Champion SE/30/35A compressor

[amiller120]

So I thought at first glance I was picking up a champion r30 but come to find out, it’s an entirely different and quite old. Champion can’t even send me any documentation on it. Does anyone here know anything about these? Or have an old manual?
Seems like the manifolds are very similar if not the same as the r15/r30.
And then I noticed the pump is mounted on some kind of cast “box”, I was thinking maybe an aftercooler? Idk. I’m gonna tear into it hopefully this weekend.
Thanks!

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

So I thought at first glance I was picking up a champion r30 but come to find out, it’s an entirely different and quite old. Champion can’t even send me any documentation on it. Does anyone here know anything about these? Or have an old manual?
Seems like the manifolds are very similar if not the same as the r15/r30.
And then I noticed the pump is mounted on some kind of cast “box”, I was thinking maybe an aftercooler? Idk. I’m gonna tear into it hopefully this weekend.
Thanks!

Really cool. Someone will have some information on it in a while. They're just not looking at the moment. Hang in there.

 

[The Cobbler]

that looks like a nice , well cared for old compressor. can we say, NICE
I think you're right on the aftercooler part .
I have nothing more to offer, but as mentioned above, you'll get some good advice here

 

[amiller120]

that looks like a nice , well cared for old compressor. can we say, NICE
I think you're right on the aftercooler part .
I have nothing more to offer, but as mentioned above, you'll get some good advice here

Thanks. Dude said it had been running but he pulled it when taking over this guys shop. I’m getting a custom flywheel machined from a machinist I work with. I don’t wanna spend 600$ on a 19.5inch. I’m gonna put my 5hp motor on it and a small pulley and should be pushing around 425-450rpm and just chug along for now

 

[amiller120]

Thanks. Dude said it had been running but he pulled it when taking over this guys shop. I’m getting a custom flywheel machined from a machinist I work with. I don’t wanna spend 600$ on a 19.5inch. I’m gonna put my 5hp motor on it and a small pulley and should be pushing around 425-450rpm and just chug along for now

Meant to include that I looked into the air filters and they looked almost brand new. Very little dust.

And thank you!

 

[The Cobbler]

I’m getting a custom flywheel machined from a machinist I work with.

Nice!. too bad you couldn't find something close to start with

 

[amiller120]

Nice!. too bad you couldn't find something close to start with

Well I’m kinda close. I have a 16.5” flywheel with a 1 5/8” keyed bore. The only flywheel champion makes with a 1 3/4” keyed bore comes in 19”

If dude can’t make me one this weekend, he’s gonna mill out the 16.5” flywheel to accommodate the bigger shaft and key. This one has a bunch of meat around it so if it goes bigger I don’t think it’ll interfere with the bolt to secure it to the shaft or anything. But he’s gonna check it out that option only id we can’t make one.
It’s wild that the 19” one costs $600 just about anywhere

 

[amiller120]

I found a dipstick on it and the oil looks real clean. So clean it’s almost hard to see on it.

 

[ecclap]

Very nice old compressor. I’ve got some vintage Champion lit at home that I’ll look through. CFM on that is going to be pretty low compared to a more modern design. I’ve got a couple that I view more as antique functional displays than usable units.

 

[Mike'smeatshop]

Very nice old compressor. I’ve got some vintage Champion lit at home that I’ll look through. CFM on that is going to be pretty low compared to a more modern design. I’ve got a couple that I view more as antique functional displays than usable units.

Lets see. I don't believe ya.

 

[amiller120]

Well it took a couple weeks but I finally found the manual for it. Rather, champion tech support did and emailed it to me. Late 30’s early 40’s. Most likely pre US involvement in WW2. They’re going to see if they can find an exact date. Wild how the design hasn’t changed too terribly much since then. I pulled the valves today and redid them. Manual suggests 5.25” sheave on the motor. If anyone needs a copy, lemme know

 

[ecclap]

Well it took a couple weeks but I finally found the manual for it. Rather, champion tech support did and emailed it to me. Late 30’s early 40’s. Most likely pre US involvement in WW2. They’re going to see if they can find an exact date. Wild how the design hasn’t changed too terribly much since then. I pulled the valves today and redid them. Manual suggests 5.25” sheave on the motor. If anyone needs a copy, lemme know

Awesome! I did some digging and couldn’t find anything in my stuff for that exact model. I’ve got the manual for the Type N which was the earlier horizontal 2 stage. The unit I have has the plain cast base without “Champion” on it.

Their design hasn’t changed much at all. It was well thought out from the beginning. I would definitely like a copy of that manual if you didn’t mind. How many CFM is it rated at?

 

[amiller120]

Awesome! I did some digging and couldn’t find anything in my stuff for that exact model. I’ve got the manual for the Type N which was the earlier horizontal 2 stage. The unit I have has the plain cast base without “Champion” on it.

Their design hasn’t changed much at all. It was well thought out from the beginning. I would definitely like a copy of that manual if you didn’t mind. How many CFM is it rated at?

Pm me your email and I’ll send it.
Unfortunately the cfm isn’t mentioned. On the RE36v model a decade or two later, either with a 5 or 7.5hp at 400-650 rpm it’s rated between 21 and 36 or something like that depending on configuration. I’m sure it can handle more than 7.5hp. It varies so little in design and is solid cast. And when it was made, I’m sure it wasn’t as common to have higher than a 5 or 7.5hp electric motor. I plan on putting mine through some stress testing as soon as I get everything set up.

In the manual it said use 20 weight non detergent oil for 40 hour break in then use 10w30.
I’d feel safer using 30wt non detergent

 

[mike93lx]

That's really cool. Going to polish the tubing?

 

[amiller120]

That's really cool. Going to polish the tubing?

Not sure lol.

Part of me doesn’t want to do much to this piece, polish the valves and new oil, then just run it.

If i decide not to keep it down the road then absolutely. I’ll have it looking pristine if that’s the case

 

[930dreamer]

 

[amiller120]

I’m thinking he may be right. Lol.
I saw that video the other week. Didn’t see too many differences between the units. I was hoping champion or one of the many companies I emailed had some more info. Like mine is a se/30/35a. Unfortunately I Can’t find anywhere what the 35A part means. Best guess is certain features.

 

[930dreamer]

I have two later models that need a rebuild.