamp bolts. There is an unused stud that's protected by a 200 amp fusible link (highlighted in yellow in the pic below). All you need to do is buy a nut and washer that fits the stud. The factory 12v battery's neg cable body connection point is also easy to attach another wire to, leaving both battery post clutter free.

And since your all ready in the ....might as well add a 12v cigar outlet and a push to engage digital voltage meter....... all of which use the same power connection and ground points.

I decided to put pig tails under hood and in the jack storage area. Depending on what I'm doing....camping vs in town driving, having them in both locations provides a lot of versatility.