I have a 5 hp 230 V AC motor on a 20 gal tank /air compressor.
When given to me by the past owner, he said it needs a new electric motor. Since I do not have a 240 line outlet in my home, as yet anyway. I plugged this 230 v AC motor into a 120 V ac outlet, just to see what it will do. Well what I got was the motor did indeed spin very fast, with out it being belted to drive the air compressor pump and all looked just fine, with out tripping the circuit breaker, then I belted it back to the compressor pump and started it up again, all seemd fine for about 2 / 3 min. then noticed the compressor slowing down a little at a time with every revolution it made, then it tripped the breaker. So even though the correct voltage was not supplied. Can my problem be a Run capacitor or the start capacitor , how do I test these two capacitors .Since the motor did indeed spin with out a load I hope it is just one of the two capacitors that is prcblem only. If it truly is the motor , does it pay to have it fixed (re-wound) or get a new one. this one has a pivot base. Any help appreciated.