

If the start capacitor has failed, it is not giving the electric compressor motor the added boost necessary to get the motor going.

The electric motor usually has a quick-discharge battery on it called a start capacitor to help in starting. If it does start, monitor the unloader valve to be sure that it works. Close the tank drain and try to start the compressor. This will also allow any air that is trapped over the piston(s) to exhaust to atmosphere too. If the compressor unloader valve did not work the last time the air compressor reached cut out pressure and stopped, then it is possible that air is now trapped over the piston(s) and that additional load may be enough to stall the motor and make it hum instead of run.Įmpty all of the air from the compressor tank. The next thing to eliminate as a cause of the air compressor humming instead of starting is a failed unloader valve. If the compressor will not start when the intake filter is in, and it starts with the filter out, replace the filter media. Test again by putting the filter back in. If the compressor starts, that could be the cause. If there is enough crud in the filter to slow or prevent air from passing easily through the filter into the compression chamber in the pump, then that could add load and stall the motor.Ī quick check is to simply unscrew the intake filter and try to start the air compressor with the intake filter removed. Over time the filtering media inside the intake filter on an air compressor can become plugged with dust and dirt. If the compressor starts now, an insufficient current could have been the problem. Try to eliminate any other electrical draws on the same circuit when you are attempting to start the compressor. Plug the air compressor directly into a socket, preferably one with a 20 amp circuit breaker rather than a 15 amp circuit breaker. Plug the compressor cord directly into a wall socket that has few (or preferably no) other electrical devices that could pull power from that same circuit when your air compressor is starting or running. If you are using an extension cord or a power bar, don’t. The power supply to the air compressor must be clean and through the shortest line possible.
CAMPBELL HAUSFELD AIR COMPRESSOR HOW TO
How to fix when air compressor just hums Power Supply It is necessary to address the “why” as quickly as possible when your air compressor just hums. You do not want to let your air compressor motor sit there humming as it will quickly overheat and cause damage to the motor. Some electric motors, particularly those that run on 120 AC current, run very close to the edge in terms of power available from the 120 AC supply versus the minimums needed to keep the motor running, let alone, get it going.Įven with the boost from the start capacitor, if there is additional load on the motor at compressor start up, it cannot get going, and it sits their humming, as it is getting power, just not enough. Once going, the motor uses less current to stay running. The electric motor uses the current available from its start capacitor to add the additional start up current that is necessary to kick the motor into action. When it sends power into the circuit, it does it all at once and very quickly. Think of the start capacitor as a quick-discharge battery. To help provide the added current on startup, electric motors above a certain size normally have a start capacitor.

Air compressor motors needs to have more current available to them when they start than is necessary when they are running.
