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Compressor AM BRISTOL Cornelius

Thread Status: Hello , There was no answer in this thread for more than 60 days.
It can take a long time to get an up-to-date response or contact with relevant users.
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Dawgdirt

New Member
Feb 13, 2008
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Hi There everyone,
I just bought this Compressor from GovAuction and I am looking for a manual and info on how to mod it for tank filling and or hooka.
They have not shipped it to me yet.
Here is a link to the closed auction, pictures etc.

it looks like this:

It is a continuous duty, 3000psi, 3 stage 2.2 cu/ft min. unit.
 
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Hi Dawgdirt,

How much you pay for this item ? From the picture showed I supposed this unit is quite complete (with including moisture separator and might be with auto drain function ), if so, then the only need you have to add in to this unit for scuba prupose is find out a suitable filter canister ( you can find aircraft hydraulic accumulator "3000 pai rated" on the eBay, and buy the necessary filter medias put into the filter ) to get the air filtration function.

Compare to the other cornelius high pressure compressor units, this unit is more conveninece because of the driven motor is 60hz AC.

I got some experiences on Military HP air compressor rebuild work,

kidde-compressor-folks : Military Surplus HPA Compressor Folks

if you can open the control box and take some photos show it up here, then I shall can give you some ideas.

Best

Peter
 
Hey thanks Peter,

I am still waiting for the EUC, (End Use Certificate), to be approved and then I can get it shipped to me.
Delivered It should cost me about $800 total. Then I'll see what it needs.
Stay tuned.

Thanks,
Steve
 
The pic shows a 4 cfm/3500 psi Cornelius high pressure compressor built for filling Scuba tanks. It was manufactured about 1960. These units are very sturdy and reliable. Usually fitted only with a condensator and was lubed with medicinal grade mineral oil to prevent toxicity to the air supply. However, in order to meet current CGA requirements it should be fitted with a chemical filter which can be purchased or DIY using components suitable for high pressure. In addition, a synthetic oil such as Chemlube 201 or Mobil JET II should be used in lieu of mineral oil. Manuals for the high pressure pump are easy to find on the net. These compressors were extensively used by the military so any CD which furnishes army/navy compressor info should contain data, parts lists and drawings. New HP pumps are sold by Bargain Marge (protecair). Be careful, it appears that you are not familiar with HP air systems.
 
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Thanks Great info.
I do not have the compressor yet. it may be two weeks.
One thing I do not understand, you said "any CD which furnishes army/navy compressor"
What is a CD? The Specification they provided was that this had a gauge that ran to 3000 PSI and that it was rated at 2.5 CFM I will know more when I get it in my hands.
Thanks,
Steve
ssanten@socal.rr.com
 

Hi Steve,

Just like Pesky had mentioned, similaer model of compressor manual can be easy to find on the net (i.e. Integrated Publishing - Educational Training Manuals), this Cornelius compressor head you have bought beleived is same as the Steward Warner 3800219 model compressor head (TM-5-4310-226-15 Compressor Reciprocating Power Driven; Wheel Mointed; 2 Wheel Pneumatic Tires W/Towbar and Lunnette Eye Gasoline Engine; 4.00 CFM 3000 PSI Manual), and you can take a look of this page Figure 5-12. Air Compressor Assembly - Exploded
, the Cornelius HP compressor business finally were switched to the Steward Warner, this model head is rated 4 cfm, 3000 psi in original, I just suspect it down grade to the 2.5 cfm may be due to the lower speed of the 60 Hz AC driven motor. these information just for your reference.

Peter
 
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That is great information.
I will post better pictures and Numbers when I get it.
It looks like it may be just what I had Hoped.

Thanks,
Steve
 
Cornelius made some 3.5 cfm versions in the 1950's but this looks like one of the big pumps with slanted cylinders, the kind used by the Navy. Hard to tell more with just a picture. No way that thing is rated for 2.2 cfm. Peter gave you a hint of why. Check the rpm rating; if less than 3500 it is down regulated (small motor). These people deal in SW compressors:
Special on used 3.5 CFM Stewart Warner Compressor
 
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Thanks,
More Pictures are attached.
That sounds right The spec Sheet quoted the Item like this:
COMPRESSOR SPEED AT RATED CAPACITY IN RPM
1160.0​

My math at 3500 RPM this would be 6.6 cfm.

COMPRESSOR QUANTITY
1
DUTY CYCLE IN PERCENT
100
GAS FOR WHICH DESIGNED
AIR
DISCHARGE FLOW RATE
2.200 CUBIC FEET PER MINUTE
DISCHARGE PRESSURE
3000.000 POUNDS PER SQUARE INCH GAGE
COOLING SYSTEM DESIGN
SINGLE
COMPRESSED GAS COOLING MEDIUM
AIR
COMPRESSOR COOLING MEDIUM
AIR
PRIME MOVER COOLING MEDIUM
AIR
GAS COOLING EQUIPMENT TYPE
AIR TYPE AFTERCOOLER AND AIR TYPE INTERCOOLER
MOUNTING TYPE
ANY ACCEPTABLE
RECIPROCATING COMPRESSOR DESIGN
SINGLE ACTING
CYLINDER QUANTITY
3
CYLINDER ARRANGEMENT STYLE
7 RADIAL DESIGN
STAGE QUANTITY
3
COMPRESSOR SPEED AT RATED CAPACITY IN RPM
1160.0
PRIME MOVER TYPE
ELECTRIC MOTOR
CURRENT TYPE AND RATING IN AMPS
9.0 AC
VOLTAGE IN VOLTS AND CURRENT TYPE
208.0 AC
TEMP RATING PER FUNCTION
NOT RATED
PHASE
THREE
FREQUENCY IN HERTZ
60.0
MANUFACTURERS CODE
81205
MFR SOURCE CONTROLLING REFERENCE
10-21485-2
MANUFACTURERS CODE
55612
DESIGN CONTROL REFERENCE
9001-0001​
 

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My guess; that is a 2 hp @ 3500 rpm. This motor under load to a 3.5 cfm compressor should give 2200 rpm and 2.2 cfm. I believe Cornelius did make a few 3.5's based on the big block before upping the rating to 4 cfm. Later, they made a small block using the same general design with 3.5 cfm rating.
 
