Air Compressor Question

[Moondog]

I have a compressor at work that makes a dreadful sound when it starts, then the sound typically goes away as it’s building pressure, then the sound typically comes back at the end of the cycle.
It is a Kellog American model 332. 480 service.
It was given to me for free the only thing I ever did was change the oil once.
Any ideas of the cause of this sound? It sounds like a scalded dog. I can’t upload a video.

[series guy]

I think I have heard that squeal on more than one occasion.

[Rusty Goose]

Slipping/loose belt?

[Moondog]

I’m going to have to remove the motor and oval out the mounting holes of the motor to be able to tension it more. Right now there is no range left. Or I suppose I could install a slightly larger pulley on the motor.

[RustCollector]

You can try belt dressing, which is a spray that makes the belt a bit tacky.

[series guy]

Or new belts.

[cnfowler]

I'm with Series Guy on this one. If you have no more range to tension your existing belt, the belt is too stretched and needs to be replaced. Or someone put the wrong size belt on and they need to be replaced with the correct one. Either way, new belt.

In case the belt on there now is not the correct size, I'd look up what belt that compressor should have just to confirm. Would suck to replace with the same belt only to have the same issue with it being too loose.


Colin

[loose gravel]

Try, https://www.ereplacementparts.com/

[Moondog]

So part of the reason for now more tension range is the motor isn’t original. So the configuration of the feet and holes may not be exactly correct. I’ll probably oval out the holes a bit to gain range and replace the belts. Today’s project!

[hackneyed1]

so a 'scalded dog' sounds like a loud squeal? When I read 'noise on startup that goes away' reminded me of a bad start/run capacitor. And I see a box on the side of the motor when I google the air compressor. But no harm in focusing in on the belt.

[rover03]

Boy, I'd think bringing the original belt to the store and asking for a new one 1-2 inches shorter would be a much easier fix than ovaling anything out...

[Moondog]

So the brackets that mount to the compressor body are slotted and reversible. I didn’t realize this because they were covered in years of grime. One bracket was missing a mounting bolt. The compressor also had two belts, it is set up for three. So I cleaned everything up, tossed the worse looking of the two belts, got two new belts ($125 yikes) and got everything adjusted and sorted. Success!

[cnfowler]

Nice job. Those were some expensive belts. At least they'll be good for the next 30 years or so.


Colin