Air Compressor Oil

[neilw]

Just bought my first oil lubricated air compressor.

I've given up on oiless they don't last very long.

The manufacturer calls for twice annual oil changes or 200 hrs which ever comes first.

This compressor uses SAE 30 (ISO 100 my conversion) non-detergent compressor oil.

Is this oil the same as non-detergent API cat. SB motor oil?

Does it make sense to use synthetic in an intermittent use machine?

 

[Bird]

Neil, I'll be watching to see whether anyone has a good scientific answer to your question. As much as I've used air compressors, worked on a few, changed oil in several, etc., I've never really found out just what the difference is in the air compressor oils and regular old motor oil. I do know that a lot of people use plain old 30 weight motor oil, and many people NEVER change the oil in their compressors. However, the oil change frequency is long enough, and the capacity low enough that I just always bought and used oils labelled especially for air compressors.

My practice and beliefs are to "go by the book until you know more than the book" and this is an area where I definitely don't know more than the book./w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

 

[neilw]

Me to Bird.

$8.00/quart (Green Valley Compressors price) for what I suspect may be API SB cat. motor oil would be a shame.

You know you gave me to hint that lead to my new compressor. In an old thread you mentioned that you had a PUMA compressor. That started me searching and lead me to http://www.greenvalleycompressor.com.

After some comparison I got the Capo ( A PUMA made compressor for Green Valley). No exaggerated HP ratings or output ratings. This compressor seems to actually put out the 6.2 CFM @ 125psi advertised.

 

[JATO_RaT]

My compressor manual states that my compressor, an 80 gallon, 5 HP, Ingersol, can run continuously when used with synthetic, otherwise, I believe it was 80% duty cyle on standard petroleum products. Amsoil, Grainger's etc sell compressor oils, both do mail order. Rat...

 

[MikePA]

<font color=blue>After some comparison I got the Capo ( A PUMA made compressor for Green Valley). No exaggerated HP ratings or output ratings. This compressor seems to actually put out the 6.2 CFM @ 125psi advertised.</font color=blue>

What a great site for air compressors and all things related! Thanks!

Did you buy via the internet or pick it up at the store? The one you bought for $270 seems like a real bargain.

 

[Bird]

Neil, I didn't remember the compressor oil being that expensive, but since you change it so seldom, and how much does yours hold? A pint or less, I suspect, and of course, all of them claim to be "specially formulated" for compressors, so I just went ahead and bought the special oil. I wonder if that $7.95 oil is a synthetic. I never used a synthetic compressor oil, and in fact, don't recall even having seen any. That web site is certainly interesting because even being so close, I never heard of Green Valley and I've never seen a Puma air tool; only the Puma compressors, and the only place I've seen them was at Industrial Air of Texas in Arlington where I bought mine. Their price was about the same as shown on Green Valley's web site, but it was on sale for $100 less when I bought it.

 

[em14]

I think that one of the concerns in Air Compressor Oil is air (bubbles) that you would see in a detergent oil … I am afraid that I am as guilty as many others of stretching the oil change in my 2 stage 80 gal. … while it is a simple thing to do, it’s a pain in the you no what … the last time I changed it, it overflowed on to the garage floor … quickly … what a mess for just a small amount of oil … I use Air Compressor Oils while I know of others who use 30 W non-detergent motor oil … I just think for the investment I will follow the manufacturers guidance … these last a very long time with just a little care …

 

[gobbler]

I was compressor shopping a couple of years ago. At that time, IR would extend the warranty if you used their branded oil. I don’t recall if it was synthetic or not. I ended up with a Quincy and it had their branded synthetic in it from the factory. No mention of extended warranty, but it’s all I’ve used in it. So far so good …

Jim

 

[alvanko]

My ingersoll rand 2 stage has an extended warranty (2years) if i use the synthetic oil they recomend . It is their own brand . It is quite expensive but it uses so little (1qt.?) that it is worth it to me . Glad you reminded me , it's a year old this month and I better change it .

 

[neilw]

Mike

I picked it up in person. Had to see it to believe it. My mind would not wrap around the idea that a 3hp CAPO could put out 6.2cfm at 125psi when a 5hp Campbell could only put out 5.2 at 90 psi. Someone was either in-violation of newtonian physics or stretching the truth about the ability of their machine.

Turns out the CAPO was a solid deal with cast Iron gear box and cylinder (not cast iron lined aluminum), heavy copper lines and brass fittings, non-proprietary accessories such as relief valves and regulators and a metal belt shield.

Plus buying any long lived mechanical devise from a big box store seems risky. They really have no long term knowledge about the machine. They are not going to support you with parts 6 months from now much less 10 years from now. Many of them enough clout that they can force the manufactures to cater to their price point. Read cut corners to keep the price down.