Mike S. wrote:

We were using our Emglo and shut it down for a lunch break. When we came
back and tried to start it again all we got was a load electrical hum and
sometimes it would pop our 15 amp breaker.

I pulled the compressor/electric motor unit loose from the rest of the
compressor so I could get to its guts. When I turned the fan blade by hand
(it turned very easily) I could hear the compressor piston working. I even
connected the AC power back up but still heard the hum. When I gave the fan
a twist the motor started running the compressor. However, the motor won't
start the compressor on its own.

I tried a quick test of the start-up capacitor with my multimeter and it
appears to be OK. It slowly climbs in ohms until infinity. Reversed the
probes and it does the same thing. Sounds like the capacitor is OK to me.

I wanted to pull the electric motor loose from the case so I could see the
brushes and rotor. I removed all the mounting screws from everything I
could see, but I can't seem to pull the unit apart to get to the motor.
Everything is loose and I can twist the case a few degrees, but I can't pull
it apart.

Anybody know how I can get the motor out so I can look at its guts. Any
help is appreciated. Pretend I'm a dunce and be pretty specific.

Thanks,
Mike



It's probably still the start cap. Given the relatively low expense of
electrolytic capacitors, I'd just replace the start cap and see if that fixes
it. My guess is it will.

Take off the "bubble" on the side of the motor and look at the start cap. It may
obviously be defective, or maybe you can just get the numbers off it and take
them to Grainger or wherever you go to buy a new one. Easy to splice it back in,
simple fix. Even if that isn't the problem it won't hurt and it will probably
only cost you like $7.

GWE