Rigging Air Compressor to a Switch

[woods]

Compressor is upstairs in the loft. I got tired of running upstairs and clicking it on when I needed it. Put a hole through the floor, ran an extension cord straight down into the garage.

Instead of leaving the switch on and just plugging the compressor in, I'd like to have it on a switch. There like an inline switch on a cord or something that I could flick and give it power? Or does it look like I'm installing a switch to that circuit?

 

[72Pstroke]

I did about the same thing. The easiest way would be to tie into the control power on the pressure switch. You could just interrupt that circuit and put a switch in it.

 

[2020AT4]

Compressor is upstairs in the loft. I got tired of running upstairs and clicking it on when I needed it. Put a hole through the floor, ran an extension cord straight down into the garage.

Instead of leaving the switch on and just plugging the compressor in, I'd like to have it on a switch. There like an inline switch on a cord or something that I could flick and give it power? Or does it look like I'm installing a switch to that circuit?

110?

220?

480?

We need answers man!

Mine is on 220 and I just flip the breaker.

 

[bgaidan]

Compressor is upstairs in the loft. I got tired of running upstairs and clicking it on when I needed it. Put a hole through the floor, ran an extension cord straight down into the garage.

Instead of leaving the switch on and just plugging the compressor in, I'd like to have it on a switch. There like an inline switch on a cord or something that I could flick and give it power? Or does it look like I'm installing a switch to that circuit?

Need more details on the compressor. Assuming it has a magnetic starter, just put the switch on the line that goes from the pressure switch to the starter. If it doesn't have a starter.....umm....get one and then add a switch.

I did this, except I used a 12 hour timer instead of the switch. I had a bad habit of forgetting to turn it off and after I came home to a blown hose and a compressor that had been running for an unknown number of hours, I finally wired in the timer.

 

[arse_sidewards]

Compressor is upstairs in the loft. I got tired of running upstairs and clicking it on when I needed it. Put a hole through the floor, ran an extension cord straight down into the garage.

Instead of leaving the switch on and just plugging the compressor in, I'd like to have it on a switch. There like an inline switch on a cord or something that I could flick and give it power? Or does it look like I'm installing a switch to that circuit?

Just add a switched outlet beside the current outlet.

 

[woods]

Yea, sorry.

Its a Craftsman 6hp 33 gallon. Runs on 110. When it kicks on, it wallops the power in the garage. IIRC, the garage is setup for only 15A. The panel is quite aways from the garage in the basement, so putting it on a breaker is a no-go.

How ghetto is a surge protector with a switch on it? Flip the switch and it kicks on?

 

[2020AT4]

Yea, sorry.

Its a Craftsman 6hp 33 gallon. Runs on 110. When it kicks on, it wallops the power in the garage. IIRC, the garage is setup for only 15A. The panel is quite aways from the garage in the basement, so putting it on a breaker is a no-go.

How ghetto is a surge protector with a switch on it? Flip the switch and it kicks on?

I dont think a surge receptor would be rated for a load like that.

If youre having surge issues like that get a sub panel put in.

 

[87manche]

I would just use a disconnect.

Eaton 30 Amp Non-Fusible Safety Switch DG221URB - The Home Depot

Fusible safety switches provide a means to manually open and close a circuit. The device also provides overcurrent protection by means of installed fuses. This is a 30 Amp general duty cartridge non- fusible safety switch rated for outdoor use.

www.homedepot.com

and run some proper wire to it.

 

[Ebs]

 

[TTMotorsports]

Amazon.com

I have a few of these on my pedestal fans for my shop since they don't have a on/off switch just a plug in or unplug to turn off. So I used them on the end of cord. I have had them for 4 years without a problem.

 

[Gatorgrizz27]

These work ok for 15 amp shop vacs. You might want to use an indicator light or something with it though, it would be annoying to think it’s on but it isn‘t and not notice until your air pressure drops off. IIRC there is a light on the plug but it only flashes to show that it’s getting signal from the remote, it doesn‘t show on/off.

Amazon.com

This might be a better option, I haven’t ever messed with 120v relays but if you wire it into the light switch you don’t have to remember to turn it on and off.

