Tools, Sharpening and Power Machinery - Air Compressor Problem

Hi,

I turned on my Oil-less 2 gal Husky Air Compressor and it kicked on for about 2 seconds and then it shut off. The tank is empty. Now the compressor does not kick on at all. What is wrong? Blown fuse or something?? Is there something simple that I can try?? My unit is 1.5 yrs old and the warranty was just 1 yr, so its out of warranty now and a service center will charge me $36 to service the unit. The unit cost me $79 and I definately don't want to pay to get it serviced for more than the unit costs. Anyone have some light to shed.

Thanks,

greenda4

Try to find a reset switch on the motor. Sometimes they look like the end of a fuse.

I am not an expert on this subject but there may be a fuse on the unit. My other thought is, since it ran so short a time, did it pop a circuit breaker? Under some conditions, a power surge (such as turning on the compressor) will trip a breaker in the box. Good luck.

I'm inclined to agree with what's been said.
In order to trouble shoot your compressor you will need a volt/ohm meter and an idea how to use it.

With a tester you would check for power at the recepticle and then with the unit unplugged you would mark and remove the wires from the pressure switch and check it for continuity.

Oh ya, one way I forgot is most pressure switches have exposed contacts.
If you plug the unit in and it doesn't go, unplug it, remove the cover from the switch and make note if the contacts are open or closed.

I opened up the unit and it looks like a blown fuse (3A, 250V). I am on my way to Radio Shack for a replacement. Do you know what could have blown the fuse??

Thanks,

greenda4

greenda4,

What blew it would depend what it protected.
If the motor fuse then a motor problem or you have too long or the wrong guage extension cord if you are using one.
Too long a cord will drop the voltage enough to cause the amperage to go up, especially when restarting.
The other possibility is that your compressor has a control circuit of some kind where there could be a problem.

Make sure that a 3 amp fuse is the correct one.
If this fuse protects the motor you must replace it with a slo-blo or time delay fuse.
You cannot use a regular fuse on a motor.

Is this like the one you have?
<img src="http://imagex.homedepot.com/f/248/13340/7d/www.homedepot.com/cmc_upload/HDUS/EN_US/asset/images/eplus/732422012582_3.jpg">
Image credit: homedepot.com

I was using a 50 ft extension Cord. Is that too long?? I replaced the fuse and it seems like everything is working just fine again. I got a 3A Fast-Acting Fuse. Is this the right type of fuse?? The picture that you attached was not the unit that I have. Mine has the horizontal 2 gal tank.

Thanks,

greenda4

greenda4,

No, a fast acting fuse is not the right one.
You need a slo-blo or time delay, which are two names for the same thing.
Also, the fuse must be a 250 volt rated one or if it blows again a 12 volt one could take out the fuse holder next time it goes.

Your extension cord is not too long. It is just not heavy enough for that length. Fourteen guage or more would keep voltage drop to a minimum.