Dude! I appreciate the video. My wife's aunt gave me a brute 15 gal. Air compressor about 3-4 years ago. I turned it on once or twice and couldn't get it to start again after that. I parked in the back and it just sat. Tonight I decided to look up "my air compressor won't start". Your video popped up and I watched it. I don't know anything about air compressors. I took the cover off to look at the part you were talking about and ends up there's only one on mine. Looking at it, one of the connectors to the capacitor was broke. I changed it and it works like crazy good. I liked and subscribed to your channel. I can't tell you how much I appreciate the video. God bless my friend!
Thank you for this video. My compressor would either slowly start and then kick on or slowly attempt to start then shut off. Your video answered my question. You earned my sub.
Great video! Thank you! You describe the exact same problem I’m having from a 28 year old Sanborn compressor I inherited. It’s been sitting in my garage for year and I can’t wait to put it into use. Again thank you.
I removed the motor starting capacitor & tested it. Got readings from it but it won’t kick on at all. It’s got a good power source as I just unplugged a light and used same outlet. No noise at all & it was fine yesterday
Test the capacitor with meter that registers CAPACITANCE, not a meter with just ohm readings. You need to know how the exact measurement. Ohmeter will only show it has some capacitance. It could be over 10% lower than its rating. I think 10% is usually within range of the rating on the capacitor. I have used different ohm meters in the past but now I use one with capacitance setting working on appliances and anything else that has capacitors. If I am wrong, someone in the know feel free to inform me.
This isn't an issue for mine right now, but I'm sure glad I watched this. Thanks for posting this. My question is this: There is a sticker on the power switch box that says "Fill with oil before using" but I have no clue where I'm supposed to put the oil, or what kind of oil to use. Any suggestions? Thanks.
I have one like that. Million years old my dad gave me. On/off button broke so for years just would plug it in to air up tires. Anyways, left it on while it mowed and it cut off due to being full. I unplugged like usual and couple days later when I attempted to use it, I plugged it on and now nothing. I’m guessing replace the capacitor but should I do both or just the starting one? I get nothing when I plug it in. I know it’s probably very hard to give advice just from my brief message. Thanks
Bought new Stealth 20g in Dec and stopped working after first fill. TSC won't help as after 30 days and manufacturer won't answer phone. I see where a single capacitor is mounted on it and assume it is issue. Going to see if can replace to get it working as otherwise is brand new and useless. Thanks for video!
Thanks. My upright is doing the same thing. Unfortunately i have to look this kind of stuff up every time i have an issue because of CRS disease. Thanks again.
My air compressor won't restart with air in it until I completely drain it. I replaced the check valve but I'm still having the same problem. Any idea what else I could try? It attempts to start but stalls out after a couple of chuga chugas.
thanks for this video it is vary similar to my problem, which is it won't start unless asisted but then will run. Can you wire a capacitor up wrong and what would happen, my motor only has one capacitor and its got three wires is this a start -run capacitor, again can it be wired wrong? many thanks for any help you will be able to offer. Barry
many thanks for the reply, I took loads of photo's and put the new one back with the same orinetation and pleased to say it's working fine, many thanks for taking the time to reply Barry@@pinkcaddygarage267
Mrs Richards: "I paid for a room with a view !" Basil: (pointing to the lovely view) "That is Torquay, Madam ." Mrs Richards: "It's not good enough!" Basil: "May I ask what you were expecting to see out of a Torquay hotel bedroom window ? Sydney Opera House, perhaps? the Hanging Gardens of Babylon? Herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically across the plains?..." Mrs Richards: "Don't be silly! I expect to be able to see the sea!" Basil: "You can see the sea, it's over there between the land and the sky." Mrs Richards: "I'm not satisfied. But I shall stay. But I expect a reduction." Basil: "Why?! Because Krakatoa's not erupting at the moment ?"
I tested my "Start" and "Run" capacitors using a capacitor tester and both capacitors checked out good. Yet my compressor won't start up, does that indicate that one of the capacitors is still defective? Will checking it with a digital VOM give me further proof?
Actually, I’m not sure without further information. Maybe not even then! Does your compressor act like it wants to start yet does it? Does it make any noise? If you can give me a little more info I might be able to help you out. If you get a chance, tell me what it does when you try to start it and we may be able to track down the problem.
