Air compressor power remote switch

[chazzz]

I am going to put my 220v air compressor in the back of my garage (outside). I'd like to turn it on (and off when not in use) inside of my garage. I don't want walk from my garage to the back to turn my air compressor on (or off). I am thinking about install a wall switch (with label saying "AIR COMPRESSOR").

Any suggestions, ideas or advice for me? thanks

If you have that kind of switch for your air compressor, please post a picture of it...thanks again.

 

[sberry]

If it doesn't leak put a ball valve on, use it, leave unit charged. Mine has been off twice in 20 yrs for service.

 

[OccupantRJ]

A standard residential light switch can be used in a remote location if your compressor has a motor starter on it. Simply splice into the pressure switch wiring that controls the starter's magnetic coil so that the switch now controls the pressure switch's ability to activate the coil.

This link is to my master shutdown switch which may give you even more ideas.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=275116

 

[matt_i]

The existing circuit would be L1 -- pressure switch -- overload heater (if present) -- motor starter coil -- L2

Any order of components between L1 and L2. You put your switch as a 3rd or 4th element in the chain between the others.

You should probably also note on your label that the switch is going to control 240vac and so that voltage will be present on the back of the switch. There are heavier-duty switches available, ideally a 600v rated unit would be best. However there will be minimal current flowing on the control circuit. Just enough to hold in the starter coil which is fractional amperage.

 

[cdestuck]

Google LONE RANGER. They make both 120 and 220 versions. I use a 220 one for my dust collector and a 110 for my 50' hose car vac.

 

[chazzz]

Google LONE RANGER. They make both 120 and 220 versions. I use a 220 one for my dust collector and a 110 for my 50' hose car vac.

Just googled "LONE RANGER" and didn't find anything that is related to the electrical stuff. After investigating and found it... it's called LONG RANGER.

LONG RANGER with remote control will work with 3 hp (or less) electric motor and 15 AMP max. It's a nice product, but I don't think it'll work because I might get an air compressor with 3, 4 or 5 hp electric motor.

I think i'll go with a simple wall switch (rated for 220-240 volts).

thanks.

 

[Cue]

I use one of these to turn my compressor on from a distance of about 65 feet. I have a regular switch wired into it but you can use wireless options like X10 or Zwave or many of the others available if you cant run a wire from your switch location to the relay box.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004HMZOUS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[BPJOOP93]

mine is wired off of a remote breaker. Just flipped the breaker and it's on or off.

 

[strutaeng]

The remote starting with a magnetic starter is what I would do. However, the issue is that I you stop it before the cut-off point and then try to restart it, it would be trying to start under pressure. Maybe it's not a big deal if you manually unload it if you remember.

This would not be an issue with compressors with hydraulic unloaders, but most don't have this. I've thought about doing this and also remotely mounting the pressure unloader valve next to the power switch. It depends how far away one is from the other.

 

[38Chevy454]

I used a heavy duty double pole single throw switch for my 220v 30a air compressor.

 

[handymancanfixit]

A standard residential light switch can be used in a remote location if your compressor has a motor starter on it. Simply splice into the pressure switch wiring that controls the starter's magnetic coil so that the switch now controls the pressure switch's ability to activate the coil.

This link is to my master shutdown switch which may give you even more ideas.
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=275116

+1

I wired mine this way also. Put a light switch into the pressure switch circuit. If you have a pressure switch it is a no-brainer. Low cost, basically no load on the circuit.

 

[mytimeyet]

Hopefully a pdf attached...

 

[FTG-05]

My disconnect for my 5 hp compressor:

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Square-D...e-Over-Current-Protection-QO200TRCP/202353314

 

[sherrod624]

I have an air compressor in my basement shop. I ran an air line(pex-al-pex) from one end of the house to the other to my garage. I have a 3 way circuit so I can turn the compressor on from the garage or basement. I mounted a 3hp starter in an enclosure and ran the 3-way through the coil. I ran 120 through the coil and pulled a separate dedicated circuit for the compressor from the panel so I could feed 120 or 240 to the compressor if I ever upgraded to a larger compressor and not have to worry about my control circuit.

