Compressor turning itself on

[Cobbler]

Bit of an odd one here, just wondering if it’s happened to anyone else. I have a Lidl compressor, been out to the shed on several occasions & found it turned on with the pressure switch, thought “I’m sure I turned it off last time”. The other night, heard the compressor running in the middle of the night, think it was about 2:30 ish, didn’t want to wake the neighbours so stuck some trousers on, nipped out & turned it off. Next day, found the switch up, sure I turned it off, asked wife, “did I get up or was I dreaming” “yes you did” turned it off, next time I looked it had turned itself on! This time I turned off at the socket. I think when it drops to its pressure to its on position it switches the switch on top as well. I’m not going to do anything about it, apart from unplugging it, just wondered if this is normal when knackered or a regular problem.

 

[voipio]

Not sure which compressor this is. Is the switch made by Condor, and actuated by turning the knob on top? If so, is the switch cover screwed down properly onto the base of the pressure switch assembly? Also, does the switch fully move to point to the "0" position, when it has been turned off? There are ways in which the pressure switch can turn itself on, from the off position, if the cover position is incorrect, or it is slightly loose.

 

[dobbslc]

The red button on top pops up and down on my compressor all on it's own according to the pressure in the tank, is it leaking?

 

[Cobbler]

The red button on top pops up and down on my compressor all on its own according to the pressure in the tank, is it leaking?

I’ve got a retractable hose connected which looses pressure over a while, I’m sure I didn’t used to turn itself on as the pressure dropped though. I’ve never noticed the button popping up & down as I’ve used it, but never looked either. Just have to pull the plug out & the fault will go away.

 

[Barking Mat]

Yep, our 3ph one at work does it, we leave it unplugged or it goes off at night, and we get complaints.

 

[Cobbler]

Sounds like it’s normal then. Just never noticed. Thanks all.

 

[Barking Mat]

It's not normal, but it can happen.

 

[brightspark]

there worked through a pressure diaphragm .probably switch mechanism is worn pull push switch

 

[Cobbler]

there worked through a pressure diaphragm .probably switch mechanism is worn pull push switch

I’ll take the top off & see what I can see in there & report back.

 

[bourbon]

When we get phone calls about older compressors, The pressure switch is one of the first things we suspect

 

[Barking Mat]

I’ll take the top off & see what I can see in there & report back.

We changed out the black plastic box contactor, still does it.

 

[zzr1200]

I just switch my one off on the wall... , SWMBO reminds if I forget, the next morning or whenever it wakes her up.....

 

[dobbslc]

If it's leaking it'll go off at night just as you drop off to sleep usually.

 

[brightspark]

i just use the cheapo prssure switch to operate a seperate contactor for the motor as the cheapo ones are krap

 

[zzr1200]

If it's leaking it'll go off at night just as you drop off to sleep usually.

The trick is not moving, so she thinks your still asleep....

 

[1960bus]

Yes mine does it on the condor pressure switch.

 

[Jack_K]

The Chinese pressure switches are garbage. A Condor one probably costs more than that whole compressor for a reason. I've not had any issues with the Condor ones, the switch turns instead of being a button.