2Z869 - old speedaire compressor won't keep up pressure?

by chris Stinski
(appleton, wi)

I got a speedaire compressor 2Z869 from my dad's basement. When I plug it in, it will build pressure to 60 lbs, but as soon as I open the valve on the hose, it drops down to 0 and will not provide pressure with the valve is open, if I close it does. Do I need some kind of a pressure tank or bottle after the pressure valve, before the hose?

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Hi Chris...

First off, when you say "it will build pressure to 60 lbs" are you saying that the tank gauge reaches 60 PSI and then the compressor shuts off, or does the compressor keep running and the pressure stays at 60 PSI? If the latter, check out the troubleshooting section for the pages on why air compressors won't build pressure.

As to "it drops down to 0 and will not provide pressure with the valve is open" the discharge line from the tank runs to a regulator and then to the discharge coupler on your compressor, right?

When you operate the valve, is it the pressure gauge on the regulator that is dropping to zero PSI, and then bouncing right back up to the pressure setting when the valve closes?

When you say you open the valve, are you talking a blow gun or some such?

If, when you trigger the blow gun, the air bleeds down so quickly (shown on the regulator gauge, not the tank gauge - right?) then two things come to mind.

One is that the regulator is installed backwards or the other is that the regulator is failing and not reacting quickly enough to the pressure drop in the line to the valve or tool.

See the regulator page for details about both if you would, and add a comment here if you have an update for us.

Cheers,

Bill

Will not start under ANY pressure - will run with belt off.

by Chuck
(Flower Mound, TX)

Elec 2HP motor will not start under ANY pressure, though will run with belt off.

I have a 2HP portable Speedaire; less than 10 hours running, though is out of warranty (sat inside storage for couple years).

It worked fine for approx 10hrs interimitent running after removed from storage, then motor quit working.

Have gone through all accessible wiring, replaced caps, wire ends, etc. The motor will run with No-Load / no belt on. W/ no load in tank, crank turns by hand w/ small compression; if belt placed back on motor, the motor just hums until motor safety breaker throws.

The motor only has about 10 hours runtime... almost $300 to replace w/ Chinese replacement (via Grainger)... HF 1/2 that.

Called local motor repair companies, who state cost more to repair than replace..

Any ideas, or is it even worth trying to repair... Thank you
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Hi Chuck...
If this is a 120 volt compressor motor, then trying to run a 2 HP with that voltage is marginal, at best.

Please add a comment below telling me that you are not using an extension cord and that you are plugging the compressor into a socket that has not got a bunch of other electrical using devices running at the same time?

If the compressor has a good power source, no extension cord, and the problem persists, and the intake filter is clean, my next check, it were my compressor, would be the start cap. You can see a page on this site about how to do that.

Cheers,

Bill