@@pinkcaddygarage267 When I wrote you I was already in the process of troubleshooting the compressor. It was neither the starting capacitor or the pressure switch, but it was a connection that had come loose inside the dryer plug that I put together 29 years ago. That was the problem all the time. That's why the compressor would sometimes come on and not come on. Thank you for getting back with me.
thanks a lot. Mine is bigger and older than that one, and it was ok like 6 yrs ago when I put it away. I used to run several staple guns doing roofing.. Now it hums then sparks at the plug in to extension cord, and smell. I wonder if there could be line drop in my cord. Good tip re: short across terminals to not get shocked.
You could try plugging it in directly to an outlet without the extension cord involved to test and see if that could be the problem. If it doesn’t start at all then we start capacitor could be the culprit.
I replace both capacitors and still won’t turn on. Before, as soon as I would connect it to the extension it would spark(the compressors’ cable to the extension and turn on but now it doesn’t even spark. Have any idea on what could it be? It never trip the circuit breaker
Although I’m not sure what is going on since I’ve never had that happen, I would double check all of my connections to the new capacitors and make sure everything is wired correctly and securely. Alternatively, you could put one old capacitor back on at a time and see if you get your spark back. I’ve never bought a defective capacitor but I’m sure it happens.
My compressor starts working and builds pressure up to 150psi but sometimes during work it will not start and won't keep tank charged. Sometimes it turns on only for a few seconds then goes quiet. Sometimes I hears something that it wants to start like air going somewhere through the pipe for about 2 second and then quiets and stays like that. Fails to keep up pressure in tank when I use it. Pressure goes low as 50psi but compressor doesn't start. Then I had to open drain valve to release remaining air pressure in the tank. Disconnect it from AC power for few minutes and it starts working again build up to 150psi again. I don't hear any air leaks. What could be wrong??
You need to check the operation of the “unloader valve“. That is the mechanism that lets the air compressor know you have dropped below a certain pressure value and it needs to restart in order to refill the tank. I would check that before I started worrying about capacitors.
Well Pink Caddy you're not quite right. The OHMS test is only telling you that you have an open circuit (that no current can pass through). It will tell you that your capacitor is totally shot. But what if you get an ohms reading, does that mean your capacitor is good? No! The ONLY way to properly check capacitance is to measure the MICROFARADS (which is the measure of capacitance). The capacitor will have the correct value stamped on it like 50µF + or - a TOLERENCE%. Only by measuring the capacitance, and that value being within margins can you tell that your cap is good.
Excellent point Ron. I was testing for a failed capacitor in this video. Should probably do a followup video on whether or not the capacitor is still within spec.
@@pinkcaddygarage267 Thanks Pink Caddy mine took a dump this morning so I'm in your class learning.....trying to figure out if a new one is the way to go or fix this....so far with your advice I'm giving it a try....
@@wolfsden3812 I was in the same boat. My compressor is 31 years old, so if I had to get a new one I had to. But might as well try the simple things first.
@@pinkcaddygarage267 I appreciate the time and the reply....I'm also going to open the switch cover maybe a loose wire ? Thing is your video gave me a good plan to get things going if it does make it to the junk pile can't say I didn't try
It blew the circuit breaker because one of the capacitors was probably shorted, but what if the capacitor was just open. I think there are other reasons why the compressor is not starting.
Not sure, start with the components though. I’d take the belt off and see if the motor spins freely and to make sure the compressor itself isn’t locked up.
@@elliotschneider5643 I’ve always had two on the compressors I’ve had. Watch the first few seconds of the video and see if your electric motor has one or two humps on top of the motor like the one in the video. If you have two, each bump contains a capacitor.
There will typically be two capacitors. If it's plastic it's probably the start capacitor. If it's metal, it's a run capacitor. If there is only one mounted on the outside of the motor, and it's a run capacitor, then the start cap will most likely be located inside the motor on the end of the motor. If you take the end bell (it's like a lid bolted on one end of the motor) off of the motor you will probably find a black plastic start capacitor inside.
