Trade Air Compressor Conked Out

[jacorb_88]

recently bought the compressor from HMR (Pasig). It's 2.5 HP 40L. I settled for this cheap alternative since I'm going to use it sparingly and strictly home use.

As I was about to finish my initial coating (2 cabinet doors = 8x4 ft), the compressor just died on me. I heard 'palyado' sound before it finally stopped 3 seconds later. Now, it just creates whining sound.

Tried pressing Reset button and cool it down but still no response except that sound. Tried manually moving the propeller and I notice some notable resistance. Not sure though if that is normal.

Anybody encountered the same problem?
Anybody knows where to have it fixed? How much?

[JayL]

Sad to hear that your compressor conked out. Maybe its the heat that caused this . Whenever I do jobs that requires the compressor to work continuously then I always use an an electric fan to help cool it down.

Do you have the oil less type compressor?

[jacorb_88]

I know the compressor has oil.

You can check out this link. It is exactly the same as in the pics.

http://www.sulit.com.ph/index.php/view+classifieds/id/780080/Air+Compressor+Trade+Air+2.5+HP+40+Liter+Tank

[bbn]

That is a direct drive compressor. My "local" looks very similar. I also have 1 or 2 HMR bought units, both of which I never got to work though I really did not expect they would - I bought them for the parts mostly. The problem with these Australian compressors is that they have 50 Hz motors that will give less power AND generate more heat instead when used with 60 Hz electricity. Power tools that use universal motors are OK.

You could try bringing it to an electric fan repair shop or better a motor repair shop. I suspect though the motor is burned. If it is, sorry to say, you might have no choice but to buy a new 60 Hz version.

[jacorb_88]

I guess that's the reality I have to contend with. I brought the unit at a motor shop. 11 cabinet doors on primer and 2 cabinet doors on final coating. I hoped for a little longer than this.

[JayL]

I hope it will not be expensive to repair. However if you plan to do a lot of painting in the future you might want to consider another route.

If you decide to get a new one then at least let me give you a heads up. I have a Vespa 1 HP compressor which is rated at 100 PSI and a 115L tank. However I increased this and now run it at 115 PSI. When I was searching for a compressor to buy I found out that not all Vespa Units are made equal. The finish and build of the one assembled by EY Industrial Sales was more " tuned" in terms of parts used and even appearance. I have now used this for countless jobs for almost 8 mos without any issue. I just changed the oil to SAE 30 after the first 24 hours total time of use ( break in period) . None the less I make sure to give it an extra cooling by electric fan when I run it continuously ( painting and air tools). So far so good, knock on wood.

I believe parts and service for this compressor are abundant too.

[jacorb_88]

how much is it? where you got it?

i understand there are vespa-clone in the market. would you know if it is safe to buy at raon/t.alonzo in terms of getting original vespa?

[JayL]

Except for the filters, quick connect connectors and hoses I think I paid 9,400 pesos from Best Achievers in T. Alonzo St. I did not know by that time that I can also buy it directly from EY Industrial Sales in Kapiligan St. Try to search their number in in eyp.ph . Probably you can get a better price there.

Go around the malls first to check other Vespa before going for the EY assembled. You will see for yourself the difference.

By the way the water filter / pressure regulator connected to the compressor I bought for an extra 750 pesos in T. Alonzo St. too.

Good Luck.

[bbn]

Bro your compressor looks like a race car with all those stickers :) and so clean and shiny.

[jacorb_88]

Capacitor got busted accrdg to the motor shop and it will set me back 850.

Could it be due to 50hz spec while source is 60hz?

Although, the shop says the compressor is quite new but might be old stock. Too old that capacitor got forced to work more than it could handle. I'm no electrical savvy, so I don't know if that's sound bull crap.

[JayL]

Bro your compressor looks like a race car with all those stickers :) and so clean and shiny.


Yeah with the high cost of tools we have to take care of these if these are to serve us well. It will also bring better selling price when upgrade time comes.. ;)

[JayL]

Capacitor got busted accrdg to the motor shop and it will set me back 850.

Could it be due to 50hz spec while source is 60hz?

Although, the shop says the compressor is quite new but might be old stock. Too old that capacitor got forced to work more than it could handle. I'm no electrical savvy, so I don't know if that's sound bull crap.


If I get this right its a starting capacitor to kick the motor. If its defective then the motor will not start up.

I might be wrong.

[bbn]

It could be. A motor repair shop should have a good capacitor you can test with.

[JayL]

jacorb_88 : I hope your compressor is repaired and working fine now ...

[jacorb_88]

Had the chance to break it in, finished 2 cabinet doors (8x2ft each). Looks okay to me. But as you are doing, got a fan too ;)

[twisted]

i was told that these compressors from australia, the cheap one like trade air, eagle blue, and eagle red are not really brandnew. so if a seller tells you his units are bnew and you bought it, youve been had:p

i just bought a tradeair unit just this week, i hope it works fine. the guy i bought it from told me that these units were used for a project by a company, then sold in bulk as slightly used.

other heartless importers are selling these here and labeling them as bnew:mad:

[jacorb]

actually, it was the motor shop where i had serviced who told me that the unit seemed new, probably based on the looks of its internals.

after the capacitor had been changed, the compressor was working like a horse since then. i still consider it as a good buy.

oh, my cabinet project was very much appreciated by those who see it =D even by the carpenter who made it. talk of giving justice to his craft.

[JayL]

What kind of Paint and Finish did you use for the doors?

[bjfunk]

I bought a vespa 1/4 hp 26 yrs ago for 3K. Its been abused, neglected and totally manhandled. And it has gone through endless furniture and cabinet jobs my 10 fingers cannot count. And it still works to this day. The only thing I did to keep it running is to tighten the belts. The only downside is that if you are spray painting (especially w/ auto paint or lacquer) it tends to run low on pressure and cant keep up with the gun spray width and angle of the spray. Otherwise, for pneumatic tools its a great piece.

Then 3 years ago, I bought the same Trade Air compressor as you did. Got mine for Php3,400 then. Now I can say that it keeps good pressure. The only downside is that at some start-ups, the motor seems to whine and gets stuck. You need to be superquick to press the cut-off button or otherwise risk a motor burn-out. The only remedy is not to force it to turn on again but to release all the air from the holding tank. Once the pressure is released, it will start up again without the whining sound. The true advantage of a direct drive is your constant pressure. But once those flaps tear, it's bye bye time.
These machines are so China-made and dirt cheap that they are considered disposables in Australia. So these days, my Vespa receives much less attention and is sidelined in the garage. It also gets to be lent to those people like my bro who thinks that once you've lent him your tools, it's his and will never return again. heh heh heh;)