I put my air compressor on a spring wound timer.

[Zeke]

It goes up to 12 hours, that ought to be enough . I have always had a bit of forgetfulness when it came to turning if off as opposed to the lights. Well...you can see the lights on, dummy.

Just thought I'd post this as an option. Be sure to get a rated switch and it might no be at bad idea to put a switch ahead of the timer. This one I can't turn back to zero, so look for that function as well. Then you don't need an override.

 

[biggziff]

I don't shut mine off, I just shut the valve and it stays ready to go when I need it again.

 

[Zeke]

I don't shut mine off, I just shut the valve and it stays ready to go when I need it again.

I'd forget to do that as well. I think the idea is to not have a runaway when something opens up to a leak.

 

[like2wheel]

I put mine on a water heater timer, left only an off tab at midnight.
Every night it cuts power, whether it's on or not.

It's in my basement under my bedroom. Too many rude awakenings.

 

[dogdog]

They do sell those 1/2 120V solenoid Normally closed valves for air , pretty expensive if you can't find a surplus though ASCRO RedHat or something.... use any timer or occupancy switch and a 120V contractor /Relay rated for your compressor and you are golden, hey you can even wire a light bulb like what the other guy did in some old thread...

 

[Sevenhills1952]

They do sell those 1/2 120V solenoid Normally closed valves for air , pretty expensive if you can't find a surplus though ASCRO RedHat or something.... use any timer or occupancy switch and a 120V contractor /Relay rated for your compressor and you are golden, hey you can even wire a light bulb like what the other guy did in some old thread...

Maybe I was the light bulb guy! I have them on everything. The red neon pigtail lead ones are nice that snap into a 1/2" hole.
Can either wire across the switch, so light is on when compressor is off, or wired so it gets power when on. They use about 1 watt or less power.

 

[The Cobbler]

just keep in mind that the spring wound timers do fail as the spring weakens.
but it is a good idea

 

[wyliesdiesels]

It goes up to 12 hours, that ought to be enough . I have always had a bit of forgetfulness when it came to turning if off as opposed to the lights. Well...you can see the lights on, dummy.

Just thought I'd post this as an option. Be sure to get a rated switch and it might no be at bad idea to put a switch ahead of the timer. This one I can't turn back to zero, so look for that function as well. Then you don't need an override.

whats the HP rating on the comp?

 

[Norcal]

They do sell those 1/2 120V solenoid Normally closed valves for air , pretty expensive if you can't find a surplus though ASCRO RedHat or something.... use any timer or occupancy switch and a 120V contractor /Relay rated for your compressor and you are golden, hey you can even wire a light bulb like what the other guy did in some old thread...

You definitely want to source ASCO valves on the used / surplus market, needed a kit for one & the difference between a kit & the whole valve was very little, but I had to use Grainger.

 

[tyme2par4]

I have mine on a smart outlet that connects to my SmartThings hub. I have a program that shuts it off at 10pm, and I can also turn it on and off with a single touch on my phone.
Of course mine is just a little 6gal portable unit.

 

[HenryAZ]

I don't shut mine off, I just shut the valve and it stays ready to go when I need it again.

I don't shut mine off either, and the backbone lines (black pipe) are tight enough to hold air well, so I shut off the ball valve at each of the 3 manifolds, open one when needed. If I left the manifold valves open, the compressor would kick on a couple of times a week. With them off, it kicks on maybe once every two weeks or so.

 

[teamextreme]

^ I was the same way for 10 or more years. Then I read and realized if there was ever a leak or failure in any of the air lines the compressor would kick on and basically run forever. If that happened on a Friday night when I was out of town for the weekend, that compressor would run for days until it burned itself up, best case, and started a fire, worst case. Since then in my new shop I installed a disconnect switch with a pilot light in an obvious location to tell me when the compressor has power to it and I make sure I shut it off when not in use.

 

[American Locomotive]

^ I was the same way for 10 or more years. Then I read and realized if there was ever a leak or failure in any of the air lines the compressor would kick on and basically run forever. If that happened on a Friday night when I was out of town for the weekend, that compressor would run for days until it burned itself up, best case, and started a fire, worst case. Since then in my new shop I installed a disconnect switch with a pilot light in an obvious location to tell me when the compressor has power to it and I make sure I shut it off when not in use.

If an airline burst, your compressor would not burn up or catch fire. A burst air line would not really allow the compressor to build much pressure (unless you had a like 25 CFM compressor), so the motor and pump would not be under much load. Even if you did have a big 20+ CFM compressor that could maintain pressure with a burst line, it wouldn't matter since most compressors that large are rated for 100% duty cycle anyways.

