Champion R-Series Vertical Simplex Piston Air Compressor

Champion R-Series vertical simplex: 2 to 15 HP two stage on a 60, 80 or 120 gallon tank

This is Champion's premium splash lubricated piston line on a vertical receiver. Compared with the lower priced RV Series, the R-Series pump has disc valves that are serviced by pulling the manifolds, tapered roller main bearings, and an integral cylinder and head casting with no head gasket to fail. Buy it for a shop that runs the compressor most of the day: fleet maintenance, multi bay repair, industrial maintenance rooms, small production cells. Buy the RV for a shop that runs it an hour or two.

Picking a model. Every package is rated 175 PSI and the output follows the horsepower: VR2 4.1 CFM, VR3F 8 CFM, VR5 17 CFM, VR7F 22.3 CFM and VR7 25.6 CFM at 7.5 HP, VR10 33.8 CFM, VR15F 48.7 CFM. The F models use the compact R15 pump; VR7, VR10 and VR15F use the larger R30 V-twin. Size the compressor at about 1.25 times the CFM your tools draw at the same time, then size the tank: 60 gallons is fine through 5 HP, 80 gallons suits 5 to 10 HP, and 120 gallons gives a 7.5 to 15 HP unit room to cycle without short cycling. A bigger tank is the cheapest way to make a piston compressor last longer.

Power: 208/230 volt single phase, 208/230 volt three phase and 460 volt three phase are offered on every size here, including the 15 HP, which is unusual and useful for shops without three phase service. A 15 HP single phase motor will need a 100 amp class circuit, a 10 HP about 60 amps, and a 5 HP a 40 to 50 amp circuit at 230 volt; check the nameplate. The mounted NEMA 1 starter is standard. Confirm voltage and phase when ordering.

Options are factory installed: Air Cooled Aftercooler (drops most of the moisture before the tank), Low Oil Stop Control (shuts down on low crankcase level), or both. Take the aftercooler on anything that feeds a dryer or paint.

Pair it with a refrigerated dryer rated at or above the compressor CFM, a timed or zero loss drain, filters and hose reels. Same pumps, other layouts: horizontal simplex, base mount without tank, duplex for redundancy. Related pages: 2 HP, 3 HP, 5 HP, 7.5 HP, 10 HP and 15 HP air compressors, 175 PSI air compressors, all Champion. Freight prepaid.

Manufacturer description

CHAMPION R-SERIES VERTICAL SIMPLEX AIR COMPRESSORS

Champion R-Series Vertical Simplex Reciprocating Air Compressors are made for customers who want serious two-stage performance in a compact footprint. A vertical simplex package mounts a single, splash-lubricated R-Series pump on a vertical ASME/NB certified receiver: industrial air, with less floor space.

Built on the rugged R-Series platform

Multi-finned cylinders help keep temperatures down, an integral cylinder/head design helps eliminate head gasket failures, and serviceable disc-type valves plus oversized bearings are built for durability. Loadless starting helps the compressor start unloaded for reliable day-to-day operation.

Vertical simplicity, real-world flexibility

• Smaller footprint than many horizontal receiver packages
• Clean, self-contained layout that’s easy to place in tight shops
• Straightforward “simplex” design that’s easy to own and service

Standard features that matter in daily operation

• Load-less starting via centrifugal unloader
• ASME inter-stage pressure relief valve
• ODP NEMA 1760 RPM electric motor
• 10-micron industrial intake filter
• ASME / NB certified receiver + 0 to 300 PSIG tank gauge
• Common single-phase and three-phase voltage offerings

Air quality and moisture control options

1. Air-cooled aftercooler: can reduce up to 65% of moisture in discharged air
2. Refrigerated drying: cools compressed air to roughly a 33 to 39° dew point to reduce downstream condensation
3. Automatic electric tank drain: timed draining helps keep the receiver from collecting moisture

AirStation convenience on select simplex packages

For select simplex packages, Champion offers an “AirStation” configuration with a mounted refrigerated dryer. It’s designed to be plug-and-play, reduce plumbing, save space, and includes a 3-way bypass valve plus a general-purpose filter.

Uptime-focused upgrades

• Low oil-stop control that shuts the unit down if oil level drops too low
• Dual control to run start/stop or constant speed mode
• Hour meters, test/off/auto switches, NEMA 4 upgrades, TEFC motor options

Pressure settings to match the job

An 80 PSI setting is available across R-Series packages (useful for climate control and other specialty low-pressure needs).

Lubrication & support

Champion ChampLub lubricants are available in mineral, synthetic, and food-grade options. R-Series packages are backed by a strong warranty program and supported by a large distributor network.

Common Vertical Simplex applications include multi-bay service shops, maintenance rooms, and small production cells that want industrial air without giving up floor space.