Compressor help

how cold was it when you fired it up? I noticed you’re in maine, and recently temperatures around here have been pretty drastically low… I’ve had a similar experience with my compressor 2 weeks ago, where it just wouldn’t stop filling the tank, I had to manually turn it off…

I think it might be the cold temperature that is messing up the dials/compression gauge, and doesn’t shut off the compressor when it hits a limit PSI.

now that it’s ‘warmer’… (only 30f) it works fine…. it was acting up when it was ~10f I believe

-- ㊍ When in doubt - There is no doubt - Go the safer route.

The shutoff may be set for 125 psi or 135 psi, hard to say, try to get a manual for it, then you will know.

Make sure you bleed off all the air in the tank before you pull that switch off. Maybe spray in some wd-40 and put it back in,sometimes they stick. I have to hit mine to get it start back up.

-- It must be jelly baby, cause jam don't shake like that...

I’ve had it for a few months so it was tried in warm weather. I just had other things to do so left it till this spring. I just thought I’d pick peoples brains now.

I didn’t think of lubricating the switch. I’ll try that.

-- The smell of wood, coffee in the cup, the wife let's me do my thing, the lake is peaceful. http://gagnerwebsite.com/Deceiver/Craftsman_on_the_lake/Craftsman_on_the_lake.html

It might have an emergency bleed valve too. Mine has one and I think it is set for around 150 or 160 PSI. Of course if the switch stuck it wouldn’t prevent the pump from running 24/7 but it would prevent it from blowing up.

-- Rich, WNY, www.nyrockingchairs.com

Daniel,

The pressure switch may actuall be bad. Replacing it may be necessary and depending on the compressor it can be expensive.

Now before I go too far lets eliminate a few things.

Have you just manually started the compressor?

The reason that I am asking this is: If you are just starting the compressor with a disconnect switch and it does not start from the actually pressure switch activating on low pressure, then you may have a clogged passage between the pressure switch and the compressor tank.

Now another problem is that the pressure switch may not be connected. (I am not infering this is the case but I do want to bring it up so it can be fixed if this is the case) I have bought and wired many larger compressors. Often when I have bought a used compressor, the pressure switch is not wired to a motor conntactor (A large relay). In this case, if you would turn the compressor on it would not stop or conversely it would not restart once the compressor’s air pressure is low.

I want to note that many single phase compressors are not wired through a contactor. It is best to trace the wire from the pressure switch and see if it is hooked up so it is inline with the power coming in. You might be surprised and this would be an easy fix.

If the pressure switch is not contacting, there can be a couple of problems with the most common being the contacts are corroded. You can fix this by getting fine emery cloth sand paper and sanding the contacts in the pressure switch.

If all else fails buy a new pressure switch. If you have any questions about wiring or function of your compressor please let me know.

Cheers,

Ben

thanks bendisplays… all good things to look for. I’m keeping a running list of things to look for once the temp goes above zero.

At that point I may contact you to pick your brain. So, don’t go anywhere!

-- The smell of wood, coffee in the cup, the wife let's me do my thing, the lake is peaceful. http://gagnerwebsite.com/Deceiver/Craftsman_on_the_lake/Craftsman_on_the_lake.html