Air compressor On/Off Switch

[Crank1]

Hey everyone, I'm looking for a little advice for an on/off switch for my air compressor, which is an older 5HP champion. I am looking to hardwire it into the wall, and the disconnect will be the breaker which is just a few short feet away from the compressor. What I'd really like to do is wire a "Light" switch style switch on the compressor to turn it on or off, so the compressor doesn't run when I'm not home or kick on in the middle of the night and make me pee a little.

Is there a good way to wire this in? I was thinking if I could break the contact between the pressure switch and the motor, and install the switch there, that would be ideal.
One of these was what I was thinking.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-SQUARE-...ultDomain_0&hash=item51c583394b#ht_720wt_1001

http://www.ebay.com/itm/SQUARE-D-Ma...ystems_PLCs&hash=item27ea979799#ht_595wt_1238

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Allen-Bradl...ltDomain_0&hash=item3f2cb1314d#ht_1162wt_1001

 

[Techie1961]

You don't say whether it is single phase or three phase and whether the pressure switch is operating a magnetic contactor or if the pressure switch is running full motor current through it.

If it is a magnetic contactor, you simply break the continuity to the contactor coil with a switch that you can mount anywhere. If the contactor is switching full current, you will need to put in a switch that can handle that amount of current and break one line if it is single phase 110, both lines if it is single phase 220 or all three lines if it is 3 phase.

Guys, please let's not start a conversation on it being 115 volts in your area or 220 is only for 3 phase and not in your country or it's supposed to be 460/480 whatever, etc. You get the idea.

 

[Crank1]

Motor is a single phase 5 hp dayton, with a magnetic starter.

So I could install a simple switch like I linked between the pressure switch and mag starter to isolate power?

 

[bsaint]

Yes, wire a SPST switch in series with the two wires going to the pressure switch.

 

[doojus]

What about putting it on a timer so it only runs during working hours (or other hours if you're not home)? That's what I was thinking of doing for mine.

 

[Crank1]

Well I'd rather it just be on when I'm in the garage. My time is seldom spent getting anything accomplished so I'd rather it only be on when desired.

 

[Chris_H]

Is there a disadvantage to just using the breaker? I'm working on setting up my compressor now so this is relevant to me.

 

[shooting4life]

I added a single throw double pole switch in my compressor cabinet. I leave the compressor off most of the time and just flip the switch when ever a task more demanding than filling a tire is needed.

 

[Techie1961]

Is there a disadvantage to just using the breaker? I'm working on setting up my compressor now so this is relevant to me.

My experience is that breakers don't like the constant on/off and it is more expensive to replace than a little toggle switch if it fails.

 

[larry_g]

Motor is a single phase 5 hp dayton, with a magnetic starter.

So I could install a simple switch like I linked between the pressure switch and mag starter to isolate power?

You could get by with a lot simpler switch than your linking to. If your breaking the control wires between the PS and the contactor then your dealing with very low power and you do not need a motor rated switch.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[johninct]

I used a breaker on my 7 1/2 hp compressor and it works fine. My church uses breakers on all of their lights and there are no problems . If it wears out in 20 years, just swap in another.

 

[Todd.Brock]

Breakers aren't designed to take the constant on/off if I recall. By solved this problem by getting a pressure switch with off/on/ auto switch An inline spst would accomplish the same. I just needed a new pressure switch anyway. I got it from Grainger for 30 bucks. It's a Condor unit.

 

[IOWNJUNK]

The building I work in doesn't have a single light switch, been using the breakers to operate them for years. Might not be the right way, but if you wanna see, it's the only way.