Air compressor issue - gfci tripping

[JustinS]

I picked up an air compressor (1.6hp 20 gallon vtwin Sanborn) with a "bad" motor. I've disconnected the belt and powered the motor, the problem is that it spins up and then trips my gfci within 5 seconds.

Im not that great with electrical items. Tips on what i should start with first as far as testing goes?

 

[Ole Slewfoot]

verify plug voltage and motor wiring are matched 110vs.220
there may be a map on the motor.

 

[lutter94]

Why have an air compressor on a gfci?

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[JustinS]

Why have an air compressor on a gfci?

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All of my garage outlets run through a gfci. Just the way the house was built.

I do need to add a 220 outlet so maybe ill add a dedicated 120 20 amp outlet as well.

 

[JustinS]

verify plug voltage and motor wiring are matched 110vs.220
there may be a map on the motor.

I checked that and everything appears to match.

 

[EOC_Jason]

Maybe the centrifugal starter contacts are sticking? Can you hear a "click" as it spins up / comes to a stop?

 

[johnyg]

i had that problem....didnt even know that thing was in there !!!

 

[jakemac]

How old is the GFCI ?
I've had issues with the trip switch on GFCIs getting "tired" with age or exposure to humid conditions.

 

[JustinS]

How old is the GFCI ?
I've had issues with the trip switch on GFCIs getting "tired" with age or exposure to humid conditions.

I had to replace it last summer so its only 1 year old.

Im going to try a non gfci outlet and see what happens.

 

[jakemac]

Another issue could be the size of the wiring in the wall.
If it's a long run from the breaker box, sometimes 14ga might not be heavy enough for a compressor.

If the compressor can be moved, try plugging in to a 20a outlet close to the breaker box or sub-panel. Compressors work best with as short a run to a power source as possible. (a convenient outlet doesn't necessarily count)

I had a 1-1/2hp compressor that if I plugged it in on the far end of my shop, it would pop the breaker every time. If I plugged it in on the same circuit next to the sup-panel, no problem.

 

[byoungblood]

GFCI outlets can be touchy on inductive/capacitive loads, ie., motors.

I just got rid of the one in my garage. There was one a short distance from the panel, and everything else in the garage was in series with it, so any time I'd turn on my drill press or band saw the silly thing would trip. By nature of the way my garage is laid out, plugging those tools directly into the GFCI wasn't an option since it was on the other side of the garage from them.