Cost Effective Compressor Motor repair?

[53Sparky]

Scored this air compressor on Craigslist yesterday - $100 for a 2012 60 gallon Ingersoll Rand Air Compressor.

PO says that everything works, but the motor trips the breaker when he uses it at his shop. Monday I will get this thing plugged in at my shop to test for myself, but it got me to thinking...

In your experience, IF the motor is indeed the culprit, is a direct replacement of the motor a more cost effective solution vs rebuilding or repairing the old one? Especially when considering down time, longevity of repairs, etc?

 

[The Cobbler]

If you have a local small motor repair shop, they could test it for you for a mominal charge & give an estimate. larger shops probably aren't interested or would be costly.
I would definitely try it first, thinking the issue could be voltage drop thus tripping the breaker

 

[md21722]

3HP motors can be had brand new for less than $200 delivered.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/3-HP-Horse-...204628?hash=item43bfd4d294:g:XlIAAOSw9N1Vwk3Y

Identify if its the motor or pump first.

By code, proper wiring for this motor is #12 THHN in conduit or #10 NM-b (Romex).

 

[stonesfan68]

Check out the capacitors first, and if that doesn't fix then get a new motor. It won't be cost effective to repair it.

 

[ihateminimumwage]

I'd meter those caps on top first.

 

[sberry]

See whats wrong with it first. Aint even got it plugged in and we are jumping to every possible conclusion.

 

[53Sparky]

See whats wrong with it first. Aint even got it plugged in and we are jumping to every possible conclusion.

You're absolutely right, Sberry. I intend to see what's wrong with it first before I replace or repair it.

I'm not asking for help to trouble shoot until I get it plugged in and see what is wrong, just speculating on the relative long term costs of repair vs replacement.

I'd parallel this to replacing only the heads on an engine without touching the bottom.

If I spend the money to get the electrics in working order, but I don't touch bearings, etc, would I not be putting money towards a repair that doesn't have the same longevity as an all new motor. If so, is that cost effective?

 

[md21722]

I was thinking caps too but mentioned the new motor price just as a comparison. Some people feel better buying a new motor than repairing one.

 

[ptschram]

Wasn't there a recall on IR compressors recently?

 

[givemethewillys]

It seems like in the research that I've done, for a small motor under 7.5hp, it's not cost effective to get them rebuilt. The 5hp on my Campbell hausfeld was quoted at $550 to rebuild the motor, and I could get a brand new Baldor for $400.

 

[sberry]

You're absolutely right, Sberry. I intend to see what's wrong with it first before I replace or repair it.

I'm not asking for help to trouble shoot until I get it plugged in and see what is wrong, just speculating on the relative long term costs of repair vs replacement.

I'd parallel this to replacing only the heads on an engine without touching the bottom.

If I spend the money to get the electrics in working order, but I don't touch bearings, etc, would I not be putting money towards a repair that doesn't have the same longevity as an all new motor. If so, is that cost effective?

I fixed a start circuit on a Buds similar unit 20 yrs ago for a similar condition, did not replace the brgs or any other part and it still runs. Fix what is wrong, don't worry about rebuilding other pieces unless there is something wrong with them.
As I recall we didn't even need to buy anything, a rivet or strap or something came loose and it tripped on start up.

 

[CNGsaves]

1) Turn it by hand to ensure pump is moving freely.

2) Ensure there is proper level of oil in the compressor.

3) Wire that sucker up and see if it works !!!

 

[94EG8]

I'd check it out myself first and see if it's something simple and easily repairable. If so fix it. If it's something serious like a burnt winding just replace it. For what it's worth I see people with that compressor posting about motor failure issues all the time so you might want to step up to something better like a Baldor.

 

[SawtoothJL]

Depends on what the issue is with the motor. Is it seized? If so take it off, open it up, pull out the armature clean it up and slap it back together. If its a winding or the contacts have welded themselves open, then it's basically a boat anchor and is going to cost more than a new motor to fix it. Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[larry_g]

SWAG, the seller has a bad CB in his shop. There is nothing wrong with the compressor you bought.

There is a whole litany of problems that could cause the CB to pop, YOU have to figure out which one is yours.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[Cruzan80]

Keeping an eye on this. Got a Sanborn 6.5hp 60 gal for FREE recently. All I had to do was haul it out of his basement and put the new one in. Pump turns freely by hand, and would start up and run (sounding not great) for about 10-15 sec before popping breaker. He had one capacitor replaced a year ago, and research says to swap the other one. $10 for mine on Amazon.

 

[JJThrasher]

Last few motors I've had repaired have been under $100 from a couple guys here in my small town.

 

[rsanter]

The short answer is.....it depends....

Check the motor you have first as the little breaker could be bad, or some other easy fix.
If you have a electric motor shop have the check it out and tell,you.
Then you can decide

Bob

 

[Indexmill]

Generally, it is not cost effective to have such a small motor "fixed" at a motor shop. And, that assumes that you can even find a motor shop.

If it is determined that the windings in that motor are bad, you should simple look for a new or replacement motor. Check CL for used motors.

 

[sberry]

and research says to swap the other one

While its good to learn it should be accompanied by some troubleshooting.

 

[foghorn1966]

I would definitely check the motor out before just replacing it. Like others have said above most likely a bad start capacitor or maybe a stuck centrifical switch. Both much cheaper than a motor. BTW that is a $900 - $1200 new compressor where I'm at.

 

[theoldwizard1]

Check out the capacitors first, and if that doesn't fix then get a new motor. It won't be cost effective to repair it.

First see if the motor hums when you apply power. If not, it could be in the switch.

If the motor hums, then move on to the stating cap. Remove the belt. Apply power and spin the motor by hand. If it starts, it is definitely a bad starting cap.

 

[theoldwizard1]

See whats wrong with it first. Aint even got it plugged in and we are jumping to every possible conclusion.

Sadly, few DMM can check capacitance.

 

[53Sparky]

Today I had some time at the end of my work day to test out the new compressor.

I took the belt off to test the motor and compressor before I wired it in. The motor spins freely without any grinding noises. I wired the motor and ran it up to speed. No problems.

I turned the pulley for the compressor by hand. No problem there! The compressor moves freely. When I reconnected the belt, wouldn't you know it? It works!

It's not tripping the breaker at my shop. I suspect the relay may have been at fault though, because there are some char marks on the metal enclosure where it has been shorting inside the relay enclosure.
Tomorrow I'll run her up to full pressure a couple of times to verify that it can handle full duty cycles under load.

Woohoo! Craigslist win!

 

[Packard V8]

Heckuva deal. There is sometimes a reward for making the effort.

jack vines

 

[CNGsaves]

OP . . . for $100 to get running 60 gal IR compressor . . . YOU **** !!! . .

 

[53Sparky]

Status update:

Been up and running for just about a month, no issues.
Added an auto drain and got it placed where I wanted.

Plumbing the shop and an air dryer.

 

[bsaint]

It couldn't been something wrong with the power in the building you bought it from.