Home |
Search |
Today's Posts |
|
Metalworking (rec.crafts.metalworking) Discuss various aspects of working with metal, such as machining, welding, metal joining, screwing, casting, hardening/tempering, blacksmithing/forging, spinning and hammer work, sheet metal work. |
Reply |
|
LinkBack | Thread Tools | Display Modes |
#1
|
|||
|
|||
Sears air compressor starting problem
"Chuck Jurgens" wrote in message om... I have a 10 year old Sears air compressor (919.153131) that has ALWAYS given me a problem. I've just been too lazy to try to fix it. When there is pressure in the tank, the compressor will not start. When there is no air pressure in the tank, the compressor will start and work just fine. Then, when the upper air pressure is reached, the compressor shuts off as normal. However, when the pressure in the tank drops to the low set point, the switch kicks in and the compressor motor tries to start - but nothing happens. The motor hums and turns a couple of times but here just doesn't seem to be enough power to make it run. Then, after just a few seconds, the breaker will trip. I am running it on a 15 amp breaker in my house and I have tried to run it on 15 amp circuits at other houses - same problem. I am NOT using an extension cord. Any suggestions?? Yeah: Twenty amp circuit. Seriously. Been there, done that, though not with the identical model (mine is 25 years old, give or take). Try that before you decide to spend money/time on the problem. Jim Stuyck |
#2
|
|||
|
|||
Sears air compressor starting problem
two thing come to mind
the circuit cant handle the start up load of the when restarting with air in the tank. Is is in a dedicated circuit? have you tried useing a different plug on a different circuit maybe one that is closer to the service box. or the check valve has failed and or leaking keeping the pump under presuure / load making the restarting harder thus the need for more amps to restart and the circuit cant handle it. |
#3
|
|||
|
|||
Sears air compressor starting problem
replace the check valve.
-- Keep the whole world singing. . . Dan G (remove the 7) Chuck Jurgens wrote: I have a 10 year old Sears air compressor (919.153131) that has ALWAYS given me a problem. I've just been too lazy to try to fix it. When there is pressure in the tank, the compressor will not start. When there is no air pressure in the tank, the compressor will start and work just fine. Then, when the upper air pressure is reached, the compressor shuts off as normal. However, when the pressure in the tank drops to the low set point, the switch kicks in and the compressor motor tries to start - but nothing happens. The motor hums and turns a couple of times but here just doesn't seem to be enough power to make it run. Then, after just a few seconds, the breaker will trip. I am running it on a 15 amp breaker in my house and I have tried to run it on 15 amp circuits at other houses - same problem. I am NOT using an extension cord. Any suggestions?? TIA Chuck Jurgens |
#4
|
|||
|
|||
Sears air compressor starting problem
Hey Jim,
Why would a larger capacity circuit breaker allow a motor to start instead of stalling? I don't think so. Just lets the "stall" continue for a few more seconds. The compressor needs to start "unloaded", and it seems to do that OK with zero pressure in the system. It seems apparent to me that the compressor unloading valve is not working when the control opens at the high pressure set-point. So it traps the high pressure air in the compressor cylinder and keeps it on BDC, thereby stalling the motor. Take care. Brian Lawson, Bothwell, Ontario. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX On Sun, 13 Jul 2003 18:23:30 GMT, "Jim Stuyck" wrote: "Chuck Jurgens" wrote in message . com... I have a 10 year old Sears air compressor (919.153131) that has ALWAYS given me a problem. I've just been too lazy to try to fix it. When there is pressure in the tank, the compressor will not start. When there is no air pressure in the tank, the compressor will start and work just fine. Then, when the upper air pressure is reached, the compressor shuts off as normal. However, when the pressure in the tank drops to the low set point, the switch kicks in and the compressor motor tries to start - but nothing happens. The motor hums and turns a couple of times but here just doesn't seem to be enough power to make it run. Then, after just a few seconds, the breaker will trip. I am running it on a 15 amp breaker in my house and I have tried to run it on 15 amp circuits at other houses - same problem. I am NOT using an extension cord. Any suggestions?? Yeah: Twenty amp circuit. Seriously. Been there, done that, though not with the identical model (mine is 25 years old, give or take). Try that before you decide to spend money/time on the problem. Jim Stuyck |
#5
|
|||
|
|||
Sears air compressor starting problem
Does the compressor make a hissing sound when it shuts off at high
pressure? If not then the unloader valve on the pressure switch is bad. My son has a PC pancake compressor that was not restarting after shutting off even though the unloader was working. The compressor was plugged in a good distance from the breaker panel and the voltage drop was too great to allow the compressor to get a good start. I solve the problem by adding a T fitting in the line going from the compressor to the tank and aconnected a piece of air hose capped on the end to the line. The extra volume allows the compressor to build up the pressure in the line before overcoming the check valve spring. Works fine. I've seen this problem alot on construction sites where compressors are often run using extension cords. Chuck Jurgens wrote: I have a 10 year old Sears air compressor (919.153131) that has ALWAYS given me a problem. I've just been too lazy to try to fix it. When there is pressure in the tank, the compressor will not start. When there is no air pressure in the tank, the compressor will start and work just fine. Then, when the upper air pressure is reached, the compressor shuts off as normal. However, when the pressure in the tank drops to the low set point, the switch kicks in and the compressor motor tries to start - but nothing happens. The motor hums and turns a couple of times but here just doesn't seem to be enough power to make it run. Then, after just a few seconds, the breaker will trip. I am running it on a 15 amp breaker in my house and I have tried to run it on 15 amp circuits at other houses - same problem. I am NOT using an extension cord. Any suggestions?? TIA Chuck Jurgens |
