Air Compressor No Worky

[loanrangie]

My home use 2.5hp chinese air comp has suddenly stopped working, never had a problem before with it. I took the plastic cover of the motor and the cover off the pressure switch but cant see anything obvious, where should i look - motor turns over by hand ?

[rovercare]

Ahhh, a multimeter, would be a good start

[Blknight.aus]

theres a manual trip switch on some of the motors that shuts it off in the event of overheating, have you checked that and are you certain its getting power out of the power point. Ive been caught with that once or twice.

[Muzzery]

if it's too cold - sometimes my work compressor don't like the chilly mornings- or if motor is on way out, try letting all air out of tank before u start it up.

[loanrangie]

I dont have a multimeter and didnt notice a trip switch anywhere, hasnt had any air in it for a few weeks. Dont like mucking around with 240v if i can help it.

[Muzzery]

as long as u lick ur fingers first it should be safe? nah just kidding... Maybe still under warranty? i think the pressure reg switches rattle themselves to death on those cheap rigs, after that i'm all outa ideas.

[PhilipA]

Ah So!
Mine gave trouble when it was relatively new.
It did not start.
The problem was that the pressure diaphragm in the pressure switch had dislodged itself from its seat and jammed the switch.
Once I reseated the diaphragm, away she went . On mine the pressure switch is the under the black box with the red button reset switch . On mine it is between the two outlets .
Regards Philip A

[rovercare]

I dont have a multimeter and didnt notice a trip switch anywhere, hasnt had any air in it for a few weeks. Dont like mucking around with 240v if i can help it.

Well that makes it a little difficult to diagnose:p

[loanrangie]

Ah So!
Mine gave trouble when it was relatively new.
It did not start.
The problem was that the pressure diaphragm in the pressure switch had dislodged itself from its seat and jammed the switch.
Once I reseated the diaphragm, away she went . On mine the pressure switch is the under the black box with the red button reset switch . On mine it is between the two outlets .
Regards Philip A

Sounds the same, my initial thought was the pressure switch, have to have a better look on the weekend.

[loanrangie]

Finally got around to doing the camel cut on my rear guards today, plugged in the extension lead and grinder once i was ready to cut - grinder no go :twisted:.
I thought just my bloody luck first the compressor then the grinder, tried both sockets of the double point but no good ? took the grinder and tried another socket, grinder fired up, hhmm , rolled out 25m lead and plugged compressor in and it started ? seems my carport powerpoint isnt getting power . Not sure which would have been better, cost of sparky to find fault or cost of new compressor.

[rovercare]

What was the fault? or just blown fuse tripped RCD/MCB?

[loanrangie]

What was the fault? or just blown fuse tripped RCD/MCB?

Power point is 50cm from the fusebox and there were/ are no tripped fuses, i removed the face to have a look but there was nothing obvious a lot of wires seem to terminate behind the switch.

[rovercare]

You REALLY need a multimeter:D

[loanrangie]

You REALLY need a multimeter:D

True dat, any suggestions on a reasonable one ?

[B92 8NW]

True dat, any suggestions on a reasonable one ?

It depends on the $$$. I had a Fluke 115 and it was bloody brilliant, about $270 but it belonged to a family member who wanted it back.

TEX Onsite Online Store (http://store.texonsite.com.au/index.php) -and- (Test and Measurement - Fluke Australia (http://www.fluke.com.au))

For checking continuity and battery states of charge etc, I keep a few $9 DSE ones:D.

The automotive Fluke models are pretty (f-ing) expensive, but even the 115 et alia give you the ability to use K type thermocouples and proper AC V peak peak etc, all good stuff for Rover owners.

[kaa45]

You should be able to get a Cat III from Jaycar around $60 to $80. Don't use anything less than Cat III on 240v equipment. :eek:

[JDNSW]

........ Not sure which would have been better, cost of sparky to find fault or cost of new compressor.

Probably the new compressor!

John