Stonehaller
Platinum Member
Almost 40 years ago I built a phase converter for this air compressor. Back then there was no Internet and I had to go to the library to read up on motors to figure out how to do it. Originally it ran off a 5 HP, three phase motor. I did not have the original motor but I got a hold of two 3 HP, three phase motors which I belted together to run the compressor. The small motor hanging off the top motor is a split phase motor. It just goes along for the ride so I could use the centrifical switch in it to switch out the starting capacitor. It has an adjustable pulley so I could tweak the switch RPM. Originally I passed all the starting current through the centrifical switch. It ran for severally years before frying the switch contacts. Eventually, I added a relay so the switch only controls the relay coil and it is still running today.
