My 2013 Unlimited Rubicon
- Thread starter Ausjeeper
- Start date
Those HIDs likely provide a very good bang for buck option. However the aiming of them kinda sucks - the base has teeth, which if they don't line up perfectly with where you want to aim the light, your kinda SOL. But... they put out a lot of light, and throw it a reasonable distance.
Yeah, if I had my choice I'd want to be able to see 1800 ft+ (500+ yrds) ditch to ditch. Not so much because I'm driving too fast (usually 90/100), but for a comfort pov. Being able to see that far makes driving at night stress free, and basically turns it into just another drive.
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Ausjeeper
Observer
Well I can't believe I've done it, but after looking at the price of those cheaper Aliexpress HID driving lights, I ordered a similar pair off E-bay. Extremely cheap set at $82.00 for the pair. I don't hold much hope of them giving off good quality light, but worth a try. If they don't work out, I'll give them to my son to mount on his Nissan Patrol.
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Ausjeeper
Observer
Wanting to fit an ARB compressor, and with very little spare space under the bonnet, I decided to mount my ARB CKMA12 compressor under the drivers seat.
It was out with the seat.
Compressor bolted to the seat frame (using existing holes).
Switch mounted on outside edge of seat frame.
Fitted a short section of hose on the compressor with a Ryco quick release fitting for attaching the main tyre inflation hose.
It was out with the seat.
Compressor bolted to the seat frame (using existing holes).
Switch mounted on outside edge of seat frame.
Fitted a short section of hose on the compressor with a Ryco quick release fitting for attaching the main tyre inflation hose.
X-plorenow
Adventurer
Looks good. Plan to run air lockers? If so your passenger will have a nice vibrating seat. :Wow1:
Ausjeeper
Observer
No the electric lockers on the Rubicon are doing their job so far, it's only used for tyre inflation. It shouldn't run much even if air lockers were fitted, as the compressor should only run for a very short time when the lockers are engaged, or that's what the air locker in my Nissan Patrol did. Normally when the compressor is running a lot for the lockers there's a problem with an air leak.
Ausjeeper
Observer
Jimbo I understand your concern, and wonder where you think the best spot for mounting them is? What are your thoughts on mounting these compressors in the engine bays, which a lot do, and in fact there are companies making mounting plates specifically for this location. I couldn't think of a worse spot to mount a compressor, as not only are they subject to prolonged heat exposure when not being used, but are drawing all that hot air in when being used also. So hot air is being compressed, and heating up even further.
If you look at the photo below, there is plenty of air to circulate around my compressor when working, and most times this air is only at ambient temperature, or less thanks to the air conditioner running to keep the interior of the vehicle cool. There is also a hug amount of space between the compressor and the seat bottom material, and if anything, the carpet is the closest to the heat of the compressor.
After reading your post, I was confident that heat build up wasn't a problem under the seat, however decided to do some temperature checks on, not only the compressor motor and compressor receiver tank, but also on the seat material under the seat, just to confirm my thoughts and belief.
I dropped all of my tyre (285.70R17) pressures to 15 psi, and then re-inflated them to 30 psi, taking temperature readings as each tyre was inflated.
Temperature reading were taken with an infra-red temperature gun.
First tyre inflated to 30 psi.
- Inflation time - 1 minute 20 second
- Motor temperature - 24 degrees (c) or 75 degrees (f)
- Tank temperature - 25 degrees (c) or 77 degrees (f)
- Under seat material temperature - 17 degrees (c) or 62 degrees (f)
Second tyre inflated to 30 psi.
- Inflation time - 1 minute 36 second
- Motor temperature - 33 degrees (c) or 91 degrees (f)
- Tank temperature - 33 degrees (c) or 91 degrees (f)
- Under seat material temperature - 20 degrees (c) or 68 degrees (f)
Third tyre inflated to 30 psi.
- Inflation time - 1 minute 40 second
- Motor temperature - 41 degrees (c) or 106 degrees (f)
- Tank temperature - 40 degrees (c) or 104 degrees (f)
- Under seat material temperature - 20 degrees (c) or 68 degrees (f)
Forth tyre inflated to 30 psi.
- Inflation time - 1 minute 50 second
- Motor temperature - 51 degrees (c) or 124 degrees (f)
- Tank temperature - 52 degrees (c) or 126 degrees (f)
- Under seat material temperature - 23 degrees (c) or 73 degrees (f)
At the end of the test I also took temperature readings from the seat frame, and from the carpet around the compressor, and the highest reading I got was 35 degrees (c) or 95 degrees (f).
