Kellogg American 331TV Compressor

[RonJitsu]

I recently picked up a Kellogg American 331TV compressor. I never intended to buy a compressor this large, but the perfect storm of events unfolded and I ended up with this gem.

My buddy Doug (Cj7Renegade85) had been looking for a good sized quality compressor on craigslist for a while, so that he can run a media blaster. We searched craigslist everyday for quite some time, and eventually found a 1985 Atlas Copco 80 gallon vertical compressor. He picked it up for only $100 and is currently rebuilding/refinishing it. You can see his thread here: http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=257063

So even though he had his compressor, I kept searching Craigslist as it had become a habit, its hard to quit craigslist cold turkey... A couple of weeks later I came across what appeared to be a sizable compressor which wasn't too far away, and they were only asking $200 for it. After figuring out how to get this monster loaded into my truck, I drove home with it for only $175.

Since picking it up I've done a little cleaning on it, and added a set of wheels so I can move it around a bit as I work on it. I believe its an 80 gallon tank, but I'm not 100% sure because the data plate on the tank does not specify the size.

Its turned into a bit of a competition between Doug (Cj7Renegade85) and I. We've been arguing over which compressor will make more CFM. (your comments are welcome)

 

[RonJitsu]

Here are the wheels I added. I painted them black before installing...

 

[RonJitsu]

I forgot to mention: it's a 5 HP single phase AJAX motor.

 

[RonJitsu]

Here's a quick clip of her running.

https://vimeo.com/105083810

 

[stage20]

that is an excellent piece at a great price. better than anything new thats twice the price and makes half the cfm. i had a chart somewhere but cant find it. with a 5hp motor, i think its around 20cfm for that compressor. should be an 80 gallon..

 

[Strouty]

That was a really good deal on a nice compressor. The best part is if you have issues with it down the road, you can rebuild it. I bought a 352TV but I paid closer to $900 for mine. Even though mine is a bigger unit, it sounds identical.

 

[Strouty]

http://www.aircompeq.com/ka.htm

It looks like you have 20 CFM at 100 PSI

 

[gtermini]

Pretty sure there is a warrant out for you, since you stole that thing for $175.

Greyson

 

[TK LP]

I've got a 332, and timing the fill times, and using the formulas here:

http://www.aircompeq.com/formulas.htm,

It's delivering a little over 23cfm at 125psi and 20.8 to 175psi. Yours should be very similar. You should be able to get a pretty good idea using this pump chart.

http://kelloggcompressor.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/11/LP332-SPC.pdf

You got a great deal.

 

[Cj7renegade85]

I need to sneak over there tonight and cross some wires to ensure victory...

 

[C96]

Its turned into a bit of a competition between Doug (Cj7Renegade85) and I. We've been arguing over which compressor will make more CFM. (your comments are welcome)

Hi RonJitsu,

I’ll take your Kellogg compressor any day over your buddy Doug (Cj7Renegade85) compressor. His air compressor the red Atlas Copco looks to be a Frankenstein. It looks as though someone has reworked it and morphed it into a belt driven machine for some reason. Don’t care much for how it was converted using a single drive belt pulley instead of a heavy duty dual belt flywheel, but why was it converted anyway? I believe it’s also an oil-free type pump which I don’t care much for either. I think his compressor will be problematic as opposed to yours running for many hours without issues.

Your Kellogg is a great compressor, enjoy!

 

[RonJitsu]

I'm very happy to hear that you all have confidence in the old Kellogg!

A couple of notes on Dougs Atlas Copco compressor. Doug himself is definitely a mutt, but I'm afraid that his Atlas Copco compressor is actually in stock form. Like many of you, the Atlas Copco compressors I've seen have all been direct drive... The attached images from the manual prove me wrong though.
The breakdown shows that the compressor clearly came from the factory with a single belt setup. (I'd attach the whole manual PDF, but the forum wont let me upload it for some reason)

Dougs Atlas Copco LE6 A pump is rated at 4.8 L/S / 10.17 CFM (per the data plate on the pump). However, I've been reading that Atlas Copco compressors are of very high quality and are significantly under-rated. Actually, I cant find anything derogatory at all about Atlas Copco, it seems that they make quality stuff and do not produce any "cheaper" product lines.

So here's how I tally up the points so far in the Great Compressor Race of 2014:

Doug
Atlas Copco brand - known for very high quality
Single Stage pump
Rated at 10.17 CFM - but could potentially be significantly under-rated

Ron
Clearly the better looking man
Kellogg 331TV has higher CFM rating
2 Stage pump
AJAX 5HP motor

I will post updates as the race develops further.

 

[RonJitsu]

Here are better files for the above referenced images:

 

[Cj7renegade85]

I think it will really knock some socks off when she gets going, also with the restoration I'm doing I'll win best of show any day over that totally blue care free paint job of yours lol...

 

[stage20]

I think it will really knock some socks off when she gets going, also with the restoration I'm doing I'll win best of show any day over that totally blue care free paint job of yours lol...

i love care free stuff. beat it to death and never worry about it. seem to run forever.

once you rebuild and paint, one scratch, and the pump will blow out soon after. LOL

 

[Trey T]

Best deal I've seen on the compressor. Congrats!!!

 

[RonJitsu]

I think it will really knock some socks off when she gets going, also with the restoration I'm doing I'll win best of show any day over that totally blue care free paint job of yours lol...

Good point about your restoration and paint job... But as they say, "you can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig..."

 

[RonJitsu]

Does anyone know where I can find a copy of a manual for the 331TV? I've seen manuals for the 321 and 332, but those were newer units and still slightly different from the 331.

