Why does my air compressor keep tripping the breaker?

muncybob
muncybob Posts: 3,057
in The Clubhouse
I have a Craftsman compressor and while it is maybe 10 yrs old it has not seen much work. It will run fine at initial start and fully charge but if it needs to "restart" during use it will trip the breaker. Any idea what to look for besides a new compressor?
Yep, my name really is Bob.
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Comments

  • msg
    msg Posts: 10,143
    Do you have it on an extension cord?
    Is the breaker 15A or 20A?
    I disabled signatures.
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  • muncybob
    muncybob Posts: 3,057
    Yes on the cord and it's 15amp.
    Yep, my name really is Bob.
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  • [Deleted User]
    [Deleted User] Posts: 7,658
    It's possible the motor start capacitor is placing too high a current spike on the AC line. It might just need a new capacitor.
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  • spongebobsquarepants
    spongebobsquarepants Posts: 167
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,576
    I agree with Ken that it could very well be the capacitor I've had to replace those. The extension cord could also be placing too high of resistance on the line as well. Plug it directly into a outlet and give it a try if you haven't.

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  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,603
    Should never run them on extension cords. At least the old Craftsman one I had said that in the owners manual. Puts too much stress on the motor.
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  • muncybob
    muncybob Posts: 3,057
    It never occurred to me that the cord could be the problem...but it was. I just didn't give the cord a 2nd thought since it is fairly heavy duty but it is long. What about a short run with a heavy gauge cord?
    Yep, my name really is Bob.
    Parasound HCA1500A(indoor sound) and HCA1000(outdoor sound), Dynaco PAS4, Denon DP1200 w/Shure V15 Type V and Jico SAS stylus, Marantz UD7007, Polk L600, Rythmik L12 sub.
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  • Nesmith98
    Nesmith98 Posts: 218
    Check to see it the discharge/unloader valve is working correctly. This valve usually lets the pressure in the line out so that the pump can start without line pressure.
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  • pitdogg2
    pitdogg2 Posts: 25,576
    muncybob wrote: »
    It never occurred to me that the cord could be the problem...but it was. I just didn't give the cord a 2nd thought since it is fairly heavy duty but it is long. What about a short run with a heavy gauge cord?

    Better to get more air hose and place the unit in the outlet. My 35 gal kobalt from Loews explicitly states in the instructions to NEVER use an extension cord.
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  • rooftop59
    rooftop59 Posts: 8,121
    Huh...I have a little dewalt pancake compressor and I use it with an extension cord all the time. Is your compressor full size?
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  • muncybob
    muncybob Posts: 3,057
    Yea, it's fairly big. My pancake one I use with a finish nailer has no problem with ext cord.
    Yep, my name really is Bob.
    Parasound HCA1500A(indoor sound) and HCA1000(outdoor sound), Dynaco PAS4, Denon DP1200 w/Shure V15 Type V and Jico SAS stylus, Marantz UD7007, Polk L600, Rythmik L12 sub.
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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,306
    If I need and extension cord for compressors and table saws etc...I use a 12awg DIY heavy duty cord, no longer than 25ft
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  • msg
    msg Posts: 10,143
    Nesmith98 wrote: »
    Check to see it the discharge/unloader valve is working correctly. This valve usually lets the pressure in the line out so that the pump can start without line pressure.
    Does this sound like one of those turbo blow-off valves once it reaches regulated pressure?
    I disabled signatures.
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  • xschop
    xschop Posts: 5,000
    edited July 2020
    I vented a large compressor last week that probably had 25-30 gallons of moisture/oil. The auto blow off valve stopped working and the extra volumn loss was lugging the motor down.
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  • gudnoyez
    gudnoyez Posts: 8,124
    edited July 2020
    txcoastal1 wrote: »
    If I need and extension cord for compressors and table saws etc...I use a 12awg DIY heavy duty cord, no longer than 25ft

    This always use a short heavy gauge ext cord.
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  • delkal
    delkal Posts: 764
    Compressors need a lot more juice as the pressure increases and to restart under pressure. I have a small portable air compressor I keep in my car to fill tires. The manual said to use a 20 amp auto plug and when I did it worked fine. I recently bought a new car and it only had a 15 amp plug but I got lazy and just plugged it in. It filled up just fine. But when I turned it off I noticed I needed a few more pounds in the tire and I turned it on a second time. It instantly blew the fuse.

    How long was the extension cord were you using? Its not uncommon to just use that cheap small gauge orange 100 ft cord and plug it in (at least I used to do that on occasion). Get a 10-25 ft larger gauge (yellow) cord and you will probably be OK.
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  • sucks2beme
    sucks2beme Posts: 5,602
    Time to dedicate 12ga wiring to a dedicated
    20a breaker. Issue solved.
    My compressor at my last house did this until
    I ran a 20a. At my current house I'm running a
    smaller unit. Not big enough for my air tools.
    I may have to upgrade the unit and power.
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  • Mikey081057
    Mikey081057 Posts: 7,127
    Anything else on that circuit?
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  • Nesmith98
    Nesmith98 Posts: 218
    msg wrote: »
    Does this sound like one of those turbo blow-off valves once it reaches regulated pressure?

    The pressure switch is what turns off the motor at a specific pressure. The check valve that screws into the tank is just a one way valve that keeps the air in the tank so that it don't back flow into the compressor pump. My 60 gallon compressor has a blow-off valve on it similar to the one you mentioned.


    Glad to see the culprit was just the extension cord. It's always better to use a longer air line than a longer power cord.
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  • muncybob
    muncybob Posts: 3,057
    The only reason I was looking to use an ext cord is I plan to paint the barn roof this autumn. Would like to situate the compressor outside the barn so the horses don't take off into the next county :(

    I think a 12ga cord of 12' will do the trick. Probably gonna need another air hose too.
    Yep, my name really is Bob.
    Parasound HCA1500A(indoor sound) and HCA1000(outdoor sound), Dynaco PAS4, Denon DP1200 w/Shure V15 Type V and Jico SAS stylus, Marantz UD7007, Polk L600, Rythmik L12 sub.
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  • txcoastal1
    txcoastal1 Posts: 13,306
    Can you move or trailer the horses while painting...

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  • delkal
    delkal Posts: 764
    edited July 2020
    There is no need to guess on an extension cord size. Play around with this voltage drop calculator. Normally anything under a 3% voltage drop is OK but if you are having problems you can go lower. For reference plug in the values of the cord you tried that didn't work to see how bad it was.

    https://calculator.net/voltage-drop-calculator.html

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  • msg
    msg Posts: 10,143
    ^^^ cool!
    I disabled signatures.
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  • Willow
    Willow Posts: 11,046
    What's this owner's manual you speak of?
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  • audioluvr
    audioluvr Posts: 5,603
    It's a paper product with print on it.
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    Polk SDA 1C's modded / 1000Va Dreadnaught
    Wireworld Silver Eclipse IC's and speaker cables
    Harman Kardon T65C w/Grado Gold. (Don't laugh. It sounds great!)

    There is about a 5% genetic difference between apes and men …but that difference is the difference between throwing your own poo when you are annoyed …and Einstein, Shakespeare and Miss January. by Dr. Sardonicus
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