bb123

What's going on guys. So I installed one of those pep boys red air horns with the dual red trumpets and the little compressor.

I wired it directly to the factory +/- and I thought it was a wrap. Everything wired up fine with no issues.

It's been on the truck for a week when all of a sudden, I went to start my truck and it was dead.

Does this little compressor continuously remain live and drain the battery nonstop as it keeps the compressor full? The directions say to wire it right up and gives you the open to go directly to factory wires or not. Won't it shut off once full?

Martian

That's a question we would ask YOU. Get a multimeter and start checking it out. Put it between one of the wires and the battery and see if it's still drawing current.

Sarkyman2000

Things need to know also. What one did you buy exactly? Is it 100% duty cycle? Is there a switch involved to set it? Is there a relay? How do you have wiring hooked up? Does it have a pressure switch?

Johnny_bravo00

X2 for what martian said. Put a Multimeter on that thing for a quick answer

WXman

See the thread about "smart charge" and the battery management system. Apparently that's yet another thing that's a no-no these days... can't use the negative battery terminal for accessories.

Ricktwuhk

Of course you already called the manufacturer and asked them, right?

RLXXI

Correct and about 6" from the negative battery terminal are two large ground lugs on the passenger fender to connect devices to, I just went out and swapped all my grounds over to them, my amp power boards, ground cable for my winch, powered sub amp and my solar battery maintainer. I didn't know about the technology my self until someone asked about it and I researched.

The positive connection for added devices can be hooked directly to the battery.

Now my BMS is happy and doing what it is designed to do.
.

PerryB

I doubt the two things are related. You probably have corrosion/oxidation between one of your terminal posts and its clamp, or the battery bellied up and died.
That's a direct compressor, no storage tank. It only runs when your pushing the button.

bb123

Thanks everyone. Sorry for the late reply. Going through a lot lately.

But anyways, I've contacted the manufacturer and just like a few mentioned, this compressor is only active when the horn is hit. Once the steering horn is let go, the compressor is not active any longer. I was under the impression that this is like a train horn compressor and will run on its own, even with the car off or horn not being used.

So, with said, if a battery is readying good, why does it just die like this? Once jumped, I've been running fine ever since. So far this is the second or 3rd time that just out of no where it's completely 100% dead...

PerryB

Pull the terminal clamps and give everything a good brushing. After reinstalling, coat the terminals with some battery terminal spray, grease, Vaseline or spray paint. Anything to keep the bare metal from being exposed to acid and oxygen. I still suspect you have an oxidized connection.