26 Gallon Husky Compressor Pops Breaker

[Winger3364]

I've had this thing for hmmmm 13 years??? Used it to blow out sprinkler system at home and general garage stuff! All of a sudden the other day it started running real slow like it was dragging trying to get the pressure back up then just popped the breaker electric motor was hot... Figured it was the motor went to grainger got a decent one popped it on everything looked good then pop! Breaker blew.... HMMMM Plugged it into another circuit same story..... Ok so what valve on the compressor pump could be causing this to drag like that? I hand turned the pulley on the compressor pump and it feels like it turns easy enough......Found a new Cambell Housefield pump for 209 on Amazon but hmmmm if its nother more than a valve uh I already waisted a 120 dollars on the motor! Any help or insight would be greatly appreciated! Thanks.

 

[Craptain]

Probably the unloader valve. I don't know that particular compressor but it is likely part of the pressure switch. Trying to start with the pump under pressure is too much for the motor. So the unloader drops the pressure between the tank and the pump and lets it start with no pressure. The part might still be available from Home Depot.

One test is to drop the pressure all the way and then turn it on. If it works the unloader is the problem.

 

[Winger3364]

Thanks that makes sense... I'll give that a shot tonight.