Air compressor problem-questions

tallyho8 · Oct 25, 2009

I use an analog ohm meter to check capacitors. Touch the 2 leads to the 2 terminals and the needle will jump very high and then settle back down if the capacitor is good. If the needle doesn't move, or shows continuous continuity between the 2 terminals or one terminal and the case, the capacitor is bad.

PS: You must disconnect the leads from the capacitor before testing.

RobertN · Oct 25, 2009

I had a similar one. Bad capacitor. $5-10 for a new one. Try the reset switch first though.

hitekcountry · Oct 25, 2009

hitekcountry said:
So if I get anything other than 0 ohms, than that's the problem.

I stated that wrong. I should have said there should be no conductivity through the capacitor and the resistance measurement should measure the same as an open.

And yes that motor has two capacitors.

Ok so I went out this morning and checked the caps and they checked out ok, so what's up with that? So I put the caps back, and in doing so I noticed that the connections on one of the caps were very loose, on the first cap the connectors snapped into place and were locked on. The second cap the connectors slid on easily but easily slid around, they didn't look to be making solid contact. So I crimped them until I could no longer slide them by hand.

Now the thing turns on every time I turn on the switch just like it's suppose to. That may very well be all it was.

I know in the past I more than likely would have just bought a new one and tossed the old one. But now that I'm retired, I have plenty of time, and if I can use my time to save money, great.

Thanks Guys!!!!!