House 110v wont run Husky compressor

[99raptor]

I purchased a Husky oil cooled 30 gal air compressor.Sadly my garage is 110v wired.The compressor doesn't work well with the 110v.I have access to a 220v outlet,,,clothes dryer outlet.Is there anyway to run this on the 220v??

 

[uart]

What voltage does the name plate say to use on it?

 

[u118224]

You may be on a 15 amp circuit at home. It's not uncommon for a 110v air compressor motor to trip a 15 amp breaker at startup. How may amps does the motor draw, it's on the data plate?

 

[firebox40dash5]

Does the motor say 110/220v on the data plate? Most 3+ hp compressors I've seen are...

If yes, and you're willing to give up drying clothes while using air, it's as easy as switching over the motor, buying some cord, and a compatible plug for your drier outlet, assuming (most likely correct, as long as it's not a gas drier running 220v for some reason) the breaker is big enough, probably 30a or better. If you're not willing to swap plugs or there's a hitch in that somewhere, it starts to get slightly more complicated.

 

[canuckian]

I have that compressor and mine did the same thing. I simply ran a 20a circuit but unless something's changed in the past 10 yrs since I got mine, that motor can be wired for 220. Instructions are on the cover of the motor IIRC. or, you could look up the manual online to be sure.

 

[firebox40dash5]

I have that compressor and mine did the same thing. I simply ran a 20a circuit but unless something's changed in the past 10 yrs since I got mine, that motor can be wired for 220. Instructions are on the cover of the motor IIRC. or, you could look up the manual online to be sure.

Does it run better on 220 rather than 110? Cuz adding a dedicated 110/20A outlet is probably the easiest and cheapest option... just need a breaker (and maybe a 15A tandem if you need to free up a slot), some heavy romex, a box, and an outlet.

 

[Davefr]

The compressor doesn't work well with the 110v.

Please try and be more specific?

 

[Trey T]

Do you own this model?
It's a V 2-cyclinder pump with oil.

I used to have the exact same one but rebadged to Lowe's Kobalt and the motor can be run on 220v. Look at the wiring sticker on the motor.

 

[94yj]

we need more info and please don't go and hook up to the wrong voltage unless you want a fire

 

[Steinmetz]

I purchased a Husky oil cooled 30 gal air compressor.Sadly my garage is 110v wired.The compressor doesn't work well with the 110v.I have access to a 220v outlet,,,clothes dryer outlet.Is there anyway to run this on the 220v??

I think you need an electrician. You sound electrically challenged.

 

[canuckian]

Does it run better on 220 rather than 110? Cuz adding a dedicated 110/20A outlet is probably the easiest and cheapest option... just need a breaker (and maybe a 15A tandem if you need to free up a slot), some heavy romex, a box, and an outlet.

I have no idea as I always just ran it on 110/20a. It was the easiest solution for me as it's a portable unit and I didn't have any 220 in the other shop I used it at. It works absolutely fine on 110v 20a though.

 

[notlob]

Does it run better on 220 rather than 110? Cuz adding a dedicated 110/20A outlet is probably the easiest and cheapest option... just need a breaker (and maybe a 15A tandem if you need to free up a slot), some heavy romex, a box, and an outlet.

+1. My 110v compressor wouldn't start reliably until I ran a dedicated 20A circuit.

 

[basspro]

We are going to need to know what voltage you compressor is rated for first before we can give accurate advise. If its a single phase unit, it will probably "run" on all sorts of single phase power.

 

[zakmartin]

I had the same problem with my Craftsman Pro 27-gallon stand up compressor. It kept tripping the 15-amp circuit breaker every time it came on. Since the breaker box is in the garage, it was really easy to add a 20-amp circuit breaker and wire it up to a 20-amp recepticle with appropriate wire. The whole project took less than an hour to complete and the compressor runs fine now. Get the fiberglass wire running kit from Harbor Freight to help you snake the wire through any walls. It's only $7.00. The 33-foot version is only $9.00. The Greenlee version will set you back close to $60.

 

[warweapon762]

I had a craftsman 33gal horizontal with the same problem. Turned out it was the 15 amp circuit it was on. Switched it out to a 20 amp and it runs great now.

