Air Compressor puzzle

[zzvyb6]

Is this motor wired for 120v or 220v ? Most of these compressors are OEM 220v with a NEMA 6-15 plug. I've seen two guys twist the plug terminals and shove it into a standard 120v receptacle. The motors did what yours does. If yours is 220v, can you check for 220v power in case you lost one leg of the receptacle ? Or if yours is wired for 220v with a 120v NEMA 5-15 plug stuck on it, what can happen ?

 

[arrow]

Is this motor wired for 120v or 220v ? Most of these compressors are OEM 220v with a NEMA 6-15 plug. I've seen two guys twist the plug terminals and shove it into a standard 120v receptacle. The motors did what yours does. If yours is 220v, can you check for 220v power in case you lost one leg of the receptacle ? Or if yours is wired for 220v with a 120v NEMA 5-15 plug stuck on it, what can happen ?

120 but it does carry a 220 vac starter cap.

 

[arrow]

Most likely. It is mf rated. That cap is rated from 136 to 163 microfarads (MFD). Start caps are always much higher. You can see the bleed down resistor on the top, and the circuit goes through the points (white/red wire). I think the sears tech is saying it doesn't have a "user maintainable start capacitor." As it is inside the motor in this case.

If I cannot find this exact cap, how close can I come as long as it fits into the motor housing?

 

[wawoodwa]

If I cannot find this exact cap, how close can I come as long as it fits into the motor housing?

Try to keep the same mfd, you can go up on voltage. Most start caps are rated for higher voltage than what they start. 230 motors have 370 volt and sometime 440 volt caps.

 

[wawoodwa]

Seems like this is a common problem on this machine when searching the Internet. Found this one:

625622-1 136-163 MFD 22vac Start Capacitor - CSH Electric Motor Supply

 

[arrow]

Seems like this is a common problem on this machine when searching the Internet. Found this one:

625622-1 136-163 MFD 22vac Start Capacitor - CSH Electric Motor Supply

Thanks wawoodwa for all of your guidance and help finding a cap. (what happened to the $6 ones I see all over the net?) This forum teaches one quite a bit when they amble into previously unknown territory.
Thank you to all who lent their knowledge. I'll order one of these and get back to see if it was a viable fix.

 

[kenmac]

If you have a local motor repair shop near you, they may be able to provide you with a cap. with these specs. Local motor shop is where I usually buy caps.

 

[wawoodwa]

Thanks wawoodwa for all of your guidance and help finding a cap. (what happened to the $6 ones I see all over the net?) This forum teaches one quite a bit when they amble into previously unknown territory.
Thank you to all who lent their knowledge. I'll order one of these and get back to see if it was a viable fix.

You're welcome arrow. We are all glad to help. When looking for the cap, I stumbled across this link. It sounds like a similar trouble, but because yours does try to move, it sounds like a weak cap and the switch is working. Of course, this could be for a completely different compressor or Sears repaired this design flaw on your machine (link is from 2004).

6 HP 3 Gal 1 stage compressor won't start - trips breaker - FYI - Forum - Bob Vila

Let us know how it goes!

 

[arrow]

You're welcome arrow. We are all glad to help. When looking for the cap, I stumbled across this link. It sounds like a similar trouble, but because yours does try to move, it sounds like a weak cap and the switch is working. Of course, this could be for a completely different compressor or Sears repaired this design flaw on your machine (link is from 2004).

6 HP 3 Gal 1 stage compressor won't start - trips breaker - FYI - Forum - Bob Vila

Let us know how it goes!

Trying to grasp this but this does not sound like my configuration. Indeed this compressor was bought in 2004. Only possible phenolic disc I see has wires coming out of it.

 

[wawoodwa]

Trying to grasp this but this does not sound like my configuration. Indeed this compressor was bought in 2004. Only possible phenolic disc I see has wires coming out of it.

Yes, yours doesn't look to me what is described in that link. The link talks about the points being on the back of the plastic. Yours are on the motor frame.

Here to hoping the starter cap is the problem! If it is and the new cap works, I would put the resistor back on. It is a human safety feature to bleed the capacitor to a balanced potential. The motor will work without the resistor.