MD... And Others

RobertCDF

Hey Md,

You know how I wired my trailer for 120 with its own breaker box... How can I make it so my compressor does not trip the house breaker but trips one in my breaker box first?

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Robert Shaw
Colorado Springs Custom Decks
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mdshunk

Put in a smaller breaker in the trailer that serves the compressor. Also, make sure you're running a nice heavy cord.

mdshunk

When possible, see to it that you're plugging into a 20 amp circuit at the house.

RobertCDF

That was what I was thinking... I run a 10 guage cord. I need to run at least a 15 amp for the compressor... Will it trip first if it is plugged into a 15 amp breaker? Or will thiers trip first?

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Robert Shaw
Colorado Springs Custom Decks
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cmwacasey

A nice heavy cord cannot be over emphasized for construction tools.It will also heip them to last longer.Seems like a no brainer to me but still see construction people using those little biddy cords,with their investments.

mdshunk

If you plug into a 20 amp circuit at the house, and have a 15 amp in your trailer serving the compressor, your breaker should trip first. You might want to make sure that your oil level in your compressor crankcase is up to snuff and that your head pressure unloader valve and tank check valve are all functioning properly.

reveivl

I run into this compressor problem too. The 15 amp house breaker can't handle the start up under pressure. What are the pros/cons to replacing the 15A breaker with a 20a while I'm there? Likely the wiring would be 14g, is there a chance I could burn down someones house? If so I prolly won't do it.

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From where does knowledge come? If you need to know what is in a box, you could ask someone (not reliable), you could pray, (not useful), you can consult with the scripture (not helpful) or you could open the box (science)

boman47k

Bettin' thats a no-no. 10 ga -30 amp 12ga-20 amp I'm thinking. Then I guess you have to take distance from power source into acount. Just don't see how 14 ga and 15 amp could handle much of a compressor especially when it has to kick back on with pressure already in the tank if that be the case.

No electrician, just pondering the situation.

mdshunk

Yep...

Pick something that's likely to be a 20 amp circuit like where the washer is plugged in or one of the kitchen circuits. Look at the panel schedule and see if you can locate a 20 amp breaker in the panel and see what the panel schedule says it serves and plug in there. Some people wire the exterior house receptacles on 15 amp circuits. I never do that, for the exact reason we're describing here.

RobertCDF

Ok, I put 15 amp breakers in the trailer today. I did not need to run the compressor but I will tomorrow so we will see how that works out. I think we should push to get it to be a code thing 20 amp exterior outlets. In my cases I dont think these people would want 200' of cord running in the garage and into the laudry room 24/7 (I leave my trailer plugged in all the time, I shut off the compressor though)

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Robert Shaw
Colorado Springs Custom Decks
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RobertCDF

Well I was tired of tripping the breaker when no one was home. So I just bought a generator. It ran the compressor fine yesterday... A little noisy but I am in the back. I am sure the neighbors will love it. I guess since I am going to try and sell to the neighbors I will limit the usage to just when I need it.

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Robert Shaw
Colorado Springs Custom Decks
Colorado Custom Decks
Custom Composite Decks