Pilot light switch for compressor with mag starter HELP!

[riv187]

Hi, I have a 220 compressor with magnetic starter outside my shop. Inside I have a light switch in series with the pressure switch to shut off. I want to put a pilot light switch in it's place so I can see if I left it on from across shop.
I have a Leviton 1221-PLR 20-Amp single pole to put in. I switch it in place of my old switch and there is no pilot lighting up. I tried a jumper from one brass to other and still no pilot feature,,,,the compressor still operates with switch ,,,but no pilot lighting. Even when the compressor kicks in the pilot does not illuminate.
What am I missing to get the light to work?
Attached is PDF picture of my schematic
Please help!
Thanks.

 

[inphx]

I was trying to follow your sketch and found a different diagram I think matches. Would not this need to be true to light the pilot (neon bulb embedded in the switch) in a residential light switch:

a) The switch is off (not on) The neon bulb can then have the voltage potential to light up
b) The compressor depleted max pressure so contactors are closed
c) in the diagram below oil is full

 

[engineer2]

Do you have a white neutral wire connected to the wall switch?
It's needed for the light to work.

 

[riv187]

I was trying to follow your sketch and found a different diagram I think matches. Would not this need to be true to light the pilot (neon bulb embedded in the switch) in a residential light switch:

a) The switch is off (not on) The neon bulb can then have the voltage potential to light up
b) The compressor depleted max pressure so contactors are closed
c) in the diagram below oil is full

This is my current set-up with a regular light switch. I'm trying to put a switch with red light in place of it. So that when it is on,,no matter if compressor is cycling or not,,I know it is on from across shop.

 

[riv187]

Do you have a white neutral wire connected to the wall switch?
It's needed for the light to work.

In this diagram,,,if the line is the source power from one leg of the line on mag starter,,,which is the wire that I have going to the pressure switch currently? Where would neutral wire go-back to the neutral bar in my panel ? The switch is mounted right beside my power panel in shop...so it is easy for me to run a white from side of the pilot white switch into panel and to neutral bar.

 

[inphx]

Lowes has a Double Pole DPST light switch on the shelf ... so that would give you an independent switch contact set in sync to illuminate a light. One set of contacts meet your current "compressor on" path and the other can power a bulb visible across the room.

 

[justsam]

As stated by engineer2, you must have a neutral for a pilot. See attached spec.

https://www.leviton.com/sites/REST/...lpdf/1221-PLR.pdf?products=1221-PLR&locale=en

 

[riv187]

Do you have a white neutral wire connected to the wall switch?
It's needed for the light to work.

Fixed ! I ran a wire from switch side, directly to the panel box neutral bar. The switch was mounted directly beside panel and easiest route. Thanks!

 

[Bert_]

Since your compressor is 240 volt control normally you would use a 240 volt pilot. Using a 120 and a neutral can make some weird things happen. It may light up when it shouldn't.

 

[justsam]

Based on his original drawing it looks like the mag start coil is 120 VAC, not "240 volt control".

 

[Bert_]

Based on his original drawing it looks like the mag start coil is 120 VAC, not "240 volt control".

Seeing how he doesn't show a neutral I doubt it's 120v. Actually I've never seen an air compressor with 120v control.

His drawing has both lines labeled "120" and while I get what he's saying it a really bad way to label it. Nothing on that air compressor is using 120v. Should just label it L1 & L2, write 240v one time.