Champion VR5-F wiring....

[Ryan]

So, my dad left me a compressor... It's a Champion VR5-F. I need to get it wired up and noted that there was both 110 and 220 going to it. Check it out:

I'm guessing the 110 is for some kind of starter? Embarrassingly, I don't know **** about compressors. I was planning on buying a new one and wired up for your basic 220 compressor, but since this one now has some sentimental value to it, I would really like to use it.... which I guess means running 110 along side the 220.

Am I right in what I'm seeing?

 

[bsaint]

You have a really nice unit. Looks like single phase 220. The 120 looks to be a control your dad had to turn it on from a light switch or something. You don't need to hook it up, just jump the relay "closed." Looks like put a jumper between the lower red and the lower back on that round relay looking thing.

But note, unless there is a lever on the pressure switch, its always armed to start for a demand for air when the breaker or disconnect is closed.

 

[Ryan]

You have a really nice unit. Looks like single phase 220. The 120 looks to be a control your dad had to turn it on from a light switch or something. You don't need to hook it up, just jump the relay "closed." Looks like put a jumper between the lower red and the lower back on that round relay looking thing.

But note, unless there is a lever on the pressure switch, its always armed to start for a demand for air when the breaker or disconnect is closed.

That makes complete and total sense... and makes me feel like an idiot. Thanks for clarifying man.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I agree, looks like the small relay to the right is controlled by 120v from outside to make/break the circuit that operates the coil... which is the pressure switch circuit.

 

[C96]

Hi Ryan, here are a couple pics from the Interweb that might help out. Sometimes a picture is easier to understand than someone trying to explain it.

If the coil voltage on your compressor is rated 230/240 then these pictures should be appropriate for your setup and you can eliminate that little relay on the right side putting it back to factory.

Nice gift from your Pops, I would definitely keep it too!

Thinking about it, I hope it was a gift and not an inheritance from his passing. If the latter, my condolences to you and the family.

Good Luck and enjoy, that’s an excellent compressor!

 

[Charles (in GA)]

What the added relay is doing in the starter that Ryan has is interrupting one of the wires going to the pressure switch. also the top illustration shows terminals on the SIDE if the coil, probably for clarity. They are usually on top, behind the large terminals, as you can somewhat see in the pic.

My youtube video of the wiring of a magnetic starter like the one in the bottom pic

Amazing it has over 18K views!!!