Advice on Shop Air Automatic cutoff system

[OKnewguy]

Hey gang, I have been following the thread on the shop air install and the other day I happened to come home from work and my compressor was running full bore! I quickly found out that my retractable air hose had blown and my compressor was pumping away like crazy. I try and remember to shut it off, and to also turn the ball valve that energizes the lines, but I have forgot on occasion.
So, I am now wondering if any of you have rigged up a relay of the lighting circuit and introduced an solenoid on the air line? This would be a great fool proof system to make sure the system is kept off when not in the garage. Are there any systems that I can purchase? I have been searching and found ways to do it, but if there is a system that would be much easier.
Thanks and any thoughts are appreciated!
Dave

 

[wirenut]

I have 2 5 HP compressors. one is controlled with X10 relay module the other is controller using Elk security system relay. I kill the power anytime the house/shop security system is set.. Or can manually start/stop them through the Elk panel or with iphone through Elk system. I am considering a colvoller valve in the air lines. So far valves cost too much and in some cases open too fast. I just don't like the machines running maybe a couple of day when we are out of town. Once programed Elk does it for me

 

[BethelHntr]

When I am done using compressed air for the day I shut off the manual ball valve and turn power off to the compressor, Simple and cheap.

 

[stuckmotor]

I usally flip the breaker from inside the house.

 

[OKnewguy]

I have the ball valve too. I also turn off the power at the compressor. The problem is that when you do forget (I bet we all do forget sometimes) and you end up with your expensive compressor ready to run into the ground if it blows when your not home.
The electric part is easy, and the air I was thinking something along the lines of this
3/4" Brass Electric Solenoid Valve 110-VAC Normally Closed water, air, diesel...: Amazon.com: Industrial & Scientific
Good point on opening too fast wirenut.
You would think someone would make a ready to go solution. What do mechanic shops and other shop do? Do they do it all manually?
Dave

 

[hr3]

The electric valve is nice but you still have to turn it of.. You could tie it to a low pressure set below the cut in pressure but then if your using your compressor hard it will shut off.. I think your out of luck,, Most plants that only run one shift have someone responsible to turn off the power,,

 

[OKnewguy]

Hr3, I was thinking of tying it all to a relay that works of the shop light circuit. My concept is that when you turn on the lights it give power to the compressor and activates the solenoid that energizes the shop air lines.
It is such a relatively simple thing that I thought there would be a ready made solution. Now I know why I am not finding anything in my searches. Oh well.
Thanks for all the replies gang, I appreciate the input.
Dave

 

[jinman]

Dave, I think the reason you didn't find what you were looking for is that the standard device to protect against excess air flow is a pneumatic fuse. Here is a link to a PDF file from Norgren. Normal air flow through this valve does nothing, but a burst in a line will let flow instantaneously increase and seat the checkvalve. Putting one of these inline near your compressor could solve your problem.

 

[Dr Dave]

My compressor has a magnetic starter, I plan to run a remote switch next to my light switch. And use a half switch/red light combo switch.
I used to shut off just the valve, untill the neighbors dog got in the garage and knocked a creaper against the pop off safety valve.

Dave

 

[ovrszd]

Hr3, I was thinking of tying it all to a relay that works of the shop light circuit. My concept is that when you turn on the lights it give power to the compressor and activates the solenoid that energizes the shop air lines.
It is such a relatively simple thing that I thought there would be a ready made solution. Now I know why I am not finding anything in my searches. Oh well.
Thanks for all the replies gang, I appreciate the input.
Dave

I sortta used your idea. I bought a 50 amp relay that is activated by the shop lights. When I turn on the lights there is power to the compressor. When lights are off, power to compressor is off. I did not protect the shop air system. If I blow a hose or line while not there it will simply drain my tank, compressor will not come on. Might be cheaper to use your idea??? Can't remember what I paid for the electrical relay.

The reason I didn't go for manually turning off the compressor each time is that it's in the back corner of my shop in the bathroom. Exit door is 50 feet away. Then we get to the real reason,,,,, I'd forget.....

 

[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.