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Discussion Forum

Pancake Compressor Problem

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Ford Man

05-23-2003 18:39:53




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I have a Sears/Craftsman 2 hp oiless pancake air compressor . I bought this one new a couple of years ago after my Devilbiss was stolen .I followed the recomended break in procedure and I have only run it one or two times and only pumped up the tank to fill some tires . I did not use enough air to cause the compressor to drain down and cycle again . It seemed to work fine .

Now I tried to USE the compressor and find that all is not well . It will pump up to full from an empty tank just fine . When the pressure drops and the switch trips , it will not restart . It tries to turn over but will not unless I let more air out to reduce the load on the motor . Otherwise , it will hum and then trip the house breaker . I have tried it on different circuits ( all 20 amp ) and it does the same thing .

My Devilbiss was the very same size and I would bet was made in the same plant . It worked just fine .

Sears is pretty useless for any help .

Anyone have any ideas ?

I would appreciatte any help you guys can offer .


Thanks !!
Ford Man

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Ford Man

05-25-2003 17:42:40




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 Re: Pancake Compressor Problem in reply to Ford Man, 05-23-2003 18:39:53  
I took the compressor to my Dad's shop to take a closer look . I plugged it into the outlet and it works just fine . I brought it back home and tried it again and it would not work . Took a look at the breaker box and the breaker for the circuit I was trying was not labeled as far as amperage but the ones next to it were 15 amp . I tried it on a labeled 20 amp circuit and it works fine . I guess the one I had been trying was just 15 amps and this new compressor pulls more juice than my old one .

Thanks for all the help !

I feel pretty foolish for wasting your time over a simple error .

Thanks Again !
Ford Man

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Bus Driver

05-26-2003 16:18:01




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 Re: Re: Pancake Compressor Problem in reply to Ford Man, 05-25-2003 17:42:40  
I did not post to this one as everyone else had given really good advice. My small piston type portable compressor- not oilless- also requires a really good circuit to work properly. And thanks to Ford man for posting his resolution to the problem. That helps us to learn also.



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Jeff

05-25-2003 17:49:46




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 Re: Re: Pancake Compressor Problem in reply to Ford Man, 05-25-2003 17:42:40  
*LOL*

Sometimes its just the simple things
we overlook... :)



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Ford Man

05-25-2003 20:27:57




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 Re: Re: Re: Pancake Compressor Problem in reply to Jeff, 05-25-2003 17:49:46  
You guys are great !!!!

Thanks Again !
Ford Man



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Ford Man

05-24-2003 20:57:41




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 Re: Pancake Compressor Problem in reply to Ford Man, 05-23-2003 18:39:53  
Ok , I took another look at it today . It will not restart unless the pressure is below 25 psi . It will turn freely by hand though . The relief valve seems to work just fine . Sounds like it could be the motor as suggested .

Looks like this won't be cheap !

Thanks for the help guys !

I guess I will start with Sears .

Ford Man



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Jeff

05-25-2003 08:01:57




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 Re: Re: Pancake Compressor Problem in reply to Ford Man, 05-24-2003 20:57:41  
I got my motor through Harbor Freight.
Was alot cheaper than anywhere else...



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evielboweviel

05-25-2003 06:20:37




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 Re: Re: Pancake Compressor Problem in reply to Ford Man, 05-24-2003 20:57:41  
ok next thing to check is the compressor blowing off air constantly after it shuts off, not just a short burst? if so and after bleeding all the way down to 0 psi or so the motor will restart then the motor is good and check valve is stuck and not holding pressure in tank. this allows air pressure to be held against the air pump and it will not restart.

Normal operation is after pumping up to cutoff pressure the pressure switch opens shutting off motor and bleeding air of pump. check valve holds air in tank not allowing it back against pump. When pressure in tank drops switch closes starting motor pump has 0 psi on it, the unloader valve closes and air is pumped into tank thru the check valve until cutoff pressure is reached and pressure switch shuts unit off and opens unloader valve dropping all air pressure off of pump.

Check valve is one way flow only when it sticks open air comes back against the pump and it will not start until air has bleed all the way down.

If the motor was big enough to start the compressor with air pressure against it, you would not be able to pick up the unit and carry it around.

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Jeff

05-24-2003 15:53:33




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 Re: Pancake Compressor Problem in reply to Ford Man, 05-23-2003 18:39:53  
You'll need a new compressor motor.

Whats happening is somehow the winds have
gone bad, and you draw more and more
amps to spin the motor, and either you
thermal, or pop a breaker.

The symptom you give proves it, as with
no pressure, you have little/light load
and it spins up fine.

WIth the tank pressurised, it wont spin.

I had the same problem, and had to replace
the motor as well.

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Benthar

05-24-2003 11:14:27




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 Re: Pancake Compressor Problem in reply to Ford Man, 05-23-2003 18:39:53  
If you want results from Sears,call the service number in your manual. You most likely won't get answers from the first person you talk to but don't give up, ask for his supervisor and continue going up the ladder until you get the answers you need or your money back. Most likely you will be very upset before your done but it usually works. Heck of a way to do business but with Sears seems to be the only way.
Years ago I did most all my tool business with Sears but these days they have lowered their standards to meet those of corporate America{sad but true}.

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Ford Man

05-24-2003 07:29:07




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 Re: Pancake Compressor Problem in reply to Ford Man, 05-23-2003 18:39:53  
Thanks for all of the replies !!!

I am not using an extension cord . I am plugging directly into the outlet . It sounds like the relief valve may be the problem . I will check it out and see what I find .


Thanks again !

Ford Man



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TimV

05-24-2003 06:23:38




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 Re: Pancake Compressor Problem in reply to Ford Man, 05-23-2003 18:39:53  
Ford Man: JDtractor may have the solution. A friend of mine is a professional carpenter and uses a similar compressor to power his air nailer. He had the same problem until he went with the heaviest extension cord he could find. It's not that the compressor takes that much juice, but the motors on these aren't typically over-powered to begin with, and any loss of current (such as a too-small cord) will make them not work properly. Let us know how you make out!

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Vern

05-23-2003 21:44:03




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 Re: Pancake Compressor Problem in reply to Ford Man, 05-23-2003 18:39:53  
There is a relief valve that is supposed to open to relieve the pressure on the compressor after it stops. Sounds like it's stuck closed. It should me right where the pipe enters the tank.



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evielboweviel

05-24-2003 04:45:37




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 Re: Re: Pancake Compressor Problem in reply to Vern, 05-23-2003 21:44:03  
I agree with Vern, this valve on mine is built into pressure switch and bleeds air off of compressor whenever pressure switch shuts off. Pump air compressor all the way up when it shuts off you should hear air leaking out for a short period.



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JD-Tractor in NY

05-23-2003 22:21:26




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 Re: Re: Pancake Compressor Problem in reply to Vern, 05-23-2003 21:44:03  
Are you using an extension cord ??? try plugging directly in the wall socket. If you're using an extension cord it is likely not heavy enough or is too long!!



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