Compressor buzzing

[droopsnoot]

My compressor won't start up now, it buzzes instead of turning, then after a few seconds it blows the fuse. It's been suggested that it might need a capacitor, does that sound about right? I've swapped it before but I can't remember what the fault was.

It's a Sealey 50l 3hp one, I forget the model number, but it doesn't have an external belt or pulley so I can't just turn it as I might turn my car starter motor if it was clicking.

 

[brightspark]

My compressor won't start up now, it buzzes instead of turning, then after a few seconds it blows the fuse. It's been suggested that it might need a capacitor, does that sound about right? I've swapped it before but I can't remember what the fault was.

It's a Sealey 50l 3hp one, I forget the model number, but it doesn't have an external belt or pulley so I can't just turn it as I might turn my car starter motor if it was clicking.

take the belt off turn it on and give the pulley a kick over see if it spins up . if yes possibly the start capacitor

 

[carbon]

Yes replace the capacitor to start with

 

[Smallfry]

I have a small compressor that does this in the winter, in the summer it is fine. I will change the start capacitor when I get round to it.

 

[droopsnoot]

take the belt off turn it on and give the pulley a kick over see if it spins up . if yes possibly the start capacitor

I don't think there's an external belt or pulley, but I'll check in case it's hidden behind a cover.

Thanks all, I'll have a look around for a replacement capacitor. I usually have to heat the oil to get it to start in the winter, but I figured last week (when I first tried it) would have been warm enough to not need it.

I have been thinking of swapping the oil for something thinner though I'm not sure what to use. I don't think there's a drain, either, so removing the old will be complex, or messy, or both.

 

[not done it yet]

it.

I have been thinking of swapping the oil for something thinner though I'm not sure what to use. I don't think there's a drain, either, so removing the old will be complex, or messy, or both.

If it has a sight-glass, remove it and tip the compressor on its side to empty the oil? Does it actually have any in it? If you call that complex, can you locate a filler?

 

[Wozzaaah]

I had exactly the same with my little 50 litre direct drive one. I gave it away as a freebie on here with the possibility the motor or pump was shot. The recipient put a new start capacitor on it and it ran perfectly.

 

[droopsnoot]

If it has a sight-glass, remove it and tip the compressor on its side to empty the oil? Does it actually have any in it? If you call that complex, can you locate a filler?

Good point - it has a sight glass but I hadn't thought of removing it. I was thinking I'd need to somehow empty it out of the filler by holding it upside-down until it all runs out, and while it's a relatively small compressor, I don't fancy holding it that way for any length of time, though I expect my engine crane would help. It does have some oil in it, yes.

I can locate the filler, I think - I had to fill it when it was new, though that was a while ago.

 

[droopsnoot]

I had exactly the same with my little 50 litre direct drive one. I gave it away as a freebie on here with the possibility the motor or pump was shot. The recipient put a new start capacitor on it and it ran perfectly.

That bodes well. And start capacitors seem to be less expensive than last time I looked too.

 

[droopsnoot]

take the belt off turn it on and give the pulley a kick over see if it spins up . if yes possibly the start capacitor

I have ordered a start cap, but it hasn't turned up yet. This afternoon I had a bit of a look at it, and it turns out that the fan cover comes off more easily than I thought. And if I turn the fan, which presumably turns the v-twin motor over, it turns. And then it starts up just lovely. So I don't know whether the capacitor is needed, but the main thing is that it's running again, and if it stops, I'll have a capacitor in a few days.

Thanks again for the all suggestions.

 

[Seadog]

It proves that the capacitor is faulty. In tge worst case it's a problem with the switch or the start winding.

 

[droopsnoot]

It proves that the capacitor is faulty. In tge worst case it's a problem with the switch or the start winding.

Oh good, sort of - not a complete waste of money from me jumping in without checking things properly first, then.