Amazon.com

 

[woods]

These work ok for 15 amp shop vacs. You might want to use an indicator light or something with it though, it would be annoying to think it’s on but it isn‘t and not notice until your air pressure drops off. IIRC there is a light on the plug but it only flashes to show that it’s getting signal from the remote, it doesn‘t show on/off.

Amazon.com

This might be a better option, I haven’t ever messed with 120v relays but if you wire it into the light switch you don’t have to remember to turn it on and off.

Amazon.com

I'm going to try this. That way I can plug it in, and have the option to roll a tool box in front of the plug. Just hit the button and go.

Thanks guy. This doesn't work, I'll tear into the wall and rig up a switch.

 

[Pocahontas]

How is your plumbing set up? Could you just splice in a ball valve and use that as the switch and then plug unplug as needed at end of day/job? Thats what I do mine is rigged to a pressure switch and always on but if the valve is closed it doesn't leak down at all, set to 165psi. Also have https://www.lowes.com/pd/Square-D-30-Amp-2-Pole-Fusible-Light-Duty-Safety-Switch-Disconnect/3365260 this rigged up right by the door so I can flip it off quickly if needed.

Could also getto rig a switch for 10 bucks with an extension cord and a wall switch, not code or pretty but it works.

 

[PAE]

With the compressor out of sight its also out of mind as is said, there are things that require maintenance that alot of you off road apes arent taking into account.

It requires electricity to operate but dont forget the tank needs to be drained every ok once in a while.

And the compressor air pump requires oil as well.

 

[ChiScouter]

Putting a switch in the pressure switch circuit could hardly be easier, low current, so thin wire and cheap switch of pretty much any kind would work fine. why make it more complicated than that?

 

[Muckin_Slusher]

Yea, sorry.

Its a Craftsman 6hp 33 gallon. Runs on 110. When it kicks on, it wallops the power in the garage. IIRC, the garage is setup for only 15A. The panel is quite aways from the garage in the basement, so putting it on a breaker is a no-go.

How ghetto is a surge protector with a switch on it? Flip the switch and it kicks on?

That's like near 40 amps running current.

What size breaker is your #14 wire to the garage on, and how far is the run? I'd like to see a voltmeter on the motor wires when it's running. You might be pretty low on volts.

Probably won't burn the wire, unless it's running for extended periods, but you're not doing the motor any favors. They are cheap to replace though.

 

[bgaidan]

Putting a switch in the pressure switch circuit could hardly be easier, low current, so thin wire and cheap switch of pretty much any kind would work fine. why make it more complicated than that?

Without a starter, that pressure switch is seeing the full current of the motor. Since he says it's 6hp and 110, I'm guessing its an airless unit from before they got their asses sued for way overrating the HP on their compressors....and definitely doesn't have a starter.

 

[bgaidan]

That's like near 40 amps running current.

What size breaker is your #14 wire to the garage on, and how far is the run? I'd like to see a voltmeter on the motor wires when it's running. You might be pretty low on volts.

Probably won't burn the wire, unless it's running for extended periods, but you're not doing the motor any favors. They are cheap to replace though.

It's a 110 motor. Probably not more than 2hp in reality.

I'm guessing it's something like this. Ya know, 120v, 15a....but also 6hp.

The manual for that model only calls for a 12awg extension cord too.

 

[Muckin_Slusher]

It's a 110 motor. Probably not more than 2hp in reality.

I'm guessing it's something like this. Ya know, 120v, 15a....but also 6hp.

The manual for that model only calls for a 12awg extension cord too.

So, total bullshit just like shop vac "peak HP"

Fucking stupid marketing.

 

[aczlan]

It's a 110 motor. Probably not more than 2hp in reality.

I'm guessing it's something like this. Ya know, 120v, 15a....but also 6hp.

The manual for that model only calls for a 12awg extension cord too.

I used to have one of those air compressors, in the winter time it would happily trip a 20 amp breaker.
Now I have a 240 volt motor on a 2 cylinder oiled air compressor and it pulls about 8 amps running (says 12a on the nameplate).

