How to switch a 12 volt pump remotely.

[HCJtractor]

I have a sprayer that I made from a 275 gallon tote. It has this 12 volt pump. It will be on my 3 point hitch, have a deep cycle battery. I want to be able to switch it on/off from my tractor seat. Do they make a switch pre-made that would work or be adapted or guess I can make one from scratch. The Fimco switch Northern sells is a little too small gauge. It heats up too much.

And advice on how to wire this, what’s switch and wire to use? Thanks.

 

[hosspuller]

Your problem is the pump draws 25 amps. You need 10 gauge wire and a switch rated at 30 amps at 12 volts. As a simple solution. A higher voltage switch will work too, but will cost more. Relay and less rated switch might be cheaper but at the cost of complexity.


If cost is an issue... use 10 gauge wire and a standard household light switch mounted in a box. It will last a few seasons or longer. The switches are at Home depot for $0.39 :2cents:

 

[Mendonsy]

There are several companies that make wireless switches for sprayers, but they seem to be limited to about 20 amps. Tractor Supply lists a Fimco rated at 20 amps. You could use one of those to turn on a relay like a starter solenoid rated higher amperage and connect your pump to that.

 

[davedj1]

You can buy a constant duty solenoid that looks just like a starter solenoid on a Ford but is made for continuous use. They use them on snow plows.
If you want wireless you can get a relay pack and remote for a winch from HF.

 

[nyone]

Wireless winch remote may work and are usualy prety cheap. Although they are only momentary switches.

 

[AndyMA]

I'd use a relay with a small switch. Install a 30A fuse or breaker on a #10 wire from teh battery.

Here's an example of a inexpensive relay

Amazon.com: ONLINE LED STORE 4/3 Amp Waterproof Relay Switch Harness Set - 12V DC 5-Pin SPDT Automotive Relays 12 AWG Hot Wires: Automotive

Andy

 

[HCJtractor]

If I don’t use a relay, guess this switch would work, with an inline 30A fuse?

 

[Mendonsy]

If I don’t use a relay, guess this switch would work, with an inline 30A fuse?View attachment 567642

Yes, that one should work. You would probably need to make an extension cord for it so you could reach the switch. You could probably get away with 12/2 wire.

 

[HCJtractor]

Thanks. I don’t know much about 12V wiring obviously, but thought I would use an extension cord from the switch to the battery/motor
But I’m also going to try to research adding a 12V receptacle rated for this amperage on the back of my tractor, so I can just plug it in and not use the separate battery, and mount a switch.

The reason I’m running this from a 12V is that I built this sprayer to mount in my pickup truck bed. But I’m going to build a three point platform so I can instead use my tractor. Don’t want to trash my new truck. I’m too cheap to buy a PTO driven one, and this one actually works very well for my occasional use. So once I get a three point frame welded up. I’ll wire it so I can switch it on/off from the seat.

 

[WranglerX]

I ran a lead direct from battery to 30 amp inline fuse then to 30 amp switch mounted in dash (but suggest using relay) and then on to 4 prong trailer connector at rear of tractor (using only two prongs), and used mating plug on lead to sprayer pump.... If there is a switch on sprayer pump cord or pump body just leave it there and leave it on, and use dash switch for control... This makes a 12 volt supply sort of universal if you want to power something other than sprayer....

Dale

 

[HCJtractor]

That makes sense. I think that will be the way to go. I guess the only reason to use a relay is so a less expensive switch could be used. But keeping it simple appeals to me. Thanks for all the advice.

 

[Fallon]

That makes sense. I think that will be the way to go. I guess the only reason to use a relay is so a less expensive switch could be used. But keeping it simple appeals to me. Thanks for all the advice.

No. The longer the wire, the more voltage drop you get. Keeping the wire short means more power gets where its suppose to be & less lost heating up the wire. It's also slightly safer as you have a small fuse protecting small wire for the switch. So if that small wire gets broken there isnt much arcing before the fuse blows.

Probably not relevant here, but a relay can be cheaper than the cost difference between a long big power wire & a small wire to run the switch & relay. Copper isnt cheap. Save weight too, which really isnt a tractor issue, but is for other vehicle types.

 

[N2DFire]

Your problem is the pump draws 25 amps. You need 10 gauge wire and a switch rated at 30 amps at 12 volts. As a simple solution. A higher voltage switch will work too, but will cost more. Relay and less rated switch might be cheaper but at the cost of complexity.


If cost is an issue... use 10 gauge wire and a standard household light switch mounted in a box. It will last a few seasons or longer. The switches are at Home depot for $0.39 :2cents:

Piggy back onto that - Put a weatherproof switch cover on it like this one and then drill a small hole in the paddle and run an old school choke cable to somewhere on the sprayer you can reach from the tractor to turn it on and off.

Hubbell-Bell PTC1GY Weatherproof Vertical Box Mount Nonmetallic Toggle Cover, 1-Gang, Gray - Electrical Outlet Boxes - Amazon.com


T'aint purdy but it will work.

 

[WranglerX]

If it were mine... I would actually use relay....

Dale

 

[100 td]

I have a sprayer that I made from a 275 gallon tote. It has this 12 volt pump. It will be on my 3 point hitch, have a deep cycle battery. I want to be able to switch it on/off from my tractor seat.

Go with DL's solution, or similar, he's on the money. If your battery is mounted on the sprayer and you charge it up separately, you mount the fuse and relay at the battery /pump unit and run a light gauge cable to a switch on the tractor. If you spend a bit of time up front, you'll reap the rewards in time. So wire it through a plug and socket of some type, install your switch somewhere you like, then all you have to do is drive up, hook up 3pt, plug cable from sprayer onto tractor and drive off, when you get to where you need to spray, you flip the switch you have mounted on the dash or guard etc. If you want to charge the battery as well while you are driving, or run the sprayer directly from the tractor, you need to add a heavier fused supply through the same plug/socket that goes to your battery or to supply the relay. Do it right once........YMMV