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[C96]

Too funny, both you guys are hilarious. I’m going to try and keep tabs on this thread.

Good point about your restoration and paint job... But as they say, "you can put lipstick on a pig, but it's still a pig..."

Lol, that’s some funny **** right there.

Sorry Doug, but even though your compressor may be belt drive from factory it still looks like a mongrel. It’s as though the company said: Hell, let’s throw a pulley on this and call it our belt drive series.

Lol, just pulling your chain Doug, your compressor is unique. Definitely don’t see many around. Good luck with your restoration looks like a fun project.

Cheers to both of you!

 

[RonJitsu]

I got myself a little secret weapon here, which should ensure victory regardless of how stiff the competition gets.

The current motor pulley that came on the compressor is a 5 inch pulley, which combined with the 18" compressor pump pulley, gives me approx 479 RPM to the pump. That's pretty slow even for these low RPM Kelloggs from what I've seen and read... So I did some math and then ordered up this beautiful 6.25" pulley which will give me 599 RPM at the pump.
If I really want to get crazy, I've seen 6.75" and 7.75" pulleys available too, they would equate to 647 & 742 RPM.

Once this one is installed I'll see how it compares with the performance from the 5 inch pulley...

 

[Strouty]

I would not spin that compressor any faster than that. The specs say 590 for one of the 331TV pumps, but most are closer to 550. Don't want to cause damage for no reason.

 

[RonJitsu]

I would not spin that compressor any faster than that. The specs say 590 for one of the 331TV pumps, but most are closer to 550. Don't want to cause damage for no reason.

Agreed, I don't think I'll spin it faster than the 599 that this pulley will get me. Unless I'm going to take it to the track and run it head to head against Doug of course...

I know the chart at http://www.aircompeq.com/ka.htm shows fairly low RPM's for the 331, however the manuals that I've seen for other Kellogg models show 400-800 RPM range for every other model pump that I've seen (some of the 335 models show 400-1000 RPM). I'm guessing that means that the oiling system is good for 800 RPM. With that said, I still cant find a manual for the 331TV, I emailed Kellogg but no response from them (yet)...

 

[Cj7renegade85]

I figure there embarrassed, and don't want to take responsibility for that pump...

 

[RonJitsu]

I had some spare time today, so I got the new pulley installed. I measured my CFM with the 5 inch pulley, which calculated to approx 12-13 CFM. After installing the 6.25" pulley, I did the same tests and came out with 18.78 CFM. I think that's very impressive considering I only increased the RPMs by 120.

 

[Strouty]

Looks nice!

 

[C96]

I figure there embarrassed, and don't want to take responsibility for that pump...

Lol, you guys are to much!

 

[Cj7renegade85]

Does this look like a man you would trust with a compressor that large?






A real mutt camels beware...

 

[C96]

 

[Cj7renegade85]

Lol, I got to defend him... Only paint lol

 

[C96]

I get it, a love/hate relationship…Lol… at least in this competition.

You guys should be on a reality show of your own, too funny.

 

[RonJitsu]

It took two full days to get the paint out of my nose... That mask didn't help at all.

Doug, I see you've pulled some photos from my portfolio. I hope you got permission from my modeling agency, they take property rights violations pretty serious.

 

[David Jackson]

I am trying to help a friend sell an old compresor; has a Century 3 HP Repulsion/Induction motor and a Kellogg 320 TV compressor and a large tank made in 1944 by Butane Tank Co. What can anyone tell me about a unit like this, including what my friend should be able to sell it for. It has not run in years but I don't think that is the fault of the machine; the old barn/shop where it is sitting is falling down and it's not safe to energize the current there. I don't have pics on this computer, can post them from home.

 

[RonJitsu]

Hey Fellas'. I found another compressor on Craigslist that I couldn't pass up. Its quite a bit smaller than the Kellogg Monster I already have.

I figure I'll clean it up and use it for a while, then probably sell it...

Its an Atlas Copco Prime Air 60 Gallon Vertical - 5HP. The tank is dated 1984.
Have any of you guys every seen one like this? I cant find anything on the internet anywhere about this particular model.

 

[C96]

Hi Ron, glad to see you back with the compressor episodes.

Your newly acquired compressor should make for another fun project.

By all means keep us up to date on the restoration process including pictures.

Both you and Doug did a good job on the previous project and seemed to have lots of fun while doing it. It was very entertaining to say the least.

Good luck with it and say hi to Doug.

Oh, how’s your bad-*** Kellogg treating you nowadays?

 

[bsaint]

I have a 331 and I love it. Makes a ton of air for 5 hp.

 

[RonJitsu]

Hi Ron, glad to see you back with the compressor episodes.

Your newly acquired compressor should make for another fun project.

By all means keep us up to date on the restoration process including pictures.

Both you and Doug did a good job on the previous project and seemed to have lots of fun while doing it. It was very entertaining to say the least.

Good luck with it and say hi to Doug.

Oh, how’s your bad-*** Kellogg treating you nowadays?

Thanks for the kind words!
I may be going to pick up a bead blasting cabinet & setup this weekend, which should help me bring my projects to the next level. I'm going to pull the pump and motor off the kellogg and bead blast them, then strip the tank and refinish it with some nice paint. I'll rewire it with a magnetic starter and she should be pretty and ready for action. I'll use this new Atlas Copco compressor to run the blast cabinet while the Kellogg is apart. Once the Kellogg is done and hooked back up, the Atlas Copco will get the same treatment. I'll be sure to take and post pictures as these projects unfold. It'll be a while though before the compressor projects start, I'm currently Dryloking my basement where the compressors and blast cabinet will reside. Having a nice area to work makes projects so much easier and more pleasant.