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I have a compressor in my crawlspace that I'd like to turn on by using a low volt toggle.

I was planning to use Honeywell RC840T-120 such that my 18g wire is hooked up to the 24v leads and causes the relay to activate the 120 in the outlet.

Any issues with this approach?

Fresh Codemonger
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1 Answers1

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"The RC840T Electric Heating Relay is designed to control a line voltage resistive load"

Source

So asking it to control a motor load, particularly one that starts as hard as the typical compressor, is probably a BAD idea. If the compressor is a fish-tank air pump, perhaps not a worry. If it's a shop air compressor, not a good idea at all. Airbrush compressor, probably yes unless it's abnormally huge.

Later in the specs it does claim it can handle a 0.8 HP inductive load (motor) on 120V so if the compressor motor is 3/4 HP or smaller, perhaps you're OK using it.

Unfortunately you have to get into quite big compressors before some of them have the sense to include an unloader so the motor can get up to speed before the pump starts pumping air. I don't think any that would plug into a 120V outlet have that feature.

Ecnerwal
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