Compressor dims lights/occasional breaker trip.

[NukleoN]

Hi everyone!

It's my first time posting here at Garage Journal, and man there are some amazing garages around here. I am a first-time homeowner and have been working on my 2-car garage over the years. I do everything from working on motorcycles to doming (custom decal work) and minor car maintenance. I got all my tools laid out nicely and with some nice shelving and lighting (the lighting was the first thing I did).

I have a 17 gallon, 1.1 HP vertical Craftsman compressor I use for filling my tires, but I noticed that when I switch it on, the fluorescent lights overhead dim, or go off and on and sometimes the breaker will trip.

Is there an easy to way to upgrade my breaker or is there something else I'd have to do to get the electrical to be happy with the load I am putting on it with the compressor running?

I live in a townhome built in 1990. There's no modification to the electrical as far as I know.

P.S. That little flashing smiley icon is annoying when posting hehe. Flashing away in my peripheral vision.

Thanks, and very cool forum!

NukleoN

 

[nmanitou]

What you are describing sounds like the classic symptoms of an overloaded circuit. Sorry, no "easy" fixes. The best way to solve this problem is to provide a dedicated circuit for your motor load.

A 1.1 Hp, 110v motor should have a "full load amp" rating of about 16 - 18 amps. Check the motor nameplate. A motor circuit should be sized at 125% of the "full load" amps per code to account for motor starting current. That requires about 20 - 25 amp circuit.

If your current circuit to the lights and motor is 15 amp, you can see the problem. Even if it's a 20 amp circuit the other loads will exceed the circuit rating, at least temporarily when the motor starts.

If you don't have experience sizing or installing new circuits, this is an area where paying for a professional is money well spent. Good luck!

 

[Jbullfrog]

Housing developments are designed by people that don't consider simple things like using a garage for tools. Our last house had the outlets in the garage on a single 15 amp along with the lights in the garage, kitchen, hallway, and the range hood.

 

[Norcal]

Housing developments are designed by people that don't consider simple things like using a garage for tools. Our last house had the outlets in the garage on a single 15 amp along with the lights in the garage, kitchen, hallway, and the range hood.

Tract homes, condos, & apartments are wired as cheaply as they can get away with, I refuse to state that they are wired to minimum code standards. The margins are very low in that market, so corners are cut.

 

[Aceman]

The easiest fix is to cut in a receptacle under the panel(if it's in the garage) for your compressor, then it'll have it's own circuit.

I just did this the other day for a guy who had the same problem and wanted a welder and air compressor receptacle.

 

[NukleoN]

Thanks for all the excellent info. I don't know when I can move to a single family home, but for now this is it. It's a very nice garage, but yeah maybe I'll have an electrician look at it. I just don't feel comfortable tackling it on my own.

Thanks again!

 

[Gary S]

You don't need a larger breaker. You need a larger power service and larger size wire. Neither my small 1.5hp 120v compressor or my larger 5hp 240v compressor cause any flickering or dimming on my lights. When the service is large enough, and the wire is large enough, you don't have a problem.

 

[jude12]

A 1.1 Hp, 110v motor should have a "full load amp" rating of about 16 - 18 amps.so check it out.

 

[ddawg16]

What part of LA....I might know a good electrician in your area....if close enough, I could maye look at it for you.