I have a 1 1/2 gal tank, 110 psi switch, compressor and horns similiar to the shockers. everything is wired to the battery and armed via switches in cabin. horns work, compressor turns on but no air?
evrything is wired to the batt directly no splicing to ignition at all. could this be a voltage issue? i have not added a relay for the compressor, i thought if it turns on im good, but no.
when the truck is turned on though i checked today and the compressor was sporadically spiting out air, let it run but when at 110 psi it didnt shut off…
So what you’re saying is it is still building pressure, just extremely slowly. Is that right?
It sounds like one of a few things might have gone wrong.
The pressure switch may have broke and caused the compressor to overwork itself
The pressure switch may have melted internally into the ‘on’ position leading to it still supplying power, just not enough to run the compressor at full strength.
Or it may just be a coincidence.
Then it sounds like your compressor has worn parts (perhaps a bad check valve) or is low voltage (motor runs slow and weakly). Of course your piston ring could be worn too, but if it was you would have a very difficult time getting to 110.
…
Disregarding the pressure switch for now, if you supply direct power to the compressor from the battery, does it fill the tank as fast as it should? If its still running extremely slow, then your pump or check valve is damaged. If its a Viair, Air-Zenith, or Oasis we can help you acquire rebuild parts.
If the pump works fine on the bypass, then its a pressure switch/wiring issue.
Basically, when the car is off I can toggle on the compressor with the switch I wired into the cab. The compressor turns on but no to little air is comming out. When I turn the truck on the compressors sound changes a little and then I get sporatic air. Thinking its a amperage issue I am trying to insert a relay (i was really avoiding relays - hate them) to see if that will help. The only issue is I have a 3 prong switch wired one prong goes to pos bat terminal, one prong to red pos wire from compressor, and one prong grounded. Then I had the black wire connected to one prong of the PS and the other prong of the PS grounded. If I wanted to add a relay in the middle of all this were the hec would I begin? Any help would be greatly appreciated, thanks.
found an awesome diagram for those looking to wire a switch to a compressor and add a relay.
This diagram is for wiring it if you’re using a postive trigger wire:
http://static.hornblasters.com/diagrams/air-compressor-diagram.jpg
This one for a negative:
http://static.hornblasters.com/diagrams/air-compressor-diagram-negtrig.jpg
You should only have to use 2 poles out of that switch. Typically the center one is the supply pole (sometimes marked ‘com’). This connects to your + accessory trigger. Then choose either of the other two poles and wire it to the pressure switch as in the diagram.
As I mentioned above, if you bypass the pressure switch and wire your compressor straight to your battery you can test if its an amperage issue:
wire it straight to the battery using suitable gauge wire (12ga for up to 20 amps, max 20ft circuit / 10ga for up to 40 amps, 20ft max circuit).
Otherwise just go ahead and try the relay…
Relay was wired up, and the compressor still runs like crap. After a few seconds it does not produce air. With the truck off the compressor just runs like before - no air. When I start the truck air then comes out for a few seconds and stops once the trucks fan turns on. I tried just putting the key to the on position and still nothing. I am currently talking with the merchant to see what can be done. At this point I think its compressor related.
Thanks for all the assistance.
That’s odd that it would stop when the truck fan turns on. That sounds like something electrical. However, your pump not producing air definitely sounds like its broken. Good luck with it and no problem. We’re here to help