Sparmax TC2000 Compresssor problem

Cadet Chuck

Six months ago I bought a Sparmax TC2000- worked great yesterday, today it won't run- electrically dead.  Does anyone know if there is a reset pushbutton for the thermal cutout on this thing?  I don't see any, there was no instruction manual.  There web site lists no USA distributors but it's nice to know they have a service station in Iran!

I did all I could do, which was send them an e-mail to their Taiwan location. 

Since I bought this at Hobby Lobby, I can't return it to them as their policy clearly says no returns after 60 days.

I'm hoping someone has also experienced this and knows how to fix it.

The Sparmax/Iwata/Revell compressor has a thermal cut-off protection switch when it overheats. It is auto reset when it cools off. If it is dead overnight, you may have a bigger problem. I suspect loose wire or bad coil/capacitor in the motor circuit.

Did you contact Hobby Lobby customer service about the warranty service or exchange which should cover longer than the 60 days in store return. The Sparmax brand compressor has a 1-year warranty.

Plug, wiring, switch or capacitor problem sounds likely & a faulty pressure switch in the auto on/off system could also cause the same problem.

Thank you folks, for your advice.  I'll try Hobby Lobby customer service and see it they will exchange this thing.  It appears to be a very well made machine, and I have been happy with it, up 'til now.

I did open up the conduit box and test the switch with an ohm meter, and found it to be ok.  Wiring inside the box seems to be fine, too.  Pressure switch or capacitor problem would be beyond my ability to test, but thank you, Milairjunkie, your analysis is right on.  There was no burning smell, so I assume the motor windings are ok.

I'll post later, re whatever reply I get from Taiwan on this.

Problem solved, guys!  I feel a bit chagrined, as it was just "operator error" (me.)  I figured the pressure shut-off switch might be stuck, so I removed the hose from the compressor air outlet and heard a release of air pressure.  AHA!  I made a mistake in the way I shut it down last time I used it.  Normally, the right thing to do is turn off the compressor motor, then release the compressed air or tank, if you have one, by holding the air brush trigger open until all the pressure is bled off.

But what I did yesterday, was turn the regulator down to zero pressure, then shut off the motor.  Of course, this held air pressure trapped inside and the pressure switch wouldn't let the motor run, because of course, it was fully charged with air.  I opened up the regulator, air started flowing and the compressor started running normally.

I hope this little story will be helpful to someone else who encounters the same mysterious problem some day!

What a disappointment! I was hopeful to get a data point on the customer service of Sparmax-Hobby Lobby.

But the operator error is a very good lesson learned for airbrush compressor user too. Thank you for sharing.

Me, too.  If I get a reply from Sparmax in Taiwan, I'll pass it on.  Whether Hobby Lobby would offer any support beyond their 60 day no-return policy, I don't know.  I suppose it depends on whether the manager is having a good day or not!

However, I can report that the Sparmax compressor is a high quality product that I have been very pleased with.

I promised to let you know what kind of response I got from Taiwan.  Good news, there is support available, and they respond promptly. 

On Monday morning, I received an e-mail from Ding Hwa Ltd, export dept, in response to my Saturday e-mail, asking me for further electrical data from the motor nameplate so they could begin investigation.  I told them all was OK now, and the problem was the result of operator error.

Now whether I would have had to ship this off to Taiwan if it needed repairs, I don't know.  That subject would have been addressed later in the process, I suppose.

This is a very nice compressor, dual piston, and I can recommend it to anyone who wants a high end unit, with the caveat that it is not clear how or where to get service.

Did the compressor come with any warranty card or manual that stated the length of warranty and provide warranty contact information?

No, nothing at all.  Just a single sheet of paper with a very simple view of a drawing and and a simple explanation of how to assemble the thing.  No reference to any customer assistance sites, except for a web address on the outside of the box,

However, I googled their web address and got a good response from them-      It's a very nice compressor, but I would be concerned about their customer service-  You might need to send the thing to Taiwan and back, and the cost would exceed buying a new replacement from Badger or Pashsce,

I would recommend buying from another manufacturer, with support facilities in the USA.