Best compressor location?

UKTJ

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Hampshire, UK
For Christmas I was fortunate to receive an ARB compressor, it is the middle one so it can run both air to tyres and lockers which will hopefully be fitted in the near future. I'm hoping to be able to fit the compressor in the next few days but I wanted to get thoughts on the best location.

My TJ has an empty tray on the drivers side of the engine compartment just in front of the fire wall, this seems to be a popular mounting position for a compressor. However, having just read the long list of suggested considerations for the mounting position in the ARB instructions I have a couple of questions.

The instructions say the mounting location should be "...above the highest possible waterline to avoid submerging during water crossings..." and "...position must allow free flow of dry, cool air to the filter assembly (unless an intake extension tube is to be used...". What I now wonder is whether the requirement to be above the waterline is only to ensure the dry air flow or is there a wider issue with avoiding water getting into the pump itself other than through the air intake? I have seen Jeeps where differential breathers are run to the top of a snorkel (more common in the UK than in the US I believe) and I wonder if this is an option with the compressor. Otherwise mounting on the tray mentioned above (which positions the compressor below the stock air intake) will permanently reduce wading capability. Does anyone have an ARB compressor installed in a position where it will occassionally be fully submerged? And if so has it caused any issues?

If the compressor itself can't get wet, then it would seem the best thing to do would be to mount it inside the Jeep and get used to any noise. This would certainly help tick some of the other boxes in the ARB list of considerations, such as trying to get the compressor halfway between the axles in a dual locker install. However, I am then unsure of how the airlines would be run from inside the Jeep. Has anyone done or seen an install inside where the compressor is used for lockers? And if so, how were the airlines run?

Many thanks in advance for any input.
 
I mounted mine there. Of course, I live in a desert. Not a ton of river crossings here. If you did mount it there and get it submerged, you'd have water in your seat, though, so I'd say you had more pressing issues than your compressor maybe crapping out on you.

Do you really go into water that deep? If so, you're braver than me!🤣
 
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I mounted mine right behind the windshield washer bottle. I may have moved the cruise control servo back a little to fit. It is about as high as can be under the hood.

7FE8EFB8-A786-41B1-AA8C-8855B2D11473.jpeg
 
I mounted mine right behind the windshield washer bottle. I may have moved the cruise control servo back a little to fit. It is about as high as can
I mounted mine right behind the windshield washer bottle. I may have moved the cruise control servo back a little to fit. It is about as high as can be under the hood.

View attachment 387204
Unfortunately that is not available space on a RHD, given the flipping of some but not all parts in the engine bay. However, you have made me look again and it may be possible to squeeze it in next to the air filter box…
E765C794-675A-45A1-BD4F-E8A525C13324.jpeg

Not 100% the location works as I need to play around with the fittings that need to attach to the compressor. But if it does work I think it is a better option as it gets the compressor up a fair bit higher.
 
Unfortunately that is not available space on a RHD, given the flipping of some but not all parts in the engine bay. However, you have made me look again and it may be possible to squeeze it in next to the air filter box…
View attachment 387287
Not 100% the location works as I need to play around with the fittings that need to attach to the compressor. But if it does work I think it is a better option as it gets the compressor up a fair bit higher.

You can rotate that reservoir on top to get the ports where you want them. I want to drill and tap one of my fittings for the sway lock connection. I installed the extra fitting to pipe it in but it’s a little busy for my liking. When I get to it.
 
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You mentioned mounting one in the cab:

I have a Viar and there is absolutely NO WAY I'd want that thing inside the cab with me when running.

They are noisy little devils and they also get quite hot when running so there's a risk of getting burned.

Mount it anywhere EXCEPT in the cab.
 
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When i ran a 380c, i had it mounted on the tray on the firewall and routed the intake hose through the firewall into the cab were the filter was then attached. Never had any issue with water getting that high, been close.
 
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You mentioned mounting one in the cab:

I have a Viar and there is absolutely NO WAY I'd want that thing inside the cab with me when running.

They are noisy little devils and they also get quite hot when running so there's a risk of getting burned.

Mount it anywhere EXCEPT in the cab.

It's not going to run much while driving;
and when airing up, you're outside the vehicle.