@@jeffreydauhmer385 Thanks for the info. It turns out that the fan on the end of my motor had jammed its self into the motor housing, causing it to bind.
First of all, try the simple things. Make sure you have good power at that outlet. Also, some electric motors have thermal protection. Usually there is a reset button on the motor that you have to press back in to reset it. Besides that, get out a voltage meter and start checking to see if voltage is making it from the plug into the cord to the electric motor switch. Continue checking and you will eventually find a lack of power. If you have power all the way to the motor I would suspect the motor itself is bad.
@@pinkcaddygarage267 thank you for replying. yes I'm sure I didn't order the same as the original capacitor. I noticed a burning smell too, then a plastic pin pops up that is next to a led light. I have no idea why it does that...does this sound familiar to you?
Dude! I appreciate the video. My wife's aunt gave me a brute 15 gal. Air compressor about 3-4 years ago. I turned it on once or twice and couldn't get it to start again after that. I parked in the back and it just sat. Tonight I decided to look up "my air compressor won't start". Your video popped up and I watched it. I don't know anything about air compressors. I took the cover off to look at the part you were talking about and ends up there's only one on mine. Looking at it, one of the connectors to the capacitor was broke. I changed it and it works like crazy good. I liked and subscribed to your channel. I can't tell you how much I appreciate the video. God bless my friend!
I’m glad something simple got you going again!
Thank you for this video. My compressor would either slowly start and then kick on or slowly attempt to start then shut off. Your video answered my question. You earned my sub.
Glad it helped
Great job explained very simple and straight to the point. Thanks.
Great video! Thank you! You describe the exact same problem I’m having from a 28 year old Sanborn compressor I inherited. It’s been sitting in my garage for year and I can’t wait to put it into use. Again thank you.
I removed the motor starting capacitor & tested it. Got readings from it but it won’t kick on at all. It’s got a good power source as I just unplugged a light and used same outlet.
No noise at all & it was fine yesterday
Does it even act like it wants to start? Or is it completely dead?
Test the capacitor with meter that registers CAPACITANCE, not a meter with just ohm readings.
You need to know how the exact measurement. Ohmeter will only show it has some capacitance. It could be over 10% lower than its rating.
I think 10% is usually within range of the rating on the capacitor.
I have used different ohm meters in the past but now I use one with capacitance setting working on appliances and anything else that has capacitors.
If I am wrong, someone in the know feel free to inform me.
Great explanation and the video was awesome. All you need to know. Great job
Glad to help!
Great video right to the point and easy to understand ,will be changing mine in the next couple days thanks alot for sharing Dale
Hopefully it will help...I lived with mine messing up for quite a while before I finally had enough and got it running right
Great video, very well explained and helpful
This isn't an issue for mine right now, but I'm sure glad I watched this. Thanks for posting this. My question is this: There is a sticker on the power switch box that says "Fill with oil before using" but I have no clue where I'm supposed to put the oil, or what kind of oil to use. Any suggestions? Thanks.
I’m pretty sure that would be referring to the oil in the compressor crankcase.
I have one like that. Million years old my dad gave me. On/off button broke so for years just would plug it in to air up tires. Anyways, left it on while it mowed and it cut off due to being full. I unplugged like usual and couple days later when I attempted to use it, I plugged it on and now nothing. I’m guessing replace the capacitor but should I do both or just the starting one? I get nothing when I plug it in. I know it’s probably very hard to give advice just from my brief message. Thanks
I will start with both it’s cheap and easy enough
Bought new Stealth 20g in Dec and stopped working after first fill. TSC won't help as after 30 days and manufacturer won't answer phone. I see where a single capacitor is mounted on it and assume it is issue. Going to see if can replace to get it working as otherwise is brand new and useless. Thanks for video!
Hope you get it going again!
Thanks. My upright is doing the same thing. Unfortunately i have to look this kind of stuff up every time i have an issue because of CRS disease. Thanks again.
Hopefully it will be an easy fix for you.
Thanks! Will try this. Any recommendations for where to get the capacitors?
Pretty sure I got mine on Amazon
My air compressor won't restart with air in it until I completely drain it. I replaced the check valve but I'm still having the same problem. Any idea what else I could try? It attempts to start but stalls out after a couple of chuga chugas.
