Capacitor question

[5030tinkerer]

I have a Harbor Freight pancake compressor with about 10 hours of use on it (although it is a year or so old). Plugging it in the other day resulted in smoke spewing from it after a few minutes of running. Taking the plastic cover off revealed a small hole in the base of the about 3.5" long x 1.25" diameter 250V 65 microfarad motor run capacitor.

The cap was warm to the touch and the smoke was coming from here. The manufacturer intended the cap to be held to the frame of the compressor using the integrated 5/16" or so stud coming from the base of this cap, but the locknut and nut were nowhere to be found. Likely the thing just vibrated itself to death, but as long as I get to replace this thing anyway, is there some benefit to going with a larger capacity capacitor, perhaps 100 microfarads or even higher? Does anyone have any good online sources for capacitors?

 

[DocHeb]

I have bought capacitors from Action Electronics. They have no minimum order. From my basic electronics understanding, sizing of capacitors is based on the current draw of the motor, but I will defer to somebody that actually knows what they're talking about.

 

[Tig]

Do not change the value of capacitance. It is matched to the motor to balance the inductance of the windings.
You could, if you wish, increase the voltage rating or even the temperature rating of the cap.

 

[tallyho8]

The hardest part is finding one that will mount the same way as yours did. This is a Chinese design that there is no regular American replacement for. If you want one that directly replaces that one you can bring it to an appliance parts store or check with Harbor Freight.

 

[Wayne County Hose]

I have a Harbor Freight pancake compressor with about 10 hours of use on it (although it is a year or so old). Plugging it in the other day resulted in smoke spewing from it after a few minutes of running.

You let the factory smoke out of it. All electronic products have smoke installed in them from the factory. You can not purchase this smoke. The problem is, when you let the smoke out of it, the part is ruined and you have to get a new one. I wish I could find a place that sold the factory smoke.

 

[5030tinkerer]

The core question really comes down to whether the concensus is that the capacitor vibrating so badly likely caused its demise.

 

[JerryG]

The Surplus Center has a large selection.
Surplus Center - Electric Motors, Gearmotors, Relays, Toggle Switches

 

[kenmac]

I have a Harbor Freight pancake compressor with about 10 hours of use on it (although it is a year or so old). Plugging it in the other day resulted in smoke spewing from it after a few minutes of running. Taking the plastic cover off revealed a small hole in the base of the about 3.5" long x 1.25" diameter 250V 65 microfarad motor run capacitor.

The cap was warm to the touch and the smoke was coming from here. The manufacturer intended the cap to be held to the frame of the compressor using the integrated 5/16" or so stud coming from the base of this cap, but the locknut and nut were nowhere to be found. Likely the thing just vibrated itself to death, but as long as I get to replace this thing anyway, is there some benefit to going with a larger capacity capacitor, perhaps 100 microfarads or even higher? Does anyone have any good online sources for
capacitors?

If you haven't already purchased one . You can usually get them from a place that sells / rewinds electric motors,. An hvac supply house may have them & sell you one

 

[Soundguy]

Good luck on the fix... the cap dieing may have been the cause of your problem.. or simply a condition. IE.. a motor winding going south could have overworked the cap.

Also.. don't run those units on extension cords.. or low grade wireing. I also have a pancake compressor from HF.. they respond best to plugging in at a 20a recep.. though seem to have no probs on a 15a. I have never had them run good on a Heavy duty extension cable.. and they won't even start on the standard orange 'homeowner duty' type ext cord... makes it hard ont he unit with the voltage drop..

replace with same capacitance capacitor..

soundguy

 

[gordon21]

Jerry G: Thanks for the link.

I was in the same situation with the capacitor on my $88 Home Depot 3 year old tile saw that went bad. I took it out of the circuit and then used a stick to help push start the saw blade every time I started it. The tile saw ran fine once the blade got up to speed. Your link solved my problem for under $10 including shipping. In about a week or so, my saw should be like new.