Air Compressor Problem

[1967Chevelle]

I have Pro Air II by Devilbiss Air compressor, its about 14-16 years old but does not have much use on it, I've always used it on a 15 amp breaker and never tripped the breaker. Well now using the same outlet the compressor will start up and after a 1 minute of filling up it will trip the breaker, I tried different outlets and have the same result,

I took the inspect cover off and using my amp probe I'm drawing 19-20 amps. Any ideas?????

Specs
Pro Air II by Devilbiss
25 Gallon
6 Horsepower
135 PSI
120 Volts
15 Amps
60 Hz
Oil Free

 

[marinusdees]

You know why the breaker tripped--it's overloaded. Correct thing to do is rewire using correct size wire and a larger breaker. If you want to chance it, buy a brand new name brand breaker, install it, and try it You may get this marginal situation to work. Shouldn't, but might. Or, try a different run capacitor.
Ps This is nowhere near a 6 hp motor. 6 hp is about 40+ amps at 120 volts. If you want a 6 hp compressor, but one.

 

[1967Chevelle]

You know why the breaker tripped--it's overloaded. Correct thing to do is rewire using correct size wire and a larger breaker. If you want to chance it, buy a brand new name brand breaker, install it, and try it You may get this marginal situation to work. Shouldn't, but might. Or, try a different run capacitor.
Ps This is nowhere near a 6 hp motor. 6 hp is about 40+ amps at 120 volts. If you want a 6 hp compressor, but one.

I don't understand it never done it before, the plate on the compressor states 15 amps, and its pulling 20 amps,

 

[maintguy]

Check the motor name plate. This will give I the true info. Also I suggest checking all connections. You can also make sure the motor is clean and can breath

 

[doorfx]

I never understood how they get away with listing in giant numbers 6.5 HP AND IN LITTLE TINY NUMBERS "peak horsepower". Check your air filter if it's dirty or plugged the motor is working really hard to turn the pump over.

 

[marinusdees]

15 amps is 2 hp at best. Never mind the tripping breaker.

 

[Roberts210]

DO NOT just install a larger breaker without running larger wire. Each wire run coming from the elec. panel is sized for a particular amperage. A 15 amp breaker uses 14 gauge wire and 15 amp outlets and 15 amp switches. A 20 amp breaker uses 12 gauge wiring and 20 amp outlets and 20 amp switches. Don't mix them.

Do you have anything else electrical running on that circuit?

Starting up your compressor will draw more amperage that the stated 15 amps, but breakers are designed to handle short amounts of load over their rating.

The other thing is maybe your compressor motor is under a heavier load now that it was in the past--perhaps the pump is worn and taking more h.p. (and amperage) to turn it, or the motor has some internal damage to the windings, or its bearings are badly shot and the stator is rubbing.

 

[mikegt4]

It could be that your "oil free" compressor pump is starting to seize. If you can disconnect the pump from the motor and check the pump for free rotation. Also check the amps of the motor running by itself.

 

[1967Chevelle]

It could be that your "oil free" compressor pump is starting to seize. If you can disconnect the pump from the motor and check the pump for free rotation. Also check the amps of the motor running by itself.

I will have to try that, I had a look at the motors plate and it says 15 amps and its a 1.7 HP

 

[1967Chevelle]

It could be that your "oil free" compressor pump is starting to seize. If you can disconnect the pump from the motor and check the pump for free rotation. Also check the amps of the motor running by itself.

I disconnected the pump from the motor and connected my amp probe and was getting 16.9-17.2 amps and the breaker never tripped, I then removed the rear housing and found one of the capacitors damaged, could this be my problem to high amperage? where can I buy a replacement capacitor?

 

[The Cobbler]

That'll do it

Try ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Supco-R...412077?hash=item5655d8156d:g:vtMAAOSwdsFUN-vb

 

[1967Chevelle]

That'll do it

Try ebay http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Supco-R...412077?hash=item5655d8156d:g:vtMAAOSwdsFUN-vb

thanks for the link
my capacitor label says 40µF, 370 VAC

I can buy this capacitor local, would this Capacitor work?
Its a 4 terminal though mine is a 3 terminal
Capacitance: 40µF
Voltage Rating:450V AC

http://www.princessauto.com/en/detail/40-f-electric-motor-run-capacitor/A-p8513368e

Its a 4 terminal though mine is a 3 terminal

 

[The Cobbler]

that one you show would be considered 2 terminal because they are joined. if you have 3 terminal you might have a dual cap. , or are 2 of the terminals connected?
you can go higher voltage on caps, not less. if 2 of your terminals are joined then that cap would be fine

 

[pstemari]

(beaten to it)

 

[Jay H 237]

Could also be ordered through Mouser, Newark or Digi-Key.

 

[1967Chevelle]

that one you show would be considered 2 terminal because they are joined. if you have 3 terminal you might have a dual cap. , or are 2 of the terminals connected?
you can go higher voltage on caps, not less. if 2 of your terminals are joined then that cap would be fine

Ya you are right my broken capacitor is a 2 terminal (terminals are joined)

 

[1967Chevelle]

Do you think that I could of damaged the motor windings by running it with a broken capacitor

 

[slow_mow]

McMaster Carr has a ton to choose from, and their shipping is FAST!

http://www.mcmaster.com/#motor-maintenance-controls/=14ml11b

 

[donpauli2]

That 6.5 HP rating is how Sears listed theirs also and if I remember that was at full load or with a locked rotor to show max hp like using the start windings


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[6PTsocket]

Do you think that I could of damaged the motor windings by running it with a broken capacitor

No, you are OK. If it is a start cap you would have had a lack of start torque until you replaced it. The multiple tabs on the same terminal are just a convenience, from the capacitor manufacturer, in case you have to connect more than one wire on the same terminal. As long as you have enough tabs to connect the wires that you have, that is enough. It is obvious in your picture that those double tabs are the same piece of metal. If it is one piece on the outside, nothing on the inside can make them separate connections. No need to open it to check.

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[1967Chevelle]

No, you are OK. If it is a start cap you would have had a lack of start torque until you replaced it. The multiple tabs on the same terminal are just a convenience, from the capacitor manufacturer, in case you have to connect more than one wire on the same terminal. As long as you have enough tabs to connect the wires that you have, that is enough. It is obvious in your picture that those double tabs are the same piece of metal. If it is one piece on the outside, nothing on the inside can make them separate connections. No need to open it to check.

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Thanks for the reply, I still haven't had a chance to buy a capacitor yet, hopefully this weekend

 

[Roberts210]

Do you think that I could of damaged the motor windings by running it with a broken capacitor

Only if the magic smoke comes out of the motor. If that happens you are screwed.

 

[6PTsocket]

While we are on the subject, a lot of motors have a centrifugal switch that works with a start capacitor. The the capacitor is connected when the motor is off When you apply power the capacitor is connected only untill the motor picks up speed and the switch opens. It helps the motor start under load. When the motor is shut off you will hear a distinct click just becore it stops. That is the switch closing.. The switch can cause problems. The contacts get corroded or pitted and the springs and fly weights can get stuck from rust or gunk.



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