Air Compressor puzzle

[Redneck in training]

The motor has two capacitors. The inside is the run cap and the outside is the start cap. Both have to be good for the motor to start. They are parallel when starting and the start cap is disconnected after motor acceleration.

 

[arrow]

Ok thanks guys. I ordered the same capacitor that came with the motor which cost $30. The analog meter I realize only tells me a certain thing. I'll run it on my buddies capacitor tester to see if it is pulling proper load.

 

[arrow]

Can you measure the windings? Make sure you don't have a short/open?

I do not know where to put the leads nor the setting on the meter (50 ACV?) to test windings.

 

[Redneck in training]

I do not know where to put the leads nor the setting on the meter (50 ACV?) to test windings.

It depends on the meter. Usually, you use the same position like for voltage but select resistance ( Ω ). The resistance against the ground (body of the motor and/or green wire) should be high (MΩ), the resistance of the winding is low 15-25 (Ω).

 

[arrow]

It depends on the meter. Usually, you use the same position like for voltage but select resistance ( Ω ). The resistance against the ground (body of the motor and/or green wire) should be high (MΩ), the resistance of the winding is low 15-25 (Ω).

Ok I'll give this a shot. Thank you. I tested the start cap with a proper capacitance meter. It fell within the parameters of the cap (136-163 with a reading of 142). So what's left are the windings and or a stuck reed valve.
Which is considered the "winding"?

 

[Redneck in training]

Ok I'll give this a shot. Thank you. I tested the start cap with a proper capacitance meter. It fell within the parameters of the cap (136-163 with a reading of 142). So what's left are the windings and or a stuck reed valve.
Which is considered the "winding"?

Winding is any wire going inside of the motor. Primary winding is connected directly to the power (to white and black wire) the second winding is connected to (usually) white wire and to capacitor and/or the start switch.

 

[arrow]

Winding is any wire going inside of the motor. Primary winding is connected directly to the power (to white and black wire) the second winding is connected to (usually) white wire and to capacitor and/or the start switch.


View attachment 503226

So I tried this. Needle pegged on the green wire. Didn't move on the white or black wire. When i touched the run capacitor wires w/o the capacitor, the needle pegged and stayed there. Why the resistance on the run capacitor wiring? Thanks

 

[Zerk]

Craftsman 30 gal. oil less. Attempted to start it one day recently. Motor ran weakly for about 3 seconds and then it tripped a breaker. Tried it on different amp plugs and still always blew the breaker. ?

For future reference, it if worked before, switching to a different plug is probably not the problem. I would increase the amperage, if it ran fine before. Could try another breaker of same amperage to verify the breaker is good. Typically they fail to trip as they get older, but not always.


Turning by hand is what I would have done to check the bearing.



The capicitor is for starting, so ya, it very likely will trip without it. Tripping with and with out, tells you nothing.

 

[arrow]

For future reference, it if worked before, switching to a different plug is probably not the problem. I would increase the amperage, if it ran fine before. Could try another breaker of same amperage to verify the breaker is good. Typically they fail to trip as they get older, but not always.


Turning by hand is what I would have done to check the bearing.



The capicitor is for starting, so ya, it very likely will trip without it. Tripping with and with out, tells you nothing.

I know your joining the party late and thanks but all of this was tried. I am now attempting to know why the run the capacitor line goes to zero. Is it supposed to?

 

[Zerk]

I know your joining the party late and thanks but all of this was tried. I am now attempting to know why the run the capacitor line goes to zero. Is it supposed to?

I am just trying to help your trouble shooting logic skills for next time. Regardless of what you find. Going to a plug with higher amperage breaker was unsafe. Plus it made no sense when trouble shooting, since it worked at one time.

What I am saying is,maybe this isn't your thing. Go buy another before someone gets hurt or fire.