 

[CNGsaves]

TOO LITTLE INFORMATION !!!

Analogy:
. . . . . Customer calls and says I've got "Green Honda" and it's not running right . . .
. . . . . . . . can you fix it ?? . . . . . .

Let's see pictures of the actual compressor, also pics of the motor spec plate.

 

[Mike_C]

Is it tripping the breaker? And how cold is it where you run the compressor? I've seen smaller 110v compressors struggle to run when cold.

 

[99raptor]

The model #C301H,,,,the tag plate on the motor says 120/240,,,,it is the oil cooled model v-twin compressor,,,,and I am sadly electrically challenged.Specifically what happened was ----I brought the compressor home plugged it into a wall outlet and ran it for its prescribed break-in period,,,everything was fine,it ran to pressure turned off,,,drained oil,re-placed oil,,,,next day rolled it to its corner in my garage hooked up a extension cord [the tank held 80lbs at the time] and it sounded like the motor was fighting to turn over,,,after 2-3 seconds the breaker flipped,,,,,,Now knowing my lack of electrical knowledge,,may I just buy and connect a 220/240 male plug in place of the 110/120 one that is presently there??

 

[Davefr]

next day rolled it to its corner in my garage hooked up a extension cord [the tank held 80lbs at the time] and it sounded like the motor was fighting to turn over,,,after 2-3 seconds the breaker flipped,,,,,

Try it without the extension cord and report back.

Read this whole thread:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=229249

,Now knowing my lack of electrical knowledge,,may I just buy and connect a 220/240 male plug in place of the 110/120 one that is presently there??

You'll have to make some jumper changes to the motors to switch it to 220VAC.

 

[basspro]

A vacume cleaner can draw 50 amps for a split second as its first fired up, that 15amp breaker wont usually "pop" right away. Id say you dont have a problem with 110v, you might need a separate 20amp breaker, but I would try plugging that compressor directly to your outlet, id be curious to see if that extension cord may be the culprit. You sure you didnt overfill your compressor pump with oil? Try one thing at a time, to narrow you search and then try, to better figure out what is going one.

 

[CNGsaves]

Try it without the extension cord and report back.

Read this thread:
http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=229249&page=3

^ ^ We have the winning answer !!

Have to think "dedicated" circuit when compressor is pushing the capacity of your supplied power. Thus, don't put other "heavy load" items on the circuit, and do not degrade the power with an extension cord.

 

[jakemac]

The extension cord is definitely the culprit. Compressors draw a lot of current during start-up. An X-cord won't allow the motor to pull enough amps to run, so it just sits there trying to run over and over and over .........

.......... eventually burning out the motor.


Lose the cord.

 

[GoodEnough]

Do this for $15

Just to update this thread for future readers, in addition to the above resolutions (plug directly into wall or use a 10GA cord that is short.... I ended ordering a cold start unloader valve for $15. Details below:

I had the same problem with a craftsman oil-less. I'm not sure of the model number, but I will get it & post it here.
It would start no problem with no tank pressure, but it would blow a breaker when the tank was full. 20 amp breaker didnt help the situation .It was brand new , but I got it at a misguided freight sale and obviously no warranty. What I ended up doing was adding a cold start unloader valve, another name is unloader assist valve available on ebay & other places.
Tie it into the pump discharge line( before the tank check valve) what it does is bleed off some of the air until the pressure reaches about 10 PSI, then the valve closes . that gives the motor lots of time to get up to full run before it has to deal with pressure on the pump. Cost was about $4 and a brass tee was $2 .

see the part here http://www.aircompressorservicekits.com/Cold-Start-Unloader-Valve-25.html

If I get ambitious I will take a few pic of my set up & post here if I can..

any questions I would be glad to answer.

See attachment. Typically, all of these fittings would be 1/4" NPT (national pipe thread).

Remove hose. Remove brass elbow. Install "street tee". Install male-to-male coupling. Re-install hose. Install unloader assist valve. All threads require teflon pipe tape at least 3 full wraps.



eBay !

Thanks!
Theoldwizard1 is one hell of a good fella with all his help.

I will order this unloader valve for $4

Street T costs $7

Male to Male 1/4 for $3

Total cost $14/delivered.