Advice requested: wring an air compressor motor

**henny_316** · 01-10-2011, 04:46 PM

I purchased a 60 gallon air compressor Kobalt 60-Gallon Cast Iron Oil Lubricated Air Compressor with Heavy Duty Induction Motor
from Lowes. It didn't include the power cable. I purchased 3/C 12 awg SJ00W and a 20A/250V straight blade plug (I know this says 125V, I actually have the 250V). Where do I hook up the black, green, and white cables to inside the motor and the plug? Here are pictures I took and drew. The posts next to #3 are the only open posts that I see.

Thanks for your help!

Edit *The yellow wire off of post 4 isn't yellow, it's white.*

**cacher_chick** · 01-10-2011, 05:47 PM

The wires connect to the pressure switch, not the motor.

**henny_316** · 01-10-2011, 05:58 PM

That actually makes a whole lot of sense. Although the pressure switch didn't appear to have a breakout panel where the motor does have a notch that is cable sized open (bottom right of the last picture.) I'll check that out again when I get home though. Thanks!

**ballvalve** · 01-12-2011, 12:08 AM

Never saw a Lowes rig without a plug. Was it a return?

Absolutely looks like a 120v rig to me, coming from the pressure switch, where your 120v plug should come in.

Better get better information or save that receipt for the burn out.

**jwelectric** · 01-12-2011, 08:32 AM

it is a 240 volt

**ballvalve** · 01-12-2011, 10:21 AM

I just think we need a law about HP ratings. 3.7 HP is likely derived from a 1.5 HP motor plus its [fake] service factor plus a lot of fiction.

How about those 5 HP shop vacs that plug into your 15 amp 120v outlet? WOW!

Someone actually sued Sears years ago and won a settlement on this issue.

Since its a dedicated 240v rig, it would have been nice if they ran a black and red wire to the motor along with a ground from the switch.