Rewiring an air compressor to 110 Volts

by mike lewis
(newtazewell tn U.S.)

My compressor is a 220. Is it possible to wire it to run on 110? Also this compressor has been sitting for a long time any suggestions would really be appreciated.





Bill comments...

I'm not an electrician, but I would think that a 220 Volt motor would not run on 1110, regardless of how it was wired. You would have to change the motor to a 110 VAC.

In so doing you will lose motor strength, and the result might be that the 110 V motor wouldn't have enough oooomph to run the compressor.

In terms of age, if it's oil lubed, change the oil. Make sure the tank drain valve is closed, and while you are doing that examine the tank for any issues. Give it the right voltage and see what happens.

Good luck.

Bill




Comments for
Rewiring an air compressor to 110 Volts

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Nov 08, 2009
 Check the motor plate
by: MEP1

The motor is the only component that has voltage requirements. It will say on the placard at what voltages it can operate. Dual-voltage motors come with a tag or a label under the hook-up cover that shows how to wire it for alternate voltage - if the tag is not there you should be able to Google the motor and find how to change it. From there you would just need to change the power cord.
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Thanks MEP1

B.
Nov 07, 2009
 It depends
by: Anonymous

Some motors can be wired for 110V or 220V. My table saw and my compressor came wired for 110V, but I switched them to 220V. Normally if a motor can be rewired to run at another voltage, there will be a wiring diagram on the motor that tells you how. My motors had an access cover that I opened. The wiring diagram was inside.

Unplug it and look where the wire enters the motor. If there is an access cover there, look inside.

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Hey, thanks for this. I'm not an electrician, and though I know that you can get some units pre-wired for 110 or 220, I'm darned if I know how to tell the difference.

We all appreciate your input.

Cheers,

Bill

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