If the load ever got too excessive, the motor's built-in thermal overload would trip, or the heaters in the motor-starter would trip the compressor out long before a fire would ever remotely start.

Build a very leak-free air system with hard plumbing, and then don't worry about it. I've got a friend who disconnected his 240v compressor while he was renovating his workshop. The compressor literally sat for 2 months and did not lose any pressure in the tank. Needless to say he leaves it on 24/7.

 

[pattenp]

My hose reels leak ever so slowly so I need to remember to shut of the air at the tank. I sometimes forget to shut off power and close the air valve and hear the compressor kick on in the middle of the night, or I shut off the power and forget close the air valve and go to use the compressor and the tank is empty. My best solution was to put a micro switch at the air valve so when the air valve is opened a plug-in corded light comes on. So with the light on I can clearly see I need to shut the air valve. I didn't have this problem when I was younger.

 

[Marctrees]

I'd forget to do that as well. I think the idea is to not have a runaway when something opens up to a leak.

Zeke is totally correct w his concern.

VERY realistically valid, NOT paranoia.

I have a reminder sign on my exit door to dump the QO Breaker.

Marc

 

[sberry]

A welder is off when it's off.

 

[teamextreme]

If an airline burst, your compressor would not burn up or catch fire. A burst air line would not really allow the compressor to build much pressure (unless you had a like 25 CFM compressor), so the motor and pump would not be under much load. Even if you did have a big 20+ CFM compressor that could maintain pressure with a burst line, it wouldn't matter since most compressors that large are rated for 100% duty cycle anyways.

If the load ever got too excessive, the motor's built-in thermal overload would trip, or the heaters in the motor-starter would trip the compressor out long before a fire would ever remotely start.

Build a very leak-free air system with hard plumbing, and then don't worry about it. I've got a friend who disconnected his 240v compressor while he was renovating his workshop. The compressor literally sat for 2 months and did not lose any pressure in the tank. Needless to say he leaves it on 24/7.

To each his own, but I don't think you're understanding the scenario. Open a dump valve on your system (simulating a sudden burst/leak in a line) and see what your compressor does. I just blew out my sprinklers which is basically like having a constant leak and the compressor was running constantly for the 20 minutes or so it took. It was pretty hot by the end of that task. The compressor will continue to run because it can't build pressure to trip the pressure switch and shut itself off.

 

[American Locomotive]

Yes, I'm well aware the compressor will run continuously. All motors on commercially available compressors are thermally protected - they will shut off if they get too hot. Many larger compressors have a 100% duty cycle, meaning they are designed to run indefinitely. I've accidentally had my compressor run overnight before when I forgot to close the drain valve when I turned the power on. It didn't care.

 

[CoogarXR]

I wired a switch that is right above my hose reel. That way I just flip it on when I need the air, and I flip it back off when I'm rolling the hose back up.

I don't use my air every day though, so it's off more often than not.

Last year I moved the air compressor into the building behind the garage, and plumbed the air lines through the wall. I LOVE how I don't have to hear it run anymore!

 

[tatra]

Could an occupancy sensor be used ? The kind they have for lights ?

 

[sberry]

This crew will really come up with some schemes, about every valve and switch ever invented. I fixed the belt on my my deceased buds comp for his wife. The machine doesn't leak, only feature is the ball valve.
It held for months, she rarely uses it, turns breaker on before use but if it was more regular would simply use the valve.

 

[Norcal]

A occupancy sensor would not be rated for a motor load.

 

[Squankum]

Even if the compressor doesn't harm itself by running nonstop while you're in Monaco for two weeks gambling with movie starlets with legs that go all the way up to their hips, wearing strapless gowns, it's still a waste of money on electricity.

 

[tatra]

A occupancy sensor would not be rated for a motor load.

Kinda figured that would be a given , use it to signal the mag switch or whatever . Not an electrician . Just throwing it out there .

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Kinda figured that would be a given , use it to signal the mag switch or whatever . Not an electrician . Just throwing it out there .

A better idea would be to use it for the supply valve on the tank

 

[tyme2par4]

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B01LX3JFR8/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Smartphone controllable

I have one of those on my water main, along with leak sensors near the hot water heater and washer.
I'd love to have one on my compressor, but I can't justify $75 at this point.