After this test I am confident that there is absolutely no chance of any of the material around the compressor being damaged due to heat, nor is there any chance of the under seat material catching on fire.
Thank you for raising the issue though, as if you hadn't I wouldn't have done this test and known for sure.
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JIMBO
Expedition Leader
:sombrero: Blimey, you make the bloody blodger work !
Heh Heh, thanx for the proving run, should be OK-I've had mine under the hood, mounted to the Brake master cylinder, for over 4 years/w no heat problems and evidently mine isn't the only place to put that compressor !
Good luck
:costumed-smiley-007 JIMBO
Jimbo I understand your concern, and wonder where you think the best spot for mounting them is? What are your thoughts on mounting these compressors in the engine bays, which a lot do, and in fact there are companies making mounting plates specifically for this location. I couldn't think of a worse spot to mount a compressor, as not only are they subject to prolonged heat exposure when not being used, but are drawing all that hot air in when being used also. So hot air is being compressed, and heating up even further.
If you look at the photo below, there is plenty of air to circulate around my compressor when working, and most times this air is only at ambient temperature, or less thanks to the air conditioner running to keep the interior of the vehicle cool. There is also a hug amount of space between the compressor and the seat bottom material, and if anything, the carpet is the closest to the heat of the compressor.
After reading your post, I was confident that heat build up wasn't a problem under the seat, however decided to do some temperature checks on, not only the compressor motor and compressor receiver tank, but also on the seat material under the seat.
I dropped all of my tyre (285.70R17) pressures to 15 psi, and then re-inflated them to 30 psi, taking temperature readings as each tyre was inflated.
Temperature reading were teken with an infra-red temperature gun.
First tyre inflated to 30 psi.
- Inflation time - 1 minute 20 second
- Motor temperature - 24 degrees (c) or 75 degrees (f)
- Tank temperature - 25 degrees (c) or 77 degrees (f)
- Under seat material temperature - 17 degrees (c) or 62 degrees (f)
Second tyre inflated to 30 psi.
- Inflation time - 1 minute 36 second
- Motor temperature - 33 degrees (c) or 91 degrees (f)
- Tank temperature - 33 degrees (c) or 91 degrees (f)
- Under seat material temperature - 20 degrees (c) or 68 degrees (f)
Third tyre inflated to 30 psi.
- Inflation time - 1 minute 40 second
- Motor temperature - 41 degrees (c) or 106 degrees (f)
- Tank temperature - 40 degrees (c) or 104 degrees (f)
- Under seat material temperature - 20 degrees (c) or 68 degrees (f)
Forth tyre inflated to 30 psi.
- Inflation time - 1 minute 50 second
- Motor temperature - 51 degrees (c) or 124 degrees (f)
- Tank temperature - 52 degrees (c) or 126 degrees (f)
- Under seat material temperature - 23 degrees (c) or 73 degrees (f)
At the end of the test I also took temperature readings from the seat frame, and from the carpet around the compressor, and the highest reading I got was 35 degrees (c) or 95 degrees (f).
After this test I am confident that there is absolutely no chance of any of the material around the compressor being damaged due to heat, nor is there any chance of the under seat material catching on fire.
Thank you for raising the issue though, as if you hadn't I wouldn't have done this test and known for sure.
Heh Heh, thanx for the proving run, should be OK-I've had mine under the hood, mounted to the Brake master cylinder, for over 4 years/w no heat problems and evidently mine isn't the only place to put that compressor !
Good luck
:costumed-smiley-007 JIMBO
I think he tested/ documented well. Nice job Ausjeeper! My concern was also for heat build up when I read this thread. While the seat material may not ignite per say, other debris could. leaves, bugs, etc find their way under our seats from time to time. If something smaller like that (think tinder), you could start a fire under there.
I have seen rear trays set up for compressors in the back above the rear wheel well. That may be an alternate place to keep an eye on things and easy to utilize from that location.
Most people that I know running a compressor have theirs under the hood, They do have their hood wide open when filling tires or running air tools. Circulation is great under there. These compressors are made to withstand the elements. While I agree sucking in hot air and heating it more may slow that compressor down some or possibly time out due to overheating, I don't feel this being an issue with 33" tires..esp. on that compressor. It is well built!!!! On filling 35's or larger, running air tools, etc, I can see the underseat mount a concern.
Respectfully...just my 2 cents.
