I just got my new Cambell Hausfeld 6.25HP Home Depot compressor going. After the break in (don't forget to stick an empty jack in the air chuck to release the air) I decided to do some checking to see what I really had. This says 6.25HP but we know that is a lie if it is 120v. The motor says "SPL" in the HP field but the FLA says 15A so that makes it nominally about 1HP. I hooked up my clamp on amp meter setup and cranked it up. It starts out around
12a and quickly builds to 14. as the pressure comes up. It is quickly cruising around 14.8- 14.9 As it approaches 80PSI the amps is 15 and around 100PSI it is 15.2 and then starts dropping off. At 150 where it makes the pressure switch it was back down to 13.9 or so. I assume this is the same phenomena as a vacuum speeding up and dropping current draw when you plug the hose. The amp readings do explain why these things don't work on a 15a. I am really curious how they get away with putting a NEMA 5-15 plug on this thing! It certainly should be a 5-20. It does recomend that this should be on a dedicated 20a circuit. I guess I am breaking out the Kliens.- posted
20 years ago