R
Rod Out back
- Jan 1, 1970
- 0
All,
House pressure pump died yesterday arvo. After ascertaining the unit was
still able to turn easily, I discovered the starter capacitor had blown.
After much frenzied searching through electric motors for something to get
us through the night, I discovered a starter capacitor that got us through
the night. Luckily, I found that there is someone in town (Longreach) who
has another starter cap I can replace the original with. However, I was
advised that the starter cap I used was way too small, and could damage the
motor. Unfortunately, I didnt have any alternatives at the time, and so far
the motor continues to run...A quick dash to town this morning to get the
replacement cap is in order.
Now, in an interest of understanding the gear we have here, and appreciating
I dont always have the luxury of calling in an experienced electrician at a
moments notice, I wondered if people could enlighten me how you decide a
replacement Starter Cap size. I would assume the starter cap size is
relevant to amount of work that the motor does from start. Hence, an
air-compressor motor is likely to have a dedicated starter winding, or a
large starter capacitor to assist in producing a fair amount of torque to
start things moving. A pressure-pump doesnt have a huge load, but obviously
more than the bench grinder I raided the cap out of.
I understand the starter cap produces an out-of-phase current, and this
allows the motor to start to spin up(in lieu of a dedicated starter winding
in the motor). Is this correct?
What is the cause of possible damage to the motor if I replace the cap with
something of the same voltage, but smaller capacity (like about half the
value)?
What happens if the starter cap replacement is too large for the
motor(correct voltage but double the value)?
I ask these questions not because I want to go into the motor repair
business, but because this equipment tends to fail when it is most needed,
and it tends to when there is no chance of getting an expert in. Best
example is when it's been raining for 5 days, and the road to town(100 kms)
is non-existant. It generally falls to me to resolve the issue one way or
the other.
Any thoughts appreciated.
Cheers,
Rod.......Out Back
House pressure pump died yesterday arvo. After ascertaining the unit was
still able to turn easily, I discovered the starter capacitor had blown.
After much frenzied searching through electric motors for something to get
us through the night, I discovered a starter capacitor that got us through
the night. Luckily, I found that there is someone in town (Longreach) who
has another starter cap I can replace the original with. However, I was
advised that the starter cap I used was way too small, and could damage the
motor. Unfortunately, I didnt have any alternatives at the time, and so far
the motor continues to run...A quick dash to town this morning to get the
replacement cap is in order.
Now, in an interest of understanding the gear we have here, and appreciating
I dont always have the luxury of calling in an experienced electrician at a
moments notice, I wondered if people could enlighten me how you decide a
replacement Starter Cap size. I would assume the starter cap size is
relevant to amount of work that the motor does from start. Hence, an
air-compressor motor is likely to have a dedicated starter winding, or a
large starter capacitor to assist in producing a fair amount of torque to
start things moving. A pressure-pump doesnt have a huge load, but obviously
more than the bench grinder I raided the cap out of.
I understand the starter cap produces an out-of-phase current, and this
allows the motor to start to spin up(in lieu of a dedicated starter winding
in the motor). Is this correct?
What is the cause of possible damage to the motor if I replace the cap with
something of the same voltage, but smaller capacity (like about half the
value)?
What happens if the starter cap replacement is too large for the
motor(correct voltage but double the value)?
I ask these questions not because I want to go into the motor repair
business, but because this equipment tends to fail when it is most needed,
and it tends to when there is no chance of getting an expert in. Best
example is when it's been raining for 5 days, and the road to town(100 kms)
is non-existant. It generally falls to me to resolve the issue one way or
the other.
Any thoughts appreciated.
Cheers,
Rod.......Out Back