 

[ard]

I use one of these to turn my compressor on from a distance of about 65 feet. I have a regular switch wired into it but you can use wireless options like X10 or Zwave or many of the others available if you cant run a wire from your switch location to the relay box.

http://www.amazon.com/dp/B004HMZOUS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Similar idea forr a few different things I control:

remote control of motors/pumps:
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001KGSJ74/?tag=atomicindus08-20

drop it into a small $10 nema 3R enclosure, have a zwave switch provide the 120V to the control coil. WAY, WAY cheaper than any other solution for 240V/High current applications. (They are 100 plus) I also like the idea that it is built with easy to source componsnebts, not a specialty item.


Also, I run a dust collector with this:

https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00ER6MH22/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[EOC_Jason]

You could use a small disconnect box of various types...

As others have said if you have a mag starter you could tie into the coil circuit.

Otherwise, depending on the size of the motor I know HD carries both 20A & 30A double-pole motor-rated switches.

 

[LS6 Tommy]

The remote starting with a magnetic starter is what I would do. However, the issue is that I you stop it before the cut-off point and then try to restart it, it would be trying to start under pressure. Maybe it's not a big deal if you manually unload it if you remember.

This would not be an issue with compressors with hydraulic unloaders, but most don't have this. I've thought about doing this and also remotely mounting the pressure unloader valve next to the power switch. It depends how far away one is from the other.

Without an unloader it's starting under pressure whether it has cycled off or not. Most all units have a mechanical unloader these days anyway.

Chazzz, if it hisses for a few seconds at shut down, you have a mechanical unloader. If it runs for a few seconds and then gets "louder", you have a hydraulic unloader.

Tommy

 

[brownbagg]

its called circuit breaker

 

[Rodbolt]

My compressor is in the attic of my shop. When I built the shop I put a 220v wall switch inline in the circuit. I bought it at Home Depot and it works great.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

 

[PoorOwner]

leviton N1302-DS

They have in wall version too.

 

[slackdaddy1]

leviton N1302-DS

They have in wall version too.

Digging up an old thread,,
I am putting my 230v 5hp 2 stage compressor in a shed, 20 feet from shop,, I plan to put the "wall version" in a switch box, but want to add an indicator light,, Ideas?

 

[Mike65]

The linked switch is similar to what I have on my Craftsman 60 gal vertical compressor.

Siemens General Duty 60 Amp 3-Pole 4-Wire 240-Volt Fusible Outdoor Safety Switch GF322NRA - The Home Depot

General Duty Safety Switches are intended for applications where reliable performance and continuity of service are needed. But where duty requirements are not severe and usual service conditions prevail.

www.homedepot.com

You can see the the bottom of the switch in the pic. just above the plug.

 

[PoorOwner]

Digging up an old thread,,
I am putting my 230v 5hp 2 stage compressor in a shed, 20 feet from shop,, I plan to put the "wall version" in a switch box, but want to add an indicator light,, Ideas?

You can run the light out of the switch output into another box with it, or you can tap off the components of the compressor. but IMO you would not need it, you can see the switch is flipped up at down if you put some bright paint on the lever.

 

[RPH]

Neon pilot light bulb with appropriate resister. Light on when control is on. Drill small hole wire as needed to the switched side.

 

[NakeDiesel]

+1

I wired mine this way also. Put a light switch into the pressure switch circuit. If you have a pressure switch it is a no-brainer. Low cost, basically no load on the circuit.

Yep, how I wired mine as well. One switch to turn the compressor on and off. Second switch to turn a 4 outlet receptacle on and off. The receptacle provides power to my chiller, auto drain and a vent fan I use in the summertime to circulate air in my compressor room with cooler outside north wall shaded air. Fan pushes air out at top of the room and is drawn in from a vent at the bottom of the wall