Compressor does not do anything at all!
by Suzanne Cooke
I have just acquired a used Ingersoll Rand Avenger A3 compressor. I plugged it in to test, but nothing happens at all. The switch appears to have just two positions - off and auto, and I assume that it will switch on on off as required. Tried releasing air to drop the pressure in the tank, but this had no effect. Tried pressing reset, also nothing. Tested plug socket and this is fine. Bill answers... Hi Suzanne. Thanks for writing in, and howdy to all of my other readers in the UK. You've done the basic checks. When you say you've tested plug and socket, I read that to mean that there's power there. Did you drop the pressure in the tank to zero? If you just dropped it a little, it's possible the pressure didn't fall below the cut-in pressure point. If your compressor "on - off" switch is in the "on" or "run" position, the pressure in the tank is zero, then your likely culprit is the pressure switch. When there is air in the tank and that pressure is above the cut-in pressure level, that pressure holds the switch points open. When the pressure drops, these points touch, and power flows to your motor to start the compressor. If the pressure has fallen to zero, and the motor doesn't start, that suggests that the points aren't closing. You can actually watch that happen if you've got the cover off your pressure switch. Be careful, the switch components will be electrically charged, and if you touch them, you may be injured or killed. With the cover off, and the cord plugged in, flip your compressor "on - off" switch to see if you get any reaction in the pressure switch. I'm guessing you won't, and I think you need to replace the pressure switch. If the pressure switch works, then you've got either a motor starter or motor failure issue. Start with replacing the pressure switch. It is usually the least expensive starting point for self-compressor diagnosis and repair. Regards, Bill
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