How to remotely turn compressor on and off

[Techie1961]

U were the one that said 220v.

Actually it was the OP that mentioned 220V and for the most part all of the pros that I work with still call it 220V and not 240V in Canada so that is what I am used to (I am not an electrician). You are technically correct though that it is not 220V but rather 240V in the USA. I was being polite when I asked what part of the world he was from as in North America there isn't a standard where you will find 220-240V on a single wire.

 

[Techie1961]

And you are incorrect about neutral and ground in an electrical service. yes there is a neutral in a standard 240v 3 wire single/split phase electrical service but there ISNT a ground wire in the service drop. .....smh Better study a little more......

I did a bit of reading on the neutral vs. ground and can't seem to find a definitive answer here. Any wiring that I have seen in Canada on a 220/240V single phase circuit has a bare copper ground wire and the panel will also have a neutral. I have never seen the neutral being used in a 220/240V single phase connection such as a motor. Any actual experts here that can comment... without sarcasm.

 

[volleyball]

There is no universal 240v in the US. different power grids, transmission lines and such vary the voltage.

 

[Techie1961]

I did some more reading and found that on a 3 wire 220/240V connection, there are two hots and one ground. On a 4 wire 220/240V connection, there are two hots, one neutral and one ground. http://www.nojolt.com/Understanding_240_volt_circuits.shtml

With a 3 wire, there isn't a need for a neutral while on a 4 wire, the neutral is included to power any 110/120V components since you can't use a ground as a neutral according to code.

 

[MFortie]

Once upon a time I had a 24VAC 240V relay setup with my pool pump so I could run it from my irrigation controller and have more control and options for start times (multiple).

Something like that might work...

 

[ishiboo]

I did a bit of reading on the neutral vs. ground and can't seem to find a definitive answer here. Any wiring that I have seen in Canada on a 220/240V single phase circuit has a bare copper ground wire and the panel will also have a neutral. I have never seen the neutral being used in a 220/240V single phase connection such as a motor. Any actual experts here that can comment... without sarcasm.

wylies is close enough to an expert

There is no ground, as he said, in the electrical service. As he said, the third bare wire is a neutral.

The ground "starts" at the ground rods or UFER, to the panel and gets bonded with the neutral there, where it goes out of the panel as EGCs.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Actually it was the OP that mentioned 220V and for the most part all of the pros that I work with still call it 220V and not 240V in Canada so that is what I am used to (I am not an electrician). You are technically correct though that it is not 220V but rather 240V in the USA. I was being polite when I asked what part of the world he was from as in North America there isn't a standard where you will find 220-240V on a single wire.

I did a bit of reading on the neutral vs. ground and can't seem to find a definitive answer here. Any wiring that I have seen in Canada on a 220/240V single phase circuit has a bare copper ground wire and the panel will also have a neutral. I have never seen the neutral being used in a 220/240V single phase connection such as a motor. Any actual experts here that can comment... without sarcasm.

Were talking apples and oranges. When i read techie's comments i thought he was referring to the service entrance wires. I now realize he was referring to branch circuits. My bad!!

 

[bhays]

I actually ended up putting a 12v solenoid valve on the tank and used a wall plug to power it and a Belkin WeMo switch to turn it on and off. Works flawlessly and I don't have to wait for the tank to fill.

 

[JuryRigJerry]

Another option to consider is called Nanospark. Works just like the above solution, but has more input/outputs.
I currently have it running 3 machines and monitoring another in my company's production area. Looking to incorporate my compressor too.

Setup is simple: control board > relay > machine's power.

On one machine (a programmable lathe) I used it with the air line too going board > relay > 120V solenoid (with adapters and pipe for air line). So both the lathe and the airline operate on the same schedule.

The remote control side comes from the app running on an old iPod I had laying around, connected to my building's wifi. I can touch on/off locally or with a text.

Here's a pic:

 

[COSMOS]

I have a dpst switch mounted in the contactor starter, I could mount this switch in a different location if needed with the same switch. The current switch is at the upper right corner of the magnetic starter.

 

[Techie1961]

Another option to consider is called Nanospark./QUOTE]

Too bad that it only works with Apple products.

 

[dogdog]

you guys can try rasperry pi / adruino if you are adventurous with electronics.....

 

[rodm1]

Very interesting thread!

 

[kingchevy]

I'm glad I saw this thread while I am still in the planning stage of my detached shop. I have my compressor in a utility room in my garage and am piping to the new shop but hadn't considered being able to switch it remotely. I have conduits in place for the feed, data, and one for connecting exterior lighting on a 3 way circuit between garage and shop. Now I will pull some extra wires for a 3 way compressor circuit that will control a 2 pole contactor with 120v coil so I can switch it on from shop or garage. I will need to pull and extra to power an indicator light at each switch.

 

[Mongo68]

I used a HVAC contactor with a 24v coil. Used a 24v sprinkler wall wart on a regular old switched outlet to control it. Wire was left over low voltage sprinkler wire. Throw the switch in the garage above the light switch and the compressor kicks on. I did add a decora style night light to show its on...