Compressor blowing fuses

NathanPrince · Apr 4, 2015

Cool I'll strip down the check valve and see whats going on there, hopefully I can get it sorted I have some painting to do!

Cheers

the snooper · Apr 5, 2015

Just to make sure you fully understand there are 2 valves one which vents the delivery pipe and the non return valve which will be on the receiver at the end of the delivery pipe, make sure the receiver is totally empty before removing it, you may be lucky and all it needs is a good clean

NathanPrince · Apr 5, 2015

Yep gonna whip the pipework off tomorrow and clean everything through. It has been sat a fair while so probably just full of muck.

Cheers

ford34/2 · Apr 6, 2015

any good news??
Stan

NathanPrince · Apr 6, 2015

Change of plan, going to be doing it tomorrow hopefully but will report back!

NathanPrince · Apr 7, 2015

Well I stripped off all the pipework leading from the compressor the the reciever today, cleaned everything and re-ptfe'd everything.

The check valve seems to have little to no resistance in the spring on the bottom, just sort of flaps open and closed with no real persuasion and its still pi$$ing air out the pressure relief valve so its definitely shot. Shame as its an old compressor and I can see it being a pain to get parts for.

Also the cylinder that attaches to the 2 heads of the compressor was FULL of big rust chunks which was clearly the source of my pipework and valves getting full of crud so thats been taken off and cleaned out too.

Hopefully I can find a new check valve and get this thing fixed and not leaking/blowing fuses every 5 minutes

Cheers

Rig Pig · Apr 7, 2015

Check valves are an off the shelf item, any hydraulic place should be able to sort you out, just check what thread you need.

NathanPrince · Apr 7, 2015

Thats good news, will get on google and try and find a local supplier.

Cheers

norsa · May 19, 2015

I run 2 x 3hp compressors as I now only have single phase at home. They continually were blowing fuses on a 13a plug in a ring main. I removed the plugs and hard wired each one to a junction box within the same ring main and have never had a problem since.

brightspark · May 19, 2015

norsa said:
I run 2 x 3hp compressors as I now only have single phase at home. They continually were blowing fuses on a 13a plug in a ring main. I removed the plugs and hard wired each one to a junction box within the same ring main and have never had a problem since.

well your not likely to when the fuse rating is over twice the rating of the 13 amp .strictly speaking large supplies shouldnt be taken of a domestic ringmain but thats your choice if its on your own property :laughing:

rtbcomp · May 19, 2015

norsa said:
I run 2 x 3hp compressors as I now only have single phase at home. They continually were blowing fuses on a 13a plug in a ring main. I removed the plugs and hard wired each one to a junction box within the same ring main and have never had a problem since.

That's as bad as replacing the plug fuse with a nail. Would such hard-wiring come under Part P regs?

A less bad way would be to use commando plugs & sockets, the motor will be protected if it has its own overload cut-out, but the wire from the plug to the compressor could be vulnerable.

norsa · May 19, 2015

Ok maybe I misled you. I am a sprayer not a spark. The junction box I refer to is like a fused wall socket but without a plughole. just a switch??

skotl · May 19, 2015

norsa said:
Ok maybe I misled you. I am a sprayer not a spark. The junction box I refer to is like a fused wall socket but without a plughole. just a switch??

That's what I was going to recommend, until I got to your post and read that this is what you've installed.
Not so scary, then, at first glance.

These are called "Fused Connection Units" or FCUs. What fuse size did you fit?

Edit: Like one of these (possibly without the Neon lamp)?

brightspark · May 19, 2015

skotl said:
That's what I was going to recommend, until I got to your post and read that this is what you've installed.
Not so scary, then, at first glance.

These are called "Fused Connection Units" or FCUs. What fuse size did you fit?

Edit: Like one of these (possibly without the Neon lamp)?

its 13 amp max. no diffrent to using a 13 amp plug or theres a 20 amp double pole switch or a 30amp both unfused ??

skotl · May 19, 2015

brightspark said:
its 13 amp max. no diffrent to using a 13 amp plug or theres a 20 amp double pole switch or a 30amp both unfused ??

S'why I was wondering (but didn't explicitly say so!) why this was an improvement over the original fused plug.

rtbcomp · May 19, 2015

norsa said:
Ok maybe I misled you. I am a sprayer not a spark. The junction box I refer to is like a fused wall socket but without a plughole. just a switch??

Are you saying it's similar to a fused wall socket with just a switch and no fuse? As BS suggests.

skotl · May 19, 2015

rtbcomp said:
Are you saying it's similar to a fused wall socket with just a switch and no fuse? As BS suggests.

That would explain a lack of blown fuses... :whistle:

I think we need a picture...

norsa · May 19, 2015

exactly like skotl picture with a 13a fuse and indicator. never blown the fuse since I installed it 6 yrs ago

the snooper · May 19, 2015

rtbcomp said:
Are you saying it's similar to a fused wall socket with just a switch and no fuse? As BS suggests.

I like this description it's like triggers brush from fools and horses, he's had the same brush for years only had 6 handles and 10 heads :laughing:

, not the same at all

the snooper · May 19, 2015

norsa said:
exactly like skotl picture with a 13a fuse and indicator. never blown the fuse since I installed it 6 yrs ago

The correct term
I believe is a switched fused spur

Compressor blowing fuses

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