compressor motor failure?

CasterTroy · 02-17-2010, 04:49 PM

So for the garage I've got a small 3hp/15 gallon horizontal craftsman compressor I've had for several years.

I don't run a DA sander, or spray paint...just run the occasional air tool or pump up tires...no biggie.

Well the other day this normally loud-ass compressor, started sounding like it was losing power and gradually dying. Then it tripped the GFCI. All of a sudden a light smoke and a smell came from it. Like the motor was burning up.

So I pulled the casing off. Tried running it again and sparks were flying all over from the area around the brushes.

So I pulled the brushes.....good and worn down. But I don't know squat about electric motors.

Does it just need new brushes? or is something in the motor itself fried?

askmrjesus · 02-17-2010, 04:55 PM

How much brush is still there?

Do they look the same? Are they missing chunks?

Are they sad?

Are they lonely?

So many questions.

JC

TommyHotWheel · 02-17-2010, 05:43 PM

Try replacing the brushes, should be easy and cheap. If that does not work, take it to Sears and see what they say.

CasterTroy · 02-17-2010, 05:43 PM

They look sad.....kinda like they've been married to a money sucking social climbing whore bag for a dozen years then they broke free....wait, that was someone else....they appear to be about 1/3 smaller than original, well rounded ends.....(need to look closer when I get home)

tommymac · 02-17-2010, 05:46 PM

Couldnt ya just take it ot sears and either have em fix it or get ya a new one?

CasterTroy · 02-17-2010, 05:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tommymac

Couldnt ya just take it ot sears and either have em fix it or get ya a new one?

OK I'm from the south....and I hate to bag on southerners....but DAYUM..... I went to sears today at lunch (because CALLING them resulted in getting caught in automated fucking HELL) and spoke to someone in receiving (who also doubles for the repair center spokesman) that gave me the same amount of confidence in Sears ability to fix this thing that I have with myself fixing it with my fingers duct taped together and eyes glued shut. The two others standing near him also instilled the same confidence. Think “I’m Larry…this is my brother Darrel, and my OTHER brother Darrel”.

Chances are I’ll buy a new one…but I thought it might be interesting and rewarding to solve this little issue myself.

Ordered some bushing ($23….holy hell) from ereplacementparts.com just for shit’s n giggles. We’ll see.

goof2 · 02-17-2010, 06:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CasterTroy

OK I'm from the south....and I hate to bag on southerners....but DAYUM..... I went to sears today at lunch (because CALLING them resulted in getting caught in automated fucking HELL) and spoke to someone in receiving (who also doubles for the repair center spokesman) that gave me the same amount of confidence in Sears ability to fix this thing that I have with myself fixing it with my fingers duct taped together and eyes glued shut. The two others standing near him also instilled the same confidence. Think “I’m Larry…this is my brother Darrel, and my OTHER brother Darrel”.

Chances are I’ll buy a new one…but I thought it might be interesting and rewarding to solve this little issue myself.

Ordered some bushing ($23….holy hell) from ereplacementparts.com just for shit’s n giggles. We’ll see.

You ordered bushings or brushes?

Does the motor rotate easily or is it locked up?

Adeptus_Minor · 02-17-2010, 09:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CasterTroy

Chances are I’ll buy a new one…but I thought it might be interesting and rewarding to solve this little issue myself.

Ordered some bushing ($23….holy hell) from ereplacementparts.com just for shit’s n giggles. We’ll see.

Check out Grainger.com as well.
They have scads of electric motors, likely one that would be a direct replacement.

BobTheBiker · 02-17-2010, 05:47 PM

odds are your compressor is dead, and its time for a new one. my friend has a harbor freight compressor that does the same thing, its not as easy as just putting new brushes in I dont think.

Particle Man · 02-18-2010, 11:31 AM

I've got a vertical tank version (slightly larger?) and had to replace the brushes before.

I think I'll jump off the fucking roof before I do that again. I'm convinced they did not build these suckers to be rebuildable (I invented words when I ran out of normal curse words).

As much as I love this thing, it dies again I'll replace the brushes one more time and any time after that it's probably going and I'll put money into something like this:

02-17-2010, 04:49 PM	#1
CasterTroy ................ Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: NC Posts: 3,028	compressor motor failure? So for the garage I've got a small 3hp/15 gallon horizontal craftsman compressor I've had for several years. I don't run a DA sander, or spray paint...just run the occasional air tool or pump up tires...no biggie. Well the other day this normally loud-ass compressor, started sounding like it was losing power and gradually dying. Then it tripped the GFCI. All of a sudden a light smoke and a smell came from it. Like the motor was burning up. So I pulled the casing off. Tried running it again and sparks were flying all over from the area around the brushes. So I pulled the brushes.....good and worn down. But I don't know squat about electric motors. Does it just need new brushes? or is something in the motor itself fried? __________________ “Being tolerant does not mean that I share another one’s belief. But it does mean that I acknowledge another one’s right to believe, and obey, his own conscience.” Viktor Frankl

02-17-2010, 04:55 PM	#2
askmrjesus Soul Man Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Everywhere, all the time. Moto: '0000 Custom Turbo Cross (with jet kit). Posts: 6,481	How much brush is still there? Do they look the same? Are they missing chunks? Are they sad? Are they lonely? So many questions. JC __________________ The way things are going, they're gonna crucify me.

02-17-2010, 05:43 PM	#3
TommyHotWheel Imported from Detroit Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Michigan Moto: 2001 Suzuki TL1000R Posts: 989	Try replacing the brushes, should be easy and cheap. If that does not work, take it to Sears and see what they say. __________________ Cry Havok! And let slip the hogs of war!

02-17-2010, 05:43 PM	#4
CasterTroy ................ Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: NC Posts: 3,028	They look sad.....kinda like they've been married to a money sucking social climbing whore bag for a dozen years then they broke free....wait, that was someone else....they appear to be about 1/3 smaller than original, well rounded ends.....(need to look closer when I get home) __________________ “Being tolerant does not mean that I share another one’s belief. But it does mean that I acknowledge another one’s right to believe, and obey, his own conscience.” Viktor Frankl

02-17-2010, 05:46 PM	#5
tommymac Moto GP Star Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 11,022	Couldnt ya just take it ot sears and either have em fix it or get ya a new one?

02-17-2010, 05:47 PM	#9
BobTheBiker too much time on my hands Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: the northern district of god damn Moto: 01 ZX6R, looking for more now. Posts: 1,802	odds are your compressor is dead, and its time for a new one. my friend has a harbor freight compressor that does the same thing, its not as easy as just putting new brushes in I dont think.