Air compressor issue

[2 E L O]

Hey folks,

I have a ~3 year old Kobalt air compressor that I bought from Lowe's, model number F226VWLVP. It's a vertical 26 gallon tank with a 1.5hp motor.

The issue is that it keeps tripping the integrated fuse after only running for a few seconds at a time. This obviously makes the compressor worthless for every day tasks. The issue started awhile back but has gotten progressively worse the last few months. At first it would run for a couple minutes at a time, now it will only run for 30 seconds or less...usually around 10-15 seconds...

I called the technical assistance number in the owner's manual. What a friggin joke. They are completely, completely worthless. Pathetic.

Anyway, I'll test the reset button....I should be able to bypass it, but I really don't think that's the problem...but what do I know?! Also, the motor seems to be perfectly fine. It runs like a top... There's just some issue either pressure related or wiring/electrical related with it. Otherwise, the entire unit functions perfectly.

So, does anyone have any suggestions? From a tiny bit of research I have been able to accomplish, the first thing I suspect is the check valve. Any way to test these things?

Any other insight/guidance? Thanks!!!

 

[bmorefj40]

Can you pop open the pressure switch? Might be worth looking at the contacts in there. If there's excessive dirt or pitting of the contacts, then that could be your issue. A couple minutes with some emory cloth might tell you if you have a bigger problem or a simple one.

 

[2 E L O]

Thanks for the help, man. I did some work on it last night and I think I have narrowed it down to the thermal style circuit breaker that is on the motor. I removed it and put a jumper across the wires and the thing ran absolutely perfectly.

Even though in my setup, the 18A breaker is pointless (I have the compressor connected to a 15A breaker in my house), I did order a replacement just to verify it was indeed the problem. The part was only $4...but shipping was $7, of course....

Anyway, I'll let you know the outcome...

Thanks, again!!!

 

[KLF]

Check the unloader valve is working properly. Do you hear a PSSSSHHH every time it shuts off? There should be a valve on the compressor outlet pipe somewhere that unloads the pressure in that pipe, so the motor isn't fighting against tank pressure when it starts again.

 

[2 E L O]

Well, I replaced the circuit breaker and the thing runs perfectly now. Sure is nice to have a fully functioning compressor again!!! It was very annoying to have to reset it every couple of minutes....and even more annoying to do it every 30 seconds!!!