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Post by Mopacman on Jul 28, 2024 21:52:52 GMT
I bought a small Harbor Freight air compressor a couple of years ago specifically for use when I airbrush. It worked great, until recently. It has a 3 amp fuse, which blew, so I replaced it. The new fuse lasted long enough for the compressor to fill the air tank, than it too, blew. I plug it directly into a wall outlet. It is a 3/4 horse engine.
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Post by Mopacman on Jul 28, 2024 21:54:58 GMT
Any suggestions on diagnosing the problem? It had a 30 day warranty. I paid less than $100 for it. Not interested in spending a lot of money to repair it.
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Post by steveoncattailcreek on Jul 28, 2024 22:14:41 GMT
Absent some obvious issue (like motor laboring, or sparks flying!), I think I'd be tempted to try a slightly higher value fuse (5A?), and see if that allows extended use, or perhaps postponing the fuse blowing may help clarify what the underlying problem is (via smoke or overheating). Other than that, it sounds like the motor or pump may be failing, and as you suggest, it may be easier and cheaper in the long run to just buy a replacement. Good luck!
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Post by Mopacman on Jul 29, 2024 2:26:30 GMT
Thank you for the suggestion! I will give that a try.
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Post by healey36 on Jul 29, 2024 2:48:21 GMT
I agree with Steve...up the fuse amperage and see if that resolves it. Check the power cord for heat to the touch. If it gets hot while you’re running it, shut it off.
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Post by Adam on Jul 29, 2024 2:50:28 GMT
If a higher amp fuse doesn’t do the trick, if might be a short somewhere but I’d expect that to blow the fuse immediately.
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Post by josef on Jul 29, 2024 10:10:29 GMT
I'm not familiar with Harbor Freights small compressor. I have a regular compressor I use for all my shop tools and when using air brush at my modelling table I just set the amount of pressure I need.
My compressor needs lubrication for the bearings and running gear. Have you checked your manual to see if there are any lubrication points?
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Post by jayhawk500 on Jul 29, 2024 12:21:49 GMT
Have you drained the moisture out of the tank? Preformed any type of maintenance IAW the manufactures instructions that came with the compresor?
I'm with josef, on the lubration. It may need a rebuild. See if Harbor Freight has a rebuild kit.
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Post by Sir James on Jul 29, 2024 13:48:27 GMT
Did you try a slow blow fuse? It does read like the compressor is laboring.
A friend of mine who does small engine repairs says don't buy anything there that would require new parts. They don't have em.
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Post by JDaddy on Jul 29, 2024 15:24:53 GMT
Do you have the manual. I would lubricate areas as specified. Could be some internals wearing, does the compressor get hot while running?
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Post by heavyduty on Jul 29, 2024 19:52:33 GMT
Oiless compressor? I would not suggest a higher-rated fuse.
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Post by cornerfieldrailfan on Aug 3, 2024 2:05:37 GMT
I personally won't buy an air compressor from Harbor Freight. The reason why is I live in Amish Country in Ohio. Their is a harbor freight in my town that sells air compressors. Amish have told me when they have tried using them on jobsites, they have had some explode on them as the welding on the tanks are not very good.
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Post by harborbelt70 on Aug 3, 2024 23:59:22 GMT
I personally won't buy an air compressor from Harbor Freight. The reason why is I live in Amish Country in Ohio. Their is a harbor freight in my town that sells air compressors. Amish have told me when they have tried using them on jobsites, they have had some explode on them as the welding on the tanks are not very good.
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Post by firewood on Aug 4, 2024 22:37:49 GMT
Which type do you have, a piston style or a diaphragm style?
A badly assembled or obstructed discharge valve could cause
high internal pressure and enough laboring to pop the breaker.
Disassembly might find the problem but I suspect the Hazard Fraught stuff is throwaway, sadly.
Dave
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