It LIVES!!!

Todd Rich wrote: (snip)

Oh, and the lights didn't dim at all on startup.

I am very happy for you!

Ok, here is the video. Same video, different quality: Large 100M file:

(Some anti-virus programs don't like sendspace, but it seems to be legit, just 'add-y')

Btw, the comment about shutting off at 150psi is because that is the default setting for the pressure switch, but it can and probably was adjusted higher, I'm just a little nervous with all that energy stored in the tank.

Todd

File DL is very slow, looking like 30 min for the big file.

Anyone every hear of a compressor exploding? I've seen tanks rust through and leak, but never anything more eventful than that.

Thank You, Randy

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Randy wrote: (snip)

Sorry about that. I had a friend with a fast connection test it and it only took him about 5 minutes. I guess their servers are somewhat variable. Or as more people download it, they throttle the bandwidth.

I wouldn't be quite so nervous, but I did tip it over while moving it. It looks like it was the air filter and pulley shroud that took the brunt of the impact, but I'm still a little nervous about it.

Todd

Todd, Some thing is wrong with it! It should NOT sound like that when it starts up. If you jog it for say 20 sec dose that nasty sound stop like it does after a bit at full speed?

William...

William wrote: (snip)

Jog doesn't move it. And it sounds like that starting up even after it has been run for a bit. I belive it is due to the VFD trying to run it with not enough power/speed for the motor as part of it's ramp up, as it had the same sound before I switched it from ramp down to coast when I was shutting it off. I was going to check the paramaters it has for the ramp-up to see if I can get it to start with a higher voltage/frequency to bypass that range.

I don't know if you can tell, but it makes that sound before the motor actually starts moving, and for the first second or so of moving, so it isn't the compressor itself. It is the motor/vfd.

Todd, open the electrical box on the compressor when you start it, and watch what is going on in there. That sound seems to me to be the contactor in there chattering. With the VFD running the motor you should not even need that contactor connected.

Thank You, Randy

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Where exactly should I be looking?

I'm afraid I'm really not that up on what is in that box.

Btw, thanks!

I sure heard the clanks when it started. Before I had the electronic controls on my little Quincy it also made a click when starting. There is something like a little lathe dog that drives the vane-type oil pump. I'm guessing that finger is supposed to snap off if the pump ever bound up to avoid total destruction of the pump. But, if the compressor is allowed to stop while still loaded, the cylinder pressure will bring it to a bouncing stop, and the pin may no longer be near the slot in the pump, allowing the compressor to start spinning before the pin catches up to the pump. I was kind of concerned about that impact eventually breaking the pin. Anyway, my controller now unloads the pump and allows it to idle for 30 seconds to see if more air is needed. If not, then the compressor is stopped while unloaded, and the unloader air is not turned off until the compressor is at a complete stop. I don't get the click anymore. Those clanks may also be the intake valves bouncing as the compressor is spinning up (although it sounded prettu loud).

Jon

I've seen the end result. Some ME's at our University do accident investigations on the side, and I saw a blown compressor in their truck once. The tank was unrolled and almost perfectly flat. This was a little roll-around 2 Hp or so unit. Generally, if they were investigating, there were fatalities.

Jon

Ahhh, lucky for you that is a tough VFD or you would have already smoked it. Just bypass ALL the stuff in there, wire the VFD straight to the 3 motor wires. The pressure switch should be wired to the VFD's control input.

Jon

yes and the top too, you need none of it just remove the whole thing from the compressor...

Bingo I assumed that you had trashed all that VERY old AB stuff in that box.

Remove it and let us know if it stops that nasty noise.

William....

Jon Elson wrote: (snip)

So overbuying saved my butt. It never even came up with an error code.

Well, I took out the lower portion, though it looks like the upper switch is actually riveted into the box. Spliced in some wire to jump the gap between the two sets of wires. (proper gage, 6-3 stranded copper). Started it up and it sounds right now. No hesitation and smooth ramp-up.

The pressure switch was already wired into the VFD's control input. I still haven't found what the pressure switch it set for, but it is at least 160psi. I know that the control input is wired right because I have an extra switch wired into that loop and when I shut it off it turns off the motor. I'll turn it down a ways and see if I can't tweak it to where I want it.

It was obvious that I hadn't warmed up the shop though, because the pressure started to head to the redline. I turned it off, and I'll warm up the shop ahead of the next time, so it can thin out before the pressure gets too high. Then when it is nice and warmed up, I'll change the oil.

Todd

Done.

Nope, and a couple of people even said just wire it in. It is gone now (well the upper portion is there, but bypassed). I'll hold onto it in case I sell it later.

Sounds much nicer now. I'll take some video tomorrow/Monday when I start it up to warm up the oil for an oil change.

Todd

Sounds like you got it now.

Thank You, Randy

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