I’ve currently got an Air-Zenith OB2 on 5 gallons and am considering getting an XD3000 and an additional 5 gallons, would the 4 Gauge wire i have currently be enough to handle the amperage draw of the oasis or would i have to upgrade to 2 gauge or 1/0. Also would 2 1000cca batteries and a 190a alternator be enough to keep up with the oasis?
4ga wire is rated for 60 amps (max) for power transmission. This rating assumes the 4ga wire is nick-free, annealed oxygen-free copper with a tensile strength of 37000 pounds per square inch. If the Oasis can draw more than 60 amps, then you’ll need to upsize your wire or risk melting your wire. If you’re using copper clad aluminum wire then you’ll definitely need to upsize your wire if the Oasis can draw 60 amps.
The batteries you have should be fine for times when draw is heavy, but whether your alternator is adequate depends on the delta between the maximum electrical draw of the vehicle (with any/all accessories you’ve already added). For example, if in the winter, at night, when it’s foggy and misting you stop on the side of the road while your engine is on, heater (and its blower) are on, defroster is on, wipers are on, low beams are on, running lights are on, fog lights are on, interior cab/map lights are on, stereo is on, nav unit is on, etc. etc. – the draw is 180 amps … then you have 10 amps to spare. If the Oasis were then in that mix and demanded 30 amps, you’d be 20 amps in the red and that amperage would come from your batteries … to be replenished by your alternator when there was no longer a deficit.
As you can see, you’ll need to estimate your vehicle’s maximum power draw, compare to the alternator’s output, and eyeball the delta … or risk a deficit that’s too large and potentially arrive to a dead pair of batteries.
Our compressors come with 10 feet of 4 gauge fine stand oxygen-free copper cable. That length can handle 200 amps and barely get warm. Our 12V compressors typically draw 150 to 160 amps with a peak of 180 so your 190 amp alternator with 2 1000 cca batteries should handle most jobs.
If you need the compressor to run longer than 20 to 30 minutes then get the XD4000 that has a continuous duty cycle. You may need to throttle up your engine so the alternator can supply it continuously. The XD3000 has an overall duty cycle around 60%. Both of them will fill 5 gallons from 0 to 150 psi in 55 seconds.