Electrical Troubleshooting: Compressor/tank to Auxbeam AR-800

The compressor is a direct-wire "always on" type that will run until tank pressure is reached and then stop. It turns on again once the pressure drops in the tank. Pretty standard, as far as I'm aware. I tested it prior to install, worked fine.

I didn't want it to be wired straight to the battery, I wanted the ability to turn it on or off. So I figured I could use the Auxbeam switch to turn the circuit on or off and control whether the compressor runs or not.

The directions say to connect the provided relay from the compressor to the battery and ground the negative. So I removed the relay and ran the wire directly to the panel at slot 2 (30A), my assumption is that the panel is a relay itself and the provided one is not necessary (I still have it if I need it). I grounded the negative.

Once I turned the truck on I hit the button, expecting the compressor to engage, but nothing happened. The panel works, it controls the other circuits no problem.

I don't know electrical at all, but I can follow guidance. So if you can give me an idea of what to change or where to troubleshoot, I'll be able to do that. Some stuff I've considered but haven't been able to rule out: wrong circuit/relay size, wrong gauge wire, power is interrupted somewhere.

Any ideas how to get the setup to work as I originally intended?

 

a air comp might be a bit much for a auxbeam. but to quickly check it, unplug the pump and plug in a light to that circuit and see if it works. if it does, then the air compressor is to much for it and would need a relay.

 

Auxbeam has built in solid state relays. If it is "too much," then would all I need to do be to add back the relay that came with the compressor wiring harness?

30A fuse is intact, btw.

 

if its to much it really should cook the fuse. but something doesnt seem right. so i would start with putting a light in that spot and see if the aux beam works. if so, move downstream, try the compressor next.

 

You could also keep it wired via an external relay and plug the trigger wire into the auxbeam slot.