 

[Falcon67]

Mines on 24-7 unless we leave town, then I close the main gate valve and turn off the breaker. I have an additional 175 PSI relief valve in the piping right off the compressor in addition to whatever come on the compressor.

I will say that now there are a bevy of Smart Switches ( I use Kasa), I could easily rig up a 240V relay to schedule power to the compressor or do remote "vacation status" settings.

 

[Zeke]

whats the hp rating on the comp?

1.5 hp running on 120v.

 

[teamextreme]

Yes, I'm well aware the compressor will run continuously. All motors on commercially available compressors are thermally protected - they will shut off if they get too hot. Many larger compressors have a 100% duty cycle, meaning they are designed to run indefinitely. I've accidentally had my compressor run overnight before when I forgot to close the drain valve when I turned the power on. It didn't care.

Understood
Still prefer not to have it running for days in the event of a failure. And I don't trust the cheap Chinese motor in mine to last with that kind of duty, regardless of thermal O/L's.

 

[Zeke]

Understood
Still prefer not to have it running for days in the event of a failure. And I don't trust the cheap Chinese motor in mine to last with that kind of duty, regardless of thermal O/L's.

Exactly. And what a stupid debate. Why risk a compressor running endlessly even if the chances are slim? A few hours of running would surely show up on the electric bill. I know when mine is running looking at the meter. At least 1 KWH.

 

[Sevenhills1952]

Here's what I do not that I'm older/forgetful. On shop door I tape a large note..."Turn compressor off" or "turn heat off" (thermostat down). I can't miss it, it's on light switch as I go out.

 

[American Locomotive]

Exactly. And what a stupid debate. Why risk a compressor running endlessly even if the chances are slim? A few hours of running would surely show up on the electric bill. I know when mine is running looking at the meter. At least 1 KWH.

Because for the most part, it's really not a big deal, and not worth investing the time and effort to install remote switches, timers, etc... I trust my air system. If I know I'll be away for like a week, I might turn the breaker off, but that's about it.

I don't think the switches are pointless, just not super necessary or really worth putting in the effort if you have a well put together air system. After all, I don't worry about a pipe bursting and my well pump running continuously whenever I leave my house.

 

[Zeke]

A quaility ball valve on the hard line supply would be nice as mentioned BUT YOU STILL HAVE TO REMEMBER TO TURN IT OFF!!! My hard line is connected to a HF hose reel. I don't trust that at all now that it's 2 years old (and the source of a very slow leak). If it weren't for the HF reel, I could leave the thing on as it holds air very well.

One thing I have found is that stock drain valves are no fvcking good. The type I am talking about you would find at the bottom of your car radiator. I guess they still use those, I haven't looked. Seems like most older horizontal compressors have those and if you move it around much, you end up breaking the handles off. So there I have an extension with a decent ball valve.

I digress.

 

[Sevenhills1952]

Just put a light on anything you need to remember to turn off. At the very least on your walk-out door a sign taped on...a check list.

 

[abh46]

I leave my compressor on all the but I put a electrically operated (normally closed) ball valve on the outlet. The valve is hooked in the lights circuit. Therefore when I turn on the lights in the shop, the ball valve opens pressurizing the piping. I used this valve. https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00PVPFAUE/?tag=atomicindus08-20 So far I am happy with it.

 

[dreamingmuscle]

My compressor about burned my shop down. I will be turning it off from now on.

Thread here.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=404524

 

[like2wheel]

My compressor about burned my shop down. I will be turning it off from now on.

Thread here.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=404524

Thats an even more compelling reason to shut down a compressor when not in the shop. One I hadn't thought of.

Thanks for posting.

 

[Showkey]

Because for the most part, it's really not a big deal, and not worth investing the time and effort to install remote switches, timers, etc... I trust my air system. If I know I'll be away for like a week, I might turn the breaker off, but that's about it.

I don't think the switches are pointless, just not super necessary or really worth putting in the effort if you have a well put together air system. After all, I don't worry about a pipe bursting and my well pump running continuously whenever I leave my house.

This post indicates maybe it could be a BIG deal...........

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=404524

Now two reported smoke reports after the compressor stay on after a failure.

 

[American Locomotive]

This post indicates maybe it could be a BIG deal...........

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=404524

Now two reported smoke reports after the compressor stay on after a failure.

Possibly, but smoke is not the same thing as a fire. Plus, those contacts were going to weld regardless.

 

[Git]

I have posted this before - Turn off the air with a motorized ball valve

Here is an example. You can control these valves a number of different ways - z wave, regular timer, etc

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showpost.php?p=7329816&postcount=20