[TheForge] Air compressor question

[Chuck Robinson]

Hey Mike,
The rule of thumb is 3 months  maximum if you only use your compressor 
occasionally.
For heavy use I would change it every 50-60  hours.
If your shop is like mine, there is a lot of abrasive dust in the air and 
this makes its way into the oil sump, as well as moisture.
Neither is condusive to long compressor life.
Remember most 5 to 7 hp compressors only hold a quart or less of oil so it's 
not that big an expense to change it.
Synthetic oils are made up of molecular chains that are very uniform unlike 
petroleum chains which are a mix of different lengths.
The short chain molecules are the ones that contribute to piston blow by and 
end up in your air supply.
Multi grade petroleum oils have additives in them to inhibit the oils 
tendency to change viscosity; but they don't otherwise enhance the 
lubrication qualities of the oil.
My favorite synthetic oil is Royal Purple.
The oil won't mix with water, and if you live in a high humidity area like I 
do, the RP floats on top of the water so the water can be bled off.
One word of warning down load a Viscosity classification chart off the 
internet such as:
http://www.bobistheoilguy.com/visc.html  to compare oil viscosities. many of 
the commercial oils are rated by ISO not ASE so ASE 30 wt is about 100 ISO.
Chuck
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "GHS" <GHS at execpc.com>
To: "Sponsored by ABANA" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2005 12:34 PM
Subject: Re: [TheForge] Air compressor question


>I have wondered but never asked.
> Is that three months based on some " after three months normal use "
> rule of thumb or is it strictly time related?
> In other words is a little used hobby compressor still due for a change
> four times a year?
>
> Mike Graf
>
>
> Chuck Robinson wrote:
>
>> Hey Bob,
>> Most manufactures recommend non detergent  SAE 30 wt motor oil. Wal-Mart 
>> or any auto supply store.
>> Change oil often about every 3 months.
>> You can up grade to synthetic oil if you want to minimize the amount of 
>> oil mist in the exhaust from air tools. But the stuff is much harder to 
>> locate.
>> Chuck
>> ----- Original Message ----- From: "Bob Ehrenberger" 
>> <eforge at centurytel.net>
>> To: "theforge" <theforge at mailman.qth.net>
>> Sent: Tuesday, March 15, 2005 10:21 AM
>> Subject: [TheForge] Air compressor question
>>
>>
>>> I know this goes around the list every now and then. But I didn't have a
>>> need until now.
>>>
>>> I had a friend give me an old air compressor when he got a new one. 
>>> It's
>>> only 3hp, but better than the jury rigged one that I have been using.
>>>
>>> I checked the oil, it was a little low, but black as coal.  I want to 
>>> change
>>> it.  Can I use motor oil or do I need to get something specific for
>>> compressors?  I don't have a lot of options locally all we have is a 
>>> farm
>>> supply store (Orscheln's).
>>>
>>> Robert Ehrenberger
>>> Shelbyville, Mo.
>>>
>>>
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