need some advice - compessor blowing circuit breaker

Jump to latest Follow Reply
randy_68

randy_68

Member
Mar 29, 2018
615
63
Indiana, United States
I have used this Hatsan Lightning for approx. 75 minutes total for 4 fills. Now as soon as I shut the valve and it starts building pressure it trips the 20a circuit breaker in my box. I tried a different circuit and got the same result. Since the breakers and box are 25 years old I bought a new 20a breaker and it still trips it. I'm no electrician so really don't know if the problem is in my circuit or compressor. It starts and runs fine but trips them when I shut the bleed valve. Any suggestions on what to do next.
 
I agree with L Leon. Someone else a while ago was having the same problem. They ended up figuring it out. It was overloading the breaker because it was running several other things in the house. Bring the compressor to a outlet that is a straight run back to the breaker box. Most likely it will be your clothes washing machine. Just unplug whichever outlet is a single use outlet and try it there. My air venturi compressor works on a 15amp breaker no problem. If that doesn't work you I would take the cover off and check all your wires and connections. Good luck. Let us know what happens.
 
Upvote 0
Breakers trip on a short circuit or an overload. Sounds like you have an overload issue.That breaker is only rated at 16amps or 80% full load. if you are using an extension cord? that could be an issue. Most of the cords we buy are 16 gauge and way longer than need be. try going to 12 gauge and no longer than needed. When I bought my Tuxing I changed the 20 amp breaker to a 25amp. BUT this is on the garage circuit nothing else is on it but the garage door motor.



Good Luck!



Dennis
 
Upvote 0
Also after years of use the springs in the outlet get weak and loose grip on your plug. Which creates high resistance that increases the amp draw therefore tripping the breaker even though actual amps are lower than rated breaker. Internal resistance of wire on long runs can add load to breaker. It is preferred to use the closest outlet to the breaker box and no other load on it as stated above like a washing machine outlet. If it is to code it will be 20 A single plug with no other loads on it. MM
 
Upvote 0
Not sure if this will help, but I'll give it a shot....

If you look on the motor it should have a name plate that lists the max amp draw and locked rotor amp draw. Using an amp probe would tell you if its over amping causing the breaker to trip.

To long or to small wire gauge extension cord can cause the amperage to go up. As others have said any bad connection in the circuit can cause higher amperage. And any other devices pulling amps will lessen the circuits amp capacity. A cheap harbor freight amp probe would tell the story if all else fails. First go to the breaker that is tripping and measure the amps on one leg with the compressor off, that will tell if you are sharing its circuit with any other device. Turn on the compressor and note amps, then do your bleed valve thing that causes the breaker to trip while noting the amp draw.

A little unclear on exactly what you're doing with the bleed valve and compressor when it trips. When you shut the bleed valve is the compressor discharge line open to fill a tank, or are other valves/quick connectors shut that need to be opened/connected..? Are there any clogged obstructed inline filters/separators/valves/connectors/kinked restricted lines..? What is the discharge pressure when the breaker trips..?

jmo
 
Upvote 0
Wow lots of good advice so far and I really appreciate it. When I get home I'll start trouble shooting some more.

More info for you, this is in a garage and it is 25 years old. I did replace one breaker to try but did the same thing. I'm not using an extension cord, it is plugged in to the wall outlet which is about 25' from the breaker box. I used this same outlet several times with my Yong Heng and this Hatsan with no issues until then. The compressor starts and runs fine with the bleed valve open but as soon as I close it to build pressure and before I even open the tank valve it trips. Probably only gets to a couple hundred psi.

I'll check things over tonight when I get home thanks


 
Upvote 0
I know it’s heavy but maybe lug it to a friends house with a more modern wiring system and see if it works look for a socket as close the breaker box as possible as that may help. If not you motor is not operating under the original design parameters and you need to have it checked out. If it’s not the motor the load on the motor is too much that can be caused by bad bearings or incorrect tolerance in the motor or compressor. 
 
Upvote 0
Well , I dont know what to say. I got home from work and decided to try it again . I took off the covers and checked what wiring I could but found nothing wrong. So I plugged it in to the same outlet as before but in the other socket and started it up. I installed a deadhead plug and closed the bleeder . Went up to 230 bar and was working fine. WTH. I bled it off and hooked it to the same tank and started it again and all is working fine.

I tried this the last two nites and it would pop the breaker as soon as I closed the bleeder. Tonight it's working fine.

I need a drink.
 
Upvote 0
You need to find out what else is on that circuit. Something on it is already using some of the available power. The compressor overloads the circuit when you add the compressor to the already loaded circuit. Or something else comes on while the compressor is running, pump? Heater ? Find a 20 amp receptacle that is dedicated for only one appliance ; washer, microwave, furnace circuits in newer homes have no other load on them. Try one of these, but not when the appliance is running. The best would be to install a dedicated circuit for your compressor ; just a breaker with only one plug on it, that's a dedicated circuit. Labeled at each end. Hopefully all the breakers should be labeled as to where they serve. Enjoy. Tom
 
Upvote 0
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top Bottom
Back
Home
Forums
Resources
Menu