Tools, Sharpening and Power Machinery - craftsman air compressor dead? (HELP!)
Doityourself.com community forum was created to provide answers to all questions related to home improvement and home repair. Doityourself community can help you find information about how-to topics on small fixes to large remodeling projects. With comprehensive how-to content and expertly moderated community forums DoItYourself.com makes it easy to tackle even the most complex home improvement projects.View Full Version : craftsman air compressor dead? (HELP!)
surfer
10-30-09, 11:08 PM
Hello,
I just bought a Craftsman 2HP/20 Gal air compressor from craigs list. It was manufactured in 1976 but it had a rebuilt motor and ran strong. The guy ran it for me and it worked fine at his house. I took it home and I plugged it into a 20A circuit that also was powering a medium size refrigerator. It started to spin for just about 5-10 seconds then it tripped the house breaker. I reset the breaker and now when I flip the compressor on switch nothing happens. No sound, no movement, no smell, NOTHING! It is currently wired through an automatic pressure switch. There is also a red "reset" button on the side pushing it doesn't seem to do anything. PLEASE HELP! I need to know if I should try to get my money back.
TIA.
I just bought a Craftsman 2HP/20 Gal air compressor from craigs list. It was manufactured in 1976 but it had a rebuilt motor and ran strong. The guy ran it for me and it worked fine at his house. I took it home and I plugged it into a 20A circuit that also was powering a medium size refrigerator. It started to spin for just about 5-10 seconds then it tripped the house breaker. I reset the breaker and now when I flip the compressor on switch nothing happens. No sound, no movement, no smell, NOTHING! It is currently wired through an automatic pressure switch. There is also a red "reset" button on the side pushing it doesn't seem to do anything. PLEASE HELP! I need to know if I should try to get my money back.
TIA.
chandler
10-31-09, 04:53 AM
Welcome to the forums! Out of curiosity, how much pressure is in the tank? It could have been almost full and those few seconds filled it completely before tripping the breaker. Let some air out of the tank to see if it kicks on. Did you turn the breaker totally off then back to the on position? Is the refrigerator running? I guess you now know not to put two large compressors on the same circuit. Try to configure a dedicated or lighter loaded circuit for the compressor.
idmason60
11-01-09, 08:50 AM
Surfer
If the compressor ran strong when you picked it up it is probably something your doing at your location. I think Chandler had good advice about checking the pressure.
I have always used these rules with my old 20 year old oiled type sears. No extension cords,use dedicated circuit and add longer hose if I need the air someplace else,add larger hose if i need more air someplace else and give my compressor time to catch up and rest if I am using more air then it makes. Check oil regularly and don't leave
hoses connected under pressure if not in use and drain the moisture couple times a year or more often if I am painting.
Larry
If the compressor ran strong when you picked it up it is probably something your doing at your location. I think Chandler had good advice about checking the pressure.
I have always used these rules with my old 20 year old oiled type sears. No extension cords,use dedicated circuit and add longer hose if I need the air someplace else,add larger hose if i need more air someplace else and give my compressor time to catch up and rest if I am using more air then it makes. Check oil regularly and don't leave
hoses connected under pressure if not in use and drain the moisture couple times a year or more often if I am painting.
Larry