Help me ID this air compressor

[jonese]

I stopped by an antique store this morning at about 930 only to find out they open at 10. On the way back to the car this compressor caught my eye. It's been painted, ID tag and all so it's hard to make it out. I could just barely read the word 'champion' on the label under the paint and the model is stamped 'REN 10'. I really need a compressor for my new shop so I'm kinda excited about this find. Does anyone know any more details on this comp? It looks to be bigger than the 60 gal units I've been looking at. How can I judge if it's still in good shape or not or how old it is?

Thanks.

Dang can't figure out how to upload the pictures from my iPhone. I'll try to do it when I get home.

 

[930dreamer]

Does it look like any of these?


http://www.industrialaircompressors.biz/champion-replacement-pumps

 

[jonese]

Sorta looks like the first one but it doesn't have that cylindrical thing on the very top. I'm betting that's the air filter. Maybe this one is a previous generation or something.

 

[930dreamer]

Post a pic when you can, what kind of shop is the compressor in?

 

[jonese]

Ok so the guy couldn't tell me anything about it. He didn't even know the manufacturer of it but I looked at it again and am sure it says champion. He said a friend of his says it's 'a good one and a hard to find two cylinder'. It is a 220 and there's no way for him to hook it up to show me it works but he promised it worked about a month ago when he took it out of an old guys welding shop. It spins really smoothly by hand though and he's asking $600.

 

[G_P]

600 seems high for an unknown unit that you have no history on. for all you know it was rarely drained and has a badly rusted tank.

 

[930dreamer]

I wouldn't pay $600 unless I could see it run. I bought my 5hp Champion for $99. It's up to you.

 

[1Garageman]

I wouldn't pay $600 unless I could see it run. I bought my 5hp Champion for $99. It's up to you.

Ya but that was the deal of he century!

 

[jonese]

Ya but that was the deal of he century!

Dang that's the truth.

So I went back with a buddy of mine that knows a lot more about these things than I do. I noticed a plate welded to the back of the tank with some stuff stamped on it and noticed a manufacture date of 1966. My buddy thinks the compressor and motor might be original but we noticed on the pump a label with a 76 stamped on it so that might mean the pump was replaced in 1976. We both think it's a heavy duty commercial grade two stage compressor and would be a good buy for about the $500 range. He's got 220 at his shop so I can at least test it there because my garage isn't finished yet. I think the plan (if the wife goes along with it) will be to show up with a trailer and $500 cash on Saturday and ask that it comes with a gaurantee that it will fire up and hold air and I'll take it off his hands.

 

[jonese]

Two more: back of tank and pump cylinder

 

[bad_idea]

looks like a nice unit, but i wouldn't pay anymore than $300 if it runs, $150-200 if it doesn't. 66 could mean a rusty tank. also, the compressor may run and press up but still be about worn out. just like a car engine, if the rings are worn you aren't compressing much. if the pump needs a rebuild you may have a hard time finding a rebuild kit depending on the manufacturer of the pump, i have ran into that w/ some older units. would definately make a nice conversation piece and probably be plenty of compressor for any home garage. but a waste of money if you can't get parts for the pump or if you have to replace the motor. all the other components attached to the unit can also cost a fortune. also, hydrostaticly test the tank before using it, safety first.

 

[jonese]

Hydrostatically?

 

[930dreamer]

That's a Champion pump alright. Once you pay someone cash don't expect to be able to return it. I'd use the fact that you can't see it run as a bargaining tool. $250-300 would be ok, but you still don't know anything about the condition.

 

[jonese]

I'll call the champion company tomorrow and give them the serial numbers to confirm it's one of theirs and if I can get parts for it if needed. Is there a way to check the integrity of the inside of the tank and check it for rust, I mean aside from just pressure testing it? If needed, how much are replacement tanks?

 

[930dreamer]

No way to check the tank by looking at it. Look on ebay under compressor parts for tank prices. Almost all tanks are going to have rust inside from the moisture, you would have to remove one of the tank plugs and have a look.

 

[bad_idea]

Hydrostatically?

hydrostatic testing. fill the tank with water and pressurize to 125% of operating pressure. if the tank is going to rupture it is much better to do so with water rather than air. water will split the tank and make a mess, air will blow shrapnel across the room. if you are not familiar with this process (and it sounds like you aren't, no offense) then you should find a good shop to do it for you. your family's safety could be at risk (think exploding air tank when kid tries to inflate bike tires). extreme, but possible.

 

[jonese]

bad idea: I think that's a good idea. That is a scary thought indeed. I'll definitely look into getting the tank tested.

My wife is a vet and says she might be able to get her hands on a scope to allow me to look inside the tank. But that will require bringing tools down there and taking a line off of it. I'm not sure the owner of the shop would be ok with that. I've used POR 15 on a gas tank once before and had good results with it, would using something like that be advisable for an air compressor?

 

[jumbo61]

your family's safety could be at risk (think exploding air tank when kid tries to inflate bike tires). extreme, but possible.

I understand hydrostatic testing but can't see the tank exploding in general use unless there is an overpressure from pressure switch and relief valve failure. Which would be tested before that.

 

[bad_idea]

bad idea: I think that's a good idea. That is a scary thought indeed. I'll definitely look into getting the tank tested.

My wife is a vet and says she might be able to get her hands on a scope to allow me to look inside the tank. But that will require bringing tools down there and taking a line off of it. I'm not sure the owner of the shop would be ok with that. I've used POR 15 on a gas tank once before and had good results with it, would using something like that be advisable for an air compressor?

i wouldn't coat the inside of the tank with anything. just more **** to flake off and plug up your air lines.

 

[6768rogues]

If I couldn't get a deal, I would take my generator there and wire it up to run. I would still be concerned about tank integrity and pump wear.

 

[brownbagg]

I wouldnt pay six hundred if it did run, perfect shape, had somebody else delievery it and wire it and came with a new impact gun

 

[jonese]

Wow you guys are more bargain hunters than I am. I know it's not exactly the same thing since this one is probably 55 years old but a comparable two stage 5 hp compressor from champion new is over $2000. I'm still going to go ahead with my plan of calling champion to make sure I can get parts for the pump and if so I'll offer the guy about $400. Out here you just don't come acress equipment like this. For about the same price I could get a kobalt single stage from Lowe's which was the original plan but this thing is much nicer and a better investment in my opinion(which isn't worth much).

 

[930dreamer]

Please let us know the outcome.

 

[jonese]

Well with little success getting in touch with anyone at Champion I called a local air compressor repair shop. I told them my situation in which they replied, "boy that is an old compressor." But they called around for me and called me back to tell me that there was a very poor chance for being able to find parts for that compressor if it needed rebuilding(which it will, if not now eventually). So left with the only other option of purchasing a new pump, which would inevitably be a one stage due to cost, I'm better off just buying a newer one stage compressor for $600 or so. So, as much as I hate to do it I have to leave this one alone. If anyone else is interested let me know and I can give you the contact info for the place that's got it. It would be a cool project for anyone with more time and money than me.

 

[beachbumtroy]

hey jonese, is ur serial number anything like this? and i pm`ed u did u get?

CA 7215CDR331EDWCCW