i recently aquired a hitachi 4 gal compressor. the previous owner used it one winter and that’s it. i doubt it had more than 100 hrs on it.
the problem now is that it won’t kick on.. at all. it sounds like it wants to, but she doesn’t turn and resets.
any suggestions?
Listeners write in about insulating an attic roof in a balloon-framed house, sizing a new heat-pump system, attaching extension jambs to a window or exterior door, and more.
"I have learned so much thanks to the searchable articles on the FHB website. I can confidently say that I expect to be a life-long subscriber." - M.K.
Dig into cutting-edge approaches and decades of proven solutions with total access to our experts and tradespeople.
Start Free Trial NowGet instant access to the latest developments in green building, research, and reports from the field.
Start Free Trial Now
Replies
I had the same problem with the same compressor. I can't remember what my tool guy said the problem was, I had just bought it used from the tool store so I swapped it out for a different one. I do remember it was a pretty easy fix, but I needed it that day and didn't want to wait for it.
On the other hand my same Hitachi compressor is a really finicky beast anyway, if it's the slightest bit too cold, or if there's just about anything else running on that circuit, it'll try to start up but won't do so. If I'm remodeling in an older house without new circuits I pretty much always just bring in my little beat up porter-cable because I know the Hitachi will take too much juice.
If it's been out in the cold garage overnight I usually have to turn it on and off several times before it warms up enough for it to finally turn over.
Paul
Hey, you guys- remember that the compressor will get started easier if'n there's no air pressure in the tank.
yeah, there is no air in the tank, and i opened the drain valves as well, so it's not fighting against pressure. i'm befuddled.
One trick is to burp it with 220v. Otherwise you may have to remove the compressor and open it up, or see if you can manually break it loose.
My guess is that after sitting for a while the piston rings seize up on a cast iron liner "rust".
With the power disconnected try to rotate the flywheel on the compressor by hand to free up the piston (s).
If the compressor is a diaphram type I don't know much about that type.
Virginbuild
Oh oh...better check the capacitors or maybe it's just the pressure switch...but for god's sake, don't use an extension cord unless it 's three wire sizes up from the power cord.
I'm not trying to rain on your parade or anything, but I've just had horrible luck with those Hitachi (EC-12?) twin-stack compressors. They hate the cold (or even the 'cool' for that matter) and always seem to have something wrong with them. The pressure never seems consistant either. My old boss had one and it always gave us problems. I figured it was just a bad unit or was due to the fact that my old boss was brutal on tools.
Then I bought one myself thinking 'hey, it's a Hitachi... gotta be decent'. Nope. I ran into the same problems. I couldn't really rely on it so it never really got used much at all. Eventually sold it for a loss and bought one of those funny looking Dewalt jobs that is actually a pretty decent compressor.
that's bizarre because i use this same compressor except a year older and it did fine this winter. i had two guns running and it was about 5 degrees one day we were using it, no problems.. ??? oh well. i'm certainly not going to spend too much time trying to figure it out.
i've always struggled finding a solid compressor. i work through winter here, and frequently end up being outside in sub-freezing temps. end up hand-nailing a lot, but thats better than not working, which is what many contractors here do in the winter up here.
Don't know what to say except..... congratulations! :)
Seriously, count your blessings. One us must have some luck.....either yours is good, or mine's bad. That particular model of oil-lube gives me fits though.View Image
I guess I'll count my blessings, I have the same one and other than not being able to use an extension cord, its been fine.
p.s. your kid was a little wild last night, but I was surprized our staff was able to shut you guys down. Our closers out for 6 wks. so it'll be interesting the rest of the series. I'm hoping we'll be going toe to toe in September. Let's squeeze the Yanks out of it now!
Yeah, that fourth inning was tough on him. Personally, I thought he had Wells out on a called third strike, but they called it a ball. That seemed to rattle him. Also think the ensuing single up the middle should have been called an error on our shortstop... but again... I'm a framer, not an ump, right? :) Chacin (sp?) has always done well against the Sox though.... I think he's 6-0 if I'm not mistaken.
The matchup that has me worried is tomorrow. Our #5 (the unpredictable Tavarez) vs Halliday. Hopefully your guy's tired from his 10 inning complete game though. ;)
You guys have a good line-up this year. I suspect we'll be seeing much more of each other. Hope so, anyway.
Hopefully our bats wake up a bit tonight. View Image
Funny, but if its the same single I'm thinking of (wells or Overbay) I thought it was a hit. It was so sharply hit, the ball just ate him up. O.K., maybe borderline, but how many guys are going to make that play? I guess I want my guy to get the hit, you want to protect your pitcher.
Anyway, see how we fair tonight. If I got time I'll post in the shed.
Same here...those Hitachi twin tank compressors..... I've used 3 different ones, and they all were tempermental at best! you had to plug it in right next to the breaker panel for it to work at all, and if the temperature dipped below shorts and sunglasses weather... fuhgettabouditt!!" If I were a carpenter"
Same problem here. I bought 2 w/guns a couple of years ago even after having one that flunked out on me earlier.
I figured it was just a bad example.
Well, I still have the two guns but neither compressor lasted long at all and both died at the worst times, like having a couple of guys run across to to do some quick punch out only to have the compressor die out.
I'll buy any Hitachi gun, but from now on I'll only use "professional" quality compressors; i.e dewalts by emglo
My Hitachi compressor works fine. 'Course in live in sunny Arizona...
Norm
how do they work in the cold though? that's our biggest problem up here. i want something i don't have to run a salamander on if it's below freezing.
oh well. until theay make this perfect piece of equipment i'll just have to suffer. poor me.
Edited 4/18/2007 6:55 am ET by arnemckinley
They need to put a hand crank starter on them like a model T.
When you turn the compressor on ,does it hum but not start? Probably a bad capacitor.Not sure how to test it, take it to an electrical supply house.They can test the capacitor, probably have a replacement in stock if that is the problem. I think low voltage can kill the capacitor, I'm not an electrician , though I have had a similar problem with a senco compressor.
mike
I have a similar problem with a Senco compressor, ever since I brought it in for service. My theory: Either too heavy an oil was used; too much oil put in; or rust somewhere internal and important (I had it in unheated storage for a couple of years).
Here's what I do to get mine started:
I used to use the heat from a flood light with a shirt or coat draped over it, but the heat gun works much better/faster. Starts fine over 70-75 degrees.
Roger <><
Old post - guide to Hitachi EC12
I have owned two of these wonderful Compressors for 13 years.
They like an empty tank when cold and the start up capacitors have discharged.
There are two capacitors "Start" and "Run"- the motor is not brush and stator,
They need good voltage, when voltage is low the thermistor will heat up and open
not allowing the motor to run. ( motor protection - a FIAC motor feature )
Use synthetic oil of the proper viscosity or your tanks, switch and regulator will
get a lot of oil in them.
Use on a level surface to maintain proper cylinder oiling as the pump is splash
lubricated.
These are professional compressors that take a beating and always work. Hot / Cold
Humid/ Dry.... The only reason I own a second one is the first was stolen. Be sure
your CFM matches your tool. These compressors are designed for guns/nailers not painting or
air tools. They don't deliver the CFM quantity. You will over heat your compressor.
And it will still work !
The EC12 is made in Italy by FIAC, and has a German Condor electrical switch.
Quality, professional product comissioned by Hitachi - not actually made by them,