bambooseven

HEy, we've got this big craftsman air compressor that would make my life a whole lot easier...

if it didn't shut my house down every time I turn it on.

it'll go on for about a minute and then the compressor, and the whole front half of my house (including the garage) shuts off. then I just go flip the switch in the box out back (off then back on again) and it turns everything back on.

it has the normal type of plug for the wall socket, not the crazy washer/dryer/motorhome huge thing. what do you guys think is the problem? is there an easy fix? should I pay a guy to fix it or is it something I can do myself?

thanx in advance.

SpankedYA!

Your problem is amp draw. Look on the compressor and see what the amp draw is. Most house hold breakers will only take 15 amps. If your compressor pulls 15 amps alone, you cant run anything else on that breaker. If you have an air conditioner on the same breaker as your compressor it will probably trip. What you can do is either run a new circut to the compressor plug on its own breaker or you can just shut everything else on that circut down when you use the compressor.

Dr.Boost

This is why 15amp circuits don't exist in commercial buildings.


Raffi is an electrician. Have him come over and run you a new 20amp circuit.

It's probably on a 15amp circuit and half of your house is running off it. If the house is fairly old it will be wired as shitty as possible. Most new homes use 20amp circuits in the garage and it has it's own dedicated circuit.

Try plugging it into your washer plug, if it's near the garage. Hopefully they put that on a 20amp circuit.
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d16forlife

Kitchens and bathrooms have dedicated 20 amp circuits too.Or atleast they should.I know by code the kitchen has to at least have 2 20amp ckts. in it.Try and find one in there.

Good luck!

bambooseven

the garage is totally seperate from the house, so the washer is nowhere near it, nor is the kitchen. is running a 20 amp circuit a job I could do? or is it something I should pay somebody for? if so how much is it worth?

d16forlife

You could do it.

Here is what you do:
1-find the electrical panel

2-Open it.Be carfull not to touch anny live parts.

3-before you can add anny ckts. you have to make shure you have space for a breaker.If you dont you can see if you can fit a "twin"(2 brealers in one.One to replace,and one to add) or 2 "mini"(slim breakers that you can fit side by side in one breaker slot) breakers in one slot.You need to find the brand of panel/breakers and go to home depot and see if they carry those types of breakers.

4-If there is room to ad a breaker,or if you can fit a regular breaker or "mini" or a "twin" just get some #12-2 wire frome home depot and run it from the panel(new breaker) to the desired location.

5-set your box and your receptacle.

6-make the connections at the panel.The black goes to your new breaker,find where the green and whit wires go and connect them to their coresponding location. put panel covers back on.

7-close your eyes and flick the bitch on!

Its really simple.I wouldnt pay someone.....but then angain I dont have to :P

Dr.Boost

Please take pics after you're done.

I'm going to take a guess and say the panel is a Zinsco. Good luck with that breaker. They aren't cheap anymore.

Just to give you an idea:
http://www.aplussupply.com/break/zin/zinplug.htm
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Donald125

it freking easy but do not do it if you`ve never touch electric ----.

bambooseven

I can do electrical in a car, and small circuitry, but I've never done large, household type stuff.