Aaron Z

 

[woods]

It's a 110 motor. Probably not more than 2hp in reality.

I'm guessing it's something like this. Ya know, 120v, 15a....but also 6hp.

The manual for that model only calls for a 12awg extension cord too.

Yawp. Only mine's horizontal. Its a good unit. Must 15 years old now.

Garage is a hit or miss. The wiring and lighting is garbage. Its all 14/2 off one 15A breaker. Dad found a massive roll of 12/2 wiring at a yard sale for $2 so we were going to rig it up. But with the shop going up in...three years we decided to wait.

Its only the initial kick when the compressor kicks on that it bothersome. Once running, its fine. Though, if I have the bench grinder running as the compressor kicks on, its lights out.

I bought that switched extension cord dealio. With the remote. See how that works. 15A is 15A.

 

[JNHEscher]

I have the exact same compressor as OP except my tank rusted out so I attached the compressor to a 3gal stainless tank and hook up three portable tanks in series for full volume. My compressor is now sitting in the shed loft. It's loud as fuck, therefore I hate it. Was going to add a dedicated, switched outlet for it. I've been running it in the bus with the plasma on a 30 amp breaker. The breaker only trips if I run the two together for more than 15 seconds. I can even keep plaz cutting when the comp kicks on.

Still wiring my shed up. Got lights and enough outlets to run heaters and my lathe. Entire shed is on the one 30 amp breaker and 10g stranded that I'm pulling through ¾" pvc conduits. Think I'll put the compressor on its own breaker because the switch is only good for 15 amps. I think the running amps of the compressor is right near 15.

 

[bgaidan]

I used to have one of those air compressors, in the winter time it would happily trip a 20 amp breaker.
Now I have a 240 volt motor on a 2 cylinder oiled air compressor and it pulls about 8 amps running (says 12a on the nameplate).

Aaron Z

I started out with one of those and abused it for years until I scored a deal on a 4 cylinder, 2 stage Emglo with an 80 gallon tank. I think I paid $250 for it and then had to drop another $300 on a huge 5hp Baldor when the 3hp the PO had put on it burned up (it should have been 5hp from the start). I tore it down and spent another $100 or so on new valves and rings and the thing should outlive be without a problem. The only thing I don't like is it's a horizontal tank.....a vertical would be much better with the space I have. Eventually I'll stumble across a deal on an 80gal vertical.

 

[PAE]

Would use a relay called a contactor, thats what my compressor is on.

You can use google to figure out why, its a 240V 10 HP from memory.

 

[GLTHFJ60]

A lot of those compressors can be rewired to run 220v. The pressure switch just needs a pair of contacts (switching on/off the two hots). Take the cover off and look at the motor data plate to see what it's capable of. Switching to 220v and running a line to it will save the rest of the garage circuits.

As for the switching, I just flip a breaker. They're not designed to be used like switches, but they will tolerate it for a while.

 

[2020AT4]

Without a starter, that pressure switch is seeing the full current of the motor. Since he says it's 6hp and 110, I'm guessing its an airless unit from before they got their asses sued for way overrating the HP on their compressors....and definitely doesn't have a starter.

Oilless, but you nailed it.

 

[2020AT4]

It's a 110 motor. Probably not more than 2hp in reality.

I'm guessing it's something like this. Ya know, 120v, 15a....but also 6hp.

The manual for that model only calls for a 12awg extension cord too.

Damn, that thing even looks loud.

 

[woods]

Damn, that thing even looks loud.

Oh, its obnoxious. Hence why mine's in the loft.

 

[woods]

These work ok for 15 amp shop vacs. You might want to use an indicator light or something with it though, it would be annoying to think it’s on but it isn‘t and not notice until your air pressure drops off. IIRC there is a light on the plug but it only flashes to show that it’s getting signal from the remote, it doesn‘t show on/off.

Amazon.com

This might be a better option, I haven’t ever messed with 120v relays but if you wire it into the light switch you don’t have to remember to turn it on and off.

Amazon.com

So this thing showed up yesterday. Works freaking awesome. Better than I expected. I ran the compressor a full cycle, and worked just fine. Nothing felt overheated or anything. That's a badass unit there.