Champion Air Compressor

[golferguy]

Just bought this compressor only because it was to good a deal to pass on. Spent the day getting it degreased and removing the bent up flywheel cover. It's a 4 cyl. champion and looks like pics online of a pl70a. Anyone seen one this big with a 350 gallon tank??

 

[MacMcMacmac]

Looks like an R70 to me, and whoever bought it bought the all cast-iron version of the pump.

 

[golferguy]

Do you have any experience with this pump and what hp is needed to run it?

 

[redmondjp]

With a 20HP motor spinning the pump at 770rpm, it delivers 92CFM @125psi, or 77CFM @175psi.

It's also used with a 30HP motor spinning the pump at 890rpm, delivering 102CFM @125psi, or 101CFM @175psi. With 25HP motor at this same pump speed, the 125psi flow is the same, but the delivered flow @175psi drops down to 90CFM.

The pump comes in splash-lube (model R-70A) or pressure-lube (model PL-70).

That is one massive pump! Champion specs show that this pump weighs around 570 lbs.

 

[03protege]

Wait is that a yardstick in the picture?

 

[MacMcMacmac]

I'd pull the valves before spending a lot of money on it. The right hand discharge looks like it was running pretty hot. You'll also be able to bar it over and look at the bores. It might have some coking issues with the valves.

 

[jonjon1]

I wonder if a 10hp motor will spin that fast enough to oil it, maybe 500 rpm? probably still make 60cfm!!!

figure a 10hp baldor for $950, starter for $150, sheave, bushing, belt for $100... That would be one sick compressor..

Even if it wont oil, I would put an electric oil pump and machine it to be oiled by the pump.... PLUS at 500 rpm it wont need much oil...

 

[golferguy]

Wow thanks for all the info guys and yeah it is a yardstick there just for measure.Actually the left side makes no sound with the breather off and has the most oil splatter. I sent an email off to the nearest dealer wanting a manual, rebuild kit cost etc, with no response. It's way more than I need and plan to stick with my Saylor Beall 705. Belt you say, man this monster needs 3 to fill that big *** flywheel. PO had it on a trailer and planned to make a smoker and scrap the compressor. He had it laying on the shroud which busted it all up. I'm doing a 57 chevy truck putting vette suspension front and rear.

 

[jonjon1]

Wow thanks for all the info guys and yeah it is a yardstick there just for measure.Actually the left side makes no sound with the breather off and has the most oil splatter. I sent an email off to the nearest dealer wanting a manual, rebuild kit cost etc, with no response. It's way more than I need and plan to stick with my Saylor Beall 705. Belt you say, man this monster needs 3 to fill that big *** flywheel. PO had it on a trailer and planned to make a smoker and scrap the compressor. He had it laying on the shroud which busted it all up. I'm doing a 57 chevy truck putting vette suspension front and rear.

Yah, I was thinking that would have a handful of belts, lol..

I am thinking if you spent $500 rebuilding it, $1000 getting it to work with a 10hp single phase, that would be one heck of a rig for $1500!!!!

OR another option is throw a 25hp kawasaki motor on there (I just bought on, they are like $1500 to your door), and have a nice 100cfm portable unit...

(you can get a 35hp briggs for another $200 or so)...

I would call champion direct for the part number on the rebuild kit then google it some company may have one sitting on a shelf for short money...

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Champion-Ai...787429?hash=item35f763eba5:g:6DUAAOSw9mFWH7-y

 

[golferguy]

3100 used, wonder what a new one would cost. Maybe I should go with a 3 phase since it's industrial then re sell it. Think I said 350 gallon but its just a measly 250.

 

[stage20]

Just 250. Lmao. I don't have my contacts handy but there is a compressor place out of Georgia that stocks rebuild kits for older compressors. I can't recall off the top of my head
That thing is massive

 

[golferguy]

One in Macon, thought about contacting them was just up there with the saylor beall.

 

[MacMcMacmac]

If he was going to make a smoker out of it, are you sure the tank is any good?

If you want 100cfm out of it with a gas motor, you will need a 50hp engine. Rule of thumb is double the gas engine HP when converting from electric to gas drive.

I wouldn't spend anything on parts until I knew what I had.

 

[Ainsley]

We have two of those pumps where i work in a lead/lag configuration. They supply two MASSIVE tanks, ie 12' plus tall and prob 6' in diameter. They're driven by 25HP, 600V motors.
Ours now have about 22000 hours on each and are at the end of their life. The parts for a complete rebuild are looking to run about $5000 and a new pump head is around $6500.
First thing we seem to have issues with is the unloader forks, the tines break off. Next is carbon build up on the valves, presumably caused by oil entering the cylinders from worn piston rings.

 

[golferguy]

Ainsley I checked out your journal that's one well organized garage completely different than my enclosed pole barn with squirrels nesting at night. I'm going to snag a manual first before getting into it, at 66 I seem to start new projects before finishing the others.