HELP! Compressor Wiring Bel Aire 318VL

[ndsulee]

I have Bel Aire 318VL, 7.5hp motor. I wired it into a welding outlet in my garage with a standard plug end on it.

The problem is, it only charges to 25psi when I turn it on and let it run for 10 minutes. It charges steadily and stops at 25 (I verified the reading with a separate gauge).

I took the air filter cover off and felt to see if air was moving out while the unit was running but this did not appear to be the case.

I'm at a loss on this, I bought it from a body shop that had it wired in line with another identical unit (everything was fine while installed at the body shop).

I had to change the wiring to get it to start up in my garage, if somebody has an idea, I would greatly appreciate the help.

Thanks guys.

 

[930dreamer]

Hello, is that the wiring box that came with it? Are you sure it single phase not three phase?

 

[nehog]

So it runs forever and never gets higher than 25 PSI, or it shuts off at 25 PSI? I'm confused (and that's common with me!)

 

[Steevo]

Hello, is that the wiring box that came with it? Are you sure it single phase not three phase?

Everything in the boxes looks to be 240v-1PH wiring.

 

[930dreamer]

Everything in the boxes looks to be 240v-1PH wiring.

I concur but with this statement " I had to change the wiring to get it to start up in my garage" I wasn't sure.

 

[ndsulee]

Thanks for the quick replies guys. This is the wiring that came with it, the previous owner had it wired in in tandem with another one of the same make/model.

It runs forever but never produces anything greater than 25psi, it doesn't shut off like it had reached the pressure switch 'stop' point.

I've run voltage checks at the welding outlet and that looked good. I can recheck any voltages you guys can recommend.

Thanks for the help, this thing is causing a twitch in my right eye.

 

[930dreamer]

If it's wired correctly and never builds pressure above 25 psi, there's something wrong with the pump.

 

[foolishpride]

Unloader valve maybe?

 

[Aceman]

Unloader valve maybe?

That's the first thing I'd look at. If I didn't hear air hissing out of the unloader as it's trying to pump up, I'd say your pump is a piece of @#@#.

But, I'm not an air compressor expert either....

 

[koditten]

Is the safety relief stuck open? Is the drain line leaking by?

 

[nehog]

The later posts are good, pump it up to that 25 PSI, then cut the power. Listen for escaping air: hear anything? If yes, that may be your problem.

If nothing seems to be leaking, pull the valves (both intake and exhaust) and check them for damage and dirt. Possibly one is not working well? I've seen that with my compressor and it sure does mess with maximum pressure.

I doubt it is electrical in nature.

 

[ndsulee]

Thanks guys. I'm going to have a look today. I can feel air leaking past on the pressure switch. I'll have a look asap.

 

[nehog]

Thanks guys. I'm going to have a look today. I can feel air leaking past on the pressure switch. I'll have a look asap.

BINGO, I think you've already found your problem!

 

[ndsulee]

Finally got some time to take the compressor apart and have a look. It looks like a portion of the intermediate piece is broken. Have a look at the pictures and feel free to give me some advice on what to do or where to go.

Thanks again.

 

[nehog]

Looks like perhaps the reed valves are bad, the gasket is clearly bad, and those would do exactly what you describe... Were this mine, I'd replace the valves (make sure the 'seat' surface is good too...) and new gaskets.

 

[ndsulee]

Think I should take it down to a machine shop to have them take a look at the valve seats to be sure they haven't warped? I found the valve kit, hundred bucks and includes the gaskets and valves but not the seats. 70 bucks a pop for each valve seat. Thanks for the help guys.

Lee

 

[ndsulee]

Update, valve kit and gaskets are on their way.

 

[ndsulee]

Replaced the gaskets and torqued them to 33 ft lbs. Fired it up and we have pressure. However, the switch did not kick in at 130psi. I let it go to 145 and shut it down. What is a reasonable turn on the spring tension nut? Half? Full? How much to start with?

 

[trbomax]

just run it up to the cut off pressure you want and start backing off the nut untill it opens. Then open the drain valve and adjust the small nut for a start up when the tank bleeds down to where you want it.

 

[ndsulee]

Man thats obvious when you explain it. Thank you, I was going to do trial and repeat. This is a much much better way.