Air Ride Power Switch Question

[JWall]

I need a little wiring help...

I am familiar with air ride wiring as I've done a couple of them but I will admit electrical wiring is still not my strong point.

My question is my 72's air ride system installed by the PO appears to have the main power for the air system (compressor & big red valves) running to the starter. I would like to be able to cut the power to the compressor when the truck is parked in case of leaks. Is it safe to put a switch on that power wire? Also, would it be safe to bring that power wire in the cab (i.e. glove box) to put a switch?

Thanks for any help from the wiring gurus!

[youngrodder]

Couldn't you pull power from the accessory post on the ignition switch? I am pulling from memory here, but with my Air Ride set up it won't come on unless I turn the key. Then if it leaks down it doesn't matter as it won’t fire the compressors until you turn the key.

Have you contacted air ride or looked on their site for a wiring diagram. Just a thought.

Good luck
Marc

[JWall]

I've been looking thru Air Rides diagrams etc this morning.

The way its hooked up the key has to be on for the valves to work but not the compressor because it has stayed running when I shut the truck off if its cycle isnt done.

Another reason I'd like the shut off it as loud as my truck is I can not hear the compressor running & if the compressors running I'd rather let it finish the cycle with the truck running then shut the truck off & leave it drawing off the battery.

[tubbedII]

It's been a minute, but my compressor is wired directly to the battery and the pressure switch is run to a keyed source so the relay will only be activated if the key is on. I don't think you'd need to re-wire the comp, just the pressure switch and possibly relay.

[PBFAB.COM]

I would recommend running a relay in the system. That would be the safest bet.

Have the power wire from the starter run through the relay and use a toggle or rocker switch to trigger the relay. That will make it easier and safer to run the wiring for the system inside the cab.

[JWall]

Ok so a relay like this would work... on my old truck I had one more like a starter solenoid.

[PBFAB.COM]

You will have to make sure that the relay will handle the amperage... the one you have pictured won't.

Most guys will end up running a solenoid, as you have previously done. It essentially does the same thing.

[JWall]

So more like this one...
then run the switch of the smaller terminals?

[PBFAB.COM]

Correct. There should be a wiring diagram either on their site or with the solenoid. You can then run a trigger wire from inside the cab. That will allow you to run a small wire with less amperage inside the cab... makes it a little safer.

Nate

[JWall]

Thank you for the help.... thats more like how i did my old truck.

I guess i was a little rusty & making sure I was going to fix it correctly.

[kieth]

Originally Posted by JWall

Thank you for the help.... thats more like how i did my old truck.

I guess i was a little rusty & making sure I was going to fix it correctly.

give me a call if you need any help, I do a lot of wiring on trucks and bikes, have a lot of the stuff you will need to do this correctly, 1 40 amp relay could handle 1 compressor, 20 amp relays could be used to control the valves......I have the relays and the wiring harness for them, and all of the fittings to connect them together.....Kieth Tulsa, Ok 918-446-2245

[Zoomin]

The relay should not be necessary if you use a controller like the RidePro E3, correct?
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[OC 72]

Mine was wired the same way...had to re-wire so that all would shut down when the key was off...that way it didn't run down the battery. I hate electrical stuff!