TSB
screen printing => Equipment => Topic started by: sqslabs on May 19, 2016, 12:18:13 PM
-
Our compressor tripped the breaker a bit ago when kicking in and after resetting everything, upon startup the motor hums for a few seconds and then the breaker trips again. Trying to figure out if its a breaker issue, or worse a compressor issue. This is our main compressor so we're out of luck while its down.
Full disclosure, its a Husky 5HP model that we probably should have replaced a long time ago. I also have a Curtis 3HP compressor (same size tank as the Husky) in storage but was under the impression from some very brief research that it may be underpowered for the press. I'd be happy to put that one into action if it will work, as its probably much more suited for the job. Any help/thoughts would be greatly appreciated.
-
someone much more qualified then me, and probably way smarter, will chime in, but i think your motor is dead.
-
It has happened to me and i replcaced the breaker and it worked.
-
someone much more qualified then me, and probably way smarter, will chime in, but i think your motor is dead.
I was worried someone was gonna say that.. :-\
It has happened to me and i replcaced the breaker and it worked.
We've had a breaker replaced one time before and it fixed the issues but at that time it was tripping either immediately on startup or during the cycle. The difference this time is the humming and the motor not spinning at all from what I can tell.
-
see if the compressor/pump will turn by hand. If it's seized the motor will try to turn it and trip when it fails to do so.
pierre
-
it could also be a failed motor start capacitor.
-J
-
see if the compressor/pump will turn by hand. If it's seized the motor will try to turn it and trip when it fails to do so.
Tried turning the belt and everything seems to be operating fine in this department...
it could also be a failed motor start capacitor.
Definitely beyond my level of fix-it-ness, but will see what info I can dig up..
-
Had this exact thing happen to my Schulz 5hp compressor a couple months ago. Diagnosis was a fried motor. Luckily my local tractor supply had a replacement motor that dropped right in. So $230ish and a couple hours later we were back in business.
-
it could also be a failed motor start capacitor.
-J
agreed. we had this before. happened in our power washer as well. is the breaker hot?
-
Check the connections (Is one wire loose, not tight). Are you running 3 phase power? If so go check and make sure you have equal voltage on each leg.
-
Your belt might be loose, and check for any arcing wires...I would change the breaker as that is the easiest and cheap way to go first....almost forgot check your point's they should be in a box on the compressor
-
Like Jason said start capacitor. Pull the cover and take the numbers off the old and replace. There might be run capacitors also and or two or more of each. Short the two terminals with a screw driver (hold the handle not the shank) before touching the wires.
-
Thanks to everyone for their feedback on this. I've checked all the electrical connections and replaced the breaker, no improvement. Gonna check out the capacitor now but otherwise it looks like it may be beyond my level of expertise so I'm gonna call in a tech to check it out. My guys are killing it on the manual today so that will help and then we're closed through Monday so hopefully I'll get something up and running by then.
One of those days...
-
Two. Of. Everything.
-
are you in FL? We had the same thing yesterday. It turns out that one of the legs was blown at the pole. We had power for the lights, dryer... Everything seemed fine so I thought my compressor motor froze. I hooked the spare up and had the same problem. The FPL guys got it fixed in 3 minutes. They said anything with a big motor was effected. Everything else was fine.
Good Luck.
-
are you in FL? We had the same thing yesterday. It turns out that one of the legs was blown at the pole. We had power for the lights, dryer... Everything seemed fine so I thought my compressor motor froze. I hooked the spare up and had the same problem. The FPL guys got it fixed in 3 minutes. They said anything with a big motor was effected. Everything else was fine.
Good Luck.
This happened to us as well, third leg of three phase got bit by a squirrel at the box and was intermittent.
The PG&E (our power co.) dude tried to get out of fixing it. Literally.
FWIW our meters have indicators for each leg, a little flashing/solid A/B/C. Easy check.
-
are you in FL? We had the same thing yesterday. It turns out that one of the legs was blown at the pole. We had power for the lights, dryer... Everything seemed fine so I thought my compressor motor froze. I hooked the spare up and had the same problem. The FPL guys got it fixed in 3 minutes. They said anything with a big motor was effected. Everything else was fine.
Good Luck.
Yes, South Florida. Thanks for the heads up, will look into it. My dryer has been setting off some weird alarms the past couple days as well, was going to run through the sensors this weekend but maybe they are somehow related.
I've attached a picture of what the compressor has two of in the side cover, are these start capacitors or run capacitors? And if so is there a way to tell if they are shot (short of replacing them)?
-
and here's a pic of what is in the other compartment..
-
Gonna pick up a pair of these, hopefully it does the trick..
https://www.grainger.com/product/DAYTON-Round-Motor-Start-Capacitor-2MDU9 (https://www.grainger.com/product/DAYTON-Round-Motor-Start-Capacitor-2MDU9)
-
Be really careful with those. I was told by a compressor tech that they can hold a huge charge for days or even weeks.
If you need compressor company I love the guys I use. They are in boynton but I am sure they service broward too. AirCoMo is the company. Let me know if you want the contact info.
-
Be really careful with those. I was told by a compressor tech that they can hold a huge charge for days or even weeks.
If you need compressor company I love the guys I use. They are in boynton but I am sure they service broward too. AirCoMo is the company. Let me know if you want the contact info.
