Help with Compressor please, sir!

[Amisca]

We are using an onboard compressor with the robot. The compressor's wires are fed directly into a spike where it then leads to the power distribution for the ground and a 20 amp fuse for the hot. Is there something wrong with that set up?

[Cody Carey]

You can just run the ground to the distribution block, as well... and that would probably simplify things...

[Mike Betts]

Originally Posted by Amisca

We are using an onboard compressor with the robot. The compressor's wires are fed directly into a spike where it then leads to the power distribution for the ground and a 20 amp fuse for the hot. Is there something wrong with that set up?

Amisca,

What you have done is 100% correct. The software in the RC controls the compressor. The following lines of code are from the IFI default code, file user_routines.c, lines 274 and 275:

  relay8_fwd = !rc_dig_in18;  /* Power pump only if pressure switch is off. */
  relay8_rev = 0;

Note that this code presupposes that you have connected the compressor control to Relay 8 and the pressure switch to Digital Input 18.

I also strongly recommend that you replace the 20A CB in the Spike with a 20A CB as per <R65>.

Regards,

Mike

[MikeDubreuil]

Originally Posted by Mike Betts

I also strongly recommend that you replace the 20A CB in the Spike with a 20A CB as per <R65>.

I think you mean replace the 20 amp fuse in the Spike with a 20 amp circuit breaker

[Amisca]

We do have the sensor plugged into dig io 18 and the spike into relay 8, yet the compressor will still not come on, we are using the default code.

[Mike Betts]

Originally Posted by Amisca

We do have the sensor plugged into dig io 18 and the spike into relay 8, yet the compressor will still not come on, we are using the default code.

What the other Mike said...

Check the fuse in the spike. It may have already blown. The problem is the inrush current of the compressor.

Mike

[jdejoannis]

Um, the breakers are too large to fit into the spikes. Is there a special breaker for the compressor spike that I don't know about? Another idea is to use a 40 amp fuse in the spike which is fed from a 20 amp breaker on the breaker board.

Jason

[BBnum3]

The 20 amp breakers actually do fit inside of the Spikes, and this is the way you should set up your compressor. We blew 3 or 4 fuses before we installed the 20 amp breakers in the Spike, and we haven't had any problems since.

[Al Skierkiewicz]

Originally Posted by Amisca

We do have the sensor plugged into dig io 18 and the spike into relay 8, yet the compressor will still not come on, we are using the default code.

Amisca,
As with all RC controls, the robot must be connected to the OI (either by tether or established radio link) and it must be enabled in order for the compressor to start. Double check the PWM cable as well, if everything else is correct. The cables pull out very easily and the correct polarity is critical for operation.