compressor problem

[oil man]

I had this problem last winter but still have not fixed it. I turn on the compressor and it runs fine, then when it cycles and tries to kick back on it trips the breaker. It seems to be worse in cold weather but it was 65 today and still doing it. I have switched to synthetic oil and keep a light on it, but still does it. Help!!!!!! It is a 240v stand up from lowes about 4 years old. thakns

 

[Ross/Kzoo]

"then when it cycles and tries to kick back on it trips the breaker."

Not sure what that means.

 

[OccupantRJ]

Offhand, sounds like the unloader is not working properly. Do you hear hissing air right after the unit shuts off? This is to bleed pressure off from the compressor head to allow easier restarts. Some are built into the pressure switch, some are check valve type devices where the air line enters the tank from the compressor head, and some are at the center of the end of the crankshaft area of the compressor head.

 

[jveretto]

Sounds like you needs a bigger breaker!

 

[oil man]

when the compressor cuts off....then the air pressure drops enough to cut back on, it trips the breaker

 

[oil man]

I wondered about that...the compressor is in an outside building so I haven't heard a hissing but I will go out there tomorrow and listen. I hope its something simple and not the elect motor

 

[jrsulo]

Check valve

 

[Streetbu]

We have the same issue at work, wiring to the compressor is too small on ours. We ran 10 gauge, needed 8 gauge though. runs fine all summer, only gives us issues when it's cold and drawing a lot of juice.

 

[oil man]

yeah mine is run with 8 ga. and a 25 amp breaker, never was a problem till last winter, thanks

 

[The Cobbler]

read this thread and particular my post 15 http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=196633
a cold start or unloader assist valve will probably help your problems

 

[Gary S]

My compressor tripped the breaker in cold weather on first startup too, and I fixed it by increasing the wire size and putting in synthetic oil.

If yours isn't tripping on first startup, but it trips once the pressure is up, look at the unloader valve as mentioned. If it tries to start under backpressure, it will most likely trip the breaker.

 

[oil man]

well I went back out and tried it again. with all the air bled off it STILL tripped the breaker and its warmer now than it was earlier!!! I guess it needs a motor, I don't know!!!!

 

[pop pop]

Motors usually run if the smoke hasn't been let out. Check the unloader, oil, breaker, capacitor(s), start switch if it has one.

 

[oil man]

I will, can it still be the check valve or unloader if it trips the breaker with all the air bled off the tank?

 

[Ross/Kzoo]

The more frequently that a breaker trips the less amperage it take to trip the next time.

 

[oil man]

yes I plan on changing the breaker this morning

 

[Davefr]

I will, can it still be the check valve or unloader if it trips the breaker with all the air bled off the tank?

Yes!

The air that needs to be bled off is between the pump head and the tank's check valve. If the unloader valve isn't working correctly then this portion can be at high pressure even if you empty the tank with air.

I'd try and manually actuate the unloader valve between cycles and see if the breaker still trips.

And yes, breakers do go bad. Replacing it might be a good next step.

 

[oil man]

davefr....that makes sense, heading out to try some stuff now, thanks for the help guys

 

[oil man]

well it wound up being the motor was bad.....I did learn a lot more about compressors and thanks to everyone's help

 

[compressornew]

Here are two things in my mind.
First,check the valves connections front to end point in machine condenser.
Second, Air filter needs to replace it or you can check the power voltage capacity of machine.

 

[djd99]

I would first suspect the check valve, I had a similar problem my check valve would work sporadically so I took it apart and found a weak spring replaced it and now it works perfect everytime. If you think that's not it your motor capacitor could be bad as well.

My bad glad you got it fixed.

 

[RickP]

What size motor are you replacing? That 25A breaker sounds like it might be too small.

 

[Davefr]

well it wound up being the motor was bad.....I did learn a lot more about compressors and thanks to everyone's help

"Most" (not all) motor problems can be easily/inexpensively fixed.

(ex)
- Bad capacitors
- Dirty or broken centrifical switch
- Worn/dry bearings
- Poor wire connections
- Filthy dirty inside

The ^ is much more common then burnt up windings.

Before you go off and buy an expensive new motor, see if you can repair your old one.

 

[aka rotten]

Not to hijack thread but how do you clean inside of moter,i,m assuming you gotta tear it apart,i see some white powdery substance in part of winding but compresser runs fine,didnt know weatherto blow it off or not,what say ya,ll?

 

[oil man]

well it was a 5 horse motor. I think the guy said it was a bad capacitor but I bought a new motor at tractor supply and had him fix the old one so I have a spare....thanks for all the help everyone