roger wiegand
02-10-2019, 4:58 PM
I have a portable Hitachi EC12 compressor that has served me well for many years. A couple of years ago it got so that it wouldn't run on an extension cord, and this winter it stopped running pretty much altogether, especially after it was at pressure. It just hummed. Many of you will recognize this as the sign of failing motor capacitors.
OK, I thought I'll try replacing them, but then I discovered that it needed two caps at a cost of $50-60 each, plus $10 postage for the "correct" replacement parts. So, the dilemma-- invest ~$120 in buying capacitors for a 25 year old compressor when that might not fix it-- when a whole new compressor costs $300?
The answer-- McMaster Carr. Two new caps with the correct specs for $7 each, a little epoxy to replicate the attachment bolt on the OEM parts (could have used a couple radiator clamps and an angle bracket), and we're off to the races! It now runs like new, even on an extension cord.
A lot of folks online complain of this problem with this compressor, swearing that they will never buy another Hitachi. If you happen to be in that camp, spend the $20 for a pair of generic capacitors and swap them out, you might be happy you did!
OK, I thought I'll try replacing them, but then I discovered that it needed two caps at a cost of $50-60 each, plus $10 postage for the "correct" replacement parts. So, the dilemma-- invest ~$120 in buying capacitors for a 25 year old compressor when that might not fix it-- when a whole new compressor costs $300?
The answer-- McMaster Carr. Two new caps with the correct specs for $7 each, a little epoxy to replicate the attachment bolt on the OEM parts (could have used a couple radiator clamps and an angle bracket), and we're off to the races! It now runs like new, even on an extension cord.
A lot of folks online complain of this problem with this compressor, swearing that they will never buy another Hitachi. If you happen to be in that camp, spend the $20 for a pair of generic capacitors and swap them out, you might be happy you did!