Compressor woes

Dec 28, 2010 1 Replies

I've recently taken delivery of a second-hand (new to me) Ingersoll Rand "Euro 10" compressor. A vertical tank with an electric motor driving a "V" pump.



It was delivered during the big freeze and when I first turned it on, it wouldn't run. I assumed the oil in the sump was too cold. Eventually, after a lot of coaxing it ran and pressurised.



Since then its moved to the workshop (still unheated) where I have the same problem, it turns over slowly, not enough to run properly and likely to trip its thermal fuse or blow the plug top fuse!



A couple of days ago, whilst setting up my new lathe, I left a fan heater pointing at the base of the pump for about 1.5 hours and it started without a problem.



So, the oil in the pump sump is too sticky when cold. Any ideas of what oil I should use - is there a special compressor oil, or could I use a thinner car oil?



Happy New Year to you all and may all your swarf production be worthwhile!



Cheers



Peter



A car oil is not recommended. In a non filtered application, such as a smaller compressor, a non detergent oil should be used. A car oil would carry all the little wear particles with it, in suspension.

A non detergent oil lets the crud drop out and fall to the sump of the compressor when the unit is at rest.

Try using a 30 weight compressor oil first. if your problem still persists, try a twenty weight. It's best to change it when the unit is warmed up. Try tilting the unit towards the drain and let it drip for a long time.

Filtered supply: detergent car oil Non-filtered supply: NON detergent oil

mike

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