See What’s Inside a Reciprocating Compressor

See What’s Inside a Reciprocating Compressor! In another one of our HVAC training videos, we show how to cut up a Bristol reciprocating compressor that is shorted to ground. We see what's inside a reciprocating compressor and try to find out more about the failure.
We notice a tag that has started melting off, and it says that the compressor needs a start assist device (hard start kit).
The motor is at the top of the compressor, and the actual compression happens at the bottom of the compressor. The suction line goes straight into the shell, and there's a hole that extends past the motor.
Before we get in too deep, we bring out our meter leads and confirm that the compressor has indeed shorted to ground. When we cut into the compressor further, we realize that the oil isn't too pungent (such as from acid), but there are a lot of metal shavings in the compressor and mechanical wear around the windings. The "Fusite" appears to be in decent condition; that's the seal that holds the terminals on the compressor. However, the motor windings appear to be completely cooked. The thermal overload has been immersed in refrigerant and oil, and the windings appear to be in rough condition.
When we see the compressor in its open state, we can see how the suction gas cools the motor in the head of the compressor before the gas gets compressed.
The actual compressor is in decent condition; the oil is also relatively clean. However, we hear a weird clunking noise on the stator side. The valve plate, which has suction, bypass, and discharge valves, is in solid condition.
Bristol compressors have pistons that both move when the crankshaft goes one way, and only one piston moves when the crankshaft spins the other way. However, the pistons don't want to move on one side, and there is no copper plating, which is a bit odd.
So, the main problems were the cooked motor windings and the effects of mechanical wear.
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[@jamiesaye701]

Very informative thanks for taking the time to make this video.

[@Mr.Man-]

I really enjoyed this video. In the words of Ms. Frizzle (The magic school bus) "Take chances, make mistakes and get messy!" Thanks for busting that compressor wide open and exposing what it actually is.

[@juliangerardcascio1111]

😮 I always wanted to know what was in their !

[@davejohnsonnola2758]

Dramamine!! Cool stuff, thanks for everything.. well, not the motion sickness but everything else!

[@g.martinez2871]

Cool video, informative, thanks!

[@adamhvacr6536]

Great video!

[@BartSimpson-nr1dy]

Excellent video

[@kickingagainstthepricks4059]

Thank you 😊

[@ghulamemustafa8911]

Welldone, Bro pretty good job.

[@ahmedyacine9108]

Thank you

[@TheLawrenceWade]

What a beautifully elegant way to make a two stage compressor. I guess there must be thermodynamic reasons why simply using a two-speed motor isn't as good as a reversible motor with that mechanism to disengage the second cylinder. Beautiful machine. Thank you. It reminds me of Maytag top-load washers of the 1960s-1980s. Every other washing machine had clutches to allow the tub of water and wet clothes to start a spin cycle without overloading the motor, had solenoids and stuff (Whirlpool even had something they called the "wig-wag" which even looked as ridiculous as it sounds) to engage the transmission in spin or agitate, there were rag-joints between the motor and pump on GE-stuff, all Rube Goldberg crap. Maytag just used a reversible motor and high cloth belts which were allowed to slip during the start of the spin cycle - only use REAL Maytag belts or you'll fry the motor. Gentle Cycle, if your Maytag had it, didn't slip a clutch, it just used a two-speed motor on low for the Gentle wash. I see similar elegant design in this compressor.

[@lamamriaissa1165]

GOOD SHOW THANK YOU VERY MUTCH

[@KarlAlfredRoemer]

Very interessting. Especially the two running directions of the compressor. How much cooling oder heating-Power did that compressor have?

[@Egermaster1]

Interesting video in us no body rebuild them it’s just more easy to buy a new one, I know in different places in the world people rebuild them and putting back to work!

[@erickireri6282]

thanks

[@joeshearer1247]

Let me explain what the sticker meant. Equalized pressures= piston and you can use one of those ptcr devices that like to explode Pressure difference=txv and must use start cap and relay

[@HVACS]

AH... makes sense

[@chuckdearruda6271]

Reeealy cool. Thanks!

[@navinsabban6521]

What are Blind Valve Plug used for while Flushing the air from the Compressor?

