Vintage Spark Plug Tester

[wbeaton]

I'm not sure if this is the right spot for this question.

I recently picked up a vintage Champion spark plug tester. It needs some work, but I thought it would look good with the other vintage equipment in my shop. I don't intend to use the sand blaster portion, but I'd like to get it running. Problem is that there is no manual and I'm not sure what some of the things do or exactly how it operates. Is anyone familiar with this unit? Here is a photo of it.

http://www.myfishingpictures.com/showphoto.php?photo=128500&sort=7&thecat=500&password=

I assume the dial circled on the right of the machine regulates air flow or compression in the spark tester chamber. Is that right? I have no idea what the button circled on the left side of the unit does.

I've connected air to the machine and it blows in the sand blaster section, but no sand blows. Also air blows in the spark tester side at the same time. Should I be able to isolate the air flow in each section? I'm going to take it completely apart and clean and possiblly re-wire it. Any help is appreciated.

 

[wbeaton]

Re: Vintage Spark Plug Tester

I've taken this thing apart and now I have a good idea how it works.

The wiring seems ok. The 110V transformer is good. It only needed a new plug. The dial does in fact regulate the air pressure and the button is the start button for the plug tester.

The spark tester portion works good and its really cool to see a plug fail under pressure. However, the sand blaster part is still not working properly.

After I drained the sand I found these two little rubber pieces in the bottom of the bag. I'm sure they should be attached somewhere.

http://www.myfishingpictures.com/showphoto.php?photo=128504&sort=7&thecat=500&password=

It looks like one would fit over the sand/air injection nozzle (bottom one in photo).

http://www.myfishingpictures.com/showphoto.php?photo=128503&sort=7&thecat=500&password=

Here is a shot of the sand uptake tube.

http://www.myfishingpictures.com/showphoto.php?photo=128502&sort=7&thecat=500&password=

Any guesses would also be helpful.