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help with Air compressor

soonermajic

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My motor just hummms when it's supposed to come on. Could it be the capacitors? Most I've talked to think it's a bad Merton motor.
If motor is bad, anyone have recommendations for a new 60 gallon Air Compressor? I wanna stay under $600, as this is a low volume wash.
 

getnbusy

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Unplug it and take the belt off. See if you can turn the pump and motor over by hand. If yes, plug it back up and see if the motor will run without being belted to the pump. Also, Check voltage and amp load at the motor. Hope this helps.

I bought my compressor from Industrial Air of Texas. Great compressor. Much more than 600 tho
 

Randy

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Is it a single phase or 3 phase motor? Do what “getnbusy" said if you can’t turn the compressor pulley you might as well scrap the compressor. If the compressor head is Ok the take the motor to a motor shop and have them look at it, I’ve got one not too far away that repairs all our motors.
 

soonermajic

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Belt turns with ease. So, next step is take motor off & to the shop. It's a single phase Husky Pro.
I found a used Craftsman Professional 60 gallon, 2 stage. Model 919-165611 : hp7, 175psi, V twin, asking $275. Says it's about 7/8 yrs old (which in my experience means it's 10 yrs old).
 

Randy

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Husky uses some really crap motors on there air compressors. How old is te Husky air compressor? Craftsman air compressors aren't much better. Get the serial number of the air compressor and call Sears they can tell you how old it is.
 

soonermajic

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Also found a brand new Sanborn, 60 gallon w/ extended 4 yr warranty. Guys wants $450. Whatcha think?
Is that Craftsman Profesional, for $275, 60 gallon a pretty good one? It's 2 stage, whatever that means...
 

Mel(NC)

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Could be a bad unloader valve. Will the compressor start up with no pressure in the tank?
 

mjwalsh

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My motor just hummms when it's supposed to come on. Could it be the capacitors? Most I've talked to think it's a bad Merton motor.
If motor is bad, anyone have recommendations for a new 60 gallon Air Compressor? I wanna stay under $600, as this is a low volume wash.
Was it the capacitor? That tends to be an easy check with a mfd feature included multi-meter or take just the capacitor itself off to someone with a mfd multi-meter. It is a less than a minute check to see if the mfds match.
 

soonermajic

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Both capacitors were bad, & replaced. Now the dam Auto / Off switch is bad. Do they mainly all use the same switch? Where should I look to buy this?
 

MEP001

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They are mostly the same in function, one big difference is whether or not it has a bleed-off valve and where it's located on the switch. If it has the same bottom port, the same load rated contacts, the same pressure range and the bleed-off port will reach it will work.

You should be able to enter the model number off yours in the search on zoro.com and find an equivalent replacement if not the same model.
 

Randy

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The pressure switch is a pretty common part on an air compressor to go bad. We keep a spare on hand all the time. Take the plastic top off the switch and all the information should be on the under side of the plastic cap, pressure setting/rating, AMPS etc.
 

cwguy.com

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I have used this Square D switch from amazon on 3 compressors that needed new ones. It is a common point of failure.
Part: http://amzn.to/1tkTYNb (Looking up the part number it appears it is a 2hp @ 230 Vac. WOOPS! :) I apparently purchased them around May 12, 2015. No fires yet. :) )

But it might not be the switch.... check the fitting the hose goes into the switch first. This part: http://amzn.to/1tkVhf1
I would purchase a whole new switch before just purchasing this part though.
 
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