Pond Boss Forums AERATION Systems questions jammed rotar?

I recently replaced the broken vanes in my 1hp g625 compressor with a replacement set that I ordered. After carefully putting everything back together I turned it on and noticed that it made a loud humming sound and gave a slight vibration but other than that did nothing at all. I took everything apart and noticed that the rotar seemed to be jammed. When I turned it off I could rotate it with my hand rather easily but when I turned it on it would jam. Several times I repeated this and only once did it get up to full speed (but the next time, after changing nothing, it jammed) every other time the same result as before. When it was off I could rotate it easily but eventually noticed that every half-turn or so there would be a brief and very faint scraping sound. Once or twice when I turned it on it would quickly spin about 3/4 to 1/2 turn only to abruptly jam again. I could find nothing wrong and nothing broken or out of place.
What is wrong and how do I fix it?
I need to get my system running as quickly and inexpensively as possible

thanks in advance
-Scott

Did you talk to Cary at Vertex? give him a call and should be able to help since he sold you the system. 800-432-4302

jb,
Did you have any pieces left over? Maybe a thrust washer? Here is what is happening: When voltage is applied the motor moves toward the pump end, if the thrust washer/bearing is left off the pump will jam on the end locking up the motor. I'm not familiar with the make, some motors have a simple washer others have roller bearings mounted in what looks like a washer. If no parts left over did you by chance put both washers on one end?
Ric

scott double check the bevel edge3 on the vanes.

jb - Ken is right. With the Gast rotary compressor you don't have to mess with trust washer in a vane changing proceedure. Make sure the bevel of the vanes when they slide out conforms or matches the curvature of the rotor cavity as the rotor turns. If you get the vanes in wrong you will have the problems you are describing.

You may want to take it a step further if that isn't the problem. You can take an allan wrench and above and below on the body or rotor housing and loosen or take off. It will drop down when loosened, but needs to be just loose enough when the bolts are retightened to allow the rotor to spin. You may have debris in your vane slots which isn't allowing one of the vanes to drop back down.
Robert B [email protected]

I double and triple checked to make sure that the rotar had proper clearance and that the vanes were in place correcly and that there was no debris or scoring but the thing is that it would jam even if the vanes were not in at all.

The muffler box and face plate were off and the vanes were out during the events I descibed above.

When I turned it on I could see the rotar trying to move but it couldn't. And when it did spin briefly before jamming it didn't like wind down and stop. It was going really fast and then WHAMM, it stoped.

I'd really like it if this was something I could fix myself because it's going to take a month and cost like $435 to send it in to the company, not to mention the time and money it will cost to ship it.

thanks for the posts
keep 'em coming
-Scott

jb,
I wish I had experience with that pump, but what you describe (rotor turning & jamming all at once with no vanes installed) sure sounds like something foriegn got inside the motor or it could still be a worn out thrust washer. Try operating it while holding the motor vertical (shaft up) & then rotate 180 deg (shaft down) & operate. If it is the thrust washers that should tell you. They're cheap by the way.
Ric

jb - If the above suggestions don't solve the problem, check in your yellow pages for a local electric motor repair shop. They can usually fix the compressors much cheaper & faster than sending it back to the seller who may send it to GAST mfg.

jb,
Bill makes a very good suggestion. Where in S Va are you? If close to Mt. Airy NC there's a good shop there. I live apx 25 min from there, if you're close I would be willing to help, but couldn't till Sun. pm.
Ric

i forgot about this thread, but wanted to update those of you who offered to help. greg grimes was right. i called cary at vertex, and was assured that there was still 10 days left on our origional warrenty. sooo, they fixed it for us. no questions asked. jb