I haven’t run into that one before. Maybe someone will chime in here.
thanks for this video it is vary similar to my problem, which is it won't start unless asisted but then will run. Can you wire a capacitor up wrong and what would happen, my motor only has one capacitor and its got three wires is this a start -run capacitor, again can it be wired wrong? many thanks for any help you will be able to offer.
Barry
I’m not familiar with your setup cut I’m sure it can be wired incorrectly!
many thanks for the reply, I took loads of photo's and put the new one back with the same orinetation and pleased to say it's working fine,
many thanks for taking the time to reply
Barry@@pinkcaddygarage267
Good video how do I order this capacitors on line I ordered them but received tiny capacitors or is there any local stores who sell them
I don’t know where to buy them locally I ordered mine online from an electrical supply house.
Yep. Fixed my 30 year old workhorse. Thank you!
Glad to help
Great video thank you for sharing your valuable knowledge 👍 😀
Thanks for posting this video. After watching I have some clue about how to start on mine!
Give it a try!
Thanks for sharing, working on the compressor. God Bless. Have a wonderful Xmas n New Year. Hanif
Hopefully it will be a simple solution on yours!
very good video, thanks for making it, Elias
Mrs Richards: "I paid for a room with a view !"
Basil: (pointing to the lovely view) "That is Torquay, Madam ."
Mrs Richards: "It's not good enough!"
Basil: "May I ask what you were expecting to see out of a Torquay hotel bedroom window ? Sydney Opera House, perhaps? the Hanging Gardens of Babylon? Herds of wildebeest sweeping majestically across the plains?..."
Mrs Richards: "Don't be silly! I expect to be able to see the sea!"
Basil: "You can see the sea, it's over there between the land and the sky."
Mrs Richards: "I'm not satisfied. But I shall stay. But I expect a reduction."
Basil: "Why?! Because Krakatoa's not erupting at the moment ?"
I tested my "Start" and "Run" capacitors using a capacitor tester and both capacitors checked out good. Yet my compressor won't start up, does that indicate that one of the capacitors is still defective? Will checking it with a digital VOM give me further proof?
Actually, I’m not sure without further information. Maybe not even then! Does your compressor act like it wants to start yet does it? Does it make any noise? If you can give me a little more info I might be able to help you out. If you get a chance, tell me what it does when you try to start it and we may be able to track down the problem.
@@pinkcaddygarage267 When I wrote you I was already in the process of troubleshooting the compressor. It was neither the starting capacitor or the pressure switch, but it was a connection that had come loose inside the dryer plug that I put together 29 years ago. That was the problem all the time. That's why the compressor would sometimes come on and not come on. Thank you for getting back with me.
thanks a lot. Mine is bigger and older than that one, and it was ok like 6 yrs ago when I put it away. I used to run several staple guns doing roofing.. Now it hums then sparks at the plug in to extension cord, and smell. I wonder if there could be line drop in my cord. Good tip re: short across terminals to not get shocked.
You could try plugging it in directly to an outlet without the extension cord involved to test and see if that could be the problem. If it doesn’t start at all then we start capacitor could be the culprit.
I replace both capacitors and still won’t turn on. Before, as soon as I would connect it to the extension it would spark(the compressors’ cable to the extension and turn on but now it doesn’t even spark. Have any idea on what could it be? It never trip the circuit breaker
Although I’m not sure what is going on since I’ve never had that happen, I would double check all of my connections to the new capacitors and make sure everything is wired correctly and securely. Alternatively, you could put one old capacitor back on at a time and see if you get your spark back. I’ve never bought a defective capacitor but I’m sure it happens.
Great video sir thk u
My compressor starts working and builds pressure up to 150psi but sometimes during work it will not start and won't keep tank charged. Sometimes it turns on only for a few seconds then goes quiet. Sometimes I hears something that it wants to start like air going somewhere through the pipe for about 2 second and then quiets and stays like that. Fails to keep up pressure in tank when I use it. Pressure goes low as 50psi but compressor doesn't start. Then I had to open drain valve to release remaining air pressure in the tank. Disconnect it from AC power for few minutes and it starts working again build up to 150psi again. I don't hear any air leaks. What could be wrong??
