Melted Compressor Contactor

[Bubbles Galore]

I received a call that my low pressure functions weren't working. Got up to the wash to find that the primary 240 volt side of the contactor had melted. Is there a good way to unravel the reason behind it melting? I hooked up the spare compressor for today, but need to get this fixed ASAP. This is the compressor that was there when I bought the wash: husky 40 gallon 240v. Sidenote, the secondary wires going to the motor were fine, no melting, nothing....

 

[Greg Pack]

I've had that happen before with no clear explanation. I would check tightness of wire connections from breaker to motor, replace with a quality contactor (like a Square D)and fuggittaboutit. This is assuming you have a spare portable compressor to get you by. If the second contactor fries then I would really start digging for a problem.

 

[Bubbles Galore]

Right now the portable is saving my a**. Stupid question, but where do you go to get your contactor on short notice?

 

[MEP001]

If it melted on the input side of the contactor, it was likely the wires that weren't tightened securely.

There is a local motor place here that stocks the contactors most big compressors use.

 

[car washing systems inc]

I had something like that happen before the only thing i found was the wires had become lose and melted the starter from heat. A good electrical supply house or grainger

 

[Randy]

My Husky air compressor doesn’t have a motor contactor but uses a Pressure switch to stop and start the air compressor motor. Are you sure that it’s not the pressure switch that is bad? When the contacts inside the pressure switch go bad a lot of the time they will melt down the switch. If it is the pressure switch they are pretty easy to find. I always have a spare pressure switch on hand for this very reason. When you get it fixed put a amp meter on the motor to check the draw on the switch. If the motor is drawing to many amps the switch won’t last long. Most Air compressor switches are only rated at about 20 amps 110v and 12 amps 240v

 

[Bubbles Galore]

Thanks for the advice guys. I am going to get a new IR from TSC this evening seeing as its time to upgrade. I will fix the husky, but use it as a spare. I think you're right randy, its a pressure switch not a contactor.

 

[Randy]

Why buy another Air compressor? I'd buy 2 pressure switches, keep one has a spare and call it good.

My Air compressor is almost 20 years old, still works like it did when I put it in. I've replaced the pressure switch a couple of times is all and check the oil every once and awhile.

 

[Randy]

And the fix for your Air Compressor problem was?

 

[Ghetto Wash]

husky ....

There is your problem right there. They are disposable. Buy a new one when it craps out - about every 5 years and you are good to go. That is what I do. You could buy a "real" compressor that will give you 20 years service for 4 times the cost or replace this one with another Husky every time it quits. About the same financially in the long run.

 

[MEP001]

I've seen the Husky compressors last for many years. The key is breaking them in per the instructions. I remember someone who would buy a new one every year - his employee lied to him about checking the oil, and since it wasn't broken in properly it would lose it all and then seize up. I caught the guy filling the burned-up pump with oil. When I set the next one up for him and broke it in, he no longer had problems with it.

 

[Randy]

I don’t think a pressure switch going bad would be reason enough to dump an air compressor. I’m still waiting for my $199.00 big box store compressor I bought in 1993 to die. It just keeps purring along. The only thing I’ve done to it is replace the pressure switch twice and check the oil. I’ve found that most operators don’t check the oil or perform any maintenance on there air compressor. They tend to be a forgotten piece of equipment until they die then they think they are a piece of crap.

 

[Bubbles Galore]

I ended up ordering a new pressure switch and a new compressor. I will use the old one in my detail shop and the new one will be set up and used for our self serve bays and an automatic in the future.

 

[sparkey]

Measure the current draw on the wires and compare it to what the motor is suppose to pull on the motor nameplate. If it is pulling high amps it could be a sign of the motor going bad which would also melt the contactor.