Smart Shop invention #2- Remote controlled Air Compressor Controller

[Want2race]

This project has been in flight for about 5 months. I built a prototype to set that the components could work and the price would be affordable.

Reason for the invention-
My compressor is in the basement and has lines run to the garage. Typically I used to leave it on but it would cycle on at the worst times and wake my wife, scare the dogs or wake the baby. I would never remember to go downstairs and turn it off after I washed my hands and headed to the shower.

What does it do-
The unit allows you to remotely turn the compressor on or off and open the drain to remove any water. Right now it tells me the environmental conditions of the area it's in and will soon have a pressure sensor in the tank.

Here is a video about it:

I looked into making a kit or commercial unit. A modular DIY kit would be about $60 and not require any soldering. I wouldn't make an assembled unit because of UL testing expenses.. Anyways I would have to have a lot more interest before it got to that point.. Right now its just fun

Any thoughts or feedback is welcome

 

[nine4gmc]

Wired, wireless? Display, lights or sounds? More info is needed but there have been a few people over the years inquire about remote power options for their compressors so there is a need out there for such a product.

 

[Want2race]

Wired, wireless? Display, lights or sounds? More info is needed but there have been a few people over the years inquire about remote power options for their compressors so there is a need out there for such a product.

Check out the video link - could have lights etc but I control most of it from my phone or Alexa that is in my garage.

 

[nine4gmc]

I apologize for posting without clicking, nice setup and the price is well respectable. Great job.

 

[Ditch]

I really like it.

 

[ducksface]

It would be so much simpler to fix your air leaks so it doesn't cycle.
Mine has been on for a year and used but once, and it doesn't cycle.

It's a fine invention, but if you have no leaking equipment, what does it accomplish?
I know it allows a drain to cycle, I know it will soon tell you the air pressure and room temperature.

I stabilize my air pressure at the individual tool according to its individual need, auto drains exist, room temp seems inconsequential.

Just some questions, nothing more. I'm not one to say
Hey that's great!
about everything someone makes here. I don't think that is fair to anyone, so I take the time and effort to give it a second thought. It is great job you've done, no one can begin to doubt that. I don't know if it's saleable.

 

[xyster101]

It would be so much simpler to fix your air leaks so it doesn't cycle.
Mine has been on for a year and used but once, and it doesn't cycle.

It's a fine invention, but it solves nothing if your equipment is in good repair.

Way to be a jerk with that. If you have a system you use once a year why do you have a system?
My retractable reel leaks a little at the swivel connection. It will cycle about once every 2 days. To me that is not enough to fix.
I don't want to leave my compressor on. What if I am away and a hose fails or some other leak?

To the OP why is the noisy thing in the basement and not in the garage?
I like the remote thing. I was thinking of putting like a 4 hour timer on mine. I could crank it and get 4 hours of use and it would turn off automatically.


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[ducksface]

It was simple and truthful observation, just as your timer also negates the need for the remote switch.
As to why I have air(though entirely uninvolved with my post): My system is a holdover from the days before cordless and hoseless tools became effective. It is not used for daily operation of tools that no longer need a hose or cord to be effective.

All you have to do is fix your reel and you won't need a timer.

It's an Occam thing. Simpler to repair the system, simpler to add the timer, if you didn't have a leak, you wouldn't need the timer,ever, if you didn't have a leak you wouldn't need the remote, ever.
You gave it a second thought and your first second thought negated the invention... Just as mine did.
Nothing and no one says to the OP to not carry on. Mine is a market analysis, nothing more.

OP says he'd need a lot more interest for him to get serious. I'm laying out where interest might be on a consumer level.
I'm familiar with the OP and his ability to discern as presented by him on GJ. I don't think he is overly worried that I gave him my straight scoop.

 

[CrashmanS]

I have a garage with an air line running from another garage building. It would save me from walking and turning on the air. Actually have two buildings feeding from my main large compressor. And I don't like to keep the lines pressurized all the time. Great idea.
But it turns the power on and off correct? I would like to have it just turn the air line on and off like the drain. I leave the compressor pressurized but not the lines.

