Quote:
Originally Posted by de_
We are running our compressor hard (ie pretty well continously during a 2 minute game). We blew 2 - 20 amp fuses in the spike, melted a connection terminal off a spike pcb and I believe killed a spike outright over the weekend.
The compressor is rated at ~10 amps. I could not find its rated duty cycle but I would hope it is good for 2 minutes. We will change to a breaker but we are concerned it is apparently drawing so much more current than its rated 10 amps. We do realize starting currents with a 100psi back pressure may be significant. We did increase the supply wire size to 12g to reduce voltage loss.
Anyone know of
1) compressor infant mortality failures ?
2) any material benefit to add a cooling fan (its got one built in side I believe)
3) what its duty cycle rating is ?
4) what could its startup current be when it restarts at 100psi (as opposed to starting with no back pressure) ?
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In answer to your 4 direct questions:
1> I haven't heard of any failures, and compressor technology hasn't changed much in the last 10 years so it should not happen.
2> Adding a cooling fan will do little for the compressor in a FIRST type enviroment.
3> 100% duty cycle.
4> Startup current can
exceed 25 Amps.
The rules specifically allow you to change out the fuse for a 20 amp snap action breaker (for the compressor spike only!), and I suggest all teams do this.
I have not heard of a compressor damaging a spike, are you sure that the spike was not wired incorrectly? Wiring the spike backwards (battery to motor side) will kill a spike.
@ Aces,
Make sure it's the
EXACT same fuse, not just any old 20 amp automotive fuse, as you will be in violation of <R67> if it's not exact.