Air compressor struggles

jd4010guy · Aug 22, 2014

I have a Ingersol Rand ss5 compressor I bought from Tractor supply a few years ago. It started struggling and would stall out at 50 - 60 psi. I replaced the valve plate assembly, gaskets and check valve. The first time I ran after replacing parts it ran up to 100 psi and then stalled again and now it is back to where it was 50 - 60 psi stall.
I have noticed that if I use it turning it on and off before stalling that each time the pressure will be higher than the previous cycle and will eventually get to the pressure switch cut out pressure around 127 psi and will work somewhat normally from there. But once the unit cools down the whole process starts over again. also, it seems to be producing a lot more water than it used to and that the new check valve and air in the tank is very hot. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks!

Bob · Aug 22, 2014

NOT sure what you mean by "stalls out"?

Does the motor protector kick out "til it cools and you reset it?

Or does it keep running and is unable to reach a high pressure?

Deere Scotty · Aug 22, 2014

Does the Compressor have oil it? That could cause over heating air. As for stalling do You mean the motor slows to a stop, or the pressure valve shuts the motor down as if its reached normal shutoff pressure? I cant answer that; but it might help someone else here.

Stephen Newell · Aug 22, 2014

To me it sounds like the problem is at the motor. Has anything changed with the power supply? Maybe there is a loose connection in the pressure switch.

markiz41 · Aug 22, 2014

Belt on too tight? Or pulley not aligned with the flywheel?

Throw a clamp meter on the motor, see what kind of current it draws.

Gary in da UP · Aug 22, 2014

Have you replaced the intake air filter? It could be dirty and choking .

buickanddeere · Aug 22, 2014

Was on a similar line of thinking of trouble shooting with amperage. Should also measure voltage at the contactor just prior to the motor.
Could have VD ?

jeffcat · Aug 22, 2014

Sounds like a blower motor problem I had and it turned out to be a bad run capacitor. Mine took a 7.5mfd at 370 volt. They are like $5.oo max.

ss55 · Aug 23, 2014

Could you have lost one leg of the 220 volt power to the motor? It sounds like a motor problem.

buickanddeere · Aug 23, 2014

What is the definition of struggle ?

jd4010guy · Aug 27, 2014

buick&deere:
By struggling I mean that as the pressure builds in the tank the pump has a progressively harder time as the pressure builds until the pump will no longer turn and the belt squeals and the motor can no longer turn the pulley on the pump.

ss55:
I will have an electrician check that.

jeffcat:
Not sure what you mean by blower motor, my vocabulary on this is pretty limited but will ask the electrician.

Gary:
Clean filter.

markiz41:
Belt & alignment are fine.

buick&deere and Steve:
I will check the connections and have the electric guy check.

Scotty and Bob:
Fresh oil change. When everything is cold (hasn"t run since the previous day and 0 psi) the pump starts and runs at normal speed until the pressure gauge shows around 50 psi and the it starts to slow down as pressure builds then reaches a point where the motor can no longer turn the pump usually 60-70 psi and stops, belt squealing and if left the breaker would kick out. And as I stated before I then drain the tank down to 20 psi and restart the pump and the second time it psi reached before it wants to struggle and stop is higher than the previous time and if I keep doing this each successive time the pressure goes higher until it reaches the cut out point on the pressure switch and stops. At this point I can use it normally (cut out @ 125-130psi & start up @ 90 psi)as long as I don"t stop using it but once everything cools down it starts all over again.

Since my original post I have talked to a Ingersol Rand service guy and he said to replace the pressure switch. At that point I checked the unit again and noticed that when I turned the pump pulley by hand that the valve in the pressure switch hissed as I turned the pump back and forth. I have ordered the new switch and will install that. Thanks to you all for your input!
I"ll keep you posted.

buickanddeere · Aug 27, 2014

(quoted from post at 10:48:14 08/27/14) buick&deere:
By struggling I mean that as the pressure builds in the tank the pump has a progressively harder time as the pressure builds until the pump will no longer turn and the belt squeals and the motor can no longer turn the pulley on the pump.

ss55:
I will have an electrician check that.

jeffcat:
Not sure what you mean by blower motor, my vocabulary on this is pretty limited but will ask the electrician.

Gary:

Clean filter.

markiz41:
Belt & alignment are fine.

buick&deere and Steve:
I will check the connections and have the electric guy check.

Scotty and Bob:
Fresh oil change. When everything is cold (hasn"t run since the previous day and 0 psi) the pump starts and runs at normal speed until the pressure gauge shows around 50 psi and the it starts to slow down as pressure builds then reaches a point where the motor can no longer turn the pump usually 60-70 psi and stops, belt squealing and if left the breaker would kick out. And as I stated before I then drain the tank down to 20 psi and restart the pump and the second time it psi reached before it wants to struggle and stop is higher than the previous time and if I keep doing this each successive time the pressure goes higher until it reaches the cut out point on the pressure switch and stops. At this point I can use it normally (cut out @ 125-130psi & start up @ 90 psi)as long as I don"t stop using it but once everything cools down it starts all over again.

Since my original post I have talked to a Ingersol Rand service guy and he said to replace the pressure switch. At that point I checked the unit again and noticed that when I turned the pump pulley by hand that the valve in the pressure switch hissed as I turned the pump back and forth. I have ordered the new switch and will install that. Thanks to you all for your input!
I"ll keep you posted.

If the pressure gauge is accurate ? The pulleys in good condition ? The belt in good condition and properly tensioned. There must be a heat and friction related pump problem making it too hard to turn.
What is the motor current just before the belt slippage occurs?

buickanddeere · Sep 5, 2014

Any oil or the proper oil in the crankcase? Is the bottom end getting hot and seizing up ?

Air compressor struggles

jd4010guy

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