Remote Locating Magnetic Starter for Outdoor Compressor?

[ket-tek]

In the market to upgrade my compressor which is located in an insulated lean-to attached to the back of the garage. The current compressor is just plugged into a dedicated 240v 20amp receptacle in there now and I inadvertently end up leaving it powered on all the time, but it has zero leaks and never runs down unless I use it.. I realize this is not ideal and I really should be turning it off when it's not needed, and would like to integrate a control inside the garage when I get the new compressor other than using the breaker in the panel or walking outside around back everytime to do it at the comp.

I'm looking in the 7.5 hp two-stage 175psi range, and most of the models I'm looking at call for #6 wire with a 50amp breaker.

So my question is since most of these sized compressors have magnetic starter boxes mounted to them, would it be code compliant or safe to remove the mag starter from the compressor and move it in the garage and not be in the same room with the comp?

So I would run all #6 from the panel to the starter, then from starter to inside the lean-to and into a typical non-fused pull-out disconnect box then to the compressor. The entire total wire run would only be about 15ft.

I will then swap the existing 240v/20a circuit into a 120v/20a GFCI to run an autodrain on the tank since the wire is there already.

This would give everyday power control inside the garage, and still have a way to disconnect directly at the compressor for service or emergency.

Any ideas, problems, or insight with this situation?

Thanks!

 

[jeff77indy]

I left the mag. starter on my compressor and just wired a remote start/stop station inside my shop. The compressor is located in a shed attached to my shop.
The non-fused safety switch at the compressor would be a good idea and I plan on doing such in my application.
My compressor is a 5hp. 2 stage 80 gallon Sanborn BlackMax.

Jeff

 

[ket-tek]

I left the mag. starter on my compressor and just wired a remote start/stop station inside my shop. The compressor is located in a shed attached to my shop.
The non-fused safety switch at the compressor would be a good idea and I plan on doing such in my application.
My compressor is a 5hp. 2 stage 80 gallon Sanborn BlackMax.

Jeff

Thanks for the reply, so are you saying you extended the low voltage switches from the box?

I've been looking today at options and found switches like the one I'm posting a pic of here. It seems from what I read you can either replace or parallel the start/stop switches in the mag box with something like this that has NO and NC momentary buttons using just the 24v feed that comes thru the internal switches.

This assumes that the mag starter is using a transformer with accessible wire at the buttons, where as some I see the buttons on the box front push in on a lever that is part of the contactor assembly, which I don't think would work with this.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

All you need to do is leave the starter in place on the compressor, and interrupt one of the two wires going to the pressure switch, and run it to, and back from a wall light switch (snap switch), so the snap switch is in series with the pressure switch in the circuit. This would be done with 14 gauge (or less) wire and prevents the pressure switch from powering the coil and closing the contactor in the starter.

Indeed, at the compressor, you do need a disconnect if is is not in sight of, and within 50 ft of the circuit breaker panel. A 60 amp rated outdoor A/C disconnect works real well for this at less than $15.

Charles

 

[jeff77indy]

Thanks for the reply, so are you saying you extended the low voltage switches from the box?

I've been looking today at options and found switches like the one I'm posting a pic of here. It seems from what I read you can either replace or parallel the start/stop switches in the mag box with something like this that has NO and NC momentary buttons using just the 24v feed that comes thru the internal switches.

This assumes that the mag starter is using a transformer with accessible wire at the buttons, where as some I see the buttons on the box front push in on a lever that is part of the contactor assembly, which I don't think would work with this.

You would need a maintained switch, like the light switch mentioned in another post. Just break the wire feeding the pressure switch so the pressure switch cannot energize the coil of the magnetic starter.
The starter on my compressor does not have start/stop switches on it.

Jeff