Remote on/off switches for a compressor

[Pontiac787]

Hi All,

Looking for suggestions on what I would need to make this happen. I’d like to install 2 remote on/off switches to a 240 volt compressor so that I can turn it on or off both at the unit and a location away from the unit. I’m thinking I would need a couple of lighted (so I know if its on) 3 way switches powered by 120, a 240volt 40 amp relay, and some wire. Am I oversimplifying this project? Any suggestions on the relay I should use?

 

[Norcal]

Your compressor have a mag starter already? If so it would be easy.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Sounds like you dont have a motor starter since youre proposing to use a relay.

Tell us a bit more about what you have so we can give you an answer.

Do you have a motor starter? Or just a pressure switch?

 

[Pontiac787]

The motor has a pressure switch. The wireless sounds interesting.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

You're waaaayhh over complicating it.
Remote control by wireless just like the remote on your car.
Probably under 59 bucks for 220v heavy duty. receiver and three senders.
Mount them, move them where you like better.
I use them even in water hoses.
I hit a remote button on the working end of the hose.

AND

ALEXA, TURN ON COMPRESSOR.

The relay will need to be rated for the same or greater HP as the motor HP rating.

Yeh, I never even understood the hard wired garage door opener switch.
I bought extra remotes and foam tape them where I want them.
Wireless has been around for years and very mainstr3am for the past 30 years.

It prevents people from scanning and stealing wireless remote codes so they can come back later with another remote and open your door. It has happened a few times out here

 

[cvairwerks]

Yeh, I never even understood the hard wired garage door opener switch.
I bought extra remotes and foam tape them where I want them.
Wireless has been around for years and very mainstream for the past 30 years.

Depends on how much stray RF is floating around the area, and the age of the radio boards. I used to set off Mom and Dad's garage door with my HF radio, even at QRP power levels. The opener in my current house won't work on a remote when the door is closed and you are more than 5 feet from it....

 

[SGKent]

my neighbor's cheap gas leaf blower opens a bunch of garages on the street, and blocks other ones from opening.

 

[jask]

back in the day of hard wired door openers LOTS of remotes did not roll codes, and lots of people still have those units. either way a remote for my dusk collector makes sense, for my compressor? not so much... I would still need to remember to turn it off at the end of day. I have my compressor power wired to a relay that only closes when the shop lights are on... I used to forget the compressor regularly and not worry about it until one day I walked into a smoke filled shop.. the contactor on the pressure switch had arced closed and the PRV was blowing while the oil was being cooked out of a very hot compressor head.

OP if you have light switches at those remote locations you might be able to do the same.

 

[wyliesdiesels]

I use high grade tinfoil.
If I'm home the fob is home.
If I'm not home, the wife's keys may be at home.
If neither of us is home the extra fob is.
Tell us how they access the fob?

'Many current model garage door openers use a “rolling code,” which means that they provide a new code every time they are used. The code is automatically generated from a possible 4.3 billion combinations. Hackers will have to work away at the codes for quite a while before they can break in!'

I'm going to need a modern story about a modern opener with a learn button opened by anyone other than a highly trained Thief. You know, that type of link.

I know the lengths that can be gone to, but I'm not special enough for anyone to go to those lengths.

I said nothing about modern openers. most homes out here have older units that do not roll the codes.

yes it has happened here.

 

[dogdog]

Just get a remote contactor / relay that is 110V coil side and rated for your compressor motor. and a WIFI switch to control the coil. Bob is your uncle/auntie after that. Don't make it more complicated than you needed to.

 

[Pontiac787]

Is this an example of what I'd be looking for? https://www.amazon.com/Migro-Contactor-Virtually-Residential-Contactors/dp/B07T7ZLF7S/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=remote+240v+contactor&qid=1589577376&sr=8-3

 

[dogdog]

maybe this one ?
https://www.amazon.com/dp/B084ZZ6436/?tag=atomicindus08-20

but you'll have to find out your compressor motor rating ?

120V coil if you wanted to control it with a wifi switch.
24V coil if your controller/switch is 24V stuff ... few people here have it done on 24V setup putting the relay into a metal box etc...

 

[wyliesdiesels]

Is this an example of what I'd be looking for? https://www.amazon.com/Migro-Contactor-Virtually-Residential-Contactors/dp/B07T7ZLF7S/ref=sr_1_3?dchild=1&keywords=remote+240v+contactor&qid=1589577376&sr=8-3

I dont see a HP rating on that and it needs 24v for the coil operation so you would just be adding more complexity. get a HP rated contactor that has a 240v coil

 

[Want2race]

Just get a remote contactor / relay that is 110V coil side and rated for your compressor motor. and a WIFI switch to control the coil. Bob is your uncle/auntie after that. Don't make it more complicated than you needed to.

Bingo! I’ve been running mine for years. Works flawlessly.

 

[Pontiac787]

It’s a 5hp motor. I think 22 amp.

 

[Citation]

Given the size of the motor if you don't have a may starter add one. It's then rather easy to add a switched relay in line with the pressure switch. The relay is turned on/ off by a 120V line. That can either be a 2 way light switch setup or a wireless remote.