From the pictures you have attached I would beleived the compressor is driven by the motor in directly and without any reducing gear box in used, so, I guess this 3 phase ac motor is 6 pole congifuration and the working rpm is 1160 (even the ac motor rpm fomular is get 1200rpm but most of the time when the motor get loaded the working rpm will be have a slightly dropped). With regarding the motor horsepower it's shall be same as what Pesky had guessed 2 hp.

According to my understand the general houses in the U.S. will only have single phase AC power avaliable, if so how do you think of this issue ? certainly you could change it with a single phase and same rating AC motor, but this will involved the original unit with the structure changing also be put a certain of cost to do it. I just concern on it's better to keep this unit in it original structure, therefore I would suggest to find out a used 220Vac/ 3 phase /3 to 5 hp rating AC inverter to fit the motor power need to solved three phase power requirement . Basically a three phase inverter can be hook up to single power source with no problem, but due to with lack of phase input so the output for motor will resulted with the motor torsion with dropped, this is why we have to use a higher rating inverter to drive it, and 208vac v.s. 220vac is not a issue because of most of the modern inverters have manual modulation function for the output voltage and frequency adjustment, but even that, when use it for your case then the unit original wiring has to be make some modification (i.e. the motor has to be connect to the output of the inverter and can't be through M.S.) These we can discuss it in later if you have decided to using an inverter also can be found a cheap one in final, to the used inverter resource you could try to find it out from the eBay.

Peter
 
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As far as power supply goes I had hoped to be able to use my Boat's Generator with some minor modifications. It is an Onan Model 8.0 MDKD-3CR\26501B it is a 60 Hz 1 Phase 8 kW diesel model. My second choice is to drive the unit with one of the Caterpillar main engines either through direct method & Clutch or hydraulically. The latter would require much modification. The plan is to have it for refill of scuba tanks on the boat and a Hookah set-up.
 
Understand you will using this compressor unit on the boat, what is the Onan Model 8.0 MDKD-3CR\26501B generator output voltage ? if it's 220vac then 8 kw rated is with plenty power for this compressor (3 phase 1.5kw only, basically 3 phase AC motor will draw an lower start current than the same rated single phase AC motor) working, in case of it's 115Vac then there still have 115Vac input 220vac output inverter model avaliable in the market but just not so popular. from the two of altenative you have mentioned, for my personal case I would choose add an inverter to make it as simple as possible, not only in simple corcern but also by using inverter will create this compressor as portable unit in an adventage no matter what you are on the boart or at home you could easy to use it with no problem. Anyway this is just my personal thought for this case.

By the way, by using this compressor for Hookah set-up purpose, you will needs a hp storage bank also two pressure regulators (just for safty reason) link up in parallel way.

Peter
 
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Yes the generator is set to 110. I will have an electrician evaluate to see if I can add an attachment to have it drive 220V as well. An inverter may be the answer. My thought was to add a large storage tank to help in filling and Hookah.
 
Small, three phase/220v motors commonly run at 1800 and 3600 rpm. Moreover, I never heard of a Cornelius pump turning at 1160 rpm. Hardly seems possible as that is 1/3 of rated speed and cannot produce 2.2 cfm. The good news is that the Cornelius bolt pattern is commonly found on general purpose (pump, compressor) motors. You will need an 1800 rpm, 2 hp motor rated for 120v or 220 single phase with drilled shaft and standard bolt pattern on the interface. Rotation is counterclockwise at the shaft. It should bolt right up. The installer will need to mount the 4 bolts which fasten the pump to the motor and then insert the long bolt through the fan into the motor shaft and tighten. Be careful, check for any pressure or tightness on the compressor shaft bearing. It requires a small amount of play. If there is too much thrust force on the bearing there are some things that can be done. The compressor shaft has a clasp or coupling which engages the motor shaft. Running the motor while lightly sanding the shaft and thereby reducing its diameter by a few thousandths will help. Also, there is a procedure used by the factory involving shims which are temporarily placed under the compressor flange while installing the bolts. That requires some knowledge and a bit of luck to get it right. Chances are the pump can be installed successfully without that.

Stewart Warner made some larger models of this compressor but that is not one of them, IMO. It will be interesting to see. The unit which you purchased is very likely the 4 cfm model. IMO, the speed is 1760 rpm, not "1160".
 
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Step Up-Down Voltage Converters seem to go for about $100 fo ra 3000 watt unit.
The gov has been holding up my EUC but now seems to be moving again.
 
They were supposed to pick it up in Utah today. I should finally have it in a week or so.
i will post here when I get it with specs and pictures.

Thanks and stay tuned.
Steve
 
The compressor was delivered today the Pictures can be seen at Flickr: Photos from dawgdirt123

It is a stewart warner 4.0 cfm unit.
Now to find out how to:
1) test the pump and motor
2) convert for breathing air with filters etc.

More later.
Steve
 
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