#6
|
|||
|
|||
Sears air compressor starting problem
"Brian Lawson" wrote in message ... Hey Jim, Why would a larger capacity circuit breaker allow a motor to start instead of stalling? I don't think so. Just lets the "stall" continue for a few more seconds. Fellow wrote that the circuit breaker tripped. Mine did, too. Now, if the fellow plugs his compressor into a 20-amp circuit, and that does NOT cure his problem, well and good. Nothing ventured, nothing gained. But if it DOES restart, then he's spent nothing but a few minutes. Like I wrote, 25 years ago a 15-amp circuit, which SHOULD have been sufficient, was not. Switched to a 20-amp circuit and haven't had a problem since. Jim Stuyck |
#7
|
|||
|
|||
Sears air compressor starting problem
Brian Lawson wrote:
Why would a larger capacity circuit breaker allow a motor to start instead of stalling? I don't think so. Just lets the "stall" continue for a few more seconds. It's not just the breaker, it's the wiring to the outlet. The higher capacity means bigger wires, so less voltage drop in the feedwires for the same current. That gives a little more oomph when starting. Still, the right answer is probably: The compressor needs to start "unloaded", and it seems to do that OK with zero pressure in the system. It seems apparent to me that the compressor unloading valve is not working when the control opens at the high pressure set-point. So it traps the high pressure air in the compressor cylinder and keeps it on BDC, thereby stalling the motor. -- "To delight in war is a merit in the soldier, a dangerous quality in the captain, and a positive crime in the statesman." George Santayana "Bring them on." George W. Bush |
#8
|
|||
|
|||
Sears air compressor starting problem
"Chuck Jurgens" wrote in message om... I have a 10 year old Sears air compressor (919.153131) that has ALWAYS given me a problem. I've just been too lazy to try to fix it. When there is pressure in the tank, the compressor will not start. When there is no air pressure in the tank, the compressor will start and work just fine. Then, when the upper air pressure is reached, the compressor shuts off as normal. However, when the pressure in the tank drops to the low set point, the switch kicks in and the compressor motor tries to start - but nothing happens. The motor hums and turns a couple of times but here just doesn't seem to be enough power to make it run. Then, after just a few seconds, the breaker will trip. I am running it on a 15 amp breaker in my house and I have tried to run it on 15 amp circuits at other houses - same problem. I am NOT using an extension cord. Any suggestions?? TIA Chuck Jurgens No being familiar with Sears. Is this an oil or oil less? I have an older Emglo, 15 amp, oil. From factory they put 30w oil in it, it would start up with no air in it, then do the same as what yours is doing. Hum until it would trip the breaker. Drained the oil, put in 5w30 in it, no problems for at least 8 years. |
#9
|
|||
|
|||
Sears air compressor starting problem
Brian Lawson wrote:
Hey Jim, Why would a larger capacity circuit breaker allow a motor to start instead of stalling? I don't think so. Just lets the "stall" continue for a few more seconds. The compressor needs to start "unloaded", and it seems to do that OK with zero pressure in the system. It seems apparent to me that the compressor unloading valve is not working when the control opens at the high pressure set-point. So it traps the high pressure air in the compressor cylinder and keeps it on BDC, thereby stalling the motor. Take care. Brian Lawson, Bothwell, Ontario. XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX On Sun, 13 Jul 2003 18:23:30 GMT, "Jim Stuyck" wrote: "Chuck Jurgens" wrote in message . com... I have a 10 year old Sears air compressor (919.153131) that has ALWAYS given me a problem. I've just been too lazy to try to fix it. When there is pressure in the tank, the compressor will not start. When there is no air pressure in the tank, the compressor will start and work just fine. Then, when the upper air pressure is reached, the compressor shuts off as normal. However, when the pressure in the tank drops to the low set point, the switch kicks in and the compressor motor tries to start - but nothing happens. The motor hums and turns a couple of times but here just doesn't seem to be enough power to make it run. Then, after just a few seconds, the breaker will trip. I am running it on a 15 amp breaker in my house and I have tried to run it on 15 amp circuits at other houses - same problem. I am NOT using an extension cord. Any suggestions?? Yeah: Twenty amp circuit. Seriously. Been there, done that, though not with the identical model (mine is 25 years old, give or take). Try that before you decide to spend money/time on the problem. Jim Stuyck I say its the check valve it the problem...... the check valve on mine went out and did the same thing(overloaded the motor) if it was the unloader not working even without air in the tank a defective unloader would not let the compressor start and would draw too many amps and blow the fuse or set off the circuit breaker..... |
#10
|
|||
|
|||
Sears air compressor starting problem
"jim" wrote in message ... snip I say its the check valve it the problem...... the check valve on mine went out and did the same thing(overloaded the motor) if it was the unloader not working even without air in the tank a defective unloader would not let the compressor start and would draw too many amps and blow the fuse or set off the circuit breaker..... It COULD be either one! Some compressors are "self-unloading" and depend on the check valve to keep the pressure from coming back. Those using an unloader valve depend on BOTH. My Craftsman oilless started doing that after transporting it, found the 1/4" tube to the unloader had been bent, moving the unloader so it didn't activate when the switch shut off the motor. Result: blown breaker. Readjusted unloader bracket, it's been fine ever since.If the check valve were bleeding a little pressure back through, the unloader valve should handle keeping it bled off until startup time. Nahmie |
Reply |
Thread Tools | Search this Thread |
Display Modes | |
|
|
Similar Threads | ||||
Thread | Forum | |||
(Sort of) sleeper wall problem: any ideas? | UK diy | |||
Central Heating Problem | UK diy | |||
Vokera Excell 80E overheat problem | UK diy | |||
Combi DHW output problem | UK diy | |||
Boiler Problem Gradually Getting Worse | UK diy |