Thanks for the heads up, I just wish I would have seen it before I pulled them ha! I shorted them with a screwdriver per Binkspot's recommendation which seemed to work as I am still alive.
In other news, I just replaced those two capacitors with a pair I got at Grainger and it fired right up on the first try!! Can't thank everyone enough for the help today, it is really appreciated. This definitely isn't my area of expertise, and I was nervous the compressor was a goner. I wouldn't have been able to get a tech in here until tomorrow and it's a lot nicer to head home for the weekend knowing that the press will be spinning on Monday.
You guys, and this forum, are the sh1t! :)
-
capacitors tend to go out when it gets hot. It's about the best place to start.
your AC sytem has them too and a $15 capacitor will cost around $250 from a service company to come fix.
-
Get a spare set of start and run to keep on hand.
Used to charge and toss them to an unsuspecting person, always good for a quick laugh.
-
i friend of mine would charge them and leave them sit around the shop and office just to mess with folks
-
Alright, so everything was working fine yesterday and a few minutes ago the compressor kicked in, made some weird noises, threw some blue sparks around inside the motor and then tripped the breaker again. I replaced the start capacitors the other day, and will now replace the run capacitor, but is it possible that something is wrong with the motor otherwise that could have caused the capacitors to go in the first place?
Anyone selling a compressor? I'm due for an upgrade.
-
The governor in the back of the motor may have a broken spring. Get a new motor or compressor. Go rent one to get you through if needed
-
The governor in the back of the motor may have a broken spring. Get a new motor or compressor. Go rent one to get you through if needed
Thanks for the response.. I've made the decision to upgrade to a rotary screw in the next few weeks, and hope that I may have solved the issue to get me through until then.
The run capacitor is housed in a compartment on top of the motor, and is held to the top of the housing by double sided tape. I pulled everything the other day and replaced the tape when I put it all back, but when I opened the compartment back up, the capacitor had fallen off the tape and was sitting on top of the motor. I put a 2" piece of foam under the capacitor and replaced the housing, and it seems to be running fine again.
Is it possible that the capacitor sitting on top of a running motor could have caused the symptoms I saw today?
-
The terminals could have been dancing around grounding out.
-
The terminals could have been dancing around grounding out.
Thanks, that would definitely make sense. Still running well this morning so fingers crossed that was the issue and we'll hold up until I get a new unit in here.
-
we are shopping for a screw compressor right now too. Atlas has a special of some sort that seems to be about 25% off the regular price. . . Do you need a contact to call?
we are looking at 7.5HP with built in chiller, dryer, carbon filtration unit and auto drain for about $7K.
pierre
EDIT: scratch that, it does not really seem to be that much cheaper. They are advertising the GX5 with chiller and dryer built in at $6,167, so that's about $600 below internet pricing.
-
In regards to the motor stalling and tripping the breaker..I don't believe these three facts has been discussed yet.
Cheaper compressors don't usually come with a proper motor starter contactor, they use the air pressure switch to make and break the motor current. The air pressure switch contacts get pitted and burned over time and can easily cause a significant voltage drop across the bad contacts. A 10% voltage drop can cause a 20% drop in starting torque.
If the unloading valve on the goes bad, the compressor pump will have to overcome the tank pressure to get up and spinning...most won't compressor motors won't be able to overcome that head pressure.
There is an internal switch,in the motor, that operates the start capacitor. These switches can fail over time.
Hopefully the replacement cap will be the solution....but there are several more possibilities.
-
As an update, the compressor started acting up again on Wednesday and I finally got a tech out to the shop. In addition to the other things already discussed, he brought up some of the things that Northland mentioned above, and is leaning toward the internal switch failing, at which time we'd have to either track down a replacement switch or replace the motor altogether. In addition, we are seeing a voltage drop at the unit, which he said was due to the length of the wire run from our panel, and the wire gauge being too small. He also replaced our 30A breaker with a 60A, and fixed an air leak that was causing the unit to run more than necessary. Otherwise, it ran fine while he was there and he gave us the A-OK.
For the most part, it seemed to run fine all day Thursday. After speaking with a couple forum members and the tech, I'll likely be purchasing a secondary industrial piston unit for now, which will act as our main compressor. I'll use the current compressor's tank for additional air capacity, and also as a backup unit in case we run into any issues with the main one. I have a newer 3ph panel (that we installed when we got our new press/dryer) within 10 feet of where our compressor is, and will move the wire run to that box to ensure there is no voltage drop.
This experience has really helped me to understand the importance of redundancy, and how two smaller units can be better than one of the biggest and best. Fortunately we were still able to meet all our deadlines, but I really don't want to end up in this position again and will be doing whatever is necessary to ensure we don't.
Thanks again to everyone who took the time to post here or contact me privately.
-
Made the upgrade today with a nice Craigslist find. Barely used Ingersoll-Rand 10HP w/ 120 gal tank, and a brand new Hankison chiller. Coincidentally, it turned out to be another screen printing shop in the area that was using them as a backup system. Got a great deal, and made a new friend in the industry. Our current compressor will be used for additional air capacity (for a total of 200g) as well as a backup unit.
-
Just wanted to say that the willingness to share a wealth of information on compressors/chillers was impressive. Kudos to all of you !