on off on off - kellogg american air compressor

by Ed
(Danville VT)

I have a seasoned kellogg american air compressor with a square D 9013fhg12x pressure switch. I have to use the circuit breaker as an on off switch because if I leave the breaker on, the compressor motor will run untill the tank reaches shut off pressure. When it does shut off, the air comes out of what i believe is a check valve connected to the pressure switch. After a while the check valve closes, and the motor starts up again. It does this when not in use, so if the breaker was to remain on, the compressor would just continue to drain and refill the tank which is not very efficient. Any ideas?

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Bill says...

Hello Ed. This is the second question today with the same problem, and the same answer. It's also a symptom that I get plenty of questions about. My air compressor fills to cut out, then air bleeds out the unloader valve until the compressor has to start again to re-build pressure.

Click the Valves button on the nav bar to the left, and then read the page "COMPRESSOR TANK CHECK VALVES. " I think this page will answer your question for you. If not, please comment here and we'll explain further.

Cheers,

Bill