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Reciprocating Compressor Trouble Shooting Guides

This document provides troubleshooting information for common problems with reciprocating air compressors. It lists several common problems experienced with compressors such as breakers tripping, stalling, low discharge pressure, knocking, overheating, excessive belt/oil wear, failure to start in cold weather, humming without starting, and having power but not running. For each problem, it identifies possible causes and recommended solutions. The document aims to help technicians efficiently diagnose and resolve issues with reciprocating compressors.

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Rahul Chandrawar
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2K views3 pages

Reciprocating Compressor Trouble Shooting Guides

This document provides troubleshooting information for common problems with reciprocating air compressors. It lists several common problems experienced with compressors such as breakers tripping, stalling, low discharge pressure, knocking, overheating, excessive belt/oil wear, failure to start in cold weather, humming without starting, and having power but not running. For each problem, it identifies possible causes and recommended solutions. The document aims to help technicians efficiently diagnose and resolve issues with reciprocating compressors.

Uploaded by

Rahul Chandrawar
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 3

Technical Support

compressed-air-systems.com/tech/recip-trouble.html

Problem Possible Causes Solutions

Breaker Trips 1. Low Voltage supply 1. Check that incoming


Motor overloads power wire size is
tripped adequate for compressor
Restricted air Check that compressor is
passages on dedicated circuit
Loose wires at Adjust belt tension
contact points Check wire connections to
Seized Pump make sure they are tight
Inspect transfer tubes and,
check valve

Compressor Stalls 1. Low voltage supply 1. Check compressor power


to compressor supply for adequate
2. Loose compressor breaker and wire size
belts 2. Inspect check valve for
3. Bad check valve proper operation
4. Seized compressor 3. Tighten belts
pump 4. Check compressor for
proper oil level

Low Discharge Pressure 1. Air leaks in shop 1. Tighten or replace leaking


2. Leaking valves fittings, or joints
3. Restricted air intake 2. Clean or replace air filter
4. Blown gaskets/seals
5. Worn piston rings or
cylinder

Compressor Pump Knocking 1. Loose motor pulley 1. Tighten pulley or flywheel


or compressor 2. Keep oil level at
flywheel recommended level for
2. Low oil level in proper operation
compressor pump 3. Only use factory
3. Carbon build up on recommended oil
valve and piston

Excessive oil discharge in air 1. Worn piston rings or 1. Clean or replace air filters
(All Compressors have a small cylinder 2. Reduce oil level to
amount of oil carry over in 2. Restricted air intake recommended amount
compression 3. Oil level to high 3. Reduce compressor duty
4. Compressor has cycle (repair leaks or add
exceeded it duty another unit to handle the
cycle excess demand)

NOTE: Troubleshooting problems may have similar causes and solutions

1/3
Problem Possible Causes Solutions

Compressor Overheating 1. Poor ventilation 1. Relocate compressor to


2. Dirty cooling any area with better
surfaces ventilation (at least 18
3. Compressor is out inches from the nearest
of its operating duty wall)
cycle 2. Clean all cooling surfaces
3. Reduce compressor duty
cycle (repair leaks or add
another unit to handle the
excess demand)

Excessive Belt Wear 1. Pulley out of 1. Realign pulley with


alignment flywheel
2. Improper belt 2. Re adjust belt tension
tension
3. Pulley damaged of
loose

Compressor wont start in cold 1. Bad check valve 1. Use IS 100 (30W)
weather 2. Compressor has compressor oil for cold
wrong grade oil weather conditions
3. Control lines frozen 2. Move compressor to a
warmer location
3. Put a heat lamp on
compressor to maintain
above freezing
temperatures

Compressor Motor Hums wont 1. Fuse or Breaker 1. Re-set breaker or replace


start blown in main panel blown fuse
(or fuse in fused 2. Inspect check valve for
disconnect if proper operation
applicable) 3. Check all power wire lead
2. Low voltage to to solid connection
compressor 4. Replace starter and
3. Compressor starting Pressure switch
with head pressure
4. Power leads in
motor or magnetic
starter loose
5. Starter or Pressure
switch contacts
corroded or broken

NOTE: Troubleshooting problems may have similar causes and solutions

2/3
Problem Possible Causes Solutions

Unit has power but won't run 1. Starter tripped 1. Re-set starter
2. Starter coil out 2. Replace starter and
3. Pressure switch Pressure switch
closed 3. Check unit for proper oil
4. Low Oil monitor level
tripped (Elite units) 4. Replace motor or pump
5. Motor or Pump
locked up

NOTE: Troubleshooting problems may have similar causes and solutions

3/3

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