To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

Rewiring my 5HP Air Compressor. Advice needed.

RonRock

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 6, 2007
Messages
1,173
Location
Iowa, USA
Some may remember my issues a while ago with my air compressor. I built the compressor more than 25 years ago. It is still compressing although it has needed repairs over the years. The most common issue that I have had is the "Load Genie" Unloader valve that I used when building the compressor. It's been a good, not great solution to unloading after compressor stops. For some reason they just don't last forever. I've finally gotten to the point where I am forced to rethink my compressor start/stop setup. They have discontinued the 3/4" Load Genie in MPT style. So time for a change.

Here's my setup at the moment. Power goes from panel to a switch. Switch power to disconnect in loft with compressor. Then to compressor pressure switch.

I plan to use this Mag Motor Starter,


I plan to replace the Load Genie with a 1" Check Valve with unloader port.

Pretty straight forward so far. My question is what to use for a pressure switch? With the Mag switch I won't need to run power through the pressure switch, which will lighten the load on that switch. So is there a better, easier pressure switch that I can use than the typical air compressor switch?

I should have started by saying. 5HP compressor. 240v single phase. I like to run @ 175 psi cut off. But not opposed to dropping that if needed for a switch that works.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

willf650

Well-known member
Joined
Mar 10, 2010
Messages
897
Why reinvent the wheel. Why not use your current pressure switch as a pilot duty device to control your starter?
 
OP
R

RonRock

Well-known member
Joined
Oct 6, 2007
Messages
1,173
Location
Iowa, USA
Why reinvent the wheel. Why not use your current pressure switch as a pilot duty device to control your starter?
Current switch don't have a unloader line. Also don't need to run power through the switch, just need a switch to control the Mag starter.
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!

The Cobbler

Super Moderator
Staff member
Joined
Oct 24, 2013
Messages
25,962
Location
Niagara Region, Ontario, Canada
maybe something here that I'm not understanding :headscrat . the easiest way is a pressure switch to operate the mag start. if your current one doesn't have an unloader, get one that does. or wire an appropriate normally open ASCO RED HAT solenoid to it so when the compressor is pumping the unloader circuit is closed, when it shuts off it opens & unloads. but that will be more than a new switch
 
Last edited:

mm08822

Well-known member
Joined
Jan 13, 2012
Messages
6,034
Location
NJ
The are plenty of pressure switches with unloader valves built right in that can handle pilot duty service.

Get one!
 
To avoid these ads, REGISTER NOW!
Top Bottom