I recently purchased this Craftsman compressor [url][http://www.sears.com/shc/s/p_10153_12605_00915309000P?prdNo=7&blockNo=7&blockType=G7/url] and I was wondering if I might be able to use it as an onboard air source, with the proper inverter of course, as an air source for airing up tires and activating a locker in the rear? I have a four gauge power cable already ran to the cargo area of my Renegade, where it enters a two fuse distribution block. One side of the fused distribution block powers a small amplifier with an 8 gauge power cable, and the other is not being used at the time. I also have an unfused ground "distribution" block that only one side of is being used I was thinking that I could use the fused distibution block to provide 12v power to a 120v inverter to power the compressor. With a T-fitting on the air-output from the compressor, one side could feed air to an airchuck, for airing up tires etc, and the other side of the T-fitting could send air through a solenoid to allow me to engage a locker....I have a constant 12v source (fused at the battery of course) wired to a switch located in the little cubby under the HVAC controls for turning some lights mounted to my frame hitch on and off. I'm thinking I could tap into that 12v source and with a second switch trigger a relay to enable me to turn on the inverter, and thus, the compressor on. A third switch in the cubby would allow me to activate a solenoid to send air to a locker. I know this is long winded, but I'm really hoping that I'm wrapping my brain around this idea correctly..If the set-up that I'm picturing will work I could have an onboard air source for airring up tires, and supplying air to a locker, and possibly an unused 120v source for ??? "insert useful gadget here" I understand the use of realys to switch on and off high amp draw devices with a lower amp circuit, but I've never fooled with air solenoids before and don't know what kind of amperage they require to function properly. All of the ones that I've seen used with lockers don't seem to have a very large gauge wire going into them. Is there anything that I'm overlooking here?

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Black '05 Renegade. Front suspension: Frankenlift, Moog HD LBJ's, Audiboy cut CV's
Rear suspension: OME 948's, 2 extra upper ISO's, Rancho RS 5000 shocks.
31X10.50X15 Duratrac's/ProComp 152's
ARB bumper, Mopar skids, JCR stage III's, Reese hitch with tractor lights, Champion shackle insert, "homebrew" on board air, 1000 watt inverter

This post got 66 views, but not a single reply, so I decided to go ahead with my idea and hope for the best. It seems to have worked just as I hoped.
I purchased a Vector brand 1000 watt continuous / 2000 watt peak inverter. I decided against using a relay or solenoid to turn the inverter on and off; it wouldn't be necessary and would just have added to the expense. If I need to air up tires I'll be opening the rear glass anyway, so turning on the inverter and compressor wouldn't be a problem. If / when I get a locker in the future, if I forsee needing to use my locker I'll turn on the inverter allow the compressor's tank to fill and leave the compressor power switch to auto.
I connected the inverter to the battery with the short 6 gauge cables that came with it for a test run. The compressor took 800 watts to run according to the digital gauge on the side of the inverter. I mounted the inverter to the side of my subwoofer box and wired it to the existing distribution block using 4 gauge power cable. Under the hood I have a Maxi-fuse holder with a 100 amp fuse. I have another 100 amp fuse at the distribution block. I also ran a 4 gauge ground cable all the way back to the battery's negative terminal per the inverter manufacturers directions.
I have approximately $220 dollars in this onboard air system, not counting the dual amp wiring kit that I already had. It takes up a decent amount of space, but as the compressor is portable, it can be easily removed. In my research I haven't seen an air system as simple, with the features that I have for the price. The compressor generates 2 SCFM@ 90psi and has a 1.5 gallon tank with pressure gauge, and an adjustable output pressure regulator with gauge. The compressor pressure switch is set for 85psi on 150psi off. The compressor came with a 25' coil air hose and a tire chuck; I added a T-fitting with a quick connector on either end at the output of the compressor for ease of use and future use with a locker.

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Black '05 Renegade. Front suspension: Frankenlift, Moog HD LBJ's, Audiboy cut CV's
Rear suspension: OME 948's, 2 extra upper ISO's, Rancho RS 5000 shocks.
31X10.50X15 Duratrac's/ProComp 152's
ARB bumper, Mopar skids, JCR stage III's, Reese hitch with tractor lights, Champion shackle insert, "homebrew" on board air, 1000 watt inverter

pictures or it didn't happen

I did an OBA conversion on my old 89 cherokee before I sold her, cost me a whooping $55 used the AC compressor, wired in a home depot pressure switch, and got a junked aluminum tank from work. It kicked some serious booty, way more than 2cfm

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04' blue limited edition
Wrapped in Ironman
245/75/16 Khumos (2nd set)

I did reply but it was deleted... middle management are haterz

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2006 CRD http://www.UtahPowderCoatings.com/ http://www.gorecon.com/ I'm kind of a big deal.
RL rear bumper, ARB front bumper, Mile Marker winch, Power Tank, Skids by Mopar & Skid Row, RL Super Skink Sliders, 235/85R16 MTR, Air Flow Snorkel, DTT, 4.10 gears, Frankenlift II, Katskin leather, JL Audio stereo, Rosen video.