Old GE Mag Starter

[hawkerxj]

I got and old GE motor starter with a used compressor. It is a CR206APY CEMA size 1-1/2, good for 5hp on 220VAC single phase. Looking at the mag starter there is an extra part that I don't recognise on the left circled in blue in the first image. Can anyone tell me what it's for? It kind of appears to be a circuit breaker. The starter also has a HOA switch which seems to be able to automatically reset on thermal overload, but I think I'll replace that with a regular on/off switch. Would the Auto position reset the thermal switch automagically? It is currently wired to the terminal to the left of the T1 terminal, below the reset button? Would a SPST switch for a 1/2hp motor be sufficient to handle actuating the coil? I assume it takes very little amperage to actuate.

Thanks in advance.

 

[alfredeneuman]

Looking at the mag starter there is an extra part that I don't recognise on the left circled in blue in the first image. Can anyone tell me what it's for?

It's an auxiliary contact. It's used sometimes for a holding contact, which shouldn't be connected for use as a compressor control.

 

[Norcal]

Are you using it for a compressor?

 

[alfredeneuman]

"I got and old GE motor starter with a used compressor." was a hint

 

[Stuart in MN]

It can be also used to light a pilot light, send a "motor running" signal to a control panel, trigger a solenoid valve, or many other things.

 

[hawkerxj]

Thanks for the replys, I do plan on using it for the compressor. The heaters in the starter are 81D-261 which seems to be for 25.5-26.3a, The motor is a 208-230v with FLA 23-21 and SFA27-24. Should I be replacing these heaters before I get going, if I can find some? I figure somewhere near the 24a would better protect the motor when running @230v since it doesn't have internal thermal protection. Would I be risking burning it up at 230v with the existing heaters?
I attached the motor tag below.

 

[hawkerxj]

So I wired it up and tested the starter, it ran the motor, but the contactor chattered terribly. I found this video showing disassembly of contactors and cleaning them up to prevent the chatter.

He shows a Cutler Hammer first, but gets into a GE CR200 series or CR300 series at around 11:40 in the video.
It was very easy fix and works great now.

 

[hawkerxj]

Also, found an install manual for 300 series starter, which indicated the overload can be fine tuned, using the dial circled in the image, from 90 to 110% of the heater rating. I just turned it down to 90%, which should bring me down to the SFA rating for motor at 230v.
Thanks.
Hawker