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[sberry]

I would like to have it just turn the air line on and off like the drain. I leave the compressor pressurized but not the lines.

Put a ball valve to the entrance of the building, it doesn't hurt to leave some line charged.

 

[zac]

I've been looking to do this but wired, I'm an electrician so relay are easy for me. Your kit is a excellent idea, I'll look into arduino stuff.

For the people wandering why the compressor is not in the garage.
I live in a split level house and have a tiny 27/11' garage with 4 kid and wife sleeping right above the garage...That is why my compressor is in the basement.
And I ALWAYS forget to turn it off and it always cycle at night!


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[kTHREE]

Why not just use one the many zwave devices for half the cost?

 

[bwringer]

Even with no leaks, it's well worth turning the power to the compressor off whenever you're not there. If an air line breaks or is damaged, it will keep the compressor from running continuously.

A timer is a somewhat crude way of accomplishing this. The remote control setup is another way.



Ducks, when you find a reel that NEVER leaks AT ALL, don't keep it to yourself...

 

[Want2race]

It would be so much simpler to fix your air leaks so it doesn't cycle.
Mine has been on for a year and used but once, and it doesn't cycle.

I stabilize my air pressure at the individual tool according to its individual need, auto drains exist, room temp seems inconsequential.

I appreciate the honest feedback.

Ive had this slow leak that I cannot find. I suspect it is in the drum of an air reel but havent been able to find it. On average it leaks down 30psi in about 30 days. so it is very hard to see.

I dont plan to use it to regulate the tools. Just to know if the tank drops below X amount of air.

To the OP why is the noisy thing in the basement and not in the garage?
I like the remote thing. I was thinking of putting like a 4 hour timer on mine. I could crank it and get 4 hours of use and it would turn off automatically.

I like your timer idea. I have it in the basement because there isnt space in my garage for a 60 gallon compressor. Space up there is at a premium while the basement isnt.. Also the babies room is above the garage so...

OP says he'd need a lot more interest for him to get serious. I'm laying out where interest might be on a consumer level.
I'm familiar with the OP and his ability to discern as presented by him on GJ. I don't think he is overly worried that I gave him my straight scoop.

All feedback is good feedback!

I have a garage with an air line running from another garage building. It would save me from walking and turning on the air. Actually have two buildings feeding from my main large compressor. And I don't like to keep the lines pressurized all the time. Great idea.
But it turns the power on and off correct? I would like to have it just turn the air line on and off like the drain. I leave the compressor pressurized but not the lines.

That would be really easy. Just need a $14 irrigation solinoid and you could cut off the pressure to one or many legs in a second! If I produced these I would leave a few terminals for things like that so people could customize them.

Why not just use one the many zwave devices for half the cost?

Cant get a contactor for Zwave for under $100 that does 30 amps is my short answer.. But yes there are a few ways i could make the drain an easier option.

 

[CrashmanS]

Now you got me thinking! With a 110 volt irrigation valve, I could control it with a smart plug with Alexa or my phone.

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[Want2race]

Now you got me thinking! With a 110 volt irrigation valve, I could control it with a smart plug with Alexa or my phone.

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Thats the benefit of groups like this

 

[CrashmanS]

Yes. I already use my dot and Alexa in my garage to control my big dust collector from another location.

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[Cue]

Ive been using one of these on my compressor for a few years, just plug it into a $30 Zwave module and can control it with Smarthings, Alexa, etc.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004HMZOUS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

 

[ratdoggy]

I've been looking to do this but wired, I'm an electrician so relay are easy for me. Your kit is a excellent idea, I'll look into arduino stuff.

