Burned Up Air Compressor Motor while Running 803A

[Ray70]

I'd say if the generator is putting out voltage within the ~218-242 range and more importantly 58-62HZ, than I would probably just chalk it up to bad luck.
Only other thing is that an 003 will usually pop the breaker instantly when overloaded by an inductive load, before the engine bogs down at all.
An 803 will hold on for quite a while and the motor will begin to bog down, well below 55Hz for several seconds or more, depending on how bad it's overloaded. It's possible something else kicked in and the frequency dropped below what the motor can handle, but even that shouldn't cause a fire that quickly.
You most likely had a motor failure, not a generator fault.
I'd replace the motor and do a little power verification testing before running it too long again, if all checks out good consider it resolved.
However, it's always a good idea to exercise the compressor occasionally to keep both the motor and compressor working.
Things get stuck, capacitors go bad and all around bad things happen when equipment sits for years and years unutilized and then suddenly get thrown into service!

 

[jungleboy]

Single-phase motors can pull up to 600% of running current for the first couple seconds.

Also check the cap for the correct uF and check for it being open or shorted with a VOM set on Ohms. If it is good, the reading should kick up at first, then fall to high ohms.

Also, eBay has a lot of motors for sale for a lot less that $600...

Good points - $600 on me because I did not want a China motor so I bought a new Baldor. Thanks for tips on checking cap - will do and note values when I start new motor

 

[jungleboy]

I'd say if the generator is putting out voltage within the ~218-242 range and more importantly 58-62HZ, than I would probably just chalk it up to bad luck.
Only other thing is that an 003 will usually pop the breaker instantly when overloaded by an inductive load, before the engine bogs down at all.
An 803 will hold on for quite a while and the motor will begin to bog down, well below 55Hz for several seconds or more, depending on how bad it's overloaded. It's possible something else kicked in and the frequency dropped below what the motor can handle, but even that shouldn't cause a fire that quickly.
You most likely had a motor failure, not a generator fault.
I'd replace the motor and do a little power verification testing before running it too long again, if all checks out good consider it resolved.
However, it's always a good idea to exercise the compressor occasionally to keep both the motor and compressor working.
Things get stuck, capacitors go bad and all around bad things happen when equipment sits for years and years unutilized and then suddenly get thrown into service!

Thanks for the counsel. You are right, but I do use the compressor frequently (twice a month?) but not for long durations. I was not at generator while all the fun was happening. It was running around 25% when I left it to turn on compressor, so I cannot say that it bogged or not. but I do think it possible, based on all comments offered, that maybe the well pump kicked in, bogging or overloading generator - I don't know. 220V mini splits went haywire (lights blinking) as well while motor was failing. After unplugging compressor, all returned to normal.

 

[2Pbfeet]

Thanks for the counsel. You are right, but I do use the compressor frequently (twice a month?) but not for long durations. I was not at generator while all the fun was happening. It was running around 25% when I left it to turn on compressor, so I cannot say that it bogged or not. but I do think it possible, based on all comments offered, that maybe the well pump kicked in, bogging or overloading generator - I don't know. 220V mini splits went haywire (lights blinking) as well while motor was failing. After unplugging compressor, all returned to normal.

With all that you have written this motor failure sounds like it just happened to be the time when the motor gave up the ghost. I'll be interested to read what you think the new motor sounds like compared to the old one. I don't generally think of 5HP motors, especially Baldor motors, as being loud, or at least loud enough to recall as noticeably loud. I wonder if there was some long simmering defect.

All the best,

2Pbfeet

 

[peapvp]

Good points - $600 on me because I did not want a China motor so I bought a new Baldor. Thanks for tips on checking cap - will do and note values when I start new motor

To my knowledge, ABB / Baldor makes only Motors from 15 HP to 300 HP at their Columbus MS Facility and 1 HP to 15 HP Baldor Reliance Series Motors / NEMA Motors at their Fort Smith, AR facility.
They used to make some Motors in South Carolina
The pricing on those will knock you out of your shoes.

Hope the $ 600 is getting you the Reliance Series Motor

 

[jungleboy]

With all that you have written this motor failure sounds like it just happened to be the time when the motor gave up the ghost. I'll be interested to read what you think the new motor sounds like compared to the old one. I don't generally think of 5HP motors, especially Baldor motors, as being loud, or at least loud enough to recall as noticeably loud. I wonder if there was some long simmering defect.

All the best,

2Pbfeet

After the fact, I checked Garage Journal, and there were complaints of noise and short motor life. I can say that inside, in an enclosed garage, the motor was very loud, a little quieter than a chainsaw, for years.

 

[jungleboy]

To my knowledge, ABB / Baldor makes only Motors from 15 HP to 300 HP at their Columbus MS Facility and 1 HP to 15 HP Baldor Reliance Series Motors / NEMA Motors at their Fort Smith, AR facility.
They used to make some Motors in South Carolina
The pricing on those will knock you out of your shoes.

Hope the $ 600 is getting you the Reliance Series Motor

Yes, got the Baldor Reliance 5-56-1 from the big online retailer. Made in Fort Smith.

 

[jungleboy]

A note of appreciation to all who have interrogated, opined and advised. Truly a great resource. Will update after motor installed and tested on grid power.