My compressor keeps tripping the breaker – any ideas?

Hey folks, I've got a 20-gallon Craftsman air compressor, about 5 years old. Lately, it's been tripping the 15-amp breaker after running for a few minutes. It starts fine but then bogs down and kicks the breaker. I've checked the oil, it's fine. Any thoughts on what could be causing this? Could it be the motor capacitors?

Hey Gary, I've seen this before. Check the unloader valve – if it's stuck, the motor will have a hard time starting and draw too many amps. Also, make sure the tank is drained – water in the tank can cause the compressor to work harder. And yeah, capacitors can go bad, but they usually cause a hum or no start, not tripping after a few minutes. Could also be a bad check valve.

I agree with Betty. Also, check the pressure switch – if it's not shutting off at the right pressure, it could be running continuously. But if it trips after a few minutes, sounds like it's working harder than it should. Maybe the pump intake filter is clogged, or there's a leak in the line causing it to run more. And don't forget to check the motor brushes if it's a universal motor, but I doubt it.

I had a similar issue with my unit – turned out the pressure relief valve was leaking, causing the compressor to cycle more often. Also, your breaker might be weak. If you have a 15-amp circuit and the compressor draws 13 amps, it's borderline. Try plugging it into a dedicated circuit or a 20-amp outlet if possible. But first, check the easy stuff – air filter, unloader, and any leaks. Let us know what you find.

Thanks for the tips! I'll check the unloader valve and the filter tomorrow. It's not leaking water, but I'll look into the pressure switch too. I never thought about the breaker being weak – I'll try running it on a different circuit. Appreciate the help, fellas!