After 10 years I think it's on its last legs. It started blowing a 20a circuit with only a stereo running on that one. I thought it might be a bad breaker, so i switched it to a 15a. I've run this thing on a 15a for many many years and never had an issue. It wouldn't even make a noise, just blow the circuit. It would restart and work fine so far, but it's happened 10x today. I think the pump mechanism might be freezing up. Buy new or repair? It's a medium size 6hp peak, 2hp continuous, probably 30 gallon. I suspect it won't start up at all very soon.
You are using an out of date browser. It may not display this or other websites correctly.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
You should upgrade or use an alternative browser.
craftsman compressor started blowing the circuit
- Thread starter jgorm
- Start date
sberry
Banned
Reducing the breaker is opposite of what is needed but,,,,,,,,, these things are marginal and barely tolerate it when they are new, a fuzz of wear here and there and they take more to start. Motor caps and start circuit gets old or unloader isn't working just right etc and they trip.
ezover
Well-known member
i had to change the capacitors in mine. it was doing the same thing. went with the same size, mine just went bad. it is a craftsman also.
Cyberbear
Well-known member
Ordinarily the capacitor(s) are for starting the compressor, but kick out when running. Check your connections for loose wires, and the wire size. Take the belt off and run just the motor, and see if the bearings are worn out and causing the motor to run harder and pull more amps. Obviously check the oil, etc. and give everything a good look.
Most decent a/c units can handle moderate usage over a ten year period. I have an old 2 hp, twin piston, fast recovery Craftsman compressor I bought in 1970 that still runs strong after all these years. Or, it may be the compressor's way of telling you that a newer unit may be in your future. Quality is your best bargain, cheap is always worse.
Most decent a/c units can handle moderate usage over a ten year period. I have an old 2 hp, twin piston, fast recovery Craftsman compressor I bought in 1970 that still runs strong after all these years. Or, it may be the compressor's way of telling you that a newer unit may be in your future. Quality is your best bargain, cheap is always worse.
magrahamkp08
Well-known member
I have noticed a similar problem with mine. I think my problem is related to the brushes and commutator. Check the condition of those.
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
sberry
Banned
I blew the 20a with nothing but the compressor on it at least 5 times. It's designed to run on a 15a circuit. Going up to a 30 is asking the compressor to let the smoke out.
This is common, some can never seem to be made right. Lots of them are put on a dedicated circuit with a 30 just for this reason. It wont let the smoke out, these motors have their own thermal for protection. But if its been working for years and now its an issue more than likely it has developed a problem.
Most of them never did work from 15, with some cord on them to work as a choke they might.
dfiler2
Well-known member
Make sure the unloading valve is working properly, it could be the unit is trying to start under pressure.