Compressor "OFF" Switch? Thinking Outloud...

[tcb-1]

Gang,

has anyone installed something like a toggle switch to turn off the compressor when you start the engine? seems like the compressor draws a fair amount of voltage from the battery.

my compressor is set up to power up when the key is turned to "ignition on" or "accessories". when I start the engine, both the engine and the compressor compete for voltage and I'm draining my battery quicker than before.

I was thinking of putting an inline toggle switch on the "key-on" power line which I have connected to the fuse block.

any thoughts??

[fixit-p]

Your starter is going to win that battle because it has the least resistance but if you want a simple interlock you could use a relay and interrupt the signal to the compressors relay, idk how you are currently wired but cut your signal wire to the compressor relay and connect one end to terminal 30 of the new relay the other end would go to terminal 87a which is normally closed, ground terminal 85 and connect 86 to the purple starter wire. That way anytime you engage the starter the circuit automatically opens.

[lolife99]

I'm with you on the toggle switch.
I don't like the compressor kicking on when I just have the key on.
I'm thinking about putting one on my blazer also.

[gixxerpymp]

I'm setting mine up the same way. Just seemed like the easiest way also.

[texastrendz]

i always let the compressor fully cycle before i tried starting the truck.

[kev2809]

I'm liking this toggle switch idea. all u would have to do is take the 12 volt wire from the pressure switch and wire it straight to the toggle, which is 1 wire to the battery and 1 wire ground right? also, this doesnt affect the pressure switch from doing its job since its still connected to the relay?

[Hottrucks]

^^^^^ This is exactly what I did...I mounted the switch in the glove box...I also have a master switch for the toggles that work the air valves...you can dump the air shut off the switch and it works like a PARKING BRAKE...hard to steal something thats laying on the ground..even towing is out of the question!!

[SCOTI]

I had comp/tank on my 68 for 5+ years wired to a 'ign on' power source. I can't remember 1 time where I turned the key & the comp came on @ the exact same time I was starting the truck??

Why are the air tanks below the air pressure cut-off? If there are no leaks, the tanks should be @ their pressure set-point unless you adjust the bag height before turning the key.

[Alvin]

Originally Posted by SCOTI

Why are the air tanks below the air pressure cut-off? If there are no leaks, the tanks should be @ their pressure set-point unless you adjust the bag height before turning the key.

Just the thought of the leaks I'll have to track down when I get my truck back makes me cry. I am not looking forward to it.

[JWall]

My truck had 2 shut off switches.

1 that shut off the compressors & 1 that shut off power to the valves.
That way you could lift or lower the truck without the compressors kicking on & also just incase some tried to bump a switch while at a show or something the valves were off (and also would work as a security precaution too)

[AVS_JASON]

Im with SCOTI. My comps don't turn on when I start the truck either. Takes a second or two after it starts for them to fire up. Was like that on all my trucks. But you can just throw a ON/OFF switch on the ground wire of your pressure switch. Super easy and cheap.

[lyrikz]

TCB,
I wired a switch in between my pressure switch. that way if i forget to turn it off, it will turn off itself.. In my walk around video of my truck in my signature you can see where i installed it...

that way i dont have both compressors running whenever they want to...

[kev2809]

how do u make a toggle for the valves? run the switchbox power wire to a toggle?

[tcb-1]

wow, looks like I'm not the only one thinking about this.

kev,
I was thinking of putting a switch on the "key on" positive wire that feeds both the relay and the switchbox. I think that would work? **scratching head**

[Hottrucks]

yea you two are on the right path I have one switch that is on the pos of the toggle switch feed and one on the relay for the compressor

you could make it so they where fed in the key on postion but if your somewhere and want to dump it your going to have to have the key on with just straight power the toggles will still work and the comp would stay off

[LEEVON]

Hmmm, should be able to do this with another relay, it would be normally closed until it gets 12v signal from the key on position, opening the relay and killing power to your compressor.