locating compressor start capacitor

[SGKent]

have a Craftsman compressor 919.195412 - devilbliss made that has a Marathon 2 hp motor. The unit bogs on start and trips the breaker even when empty sometimes. I suspect the starting capacitor is going bad. Ordered one from Sears and it was supposed to be here today instead I got an e-mail that it is backordered indefinitely. Canceled the order even though they got irritated at that - "well we might have it in a month or two why not wait?" So I have tried to find one online but I cannot find a cross reference for the part number to UFD and voltage. Anyone have a cross reference to know what this really is? Apparently it is really common but no one lists the specs. I will look this weekend when I have time but I would like to get one ordered in the meantime. Several places are back ordered. Part D21217 or D-21217 . They don't list the run capacitor or I would order that too.

 

[pattenp]

Have you tried a local electrical motor repair shop. They should be able to match up a generic start capacitor for you that would work.

 

[brownbagg]

grainger, they have everyone you can think of

 

[pattenp]

Look at your capacitor and match up the MFD and size and buy it from a site like this: http://www.galco.com/scripts/cgiip.exe/wa/wcat/itemdtl.r?listtype=Catalog&pnum=MSC330V72-NTE#

 

[SGKent]

yes - I know how to do that but the capacitor is 20 miles from here and it is hard to read the numbers from that distance. I would think since that part number comes up on so many motors someone might have a spec chart or cross reference. Otherwise it will be Sunday before I am able to remove it to read it.

 

[SGKent]

well I pulled them out. The start is 400-480 MFD 165V CGE made in Mexico in 2007 and the run is 50uf 370vac made by GE in Mexico. Both are 1 13/16 in size - phenolic or plastic so I am basically screwed getting them locally. I could not even find the run capacitor on the Internet that size, 2" is the smallest anyone had. The covers won't fit anything larger than these - they were hard enough to pry out as it was. Very discouraging. Graingers has a 125V one locally I could probably use instead of the 165V. Couldn't find anyone who had these or 2" and new covers. Oh well. I you have an idea send it my way. I am off to bed.

 

[Moose02]

mine does the same it's a **** shoot when it starts or not
keeping an eye on your thread so if you find one post where so I can order one also

 

[Gary S]

Have you tried a local electrical motor repair shop. They should be able to match up a generic start capacitor for you that would work.

Bingo!

Forget the internet exists. For parts like this, simply take the old capacitor to a decent local electric motor repair shop and get a new one.
People today have lost their way when it comes to getting simple things fixed. They want to do it the hard way on the internet.

 

[SGKent]

Forget the internet exists. For parts like this, simply take the old capacitor to a decent local electric motor repair shop and get a new one.
People today have lost their way when it comes to getting simple things fixed. They want to do it the hard way on the internet.

Dude - that is the whole problem.. There are no electric motor places here anymore. They simply replace the motor unless it is like a $1500 motor. I found a place in Sante Fe Springs www.carbonbrush.com who has a better selection than Graingers. They are overnighting me the parts. The start cap they have a replacement of equal. The run cap they have one 2" instead of 1.84 so it will be a **** shoot if it will fit. In conversation they said GE and one of its subsidiaries has been buying up all the parts divisions of electric motor manufacturers and closing them down. It is getting impossible to find parts for motors like one could 10 - 20 years ago. This is the same thing that is happening in many industries. Every new run of assembled whatever is bid out and the parts change so much between runs no one wants to warranty them or keep parts. Most companies now have a replace policy where they toss the old one. I found this out when we ordered 20 laptops in three orders each about 2 weeks apart. Although they looked the same on the outside we had to keep 3 different images for them because inside they were all different. Model numbers these days often have a run number and one needs both to get parts. The whole thing ***** but Wall Street and the big boys don't want to be responsible for pensions so what better way than just bid each job to whomever makes the parts cheapest. Anyway we have the capacitors coming tomorrow and if that doesn't work it is the switch inside and I am told forget trying to find one of those. Get a new motor instead - and put my first born up when I do. Have you seen the prices of motors lately? Even the chinese ones are like $500 except the HF ones.

 

[pattenp]

In my area this place is great for electric motor repair and parts:

http://www.royselectricmotor.com/

 

[SGKent]

In my area this place is great for electric motor repair and parts:

http://www.royselectricmotor.com/

were he here that would have been my first stop and a no-brainer.

 

[nehog]

... Graingers has a 125V one locally I could probably use instead of the 165V. ...

No, you can't use a 125 volt instead of a 165 volt capacitor...

