Air compressor guru

[DRanger024]

I know at least one of you on here probably know a ton of stuff about air compressors. I’m having a hard time identifying a pump on a vintage champion compressor I picked up. I need to order seals for it and I don’t want to dick around ordering the wrong stuff. So… can any of you help?

1961 date code Champion model TUV55 80

This thing looks like absolute hell but the inside of the tank is really nice so I’d like to keep it in service. I’m going to pull it apart to reseal the pump and will hydro test the tank at the same time. Best I can tell, it was purchased new and shoved through an exterior wall of an out building into a closet. I could see outside light from inside when I picked it up so I’m guessing it was very damp in there. Smelled a little musty but not bad.

The pump is leaking oil from somewhere, hence the tank looking so grimy. It’s literally coated in gooey compressor oil.

 

[sgtsandman]

You will be surprised what you can find in owner's manuals and service manuals online for things Either on sale on ebay or as downloadable adobe files. That should help some with the parts, assuming the part number is still good and in existence.

That being said, asking here isn't a bad move either. You just never know who is going to come out of the wood work and be a subject matter expert.

 

[DRanger024]

This forum never ceases to amaze me. There has always been very knowledgeable people here in the 17+ years I’ve been a member.

 

[Uncle Gump]

If you can get him to stop playing with Legos... and snuggling his baby Yoda doll... @85_Ranger4x4 is a parts finding machine.

 

[85_Ranger4x4]

The first place I would try is Baum Hydraulic. You might have to pull it apart and measure things but I bet they would have it. If not they would know who does.

https://www.baumhydraulics.com/

 

[DRanger024]

I was able to figure it out after much googling. It seems air compressors are a very niche thing. There are also a mind numbing amount of people out there that will tell you not to waste your time and throw it out. Apparently every used air compressor is going to explode as soon as you turn it on.

With that said, best I can tell is my pump is a Champion R15. The rebuild kit with gaskets and piston rings is right about $200. Not too bad. I really need to hydro test the tank so I can feel comfortable standing next to it. It was in service when I picked it up and had 150psi in it but that still doesn’t mean it’s safe I suppose.
@85_Ranger4x4 , thanks for the link. I’ve never heard of that site before but I will be remembering it for the future!

 

[sgtsandman]

I was able to figure it out after much googling. It seems air compressors are a very niche thing. There are also a mind numbing amount of people out there that will tell you not to waste your time and throw it out. Apparently every used air compressor is going to explode as soon as you turn it on.

With that said, best I can tell is my pump is a Champion R15. The rebuild kit with gaskets and piston rings is right about $200. Not too bad. I really need to hydro test the tank so I can feel comfortable standing next to it. It was in service when I picked it up and had 150psi in it but that still doesn’t mean it’s safe I suppose.
@85_Ranger4x4 , thanks for the link. I’ve never heard of that site before but I will be remembering it for the future!

That's one of the negatives of a throw away society. If you can get it running for $200, plus whatever it costs to test the tank, I call it a win. Compressors that big are expensive.

 

[JoshT]

There are also a mind numbing amount of people out there that will tell you not to waste your time and throw it out. Apparently every used air compressor is going to explode as soon as you turn it on.

Kind of annoying ain't it. People seem to think that throwing away a $1500-$2000 compressor and buying another is no big deal. Just buying one to begin with is a big deal to me.

Of course that mentality can also be beneficial for some of us. I picked up a 60 Gallon a couple of weeks ago for $150. Its kind of a mutt and not working, but tank is in good condition and has a new pump head. Apparently the original pump went out so guy bought a new pump, shortly there after the motor went out. I'm guessing it had something to do with the original morot was 3 hp, and he installed a 5 horse pump head. Maybe the added load was too much for the orginal motor? Anyway he replaced it with a 5 hp that didn't last long (installer error?), gave up and got rid of it.

I'll need to buy a motor and pressure switch, but should be all in for less than $500.

 

[DRanger024]

That's one of the negatives of a throw away society. If you can get it running for $200, plus whatever it costs to test the tank, I call it a win. Compressors that big are expensive.

I can pressure test it myself at home with the pressure washer. Simply remove pump, motor and all air fittings less high side pressure gauge. Plug all but one port which you screw a pressure washer fitting onto. Fill tank with water. Run the pressure washer until you reach 150% of the tanks rated working pressure. 300 psi in my case. Leave it sit for an hour and if there are no leaks present, there should still be 300 psi in the tank. They fail a lot less spectacularly under hydraulic pressure.

Kind of annoying ain't it. People seem to think that throwing away a $1500-$2000 compressor and buying another is no big deal. Just buying one to begin with is a big deal to me.

Of course that mentality can also be beneficial for some of us. I picked up a 60 Gallon a couple of weeks ago for $150. Its kind of a mutt and not working, but tank is in good condition and has a new pump head. Apparently the original pump went out so guy bought a new pump, shortly there after the motor went out. I'm guessing it had something to do with the original morot was 3 hp, and he installed a 5 horse pump head. Maybe the added load was too much for the orginal motor? Anyway he replaced it with a 5 hp that didn't last long (installer error?), gave up and got rid of it.

I'll need to buy a motor and pressure switch, but should be all in for less than $500.

I paid $1 a gallon for this one and plan to use it up. I cannot afford a $2000 air compressor on a whim. I really got lucky with this one even expecting to find a single phase motor for it. Guy thought it was 3 phase because it had 4 wires hooked up to it but it was wired up to two 110v circuits to make 220.

 

[scotts90ranger]

That's an interesting beast...

Now that you mentioned $ per gallon, that's roughly what I paid for my 30 gallon Campbell Hausfeld or however you spell that... it's an older one with a 3hp 220V motor, two piston single stage with a 3 or 4 groove belt. Got it at a garage sale for $30, it threw the belt shortly after but that was only $13, there was a reed screw in the check valve for some reason (wasn't missing one). Spent $75 on a water separator so all in with the electrical parts I'm a couple hundred in, suits my needs so far. Quieter and faster than the 29 gallon Kobalt I have in the garage (was planning on having a bigger one but couldn't pass up at $30)

 

[pjtoledo]

pressure washer eh?
I have a 60 gallon tank manufactured in 1946. if it could reliably hold 100-110 psi I'd be happy as hell.

 

[DRanger024]

That's an interesting beast...

Now that you mentioned $ per gallon, that's roughly what I paid for my 30 gallon Campbell Hausfeld or however you spell that... it's an older one with a 3hp 220V motor, two piston single stage with a 3 or 4 groove belt. Got it at a garage sale for $30, it threw the belt shortly after but that was only $13, there was a reed screw in the check valve for some reason (wasn't missing one). Spent $75 on a water separator so all in with the electrical parts I'm a couple hundred in, suits my needs so far. Quieter and faster than the 29 gallon Kobalt I have in the garage (was planning on having a bigger one but couldn't pass up at $30)

That’s a good deal too. I was looking for a more common 60 gallon unit but the timing was right on this one. Sounds like your Campbell Hausfield unit should put out some good air.

pressure washer eh?
I have a 60 gallon tank manufactured in 1946. if it could reliably hold 100-110 psi I'd be happy as hell.

Does it have a certification tag on it? I wouldn’t it test it to less than 150% of its rated capacity. I would venture to guess it would be 200 psi for that one as well but the tag will say for sure.

 

[pjtoledo]

there is a tag stating when & where it was manufactured, Defiance Ohio 1946. I'll have to dig it out of "the garage of hidden mysteries" to check it out.