At least it used to.... Not starting or blowing breaker anymore

by James
(Woodstock CT)

This is a old model used compressor, working fine the past month, some times it would blow the breaker when first turning on, but a quick reset and a 2nd attempt always fixed it.

This morning it went to turn over and sounded like it blew the breaker, it didn't, and now the thing doesn't make any noise or even attempt to turn on.
Checked:
-house breaker box
-again power to the compressor
-oil and filter
-tanks for air, none
Question:
would cold temperatures like 10F and lower effect it?

is there some kind of internal fuse that I could have blow?
Thank You -James

__________________________
Bill says...

James, just like a car, the oil in a compressor sump gets cold, and thicker, when it's colder out.

Your compressor won't like trying to start when it's cold, and often, attempting to start a frozen compressor, results in a blown breaker.

It is possible that there is a reset somewhere on your compressor, or compressor motor.

It sounds to me like your compressor may have a short in the pressure switch or motor circuit, which caused it to pop the breaker on start up. The breaker should have popped almost instantly when it happened. Did it?

If it wasn't fairly quick, then the blown breaker could be caused by an increasing amperage draw by a tired old start capacitor, and tired or failed motor, or some such.

It does sound to me that when you attempted a start on a frozen compressor, that something went, and that something might have been your start capacitor.

I think your compressor needs professional help.

Cheers,

Bill