"AIR BOSS" WON'T RESTART

by JOHN
(PORT DOVER, ONT. CANADA)

THIS IS AN OLD MADE IN ITALY "AIR BOSS", BOUGHT IT USED,PUMPS UP TO PRESSURE AND SHUTS OFF PERFECTLY WITH A LITTLE BURST OF AIR.

THEN WHEN I USE SOME AIR IT WILL NOT RESTART,HUMS THEN KICKS OUT THE THERMAL OVERLOAD

I HAVE TO WAIT FOR ABOUT A HALF AN HOUR THEN I CAN RESET IT AND IT WILL PUMP UP TO PRESSURE AGAIN.

NOTE THE COMPRESSOR IT SELF IS ALMOST RED HOT!

YOU CAN BURN YOURSELF ON IT.

IT IS PLUGGED IN RIGHT AT THE BREAKER PANEL WITH ABOUT 1 1/2 FT OF WIRE,SO NO CURRENT LOSS HERE. JOHN

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Bill says....

John, I really know nothing about your air compressor - heck, each day I know less about anything.

That little burst of air when it reaches cut out and shuts off is the unloader valve working, and that, typically, could have been the problem that resulted in the symptoms you noted.

You don't indicate the voltage or the size. Your symptom does sound like it could be under voltage. That it's got a short wire leading to the compressor is good, and I assume that the wire is large enough? What about the power supply? Any other electrical devices pulling power from the same circuit while the compressor is trying to run?

If not, then I'd look to the run capacitor or the motor. If the power supply is fine, and the capacitor checks out, then my best guess is your motor is wearing out, breaks down under load, overheats and cuts out. Then, when it cools, it can start and run once, but gets so hot in so doing that it won't restart.

Might as well get the motor and capacitor checked at the same time.

Cheers,

Bill