Compressor is dead...

[Uncle Ben]

My small, twin-tank emglo compressor seems to be dead, but I'd like to attempt fixing it since I have no $ for a new one.

A couple weeks ago I turned it on and it quickly started pumping very slow and within a few seconds it slowed down completely, then was silent. When I tried to turn it back on, nothing. I checked the volts at the connections to confirm that the switch was functioning, and it does deliver the proper voltage once the switch is turned - but makes no sound at all when turned on.

This may be completely unrelated, but there were two other problems present before, which I'll mention just in case:
1. The cut off switch did not work, so I would have to turn it on and wait for it to get up to the pressure needed, then turn it off before the safety valve would open
2. The pressure gauge (not the gauge at the regulator) on the top of the upper tank was always stuck at 120psi and never would go up or down from that

In any case, I still managed to get by using it without repairing those issues, until now.

Thanks for any advice that you may have!

 

[kams1973]

Direct wire the motor, if it works, change out the pressure switch and c/o the psi gauge too.

 

[scott37300]

Does the motor try to turn over at all or make any noise? Can you disconnect the motor from the pump somehow, belt or how ever it drives the pump and then try to start it up to see if the motor will turn over without the pump. This will tell you if the motor is locked up or the pump locked up.

 

[Davefr]

Remove the motor from the pump and turn it on. Does it run? If not is there voltage at the motor's terminals? If so, that might indicate a motor starting capacitor problem. Will the motor run if you spin it by hand?

If the motor runs seperated from the pump then try turning the pump by hand. Is it frozen up. If so then pull the cylinder head and have a peak inside.

P.S. What's the environment where the compressor was located?

 

[airbuff101]

Ben
Is there a reset button on the motor? I've had that pop when check valve leaked. It would run sloooooow then trip the button.
just a thought.
Rob

 

[JoeMopar]

Yes it should have a reset button on it. Has to be pushed back in.

 

[premierplayer]

Yes it should have a reset button on it. Has to be pushed back in.

+3 on the reset.
cold environment? If so get that baby warmed up in the house, or the cab of the truck on the way to work, then start it up.

 

[Skin]

weld it.

 

[Uncle Ben]

Thanks for all the replies everyone. To answer your questions:
-it makes no sound at all when turned on, no attempt to turn over
-I keep it on a shelf in my garage, which it only gets down to around 35* at the coldest here this time of year
-I have not tried removing the motor yet to see if it will turn over, so I'll try that
-I'll have to look for the reset switch since I've never noticed one, so I didn't think of that

 

[Muffduster]

weld it.

????

 

[mossyboy6]

weld it.

haha well played

 

[Uncle Ben]

I finally got around to starting to take things apart to see where the problem is coming from, and I found the reset switch, which was an instant fix. So next I tackled the pressure cut off switch. I took it apart to clean all the contacts and did find a lot of rust at the final contact point against the tank. I cleaned that off, but now I can't get the pressure switch back together. Does anyone have photos of how the parts are supposed to go together...and any tips for how to get it back together under spring tension?

I though I knew how it went back together, but now I'm not sure sure after messing with it for so long, so now I'm wondering if there's a trick for getting it back together, or if I just have a part turned around or something. Thanks for any input!!

 

[scott37300]

What model do you have? Also maybe if you post a picture I can see if it's the same as my dewalt/emglo switch. I don't have my compressor right now but could get a picture tomorrow if they are the same.

 

[RbrtAWhyt]

????

This is what he was referring to...

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=84949

 

[Uncle Ben]

Here are a few photos of the switch and the parts I'm trying to put back in.

This last photo shows the parts that I'm having the most trouble with. It's like a teeny tiny jugling act to keep the parts held together, inserted into the back side of the swith unit, pull under spring tension, and keep in place while I try to bolt it back on.

Thanks for your input

 

[Uncle Ben]

Does anyone know where the cheapest place would be to get a new pressure switch? Several pieces of this old brittle plastic keep breaking off while I'm messing with it, but I'm not being overly tough on it. In any case it may be unusable now since the parts may not be able to seat in the housing properly now.

Is the entire unit replaced in a kit, or just some components? Thanks.

 

[airbuff101]

This site my give you a schematic and parts breakdown.
I'm guessing that you'll probably replace the whole switch.
Rob

http://www.toolpartsdirect.com/emglo-tool-parts.html

and another:
http://www.ereplacementparts.com/emglo-compressor-parts-c-1009_3079_15189.html

 

[scott37300]

Model number????

You can try and find an exact replacement or maybe a generic pressure switch will work like these, http://www.northerntool.com/shop/to...+air-compressor-accessories+pressure-switches.

If you get a model number I can check a few sites to try and find the emglo part.

 

[JOEY K]

I just ordered a pressure switch, a preesure gauge yesterday from www.compressorsource.com the total for all the parts were only 34..00 including shipping , there number is 1-888-396-8676 the local price just for the switch was 55.00

 

[Uncle Ben]

Now I'm having a problem with the compressor running again. It is hit or miss, but what it does pretty often now is it will start VERY slow and barely be running, just a slow chug. If I let it do that for around 30 seconds or more, the electrical safety switch will shut off the motor until I reset it. Sometimes the motor will start right up, and once it does it will not stop or slow.

There is oil in it, but maybe I should change it, but could that be causing this - or what are some other possibilities?

Thanks