If you pick the correct size screwdriver for the screw then it shouldn't slip off the head.
Discuss Compressor 3hp motor DOL starter question in the Talk Electrician area at ElectriciansForums.net
forum is having problems with uploading pics. what you can do is either upload as a pdf, or send pic. to image host site, then post a link to it.I know, just a pet hate. Same with Philips, torx and any other head type, but flat is simply anoying.
As already explained, a motor starter has a specific job to deal with: to allow motor start surges while also protecting against motor overload, where as the supply MCB or HRC fuse is there to protect the starter from massive fault currents.So, eventually the starter turned up. Meanwhile, been getting mixed messages form various people, most staying, you don't need a starter for that!
But I've got it and fitted now so tough, I have one.
Align flat head screwdriver to godforsaken retarded, out-of-date, frustratingly irritating, dumb---- flat head screws
View attachment 112072
View attachment 112073
OK, been a while, but I did promise a picture. This is the old girl finished up. the compressor did a grand job and held up nicely spraying, this is my first attempt at spraying, so not perfect, but suits the level of practical classic she is.
The weakest part of the spraying was damp. I bought an inline air dryer, cool piece of kit and suited my budget (second hand of course), but could not do long runs of spraying, however, it did dry the air perfectly.
Now, I do have an issue. Not used the compressor for about 4wks due to holiday etc. Went to turn it on and it tripped the main board.
I checked...
Took belt off pump, same issue
Socket; all checks out good
DOL; all looks secure and good
Auto shut off junction; all good.
Checked starter capacitor, measures 270µf, rated as 200....guess that's OK?
Not yet checked the running capacitor, maybe that's the issue...doubt it though.
I've ran out of things to check, could it be the actual motor faulty? It spins OK, so it's not jammed.
Any thoughts? I'll have another crack at it this weekend, wife don't like it when the house trips and she is left in darkness. So any suggestions (apart from pay an expert), is welcome.
What is tripping, an RCD or MCB?Not used the compressor for about 4wks due to holiday etc. Went to turn it on and it tripped the main board.
If lights are going as well, sounds like the RCD. Generally that implies an insulation fault, might be hardware really failed or water in somewhere.Any thoughts? I'll have another crack at it this weekend, wife don't like it when the house trips and she is left in darkness. So any suggestions (apart from pay an expert), is welcome.
RCD trips.What is tripping, an RCD or MCB?
If lights are going as well, sounds like the RCD. Generally that implies an insulation fault, might be hardware really failed or water in somewhere.
Also at what point is it tripping, the moment the supply is connected, or when you try to start the motor running? That could tell you something about where the fault it.
If it is a hard short somewhere then a multimeter might reveal it, but often you need a high voltage (250V or 500V DC) insulation tester to really find out what is happening as far as 230V AC is concerned.
Wait, I tested the caps again with my shonky electrical tester. The running cap rated at 50µf measures exactly 50µf. The starter cap rated at 200µf measures 260-274µf. What does this mean? Does this mean the cap is buggered? How does a cap fail, does the farad reading go up or down? To me that seems a lot out.
That's a good idea, I think this weekend I'm going to wire direct from the motor to a plug and test if it starts, just to check that the DOL or socket is not causing an issue, at least I'll see if the motor spins up, then I know it's not the caps or motor and can re-look at my wiring at the wall. For all I know the Clarkes DOL has copped out.It is not uncommon for the sort of capacitor used for motor starting to be 20% or 25% tolerance, so it might still be in-spec, however, if you have any reason to doubt it then replacement might be cheaper as @DPG suggested.
Out-of-spec capacitance won't trip your RCD though, that would require leakage to earth in some way. Insulation fault is most obvious, but sparking and a bit of filter capacitance, etc, can cause intermittent issues. Ideally get someone with an insulation tester to check for L+N to E leakage at 250V or 500V DC.
Would you like me to visit? You live about 15 minutes away from me. Private Message(PM) me.Before I plug direct to the motor, I checked continuity across live/N from the motor and it shows 0 resistance, is that right? More worryingly, earth to L/N was ~500.
No, no, no!They also suggested I disconnect the earth and test that. I may do that tomorrow just to test.
Is there any sign of water?Then it's back to 'marconi' suggestion of drying the motor out correctly.
That's a good idea, I think this weekend I'm going to wire direct from the motor to a plug and test if it starts, just to check that the DOL or socket is not causing an issue, at least I'll see if the motor spins up,
They also suggested I disconnect the earth and test that. I may do that tomorrow just to test
Reply to Compressor 3hp motor DOL starter question in the Talk Electrician area at ElectriciansForums.net
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