Campbell HAustell compressor

[Ironhorse74]

Looks my dollar per gallon craigslist compressor find has a bad motor. I 60 dollars for a CH 60 gallon upright compressor. It has not been able to bring the pressure up to 120 psi without overheating the motor. Looks like about 300 bucks for a new one. What is the concensus, replace the motor, use it for an extra tank or scrap it? Here is the tag on the motor.


image upload

 

[Ironhorse74]

Sh@t sorry for the auto correct on the subject line.

 

[CNGsaves]

Determine what HP motor your compressor can really handle. Your "5 HP special" is likely much less, more like 3 true HP. If the compressor can handle it, get a true 5 HP.

Post up PIC's of the compressor so GJ guru's can identify manufacturer of pump.

Start shopping CL like a hawk and you can find motor . . . .
. . . . look for Baldor, Leeson, AO Smith, etc.

 

[goforride57]

I would have to have some more information before I would give an opinion. I see it is a 230 volt motor and it is rated for continuous duty. Are you supplying enough power to the unit? Should have 10 guage wire on a 30 amp breaker. Should be able to check your voltage with a VO meter. Check all connections to ensure they are clean and tight.

I would also check the amperage on the motor at start up and while running using an ammeter. I see the max amp rating is 15.0 amps. Shouldn't draw any more. If it does, can it.

 

[goforride57]

Post some pics of how this thing is wired.

 

[Ironhorse74]

Post some pics of how this thing is wired.

I am running 6 Guage wire about 30 foot from the panel. Then it goes into a switch, with a 10 guage 6 foot long whip.

 

[Ironhorse74]

A couple of pictures.



print screen


free upload image

 

[RacerRick]

I have that exact compressor. It is a 6004 CH compressor on a 60 gallon tank. It is a single stage and should have a cutoff switch at about 125psi. If you look on the tag on the front it will say something like HL7017 which would be the model number.

Mine has a 3.7hp true horsepower motor on it which is the original motor - 230v 1 phase 18 amp. You shouldn't need anything more than 12-2 with a 20 amp breaker to run that as that is what I used for years before moving to my new shop. I am now on 10-2 with a 20 amp breaker due to the distance from the box.

You should check a few things. Make sure the unloader on the compressor is not stuck, as it will make it hard to fill the tank, since it is always working against tank pressure. Also check the air intake, as it has a very small piece of foam used for a fiilter. If this is plugged it will also cause the pump to work much harder. I ended up replacing mine with a different filter. It should be able to fill the tank to 125psi from completely empty in about 5 minutes.

Also the drain valve on these tanks ***** - I got a few pieces of black iron pipe and a ball valve and now have an easily accessable drain, and any water collects in the pipe instead of rusting the tank.

 

[G_P]

Make sure the motor is not full of dust and gunk. If air cant flow in there to keep it cool it will overheat for sure.
Also do some calculations and find out what RPM the pump is spinning at and what RPM it should be spinning at when used with a 3hp motor. You may have an incorrectly sized pulley on the motor and that can cause it to strain to build pressure until the thermal protection on the motor kicks in and shuts it down. You may need to go to a smaller pulley. You'll lose some CFM's, but it will at least build up to 125psi and the motor wont overheat.
Also, check the oil in the pump. It may be too thick because someone put the wrong type in there.

 

[goforride57]

Automotive grade spades are designed for 12 volts. Not 15 amps. Not saying that's the issue, but certainly do not belong there.

 

[goforride57]

Check your contacts on your pressure switch as well. Make sure your getting good contact on all 4.

 

[rlitman]

Determine what HP motor your compressor can really handle. Your "5 HP special" is likely much less, more like 3 true HP. If the compressor can handle it, get a true 5 HP.

Post up PIC's of the compressor so GJ guru's can identify manufacturer of pump.

Start shopping CL like a hawk and you can find motor . . . .
. . . . look for Baldor, Leeson, AO Smith, etc.

The picture of the motor nameplate from the first post (not sure if it was there when you posted), says 2.98kW. That's equal to 4HP.

Automotive grade spades are designed for 12 volts. Not 15 amps. Not saying that's the issue, but certainly do not belong there.

What the heck are you comparing apples and bananas for?

Make sure the motor is not full of dust and gunk. If air cant flow in there to keep it cool it will overheat for sure.
Also do some calculations and find out what RPM the pump is

That's the first thing I'd check. Blow it out with high pressure air (from another compressor perhaps?).

A stuck unloader may cause it to stall on startup, but will not cause overheating. That's not it.

There could be a problem with the pump too. Could it have too much oil in it?

 

[goforride57]

The picture of the motor nameplate from the first post (not sure if it was there when you posted), says 2.98kW. That's equal to 4HP.



What the heck are you comparing apples and bananas for?



That's the first thing I'd check. Blow it out with high pressure air (from another compressor perhaps?).

A stuck unloader may cause it to stall on startup, but will not cause overheating. That's not it.

There could be a problem with the pump too. Could it have too much oil in it?

Too much oil in the pump. :lol_

What the heck are you talking about?

 

[goforride57]

It is plausible that the pump can be causing the overheat issue. I merely suggested to start with the power supply to ensure it is receiving proper supply of power. The less power that motor receives, the harder it has to work to obtain 3,450 RPM. If each of those spades are capable of transferring 115v from the wire to the switch, then great. Just an observation. If it were me, they'd be gone. Obviously, I must be off my meds and do not know anything.

 

[rlitman]

Too much oil in the pump. :lol_

What the heck are you talking about?

I believe I see a crank case vent, and that appears to be an oil lubricated compressor. If the oil is overfilled, it can foam, which will cause a lot of drag that can overheat the motor.

 

[Ironhorse74]

Automotive grade spades are designed for 12 volts. Not 15 amps. Not saying that's the issue, but certainly do not belong there.

600 volts max up to 105° Celsius.
http://www.gardnerbender.com/en/15-116

 

[redmondjp]

Automotive grade spades are designed for 12 volts. Not 15 amps. Not saying that's the issue, but certainly do not belong there.

You do not know what you are talking about. They can be used at higher voltages, and the current rating can easily exceed 15A. This specification sheet gives just one example; 600V rating and up to 50 amps:

http://www.ferrulesdirect.com/Merch...TGY&Store_Code=FD&Category_Code=INSULFORKTERM