Compressor will fill, stop at 50-60 pounds, then will not recharge

by Marc
(Okeechobee, FL)

Craftsman 3 gallon 1.5 hp compressor. 2 years old, used rarely. It will charge up to about 50-60 pounds, then cut out. If used, the motor won't come back on & it will discharge & not charge back up.

Sometimes, the motor will come on for 1-2 seconds or run very slowly.

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Bill says...

Hi Marc:

Your symptoms suggest a number of things.

That your compressor cuts out at 50 or 60 PSI, and not the normal cut out pressure, would suggest that you've got a pressure switch problem.

When the tank pressure drops below cut in pressure, and your compressor doesn't start, also suggests that the pressure switch isn't working.

that the compressor starts and runs slowly may mean that the unloader valve hasn't worked, or that you've got other implements in the same power circuit that are drawing power when the compressor is trying to start.

Good luck.

Bill