Small 12V air compressor question.

Delawaresurfman · Nov 11, 2018

I have a small 12V air compressor that attaches to the battery of my truck. Use it for lawn mower tires. Question: the battery clip ends broke off both leads. One marked red, one marked black. The wires are not marked with a color to ensure that I put them back on the right side. Does it matter which way I put on the clips to the wires? Will the pump run backwards if I hook it up wrong? Will I burn it up if hooked up wrong? How should I fix it? Can I test it to get colored end on the right way and if so how? I do not want to not burn it up, thanks.

Steve@Advance · Nov 11, 2018

I don't think it will make a difference which way it runs.

If you can get a look inside the case, and there is a cooling fan, it would rotate the direction to blow air over the compressor.

If you can see where the wires connect to the motor, it may be marked there.

Look closely at the clamps where the wire broke. Sometimes that are crimped over a portion of the insulation, may be enough to get a color.

Dusty MI · Nov 11, 2018

Not sure but I'll bet that cord is black and like a lamp cord. Lamp cords have one conductor with ribs which make it the Identified Conductor, white if it were used for a lamp cord.
Not sure again but I would think in this case it would be for the red wire.

Dusty

guido · Nov 11, 2018

Hello delawaresurfman,

Wire it up and plug it in, it will make air either direction it will run,

Guido.

John T · Nov 11, 2018

Unlike a tractor or auto DC starting motor, a small Permanent Magnet motor will reverse direction if polarity is reversed. HOWEVER if direction doesn't matter such as if a piston is still going up n down, it could in theory still pump air regardless of direction. In the event a fan is providing cooling air over a motor and its direction is critical for the correct air flow, motor direction DOES make a difference. Not being there I cant answer these questions but this info may help

John T

ss55 · Nov 11, 2018

Open it up where the cord enters the compressor and check if wire colors or markings indicate any polarity. Worst case, if it does not work it can be replaced for around $25.

Mike Groom · Nov 12, 2018

Use a ohm meter,one should have continuity to the case of the the pump,which would be ground,the other should be open or show a higher resistance.

Delawaresurfman · Nov 12, 2018

Thanks everyone for the replies, this is a very nice heavy duty piston pump unit. I will look into the fan direction aspect because I?m sure that is important. The unit cost about $125-$150 years ago. I know that?s crazy as the cost now seems no where near that high. I originally bought it to air up
my truck tires coming off the beach from surf fishing, thanks again, the members here are always a help,

Dusty MI · Nov 12, 2018

(quoted from post at 15:31:27 11/11/18) Not sure but I'll bet that cord is black and like a lamp cord. Lamp cords have one conductor with ribs which make it the Identified Conductor, white if it were used for a lamp cord.
Not sure again but I would think in this case it would be for the red wire.

Dusty

I looked at the 2 wire cord that goes to the battery on my automotive battery charger, and the Identified Conductor, one with ribs, goes to the red clamp.

Dusty

boler76 · Nov 12, 2018

I am thinking the fan is part of the motor and will cool the compressor no matter which way it turns??

Small 12V air compressor question.

Delawaresurfman

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Steve@Advance

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Dusty MI

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guido

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John T

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ss55

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Mike Groom

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Delawaresurfman

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Dusty MI

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boler76

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