Crazy 60 gal air compressor story. How and what happened?? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

prostreetC-10 · 07-25-2011, 10:45 AM

One of the first things I did when I bought my used Campbell/Hausfled compressor was to install a ball valve. I do this as a safety precaution and to install and change hoses/fittings. I had a hose that was in bad need of changing. It would sometimes blow out while I was using it. The last blowout was near the end so I just shortened the hose a bit and went on using. I forgot to shut off the valve before I went to bed.

I woke up at about 4:30 in the morning to use the little boy's room. I could feel a vibration and could also hear something. I live in a 2 story house so the garage is a little ways away. Once done, I started to walk downstairs and knew it was the compressor. I opened the door and found my entire garage FILL WITH SMOKE. It was so bad I couldn't see my car. I shut off the comp and opened the main garage door. Went back to bed and laid there, sick to my stomach thinking my house could have just caught on fire!

When I got up a little later on, I went back to the garage and was surprised that it didn't smell like smoke. I stuck my nose up to the electric motor but it didn't smell burnt. I told my wife what had happened and her mouth about dropped open. She said she heard the compressor come on at about 11 pm and then fell asleep. THAT COMPRESSOR RAN FOR OVER 5 STRAIGHT HOURS NON STOP!!!!!! I knew it was toast. I was sure everything would seize up and weld together once it cooled. I turned the thing on and couldn't believe it started. It went right up to pressure and turned off. This was a couple of weeks ago and the darn thing works PERFECT. What I can't believe is how could I have had that much smoke (it was not steam or any water vapor) and not have killed the compressor. Does anyone know what would have cause so much smoke and yet not affect the compressor at all (at least as far as working correctly)???? It is a dual piston motor. Seems like the pistons and or rings should have literally melted running that long.

NovaOne · 07-25-2011, 11:15 AM

No idea on the smoke but this story makes me feel good since I own the same compressor.

prostreetC-10 · 07-25-2011, 11:25 AM

I should call them with the story and maybe start doing commericals for them or fly around the world as a CH rep!

The belt makes a lot of sense!!!! Wonder why it didn't break!

Dunenutt · 07-25-2011, 11:33 AM

Probably oil smoke/vapor. Did you check the oil level?

Try doing that with one of those aluminum compressors!

bcutt · 07-25-2011, 12:14 PM

I have the same compressor, my first motor burned out within 3 weeks of owning it and the pulley on the pump would not stay locked on the shaft with the set screw no matter what I did. They came out and replaced the motor, pump pulley, belt and pressure switch under warranty no questions asked. My guess is it may have been oil smoke or vapors from the moisture and the heat that was generated. My compressor routinely runs for an hour on end while I'm sanding or grinding and even then its getting really hot and creates a lot of moisture. I'm just glad you caught it before it became way more serious though. Also glad to know these compressors can take the abuse

I bought this thing because of all the positive reviews it had and the fact that my dad has had the same one for 10+ years w/o a single problem!

*stich626* · 07-25-2011, 12:34 PM

have u checked the wires from the fusebox to the unit?
romex will smoke alot before it goes totally

prostreetC-10 · 07-25-2011, 03:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bcutt

I'm just glad you caught it before it became way more serious though.

Not sure how much more could happen after 5 hrs of non stop!

Yeah wires are all fine. I'm really buying the dual belts smoking as the cause because it really didn't smell "electrical" or like oil. I'll tell you one thing.....that garage must have been 80*!

**Dieselwrencher** · 07-25-2011, 05:09 PM

I'm betting that the compressor was getting to the point it was so hot and getting harder to turn. The electric motor was still creating the same power and now with the extra drag from the hot compressor, the belts would be the weak link here and slip causing your smoke. But this also probably saved your compressor as well.

bcutt · 07-25-2011, 06:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by prostreetC-10

Not sure how much more could happen after 5 hrs of non stop!

