The Stovebolt Site Forums The Shop Area The Tool Chest Ingersoll Rand compressor problem

Anybody have any problems with the electric motor on there Ingersoll Rand air compressor? Mine is the 80 gal with a 5 hp motor. Sparks like hell between the armature and the windings and kicks the breaker off. I bought it two years ago and the warranty only good for a year. Tried to see is Ingersoll Rand would help me out but no such luck. They say it must be a voltage problem, but I had another compressor on the same set up for ten years and never had a problem.

Most likely a CHEAP Chinese electric motor that let loose. Just bite the bullet & buy another motor..Joe

Big T,

What you are seeing is probably burnt out contacts on the capacitor START switch. If there is a motor shop (electric), take it to them.

At the very least, blow the guts of the motor out with compressed air. The centrifugal switch sometimes gets hung up with funk.

I'm looking at a single phase 5 hp motor right now....it is huge. I'll bet your ODP motor is way over rated and is working itself to death.

My guess is that your IR compressor and motor were really made in the land of the great wall!

That's my take on the situation.

Stuart

I paid over a grand for it and I really hate to put another $400 in to it. I hardly use it and it almost looks brand new.

Had a similar experience. Can't remember the brand, (it's Red), but 80 gallon upright, only a couple years old, hobby use. Motor stopped working, started smoking. Poorly made windings let loose, shorted out. Found replacement motor at Grainger. Pricey, but easy swap. At least Grainger has full 1 year warranty, more if you want to pay for it. I think their no-questions-asked warranty replacement is pretty good.

Pulled the two capacitors off the old motor, just in-case.

Annoying.

-Michael

Big T,

There are a bazillion 5 hp compressor motors on e-bay right now for $164.99 plus shipping. You don't need to spend $400 clams to be back in business.

I would hunt up a fix-it shop or a small electric motor repair shop first...it could be as simple as a dead cockroach stuck in the switch!

Stuart

Tractor Supply has those motors a lot cheaper than Grainger. About half the price if I remember correctly. Don't know if there's any TSC's out that way or not,
Scott

If it were me I would pull the motor off and take it in to a Electric Motor Shop for a estimate. It may be something simple like one of the Bolters said. with a estimate you will know where you stand. I do not know if IR. puts Chinese motors on their compressors. They are know for quality maybe they have changed since I have retired.
62Blue
Don

I might pay to contact someone over the bottom feeder tech person you spoke with at IR. Sometimes a snail mail letter to the office of the president will garner help not normally available.

Thanks for the help guy's Think I'm going to end up buying a new motor. Took the old one a part and found a burnt spot in the windings. Not a good sign. Found a replacment at electrice motor warehouse for $360 delivered with a one year warranty. Still shopping around. No luck at Graingers They don't stock the one I need anymore.

Ordered the motor yesterday after lunch and it showed up today. It was drop shipped out of jersey. Compressor is back in operation once again.

i just went through the same situation...my harbor freight compressor i only had 3 months, the moter started humming and kicking the breaker off. fortunately ,i got the warranty.BUT HB told me i had to bring it to a shop and get it fixed,wich i did for 135.00 . i am still waiting for my money,but at least i am back t working on my truck

I found the really good answer to my compressor problems.

My niece married a compressor repairman.

Now I have a nice air dryer and a screw compressor on the way.