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help identifying this compressor
- Thread starter 95YJIL
- Start date
finn
Well-known member
Champion pump?
Flathead4
Member
That is definitely an "R" series Champion pump. Hard to tell from the picture, but looks like an R15. (It has the Cone shaped piston).
Speed Aire is a private labeled unit sold by Grainger, for many years. If you find any #'s on it, call them, they should have records.
B
Speed Aire is a private labeled unit sold by Grainger, for many years. If you find any #'s on it, call them, they should have records.
B
Thanks for the help. Any idea what this thing is worth? I have been searching Craigslist for a while now for an old compressor. I am going to do a search and see what kind of info I can find on the R15. I never knew that about Speedaire.
redmondjp
Well-known member
From the picture it appears to have a 3-phase motor on it (no capacitors). I'd check the oil in the compressor pump, both for the level and to see if it is milky. Also check for oil in the tank (should be none).Thanks for the help. Any idea what this thing is worth? I have been searching Craigslist for a while now for an old compressor. I am going to do a search and see what kind of info I can find on the R15. I never knew that about Speedaire.
I'm assuming that it can't be run? You're taking a chance on it if you can't hear it run so that limits the price you should pay - you could have $300 into parts for that pump if something is wrong inside.
What HP is the motor? If 5HP, then you're looking at $350 for a single-phase motor plus another $50-150 for a motor starter. Less if 3HP (and no starter required then).
If everything looks good on it, I'd go for up to $300 tops (would prefer $100-150). But it really depends on where you are and how often decent used compressors come on the market. If you have to buy a single-phase motor, and have to work on the pump, you could have $1K (including purchase price) into it before you know it. But it is a quality pump that you can get parts for so that is in your favor.
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redmondjp
Well-known member
If you could hear it run to verify that the compressor had no knocks and pumped up in the proper amount of time, I'd pay that all day long. Or if not running, but it had a single-phase motor on it, same deal as it would be worth that if either the pump or motor was good.Thanks for the advise. They are asking $300 and I will need a single phase motor. I am kind of leary since I can't hear it run. I just really want to find something other than the super loud Husky I have now.
But not running . . . do you feel lucky? It's not a horrible price (just see what that pump sells for alone, yikes, about $1500, assuming it's a Champion R15). And you can get repair parts readily, but they aren't inexpensive. So really up to you. It's an order of magnitude above your Husky compressor in terms of quality, but that also comes with a cost.
Worst-case, you buy it for $300 (or maybe offer them $200-250), buy a 5HP motor & starter for $400, and then have to put another $300 of parts into it plus your time. $1K total for a compressor that you can get new for around $2K. This of course assuming that the tank is good (bad tank = dealbreaker). Best-case, you get it for $250, and get a good deal on a used 5HP motor+starter, and you have a working compressor for around $500.
If you're on the fence, keep the contact phone number and call them back after a month or two to see if it's still available. I do this a lot. I figure if it's gone by then, it wasn't meant to be.
Great advise. Thanks again. I Keep searching. For some reason I'm kind of enamored with the idea of getting an old one that I can say I worked on. I could just spend $850 and get an Ingersoll T30 60 gal. that I can hear run and looks brand new, but by the looks of the motor it's 3ph also.
redmondjp
Well-known member
Great advise. Thanks again. I Keep searching. For some reason I'm kind of enamored with the idea of getting an old one that I can say I worked on. I could just spend $850 and get an Ingersoll T30 60 gal. that I can hear run and looks brand new, but by the looks of the motor it's 3ph also.
One caution with most of the T30-based compressors that I have seen - most of them are typically run at a high RPM and are extremely loud. I mean run-away loud. I worked in one shop that had one in the corner of one service bay (5HP 2-stage 80 gallon vertical), and if you were doing brakes on the right rear corner of the car on the lift in that bay, your head was about 2' away from the compressor pump. Of course it scared the bejeebers out of me every time it started, and then it was time to take a 10 minute break while the thing pumped up (it had a second 80-gallon tank plumbed in).
I'd take the Champion pump any day over the T-30, but that's just personal preference. If you have the time and can get the Speedaire/Champion for the right price . . . there is a great deal of satisfaction out of building/repairing your own shop equipment IMO.
So locally I just found a Belaire 318VL on an 80 gal vertical tank with no motor they are asking 200 for. I am contemplating buying both and selling what I don't want. I will still need that motor, but if I can get both for around 400 I think I might be able to put together a pretty nice unit.
So locally I just found a Belaire 318VL on an 80 gal vertical tank with no motor they are asking 200 for. I am contemplating buying both and selling what I don't want. I will still need that motor, but if I can get both for around 400 I think I might be able to put together a pretty nice unit.
^ ^ ^ Wow, that looks like great opportunity if nothing wrong with compressor. These are nearly $2,200 new and put out 22 CFM with 7.5 HP motor.
http://www.aircompressorsdirect.com/BelAire-318VL-Air-Compressor/p4848.html
I'd snag the Belaire and skip the Speedaire.
redmondjp
Well-known member
The Belaire does not have a motor so it is a **** shoot also. If I can get the Belaire for 100-150 and the tank is good, I figure that alone is worth it. Then I just need a motor to check it out.
Belaire uses Italian-made pumps branded as ABAC/IMC (not bad, but not US-made like Champion, Saylor Beall, Quincy and older Curtis). That model Belaire has the T39 pump on it (T35 was similar earlier model) and is still in production:
http://www.i90enter.com/store-products-T39-T39-Pump_23527292.html
If you can turn the pump by hand, you can hear it to see if it is pumping. Also, check oil for level and clarity. Also check tank drain for oil and water (best if zero oil and water come out).
redmondjp
Well-known member
I watched a video on Youtube today where a guy ran a Belaire and it was loud and he even said it was loud. He said it ran at about 1400 RPMs.
The quietest reciprocating compressors typically have a pump RPM between 400 and 600 RPM.