Yeah wires are all fine. I'm really buying the dual belts smoking as the cause because it really didn't smell "electrical" or like oil. I'll tell you one thing.....that garage must have been 80*!

I meant like catching your house on fire!

e rock · 07-25-2011, 06:49 PM

With a burst hose, the pump (and motor) would have been doing very little actual work since there wouldn't be more than a couple pounds of pressure in the tank.

5 hours is still a long time, though.

VA72C10 · 07-25-2011, 06:57 PM

Sounds like it's time for new belts just in case

...glad you caught it in time!!!

oldblue1968chevy · 07-25-2011, 07:46 PM

and a oil change lol

Frkypunk70 · 07-25-2011, 07:51 PM

Did you buy that compressor from the Humboldt Cali area? If so I know what that smoke was.

Posted via Mobile Device

07-25-2011, 10:45 AM	#1
prostreetC-10 My Carbon Footprint Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Orygun Posts: 5,527	Crazy 60 gal air compressor story. How and what happened?? One of the first things I did when I bought my used Campbell/Hausfled compressor was to install a ball valve. I do this as a safety precaution and to install and change hoses/fittings. I had a hose that was in bad need of changing. It would sometimes blow out while I was using it. The last blowout was near the end so I just shortened the hose a bit and went on using. I forgot to shut off the valve before I went to bed. I woke up at about 4:30 in the morning to use the little boy's room. I could feel a vibration and could also hear something. I live in a 2 story house so the garage is a little ways away. Once done, I started to walk downstairs and knew it was the compressor. I opened the door and found my entire garage FILL WITH SMOKE. It was so bad I couldn't see my car. I shut off the comp and opened the main garage door. Went back to bed and laid there, sick to my stomach thinking my house could have just caught on fire! When I got up a little later on, I went back to the garage and was surprised that it didn't smell like smoke. I stuck my nose up to the electric motor but it didn't smell burnt. I told my wife what had happened and her mouth about dropped open. She said she heard the compressor come on at about 11 pm and then fell asleep. THAT COMPRESSOR RAN FOR OVER 5 STRAIGHT HOURS NON STOP!!!!!! I knew it was toast. I was sure everything would seize up and weld together once it cooled. I turned the thing on and couldn't believe it started. It went right up to pressure and turned off. This was a couple of weeks ago and the darn thing works PERFECT. What I can't believe is how could I have had that much smoke (it was not steam or any water vapor) and not have killed the compressor. Does anyone know what would have cause so much smoke and yet not affect the compressor at all (at least as far as working correctly)???? It is a dual piston motor. Seems like the pistons and or rings should have literally melted running that long. __________________ A quick "pedalfest" *Still getting loose (carb test)* 496 Initial fire up video!

07-25-2011, 11:15 AM	#2
NovaOne Registered User Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: Seattle WA Posts: 21	Re: Crazy 60 gal air compressor story. How and what happened?? No idea on the smoke but this story makes me feel good since I own the same compressor.

07-25-2011, 11:25 AM	#3
prostreetC-10 My Carbon Footprint Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Orygun Posts: 5,527	Re: Crazy 60 gal air compressor story. How and what happened?? I should call them with the story and maybe start doing commericals for them or fly around the world as a CH rep! The belt makes a lot of sense!!!! Wonder why it didn't break! __________________ A quick "pedalfest" *Still getting loose (carb test)* 496 Initial fire up video!

07-25-2011, 11:33 AM	#4
Dunenutt Newbee Join Date: Jan 2010 Location: Phoenix, Arizona Posts: 1,406	Re: Crazy 60 gal air compressor story. How and what happened?? Probably oil smoke/vapor. Did you check the oil level? Try doing that with one of those aluminum compressors!

