Anyone have trouble with the kobalt compressor
 

I bought a 60 gallon 3.5hp compressor from lowes this past september, I had it wired into my garage professionally , I broke it in like the instructions said, and I really havent used it all that much, except for blowin up a few tires because it has been so cold here, anyhow i got to finally use it last week, I wanted to finally sand down my fenders with it, I turned it on and I was standing right by it, and it built up to 60psi, and something popped inside of it, scared the you no what out of me, anyhow, now it wont do nothing, just hums, so I called the # on the compressor for assistance, all I get is a recording to leave my name and # and no one ever calls back, so I called lowes where I got it at, and I had some young girl tell me that I need to bring it in, Ijust laughed, I tried explaining that its hard wired into my garage, she dint understand, so
I got some manager on the phone, thank god he understood, and gave me another # to call, Ive talked to these people like 4 different times , and they keep giving me the run around that they cant find a service tech in my area, this sucks, cause I paid for the extra warranty, im sure its a good company but I just dont know what to do at this point, sorry for the book :(

chris

That sucks. Anyway, when you say that it just humms, you're talking about the electric motor, I assume. More than likely, one of the capacitors on the motor blew. You can replace it yourself, but you have to be careful because even with the power off to the motor, these capacitors contain alot of voltage, much like a battery but they will discharge all at once if grounded.
I'd remove the drivebelt and then try to turn the compressor pump by hand first to make sure it wasn't something mechanical there. Then, remove the cover(s) on the capacitors. I've read where they recommend you bleed off any voltage on the capacitors with a wire that has a small resistor installed on it. You'd best do a search online for advice on this if you can. Then after you do this bleed off, remove the two leads on the capacitor, take an ohm meter and do a test on the capacitor. What will happen is the capacitor will take some power from the ohm meter battery supply and the resistance will change as it's hooked up. Then hook the ohm meter leads reversed from how you just did it, the reading you just took will reverse itself. There are also some multimeters that have selections just for testing capacitors.
I know, confusing, and I'm sorry I'm not too good at explaining this, hopefully someone else will give you a better explanation.

Good luck

I bought a Husky from Home Depot. These compressors are made by Campbell Hausfeld. If your Kobalt is made by them, maybe you can contact them via email at chpower.com

I found this thread online concerning Kobalt

http://www.contractortalk.com/archiv...hp/t-3523.html

I once heard a pop that almost made me lose a load... ... it turned out that the breather hole for the crankcase on the pump still had the factory plug and when enough pressure built up on it's first full run it poped out with a noise like you describe.
Not sure of the brand but could be the same problem...
.
After finding the vented cover in with the instructions and installing the breather everything was fine.

I haven't had any trouble out of mine but it is an 80 gal. 2 stage. It sounds like the compressor may have locked up and the motor can't turn because of that. Try to turn the compressor by hand to see if it is the motor or compressor. Good luck with it.

Danny

Good advice, fish
 

If the capacitor blew, he'll probably be able to see the body of the cap is distorted.

By the way...
I have a small compressor that needs a belt. I have searched for a replacement but have not found one. It's a Montgomery Ward [out of business] model. Grainger has a belt, but I am not a business so they wont sell it to me. :evil:
Can someone recommend a place to get one? Thanks. :welcome:

I had a problem with mine, that turned out to be a pretty easy fix.

One day it was building pressure and right at 100 psi it started making a mad
squeeking and knocking sound, anyway after shutting it off and checking it
I come to find out that the pully on the motor shaft was slightly loose. So
after tighting down the securing allen type screws it was back to normal.

These compressors are pretty good. The things to watch are,

There is enough Oil in the pump.
Now loose bolts etc.

Hope you find a fix for it.

><

Scrot,
I had the same problem with a Campbell Hausfeld, needing a belt, serpentine style (multi-v). I went to a local Grainger, told the same thing, but fortunately the company I worked for occasionally bought from them. Guy at the counter managed to get around me giving him an account number and I got the belt. Had to pay cash only.
Did you try MSC? They carry a lot of the same stuff that Grainger does. I don't know if they sell to the average joe on the street.

http://www1.mscdirect.com/cgi/nnsrhm?KNC-T7L391316886

Bill

5dogs,
Any luck with Lowes or the compressor? Really rubbs when you pay for a warranty and they don't give you the service or satisfaction you deserve.

Bill

buy it through the place you work at if they will let you. Grainger is the only place to get a lot of things.

Well I may have a little comfort, hopfully, I got ahold of the manufacture, Im going through them there called ABC manufacturing, they are the same as husky ch kolbalt, and I think one more, anyways theres a 3 yr warranty from them on it , so they hooked me up with another company that was suppose to be here today, but the tech said he was held over at a job site, the company name that is servicing it is called U owe me company, first I thought it was a joke but the lady from ABC manf, said thats who they have in my area, well ill see what happens tommorow..

chris

Well still nothing, I talked to the lady today, and she said that the tech would be at my house around 1, so I waited, it sucks because I work third shift too, anyway, 4pm came and nothing, so I called back and she said they he cannot make it today, am i getting the run around, all I want is my compressor fixed.

chris

I am not a compressor expert, but usually the capacitors are for starting it. If it was running and stopped, it's probably something inside the pump, I would think.

Aaron

just a quick update.. The tech did finally show up after kicking and pleading over the phone, well turns out to be I blew a check valve, and when that went it took some kinda a seal along with it which was the pop I heard, thats why the motor hummed. he said he would have to order the parts in, I just hope he comes back LOL

chris