Electrical help, Air Compressor

[J R Green]

I replaced the capacitor... no effect. Unhooked the air line, ditto. Tried a 20 amp circuit and the power cord started smoking. I bypassed the switch and it did the same, low power and trip the breaker. So now I've ordered a new motor.

 

[RetiredUSNChief]

Does the pump turn easily by hand?

If not, either the pump or the motor is binding up. If it's the pump, then the new motor will do the same thing.

 

[J R Green]

Does the pump turn easily by hand?

If not, either the pump or the motor is binding up. If it's the pump, then the new motor will do the same thing.

Oh yeah. It spins with no resistance. That is to say, the motor spins freely. I even unhooked the piston which has no resistance either.

 

[Bezep1]

I would put an ammeter on the circuit and watch it as the thing starts and runs. If it rapidly increases amperage after starting it could be that the piston/rings/bearings are shot and causing excessive drag. Bummer in any case!

 

[Schattenreiter]

Should have just replaced it. You already have money in a capacitor that didn't fix it. Now if the motor doesn't fix it you are screwed.

Trouble shooting 101.
Parts exchanging is not trouble shooting and it is expensive.

 

[BigWaylon]

That's only for hot water heaters.😀

Good thing most of us don’t heat our hot water. 😝

 

[Button Pusher]

Good thing most of us don’t heat our hot water. 😝

The FD would have shut off the gas to the house.

 

[Bezep1]

Good thing most of us don’t heat our hot water. 😝

My hot water doesn't need heating, so I just have a plain old water heater

 

[BigWaylon]

My hot water doesn't need heating, so I just have a plain old water heater