QuestionQUESTION: hello,
I have a sears craftsmen air compressor rated at 3 hp and the motor was shot. I found a very new motor at a garage sale that was intended to be used on a saw. I fabricated a plate for it and fit it all up to the air compressor and wired it for 110v in the proper cranking direction with approiamtely the same belt tension as before (maybe less) and it will fire up and start filling but when it hits 20 psi it stops. The piston seems totally free to move all the time and never binds when motor os not conneted to it so I can only think it is the motor. Any ideas? I am so frustrated.
Ryan
ANSWER: Hello Ryan:
It Sounds like the Motor is Wired Wrong. Most Electric Motors of this HP have a Starter Capacitor. If the Motor is Wired Wrong it will Run on the Capacitor for 2 or 3 Minutes and the Capacitor Overheats and Stops the Motor. I have Seen this Many Times. I Did this Same Thing on the First Motor I Replaced on the Shop Compressor. If you Know an Electrician, have them Wire the Motor for you. If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem, I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. Thanks.
Good Luck
Respectfully
John
PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------
QUESTION: Heya,
I finally had an electrician look at it and it is wired correctly. He doesn't know much more than that so any more hints I can look into?
Thanks,
Ryan
AnswerHi Again Ryan:
Is the Check Valve on the Compressor Operating Properly? If the Check Valve is Not Operating Correctly, then the Compression Stays on Top of the Compressor Cylinder and the Electric Motor will Stall at Approximately 20 to 30 PSI. Also, it the Motor is too Small, it will Not have the Power to Turn the Compressor Once the Compression Starts to Build in the Tank. I Friend of Mine had the Same Trouble with their Small Portable Compressor and they Installed a Motor that was too Small. If you Hit a Snag or this Does Not Correct the Problem, I am Here if You Require More Assistance. Hope this Helps. Let me Know What Happens, Please. May the All Mighty Bless You and Yours. Thanks.
Good Luck
Respectfully
John
PS: I am Allowed to Answer 10 Questions a Day. If you See I am Maxxed Out, then Try Submitting your Question at or Just After 8pm EST (US). My New Day Starts then. Thanks.
Respectfully
John
