Troubleshooting Champion 7B7P Porta-Champ Compressor

[j.c.whitney]

Old school Champion Porta-Champ 1 cylinder homeowner model, no owners manual. Compressor starts and tank fills normally, motor shuts off at preset pressure limit. When air is used and pressure drops it tries to restart, after about 1/8 turn the motor stalls and hums. Turned flywheel by hand, there seems to be considerable pressure on the piston, does this type compressor have an unloader valve on the cylinder head or somewhere else? Tag on crankcase says it is a model B1 pump. Motor start capacitor checks good. Motor itself has some endplay on the shaft; my hope is that it has not shot craps. Is there a 1-way valve in the line between the pump and the tank to keep pressure off the piston when the tank is pressurized? Any help appreciated.

 

[kams1973]

Some pressure switches have an unloader. If it does, it will have a 1/4" line going to it either from the compressor head or the check valve. Also, some smaller compressors, like the one you mentioned, have a load-genie. It is a check valve and an unloader built together. If the outlet line between the compressor and the check valve isn't unloaded, the result will be the condition you described above. Posting a pic will help out.

 

[j.c.whitney]

Removed the metal pipe between the pump and the tank. There is a check/unloader valve that screws into the tank that was stuck, allowing the tank presure to remain on the line causing all that resistance against the pump. Need to either clean that valve or replace it. Once I freed it up and cycled again, the motor restarted no problem. Then it stuck again so further disassembly and cleaning/replacement is needed. Thanks for your help.

 

[j.c.whitney]

Thanks kams1973, removed and cleaned load genie and all is well. In researching that part coupled with your info, Milton makes the load genie and it appears a new one can still be purchased if necessary.

 

[kams1973]

I'm glad I could help. Those load genies can be a bit tempermental sometimes, but they usually work fine after a good clean up.

 

[tatra]

nice, learned something today, cheers guys........

 

[chupynapy]

Hey guys i am new to the forum, i have a champion porta champ it's green with an electric motor 1/2 hp 3750 rpm single stage, i am looking for the piston and ring size, it uses 3 rings i am trying to restore it please help thank you

 

[18406ej]

A late update for Chupynapy or others with the same question on Champion Porta-Champ Air Compressors: Pacific Air Compressor in Portland OR has the parts necessary for these pumps, the 1/2 HP model most likely being the CV-1.

Piston Ring Set: $70
Gasket Set: $19.00

I am not an employee of PAC, just a years-long and always satisfied customer.

Eamon

 

[~Neo~]

Anyone know where to get a copy of the manual for this compressor? I've been searching everywhere.