[@catthecommentbothunter6890]

Imagining converting it into a internal combustion engine lol

[@janijani4988]

I love you bristol compressar

[@tommyq374]

In line 2 cylinder engine conversion in the making

[@manzoorhussain9584]

Good

[@ninosanchez8798]

I totally miss Bristol

[@Joshtheweatherman]

I wonder if you can convert this into a compressor or gas engine. Pretty much the same idea, you would just need a way for oil to pump up to the head.

[@BrennanHoyt]

The grit and trash you're finding might very well be from the grinding/cutting open process.

[@HVACS]

You make a good point. It’s likely a good portion of it.

[@RCM442]

HVAC School I scrap these for a living...if you cut around the weld you can keep the inside clean :)

[@toniboy6790]

Is there any element to clean or service the compressor..??

[@neilcomparetto5282]

A couple things you might not know about U.P.- he’s a Dallas Cowboys fan, IKR... also in his van, on the visor next to a picture of his Wife and son, is a picture of himself and his first decapitated compressor. You can’t make this stuff up.

[@Flumphinator]

Love how the outside case has MADE IN USA and then when you cut it open to look at it, it's "MEXICO". Nice job, Bristol...

[@TheStarforce2]

I am curious to know what grinder disks you are using. The compressors I have seem to be thick walled like this, and I can watch my grind disk shrink with just a few inches of cut progress down to nothing. I have a large grinder with a 1/8th disk but the increased level of metal sparks tend to set clothes on fire and the larger grinder also makes it hard to keep the compressor still because it takes both hands on the tool. Once I get a plasma torch this will be irrelevant but until then...I clearly need something better for grinder disks than what harbor freight is selling.

[@francismccabe3265]

get a diamond rimmed metal cutting blade $10-20. Fewer sparks and wont explode like grit blades. cuts 30 times more steel, and diameter only reduces a few thousandths.

[@cruzrobledo6631]

What is the refrigerant that it used to work under or serve? Hope is not R410a! Should wear strong disposable gloves! Great explanation of parts and what they do! Thanks!

[@Dontexxr]

Probably a r-22 usually small units use reciprocating compressors so this was probably a small window unit, or fridge.

[@lesliedaisley7846]

What is the brand and model meter you used to test for mega ohms

[@coldman4620]

Распилил не один компрессор bristol, у всех сначала лопаются пружины, потом отрывает трубку нагнетания от ресивера. Трубка нагнетания из стали, ломается на ура.

[@alikkalshibin3028]

Hello Sir, What are the causes of piston stuck in sealed compressors

[@Brandon-to9vp]

Temperature, low refrigerant, lack of maintenance

[@lee-johnson]

you just need to change the oil and get a box of windings. Send one of the new guys...

[@Gary-ts6dh]

3:04 - This is quickly becoming a dizzying display of the inside of a shorted compressor! You have been warned.

[@willthetrill4849]

Can you rebuild this compressor to get running again?

[@Dontexxr]

Hermitac compressors usually aren't rebuilt, but replaced

[@Dontexxr]

You'll usually see these In residential not so much of commercial

[@onebigboii2902]

That’s a big boy

[@spacedote]

Please may someone help me on how to turn ac air conditioner compressor into 240V alternator generator or what is the horsepower the compressor motor?

[@mohamadchanty7717]

woww it has reed valve like 2 stroke outboard mercury engine

[@joeshearer1247]

The piston unloader is cool as crap! I guess that's a true 50% capacity?

[@spacedote]

How can to this ac compressor to run a 50 ton hydraulic cylinder

[@manzoorhussain9584]

Wao

[@MrGarcon98]

reed valves same as a 2 stroke engine is !

[@muppetpaster]

When showing stuff,stopmoving the camera so much.....Makes it a lot easier tosee for us. Now we just have to take your word for it.

[@jec_ecart]

I wish the explanation was slower and more detailed.

[@juliogonzo2718]

Careful cutting vessels that contain oil. People have died from explosions

[@waitjustaminute2885]

Contrary to popular belief compressors don't pump, not for very long anyways. They suck, and they blow. No puns intended.

[@danpmatz]

I believe that is the very definition of pump

[@marklll8368]

better camera work please

[@bc4092]

Sir skips alot!! holy skipalotomous!! skip much?

[@Ihatelemmings]

Video would have been better without all the talking