07-25-2011, 12:14 PM	#5
bcutt Registered User Join Date: Aug 2008 Location: North GA Posts: 400	Re: Crazy 60 gal air compressor story. How and what happened?? I have the same compressor, my first motor burned out within 3 weeks of owning it and the pulley on the pump would not stay locked on the shaft with the set screw no matter what I did. They came out and replaced the motor, pump pulley, belt and pressure switch under warranty no questions asked. My guess is it may have been oil smoke or vapors from the moisture and the heat that was generated. My compressor routinely runs for an hour on end while I'm sanding or grinding and even then its getting really hot and creates a lot of moisture. I'm just glad you caught it before it became way more serious though. Also glad to know these compressors can take the abuse I bought this thing because of all the positive reviews it had and the fact that my dad has had the same one for 10+ years w/o a single problem! __________________ "Some of my finest hours have been spent on my back veranda, smoking hemp and observing as far as my eye can see." - Thomas Jefferson 72 C10 SWB "Work in Progress"

07-25-2011, 12:34 PM	#6
stich626 Account Suspended Join Date: Sep 2010 Location: hingham ma Posts: 1,721	Re: Crazy 60 gal air compressor story. How and what happened?? have u checked the wires from the fusebox to the unit? romex will smoke alot before it goes totally

07-25-2011, 05:09 PM	#8
Dieselwrencher 6>8 Plugless........ Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: Prairie City, Ia Posts: 17,140	Re: Crazy 60 gal air compressor story. How and what happened?? I'm betting that the compressor was getting to the point it was so hot and getting harder to turn. The electric motor was still creating the same power and now with the extra drag from the hot compressor, the belts would be the weak link here and slip causing your smoke. But this also probably saved your compressor as well. __________________ Ryan 1972 Chevy Longhorn K30 Cheyenne Super, 359 Inline 6 cylinder, Auto Trans, Tilt, Diesel Tach/Vach, Buckets, Rare Rear 4-link and air ride option Build Thread 1972 GMC Sierra Grande Longhorn 4x4 1972 Chevy Cheyenne Super K20 Long Step side tilt, tach, tow hooks, AC, 350 4 speed 1972 C10 Suburban Custom Deluxe 1969 Chevy milk truck 1971 Camaro RS 5.3 BTR STG3 Cam Super T10 1940 Ford 354 Hemi 46RH Ford 9" on air ride huge project *Tired of spark plugs? Check this out.*

07-25-2011, 06:49 PM	#10
e rock Registered User Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: Monroe, WA Posts: 87	Re: Crazy 60 gal air compressor story. How and what happened?? With a burst hose, the pump (and motor) would have been doing very little actual work since there wouldn't be more than a couple pounds of pressure in the tank. 5 hours is still a long time, though. __________________ "Grampa's Truck" - 71 K20 - 350/465/205 It's been in my family longer than I have...

07-25-2011, 06:57 PM	#11
VA72C10 VA72C10 Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Midlothian, VA Posts: 25,269	Re: Crazy 60 gal air compressor story. How and what happened?? Sounds like it's time for new belts just in case ...glad you caught it in time!!! __________________ Looking for a 67-72 swb or blazer project in or around VA.

07-25-2011, 07:46 PM	#12
oldblue1968chevy Grandpa in the rustmobile... Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: Spokane WA/Viola TN Posts: 11,422	Re: Crazy 60 gal air compressor story. How and what happened?? and a oil change lol __________________ John Goose-1968 C10 355,9.32-1CR, Vortec Heads ,262 voodoo, 3.73:1 3OTT (HS ride/beater/farm truck) http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=317684 Grams 53-1953 Chevrolet Belair http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...=1#post4327784 1969 Chevy C10 Shortbed 4.5/6?" Frame off resto http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=548136 1999 Toyota Tacoma 4x4

07-25-2011, 07:51 PM	#13
Frkypunk70 Registered User Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Scranton,Pa Posts: 423	Re: Crazy 60 gal air compressor story. How and what happened?? Did you buy that compressor from the Humboldt Cali area? If so I know what that smoke was. Posted via Mobile Device __________________ "When I die, I want to go peacefully like my Grandfather did, in his sleep -- not screaming, like the passengers in his car. "



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