Advice on Shop Air Automatic cutoff system

[Scooby074]

Ball valve on the compressor tank takes care of any overnight leakage from fittings.

On-OFF Switch on the compressor starter makes sure that the compressor wont run unattended if something catastrophic happens to the compressor itself, like spitting a belt off, rust hole or drain valve leak etc. etc.

 

[TheGoose]

Why not install an intermatic timer like used on pool pumps? Set it to run during normal hours and then off at night. If you need air just move the manual switch to ON.

 

[jejeosborne]

How about just a simple rotary timer like found on hot tubs. Find one that will run for say 4 hours then shut off.

 

[TCJatko]

I hope all you guys who shut off the compressor at night are draining condensate at regular intervals.

 

[lostcreekranch]

Drain our air compressors every weekend. Turn all off when I leave ranch.

Rick

 

[like2wheel]

I have mine wired to an electric hot water heater timer.
Removed all the "on" pins & just left one "off" pin set at midnight.
I use the manual over-ride button to turn it on when I need it, if I forget to turn it off it takes care of itself.

 

[hr3]

I have mine wired to an electric hot water heater timer.
Removed all the "on" pins & just left one "off" pin set at midnight.
I use the manual over-ride button to turn it on when I need it, if I forget to turn it off it takes care of itself.

Now that is a good way of doing it...:thumbsup:

 

[JerryK]

I had the same problem years ago, had a hose burst and my garage was filled with oil smoke after the compressor had run X hours.. Didn't seem to hurt the compressor. I built a box to control the compressor after that. Need a contactor with heavy enough contacts to run your compressor motor and a timer. Use the pressure switch to bring in the timer and contactor, and put a timer contact in series with the contactor to open up and shut the compressor off in, say five minutes. I also put a lighted selector switch in parallel with the timer contact so I could bypass the shutoff process for spray painting, etc. Anyway, works for me...

 

[OKnewguy]

there are some good idea's here. I am definitely gonna hook up a relay off the lights. It should be no problem really. I was hoping for a similar setup for the air lines. To everyone thou that says just turn the ball valve off and turn the compressor off, REALLY. You are telling me that you never ever forget? I make a habit of turning off everything too, but there are always gonna be times when you might miss it. I appreciate the replies.
Thanks, Dave

 

[grsthegreat]

Its simple and cheap to di it yourself.

1. Purchase a 2 pole lighting contactor that has a 120 volt coil (about $40.00 at supply house).
2. Run the 240 volt circuit from the breaker panel to one side of the contactors, and run the load or compressor wires to the other side.
3. Run a hot and neutral from the switched side of the shop lighting to the coil.
4. Place all this in a sealable box...your done


When you flip on the switch for the light, the contactor closes and compressor runs. It takes NO power from the lighting system except the 0.01 amps needed to close and hold the coil.

I do this all the time to control everything from 200 amp landscape lighting systems to commercial shops.

Mind you, in my shop i simply installed a large green neon indicator light next to the exit door, when i go out,if the green light is on i know the compressor is still on. This is the $5.00 method i chose.\


Heres a sample of one i did to control two separate 20 amp, 240 volt supply wires that ran 8 - 240 volt HID lights on an arena. All you have to do is flip a 110 volt coil switch and you control 2 separately derived 240 volt systems. Real easy and real cheap to do.