You need to check the operation of the “unloader valve“. That is the mechanism that lets the air compressor know you have dropped below a certain pressure value and it needs to restart in order to refill the tank. I would check that before I started worrying about capacitors.
you need to change your power cord as well. the ground lug is clipped off.
Yep
what dufus cut off your ground on the plug??!!
It snapped off in the wall plug actually
Well Pink Caddy you're not quite right. The OHMS test is only telling you that you have an open circuit (that no current can pass through). It will tell you that your capacitor is totally shot. But what if you get an ohms reading, does that mean your capacitor is good? No! The ONLY way to properly check capacitance is to measure the MICROFARADS (which is the measure of capacitance). The capacitor will have the correct value stamped on it like 50µF + or - a TOLERENCE%. Only by measuring the capacitance, and that value being within margins can you tell that your cap is good.
Excellent point Ron. I was testing for a failed capacitor in this video. Should probably do a followup video on whether or not the capacitor is still within spec.
Brilliant video thanks bud
You bet
Whats the price of a compasator?
I got them both on Amazon, one was about $20...the other one was about $14. So approximately $35 total. Just match up the specs to your old ones.
@@pinkcaddygarage267
Thanks Pink Caddy mine took a dump this morning so I'm in your class learning.....trying to figure out if a new one is the way to go or fix this....so far with your advice I'm giving it a try....
@@wolfsden3812 I was in the same boat. My compressor is 31 years old, so if I had to get a new one I had to. But might as well try the simple things first.
@@pinkcaddygarage267
I appreciate the time and the reply....I'm also going to open the switch cover maybe a loose wire ? Thing is your video gave me a good plan to get things going if it does make it to the junk pile can't say I didn't try
That’s the spirit! Anytime!
It blew the circuit breaker because one of the capacitors was probably shorted, but what if the capacitor was just open. I think there are other reasons why the compressor is not starting.
You could be right, but it seems to be working fine since I changed the capacitors
Great video. Anyone else notice the missing ground prong on plug
You’re right. Pretty sure that snapped off about 15 years ago.
Excellent, thanks
mine just does a tick tick tick noise until the fuse goes, any idea?
Not sure, start with the components though. I’d take the belt off and see if the motor spins freely and to make sure the compressor itself isn’t locked up.
Great
My air compressor has no power on the capacitor. Can u help me
How are you testing it?
My compressor try’s to start but can’t turn over more than a 3rd of a turn, then it just makes a humming noise. I tested the capacitor and it’s fine.
Elliot...there are 2 capacitors, one for "start" and the other for "run". Did you test both of them?
@@pinkcaddygarage267
Is there always a run capacitor? I only saw one capacitor.
@@elliotschneider5643 I’ve always had two on the compressors I’ve had. Watch the first few seconds of the video and see if your electric motor has one or two humps on top of the motor like the one in the video. If you have two, each bump contains a capacitor.
There will typically be two capacitors. If it's plastic it's probably the start capacitor. If it's metal, it's a run capacitor. If there is only one mounted on the outside of the motor, and it's a run capacitor, then the start cap will most likely be located inside the motor on the end of the motor. If you take the end bell (it's like a lid bolted on one end of the motor) off of the motor you will probably find a black plastic start capacitor inside.
@@jeffreydauhmer385
Thanks for the info. It turns out that the fan on the end of my motor had jammed its self into the motor housing, causing it to bind.
My compressor does nothing. Plug in at wall has power.
First of all, try the simple things. Make sure you have good power at that outlet. Also, some electric motors have thermal protection. Usually there is a reset button on the motor that you have to press back in to reset it. Besides that, get out a voltage meter and start checking to see if voltage is making it from the plug into the cord to the electric motor switch. Continue checking and you will eventually find a lack of power. If you have power all the way to the motor I would suspect the motor itself is bad.
Mine just clicks and hums
Even after changing the capacitors?
@@pinkcaddygarage267 thank you for replying. yes I'm sure I didn't order the same as the original capacitor. I noticed a burning smell too, then a plastic pin pops up that is next to a led light. I have no idea why it does that...does this sound familiar to you?
Great explanation and the video was awesome. All you need to know. Great job