someone help!!! i need a switch

[fordboi415]

I have my airhorn compressor hooked up through a toggle switch, now what I need a is a switch that blinks or notifies me when the compressor has come on and is drawing current, I would like a switch that blinks if something is drawing over a certain amount of current, the switch I have now just stays red when its on I need it to let me know when the compressor has come on, anyone know of any switches like that?

 

[MAKG]

I don't think you're going to find a current-indicating toggle you're looking for, but an ammeter might be a good investment here. Or perhaps wire your switch light in parallel with the compressor (make sure its resistance is much larger than the compressor's -- it should be, since both are designed for 12V).

 

[shadetree]

How is your current switch wired?shady

 

[fordboi415]

Battery to switch, switch to ground and switch to compressor, there has to be a way to monitor the current flow to the compressor

 

[MAKG]

That's what ammeters are for.

If your circuit description is correct, the light already does what you want. But I think you're leaving out some important details like a relay.

 

[fordboi415]

Relay isn't needed, the compressor only draws 9amps, and the switch doesn't do what I want, it stays lit when the switch is on, but the compressor isn't always running, it turns on when the pressure in my tank drops below 110psi and turns off when it reaches 135psi, see so I need an indicator preferebly a light to let me know when the compressor has started and stopped

 

[mjonesjr]

You could tie the ground wire in the switch (since it controls the light) to the pressure switch of the compressor. When the pressure switch closed, the light would come on and so would the compressor.

MAKG is right though, you do need a relay in the power wiring of that air compressor.

 

[fordboi415]

What exactly would the relay do in this case?

 

[Sasquatch_Ryda]

It would take the load off the switch.

 

[fordboi415]

the switch i have is rated for way more than what im using it for, i made sure to get a really good one with high rating so i didnt have to mess with 10 miles of wire for a relay

 

[mjonesjr]

You still should have a relay.

 

[MAKG]

Relay isn't needed, the compressor only draws 9amps, and the switch doesn't do what I want, it stays lit when the switch is on, but the compressor isn't always running, it turns on when the pressure in my tank drops below 110psi and turns off when it reaches 135psi, see so I need an indicator preferebly a light to let me know when the compressor has started and stopped

If the compressor turns off when power is applied, THERE IS SOMETHING ELSE IN THE CIRCUIT.

Details matter. Posting a partial circuit will get you wrong answers.

 

[fordboi415]

Yeah the compressor has a pressure switch attached to let it turn on and off, it cool though I got an ammeter

 

[calypso93]

Pick up the 12v feed to the compressor motor, after the pressure switch. It's hot only when the comp is running.

 

[mjonesjr]

Pick up the 12v feed to the compressor motor, after the pressure switch. It's hot only when the comp is running.

That will only work if he puts in a separate light. Almost all switch lights are ground triggered.