Compressor dead (?)

[julianf]

Ive got a 14cfm compressor. Its right on the edge of being able to run from a 240v socket. If i ever try to run it from an extension lead, it just blows the fuse in the lead on the first revolution.

Today, i had it plugged into one socket - started it, revved once, and then blew the fuse upstream of the socket.

Move it to a different location.

Revved one or two times, and stopped (did not blow the fuse).
Tried this a couple more times (ie off, then on again) and would rev a couple of times and stop each time.

...then wouldnt do anything. Ive checked the thermal overload switch and its not that. Ill check the fuse in its own plug, but, even if it is that, there's still something up.


The unit is a Fiac Michigan, which you probably wont find on any searches, but its just a standard, direct drive unit. It looks like this -

or there abouts.

I figure -

I may have melted the windings by trying to start it too many times, in which case its game over.
Or its a capacitor issue.
Or there is some other reason why its trying to pull too much power.
(it has oil etc. and i was using it yesterday, so its not like its been stood for years)


Any other suggestions?

 

[penfold]

The unloader valve(marked on the image, usually brass) may not be working, maybe either unseated or have dirt in it. Dismantle, inspect and clean. The fuse in the plug is normally what goes, I have a cheapo direct drive compressor, it does this too once in a while and it gets cleaned again.

 

[Seadog]

If you've melted anything your nose will tell you if you get close to the motor. I'd plump for the capacitor initially.

 

[julianf]

I think the unloader is working, as, when it revs a couple of times and stops, it then 'hisses' like it does when the pressure switch turns it off normally.

Id like it to be the capacitor - in my exceedingly limited experience of these things, ive had motors that would not start, unless you flicked them manually round - then they would run.

..but this one spins up, then stops - ie almost the opposite (?)

I know you get motor start caps, and motor run ones (i cant say that i understand either really!) - ill take out the old cap, and im guessing it will (i hope) have some stuff written on the side of it!

 

[penfold]

Is this happening all the time or just when restarting with some air in the reservoir?

 

[rtbcomp]

The unloader valve(marked on the image, usually brass) may not be working, maybe either unseated or have dirt in it. Dismantle, inspect and clean. The fuse in the plug is normally what goes, I have a cheapo direct drive compressor, it does this too once in a while and it gets cleaned again.

You've highlighted the non-return valve, the unloader is in the base of the switch, on the other end of the thin pipe, although cleaning the NRV as you describe could work. If it's leaking you'll get a constant stream of air from the unloader with the switch set to "off".

Juilan - is there any air in the tank? If so empty the tank and try again. I've got a SIP that doesn't like starting on a full tank first thing in the morning.

 

[penfold]

You are correct; mea culpa.

 

[roofman]

You are correct; mea culpa.

you should of said "yes but the little pipe from the highlighted part goes to the unloader"..need to think on your feet around these animals

 

[xmetal]

It might be worth seeing if the air filter has become clogged too.