For the people wandering why the compressor is not in the garage.
I live in a split level house and have a tiny 27/11' garage with 4 kid and wife sleeping right above the garage...That is why my compressor is in the basement.
And I ALWAYS forget to turn it off and it always cycle at night!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Mine's in the basement too...No room in garage and it's fairly quiet as it's on hockey pucks..When it does come on you can hear it but it's not bad at all

 

[ducksface]

Honest to god, I was going to bury my auxiliary (in another building) oilers in an old refrigerator and plumb it from there. The only reason I didn't is the old fridge refuses to quit working and I just live with it the few times I need it(and it's on wheels so I can take it to the stupid neighbors house to winterize his stupid travel trailer yards yadda...so, the purpose of it has changed)

Punchline:
Bury the damn oilers units!

 

[Want2race]

Ive been using one of these on my compressor for a few years, just plug it into a $30 Zwave module and can control it with Smarthings, Alexa, etc.

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B004HMZOUS/?tag=atomicindus08-20

Ye I looked at that but was able to put it all together for about half.

I almost bought that for my heater in the garage too

 

[Brian_WK]

I like it. My BIL had his end blow off his air hose if it wasn't shut off (it normally never is) It would have ran for 8+ hours befor he would've caught it.

Brian

 

[engineer2]

Great idea for remote control of an air compressor. There are many WiFi controlled relays on the market. Google Sonoff WiFi Switch
The magic would be an app to control 1 to 3 relays depending on what you have; compressor, air dryer, timed drain, etc.
If you could use a pressure transmitter and send pressure readings to your phone then you can do a lot more.

 

[Want2race]

Great idea for remote control of an air compressor. There are many WiFi controlled relays on the market. Google Sonoff WiFi Switch
The magic would be an app to control 1 to 3 relays depending on what you have; compressor, air dryer, timed drain, etc.
If you could use a pressure transmitter and send pressure readings to your phone then you can do a lot more.

That's awesome! I'm going to order one! Its certainly had a few uses

 

[Bruce 993 SEA]

Did this same set up for a buddy in Folsom with the compressor in the basement under the garage. Did not use the WIFI but simply wired a 110V lighted switch (to show it is on) at the top corner of the garage where you go into the house. That operates the 220V motor starter for the compressor.

Same as OP without the drain and WiFi. Works well. He does have a bunch of leaks and the compressor would cycle of course at the wrong time of the night. Couldn't talk him out of PVC for the compressed air lines. I guess he never saw the picture of the shop destroyed by PVC compressor lines...

Nice work OP!

 

[Want2race]

Same as OP without the drain and WiFi. Works well. He does have a bunch of leaks and the compressor would cycle of course at the wrong time of the night. Couldn't talk him out of PVC for the compressed air lines. I guess he never saw the picture of the shop destroyed by PVC compressor lines...

Nice work OP!

Thanks.
I've seen a few leaks get compressors to run constantly. Its a double edged sword because you want it somewhere you can't hear it run but want to know everything is ok.

I decided that I should add a current detection loop. Sensor was $7. Now of it cycles for longer than 7 minutes (0psi to full tank time) it will send me a text message. Running non stop for 40 minutes and it needs to be acknowledged before it will restart.

This board is awesome for ideas!

 

[engineer2]

What kind of $7 current sensor did you find?

 

[Bruce 993 SEA]

I decided that I should add a current detection loop. Sensor was $7. Now of it cycles for longer than 7 minutes (0psi to full tank time) it will send me a text message. Running non stop for 40 minutes and it needs to be acknowledged before it will restart.

Now I really like that idea...I had my compressor out in the shed and could barely hear it run from the house. Could hear it in the garage OK.

I always wondered what would happen if it developed a leak and ran for hours while I was gone.

Well it did not leak but the pressure regulator has taken a dump and it may have run for a while un attended. Now it will not run unless I drain it all the way to zero. And it only runs up to about 60 psi. I guess I will have to dig into it.

I think I will put it on a switched circuit if I can get it going again. It is easy enough as it is 110V.

Cheers!

 

[Want2race]

What kind of $7 current sensor did you find?

One like this- http://www.ebay.com/itm/Octopus-Non...132617?hash=item1a2a052f89:g:F3AAAOSws5pZLvfz