My compressor is on its way out. It starts and runs fine for the first fillup but for the second tank fillup the motor starts real slow and it trips the breaker.

I am guessing this is a heat issue but was wondering if it is due to the oil-free design. I use it occasionally and never run it too hard so I don't think it should be worn out. It is a Devilbiss 20 gallon, Home Dippo special. I got my money out of it I guess.

Part two of the question is what has been the experience with Kobalt compressors? Lowes has an upright 30 gallon, two stage, 150 PSI, oil type for around $388 that I was contemplating getting. I think I want to stay away from oil-free.

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...066&lpage=none

By comparison, this one is $300 and has a bunch of tools - are the blue tank units lower quality than the black tank units?

http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?actio...609&lpage=none

Finally, any suggestions for a replacement in the $300-$400 range?

 

It sounds like your compressor is not being unloaded when it shuts off. Consequently when it restarts in is uner a load and the motor doesn't have the beans to turn it over. Check your unloading device, probably a small valve attached to your pressure switch.
You are right about the oil free machines being not good machines. lubricated machines last 100 times longer than oil free machines.
If it was my money I would buy the black one

And by the way thanks for your service to our country. If we ever meet, I will buy you dinner.

 

if you can wait a few months, in December/January Lowe's does the lets get rid of last years models, at good savings.
i picked up a Campbell Hausfield 60 gallon 7.5 horse 16 cfm compressor for $399 2 years ago.

 

Your old compressor could be fixed. If you decide not to fix it I would not go with the oil-free design. Oil less are loud and do not last as long. Whether you fix the old compressor or not I would not toss it. If the tank is like new you could use it for extra reserve for the new compressor.

 

Thanks for the opinions and ideas guys. I have pretty much decided to go with the Kobalt shown in the link or one similar - cast iron, two stage and oil type. The one I have now is generally big enough for what I use it for most of the time so I don't need to go too crazy.

I doubt I'll bother messing with it too much. It works well enough for someone to use for airing tires every now and then so I'll put it on craigslist or something for $25 and give it to the first person to show up. I don't need to clutter the garage with more stuff.

Fixnair - what would the unloading device look like? I'm thinking the problem I have may be lubrication since the "head" gets really hot after it has run. If you ever come to Boston I will take you up on that dinner....

 

scroll down to the botton of this page, and you will see 3 pressure cutoff switches. the brass thingy on the bottom and side of the first 2 switches are the unloaders.

and the compressor heads do get very hot. like hot enough to burn your hand after they shut down on a properly running compressor. so don't worry to much about the heat.

http://www.mastertoolrepair.com/bcom...es-c-25_2.html

 

You are making it awfully hard for me to get a new one when you show me how to fix it for twenty bucks....

 

sorry. disregard that last post, it will not fit your compressor.

 

The unloader valve would be on the side of your pressure switch and would have a 1/4" tube leading over to the discharge check valve. When the pressure in the tank rises enough to satisfy the pressur switch, the switch opens the electrical contacts, shutting of the motor. It also opens the unloader valve and bleeds off the air trapped between the compressor and the check valve. Thus when the compressor starts again it will be unloaded.

FYI, when you compress air to 100 PSIG, you increase its temperature 600°. That is why your compressor head gets hot. Much of thos heat is radiated off form the cooling fins and you never really see this temp but they do get above 200° easily. this is exactly how your diesel engine works. In it you compress the air up to around 350 PSIG and incresae its temp to around 2000° and when you inject the fuel, BANG, down goes the piston to get you a little further down the road.

Good luck whichever way you go

Steve

 

Went to Lowes and they have the compressor in stock - waaaaay the hell up on a shelf. Wouldn't take it down unless I bought it and they have no information except what is on the box......they must have hired their help from Home Dippo.

I can get it online for $20 less than the instore price. I'm going to buy it, go check out the specs on the box and if I don't like it, return it.