 

[Gary S]

Dude - that is the whole problem.. There are no electric motor places here anymore. .

Where do you live? In some third world country?

I have an excellent electric motor shop a mile from my house. When something gets broke, I go to him and get the parts cheap.

 

[SGKent]

Where do you live? In some third world country?

I have an excellent electric motor shop a mile from my house. When something gets broke, I go to him and get the parts cheap.

It isn't that way in many parts of the USA anymore. The old guys like me are retiring and when we do the shops close. We have seen so many shops close in the last 5 to 10 years, really sad. It will come to your part of the USA soon, sad but true. Try to buy American made clothes pins. I dare you.

 

[SGKent]

the parts came in. It starts much smoother with the new start cap. The size and shape was identical so it came from the same factory in Mexico. The 2" run one was too big so I used the old one. When I get a chance I will make or buy a cap cover that will work for it. The unloader was a bit plugged but a couple of cycles blew out whatever was in it. It was working but not with the strong whoosh that the other compressor has. Now it is after several cycles. Next I would like to find a good used 5hp motor like the Emerson one on the same basic model compressor made in 1998 compared to this Marathon motor from 2008. You can really see the difference in construction. Thanks to all.

 

[pop pop]

Where do you live? In some third world country?

I have an excellent electric motor shop a mile from my house. When something gets broke, I go to him and get the parts cheap.

YES, he's in Cali!!!

 

[Gary S]

YES, he's in Cali!!!

Yea, that's part of Mexico, isn't it?

 

[aleccolin]

This **** is why I don't buy Craftsman equipment of any kind anymore. My 5hp 60 gallon compressor had a motor go out. Motor is unique because it's integral to the compressor housing. Ordered a new one, two weeks later got an email that it was no longer available. Now I'm shelling out for a sweet 2 stage oiled 80 gallon and using the 60 gallon tank as a cascade.

 

[Moose02]

the parts came in. It starts much smoother with the new start cap. The size and shape was identical so it came from the same factory in Mexico. The 2" run one was too big so I used the old one. When I get a chance I will make or buy a cap cover that will work for it. The unloader was a bit plugged but a couple of cycles blew out whatever was in it. It was working but not with the strong whoosh that the other compressor has. Now it is after several cycles. Next I would like to find a good used 5hp motor like the Emerson one on the same basic model compressor made in 1998 compared to this Marathon motor from 2008. You can really see the difference in construction. Thanks to all.

do you have a number on the start cap I'll try and get one for mine

thanks

 

[SGKent]

it was a 400m 165V start cap from Arrowhead Electric in Santa Fe Springs CA (562) 921-8521 www.carbonbrush.com like $13.50 my invoice was #6889 . I got a run one too but it didn't fit (didn't think it would).

 

[inline 292]

Can the cap. wires be extended out to where the new cap. can be externally mounted?

 

[1fastvx]

Are you sure the unloader is functioning correctly? If the pressure is not released it could definitely cause a startup issue like this.

John

 

[SGKent]

in my case, the unloader was sticky but a couple manual cycles cleared it. I hear the hiss each time and the behavior is the same whether empty or full. It was in a carpenter shop and may just have sawdust packed into the switch. I found an electric shop here who is looking at it today or tomorrow. It starts fine now other than every 4th or 5th start (after hiss ends) it struggles even on a dedicated 20 amp circuit when it has that one bad start. With the new cap the lights don't dim down in the shop now though so I know the cap helped. The points may be burned too from the bad cap. I don't have time and strength after gall bladder surgery last week to take it apart so I found a shop - sometimes ya just have to dig and I figure I have a new business to frequent for other needs now too - and any money spent stays in the USA and this community.

As to extending the wires question. That depends on how much you value your life. It would be safer to build a new running cap cover from sheet metal than run the risk of bumping into wires in a shop where there are other tools that can hurt or kill. I tend to play safe with tools and invest in the best so I or others don't get hurt. The compressor is still a good buy - I am just pissed I missed one the same as my older one with a quiet GE motor from the mid 90's that was barely used when it sold the week before. Someone used it to fill tires. I just wasn't paying attention when it came up for sale.

 

[SGKent]

motor shop checked over the motor. Shorted winding. These are special pivot base motors so a standard motor does not work. Looking online I found where about a couple hundred thousand were pulled due to fire hazard the year or so before. Sounds like the problem was really never resolved except for the years they recalled. Don't buy a Craftsman compressor if it has a chinese or mexican Marathon motor. POS.