New clarke keeps cutting out

[limeytrichevy]

I bought a Clarke SE160150 compressor that had done just a couple of months work. The date plate says 09. I have had it about 5 months but only used it a couple of times.

The problem is it starts off ok and builds up pressure and switches off but keeps blowing fuses. If it doesn't blow the fuse it trips the little white reset button on top of the electric motor. I dont have any paper work for this compressor, (it was promised but never appeared) I guess they had the same problem!

Anyone have an idea of whats wrong? It's all drained of any moisture. I'm not too up on these as this is my first decent size compressor.

Thanks in advance.
Adam

 

[the snooper]

edited.
is it a direct drive unit
and once it has reached pressure and cuts out do you hear a loud hiss as it cuts out ?

 

[rtbcomp]

At what point does the fuse blow? e.g. when restarting, during normal running?

Are you running it off a 13A plug? you need a 16A blue plug & socket with wiring to suit.

PS it's Clarke SE16C150 not Clarke SE160150

 

[limeytrichevy]

It blew fuses right from the start. I stuck a nail in the plug as I ran out of fuses (I kept an eye on it I promise!) and the white button popped. I've just turned it on again & it ran for 3 or 4 seconds then stopped. The button didnt pop but it seems not to be doing anything now. I'll take the cover off and check the wiring to the motor in case it's something silly like a H/R or loose wire touching something.

 

[limeytrichevy]

Ok, update, the wiring from the plug to the compressor switch is good and the switch works ok (continuity checked). The wiring from the compressor switch to the electric motor seems fine too. I could bypass the internal white reset button in case thats faulty? but it did run momentarily and stopped without the button popping so I don't think it's that. Capacitor? but it is new with less than 20 hours on it.

I'm about as far as I can go with this, over to the experts. I don't mind trying different things or checking stuff out so ask away.

Ah thanks, the C looks like an '0' on the plate. I'm running it with the plug it came with which is an everyday plug. Are you saying this compressor needs a stand alone 16A feed from the fuse board?

 

[rtbcomp]

.........Ah thanks, the C looks like an '0' on the plate. I'm running it with the plug it came with which is an everyday plug. Are you saying this compressor needs a stand alone 16A feed from the fuse board?

It does really:-

Manual here http://www.clarkeservice.co.uk/manuals/compressors/se_ve_compressors.pdf

Download it before it moves (again).

See page 4, it recommends a 30 Amp fuse for the three hp models.

Paradoxically a big voltage drop on the wiring can cause the motor to draw more current than it should because it never gets up to speed.

 

[limeytrichevy]

Thanks, I was going to use a 16A supply for a mini ring in the garage. I may as well use a 30A ring with a 16A plug?

 

[the snooper]

it sounds more then the supply to me as the motor cut out has been operating which suggests that the stop start switch may noy be unloading the pressure

 

[David2005]

Any more replies on this as my Sealey compressor keeps doing the same thing.
I ran it on a 13a supply for two years with no problems but it hadn't been used for a while and now fuses keep blowing. So I switched to a plug without a fuse and as above it runs for 3-4 then trips the reset switch. I adjusted the relief valve thinking it was cutting out too soon but it made no difference.
All the air is out of the tank and the belts and pulleys are moving freely.
My brother (Electrician) quickly checked out the wiring and said its fine.
I changed one of the capacitors but it hasn't fixed it
Should I change both?
Would changing to a blue 16a plug make a difference even if it ran fine on 13a?

 

[David2005]

Anyone???

 

[eil]

Get your bro to check both capacitors,check your getting full voltage on motor start up at the motor, also amp draw, if one of the caps are breaking up you will be drawing too much amps naturally.

 

[David2005]

Get your bro to check both capacitors,check your getting full voltage on motor start up at the motor, also amp draw, if one of the caps are breaking up you will be drawing too much amps naturally.

Cheers will try that as soon as I can

 

[knoba]

Is it possible that something else is "kicking in" while using the compressor: fridge, freezer, extractor, plasma, etc. causing the rcd to trip?

 

[tigler]

Are either of you using an extension lead to connect the compressors ? If so thats likely to be the problem, they need to plugged directly into a wall socket.

 

[David2005]

Is it possible that something else is "kicking in" while using the compressor: fridge, freezer, extractor, plasma, etc. causing the rcd to trip?

Nothing in the garage as I tried turning off everything else.
Garage has its own circuit breakers but takes power from the house.
Lots of stuff would be on in the house, fridge, freezer, tv, cooker etc etc
Could that all be a problem?

Are either of you using an extension lead to connect the compressors ? If so thats likely to be the problem, they need to plugged directly into a wall socket.

I was but tried plugging it directly into the wall and it blew the fuse so I wired it into a wireless plug and it still isn't running for more than a couple of seconds

 

[knoba]

Not my field I'm afraid David! Just a thought maybe...

I only know that when using my compressor & plasma together; the initial load from the compressor kicking back in, trips the rcd, switches off the plasma and throws the compressors cut-out switch too. (I'm not looking for advice - it doesn't bother me)

In my case; the feed to my garage comes from the house, on a separate (isolated) spur, on the consumer unit (so there is nothing else on the run).

Without anything else 'on' my compressor runs fine. It runs from a 20amp outlet (type b rcd) with 16amp blue plugs (comp is 240v - 3hp).

hth

 

[tigler]

Start current on induction motors is a bitch !

 

[Maddog]

See here mate: http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=23745

I had a similar problem... Even with it wired through a switch then to 16a Type B MCB it still popped it now and again... Upped the MCB to a 16a Type C and that seemed to cure it.

Hope this helps.

 

[David2005]

See here mate: http://www.mig-welding.co.uk/forum/showthread.php?t=23745

I had a similar problem... Even with it wired through a switch then to 16a Type B MCB it still popped it now and again... Upped the MCB to a 16a Type C and that seemed to cure it.

Hope this helps.

Read that mate thanks
First i'm going to check my capacitors
If they're ok I will change to 16a blue plug set-up

If that fails I will change the MCB to a 16a type C circuit breaker BUT since the MCB has never tripped then I wouldn't have thought it would be a problem?

Can anything be wrong with the motors?

 

[Maddog]

Read that mate thanks
First i'm going to check my capacitors
If they're ok I will change to 16a blue plug set-up

If that fails I will change the MCB to a 16a type C circuit breaker BUT since the MCB has never tripped then I wouldn't have thought it would be a problem?

Can anything be wrong with the motors?

If it keeps blowing the 13a plug first this will be the weakest link and will always go before the mcb... you may find this starts to pop after the 13a is removed and the mcb is then the weakest point.

Cheers.