Older MotorTrike air ride pump blowing fuses after winter storage. Seized?

[Metal_Bob]

Older MotorTrike air ride pump blowing fuses after winter storage. Seized?

So I have an older MotorTrike Spyder conversion on my 2003. The bike was bought used about 3 years ago.

Seller claimed the air ride pump was replaced (so it's probably not the same brand/model originally installed). I also had new air lines installed to fix a slow leak when it was in the shop after an accident.

The air pump worked fine last season and was not blowing fuses.

Today I fired up my trike and tried to increase the air ride pressure (lost a few pounds over the winter) and nothing happened when I flipped the on switch. I checked the fuse and it was blown (10A). So I replaced it with another 10a and it blew instantly. I also tried 15 20 and 30a. Each would turn the pump on for few seconds before the fuse blew.

So I know next to nothing about air ride suspension systems. Did the pump probably seize/rust up over the winter? Stored in a non-heated garage in TN.

Any tips on testing the pump without frying the bike's circuits?

Any tips on finding a replacement? Remove it and try to find the model number (assuming I can get to it without removing the trike shell) would be the obvious suggestion.

 

[2006gold]

You indicated there was a wreck. I would be checking wiring for a short to ground (bare wire) whenever the pressure switch is engaged. Shorts can be very difficult to locate so be patient.

 

[1dn5up]

Being it runs for a few seconds before blowing a fuse , tells me it probably is tight drawing high amps.

Try a little Mystery Oil in the air intake , then give it a whirl . Might take a few times to lube up to loosen. :Shrug:

 

[Metal_Bob]

You indicated there was a wreck. I would be checking wiring for a short to ground (bare wire) whenever the pressure switch is engaged. Shorts can be very difficult to locate so be patient.

The wreck was very minor/slow speed. (The trike rolled down a small hill into my neighbor's house and cracked the trike shell, aquashield, highway pegs and mirror).

Regardless your point is valid. However the air compressor worked fine for a year after the repairs.

I will check the switch and other loose wires when I get a chance though!

 

[Metal_Bob]

Being it runs for a few seconds before blowing a fuse , tells me it probably is tight drawing high amps.

Try a little Mystery Oil in the air intake , then give it a whirl . Might take a few times to lube up to loosen. :Shrug:

I'll have to figure out where the air intake is for the air compressor. As I said I'm not very familiar with air ride systems.

 

[FuzzyWuzHe]

How was it stored for the winter? Did going with larger fuses give you more run time before they blew?

If not climate controlled, might be some moister in the compressor leading to the high draw ... +1 on mystery oil ... since it runs a little, I doubt it's a short, those are almost always instant fuse blowers.

 

[Metal_Bob]

How was it stored for the winter? Did going with larger fuses give you more run time before they blew?

If not climate controlled, might be some moister in the compressor leading to the high draw ... +1 on mystery oil ... since it runs a little, I doubt it's a short, those are almost always instant fuse blowers.

Stored in my non-heated insulated attached garage - usually 50 or above all winter in TN.

10 and 15a fuses pop instantly. Higher fuses ran about a second. I think the 30a ran about 3-5 seconds and gained a few lbs of air pressure (the air compressor sounded weak even though battery was fully charged). SO I guess the compressor still works but might be gummed up with moisture?

So I'll try some mystery oil. I also forgot to buy more fuses today when I was at walmart. DOH.

 

[trike tech]

I'll offer the advice I give every shop who calls in asking about troubleshooting an air compressor system with power supply/fuse issues. Locate the air compressor itself (it's location will vary most likely) & disconnect the power supply going to the compressor itself.

Using a FUSED power wire apply direct 12V to the compressor itself. If it powers on & runs without issue and not blowing the fuse for the power supply you know the compressor is good & not your issue. If your power supply fuse blows, you know the issue is your air compressor.

Leave test the wiring by pushing the compressor switch (make sure the wire isn't grounded where you disconnected from compressor). If the fuse blows you know you have a problem in the wiring somewhere.

Given your description I figure one of the two above will happen, I doubt you have a power overload to the accy circuit.

 

[Metal_Bob]

I'll offer the advice I give every shop who calls in asking about troubleshooting an air compressor system with power supply/fuse issues. Locate the air compressor itself (it's location will vary most likely) & disconnect the power supply going to the compressor itself.

Using a FUSED power wire apply direct 12V to the compressor itself. If it powers on & runs without issue and not blowing the fuse for the power supply you know the compressor is good & not your issue. If your power supply fuse blows, you know the issue is your air compressor.

Leave test the wiring by pushing the compressor switch (make sure the wire isn't grounded where you disconnected from compressor). If the fuse blows you know you have a problem in the wiring somewhere.

Given your description I figure one of the two above will happen, I doubt you have a power overload to the accy circuit.

Thanks for the tips! (I figured I'd need a FUSED test setup eventually to avoid frying the bike's wiring). I'll tear into the compressor testing eventually. No super rush, but I WILL get it sorted out.