When considering the use of oil-based compressors, many of your problems may be related to the use of air compressor oil. In fact, oil-lubricated air compressors require less maintenance than lawn mowers. In addition to ease of maintenance, oil-lubricated air compressors offer many other compelling benefits. As one of China's professional air compressor manufacturers, Linsheng expounded the efficacy, use and classification of air compressor oil.
Benefits of oil-based air compressors
1. They have a longer service life than oil-free air compressors. This is
because oil-based air compressors are more robust in terms of lubrication. The
cylinders in oil-free compressors are usually lubricated with a Teflon coating.
Over time, the coating will gradually wear away, which is why the life of oil-free compressors is not long. Lubricating the cylinders with air compressor oil means that performance can be maintained under extreme conditions, and simple air compressor oil replacement will make the equipment operate like new equipment again.
2.The air compressor may be a noisy machine. Most of the noise generated by the air compressor comes from the movement of the cylinder inside the motor.
The cylinder pushes the air and then compresses it into the compressor's air tank. Even oil-free equipment running at lower decibels sounds frosty.
In contrast, air compressor oil means smoother cylinder movements and softer tones. This means that even at higher decibels, the frequency produced by oil-lubricated compressors will be more suitable for ordinary users.
3.They are as portable as oil-free devices. We have reviewed many compressors on Power Tools Ninja. The lightest compressor we've seen so far weighs 20 pounds.
Of course, by lubricating these types of
compressors with oil, the lubricants actually used will play a role in the
efficiency and durability of the compressor.
In addition to lubrication, the oil in the compressor has the following
advantages:
1.When compressed air, the temperature will rise. This change in heat creates excessive moisture in the compressed air tank. The oil in the compressor pump cools the air being pushed into the oil storage tank while lubricating. This means less moisture builds up and reduces the chance of corrosion forming on metal parts.
2.Oil is an effective sealant. Oil-free air compressors require additional engineering to ensure that the motor runs at its highest efficiency. Even so, these oil-free compressors are prone to leaks when the lubricating coating wears inside the cylinder.
Because the oil does not allow air to pass
through, there is less leakage, so more air can be stored each time the piston
moves in the cylinder.
What type of air compressor oil should you use?
You now know the benefits of using oil-lubricated air compressors, but the
problem persists. Which air compressor oil is right for you? You may also want
to know if there are alternatives. For example, can standard oils be used?
Unfortunately, no one oil works in all cases. The weight of the air compressor oil depends on the manufacturer's specifications and the climate in which the air compressor is used. If you buy a compressor and live in a cold climate, you will need a different amount of fuel than someone living in a warmer climate. Always check the manufacturer's specifications first.
As you can see, the oil weight of an air compressor depends on the climate. Remember that not every unit is the same, so confirm specific requirements in the user manual.
When it comes to alternatives, the
simplest answer is no choice. Although some very high-grade oils can be used,
they are not recommended because they contain cleaning agents that can damage
the seal of the compressor motor. Always buy special products for air
compressors, if in doubt, contact your manufacturer for recommended brands.
How often should I change the oil?
Specifications vary from manufacturer to manufacturer, but oil changes should
usually be performed every 500 to 1000 working hours. This seems to be a long
time, but consider that we are dealing with small single-cylinder motors.
Regardless of the manufacturer's specifications, it is important to regularly check the oil level and color. The new oil will be light amber, and the dirty oil will turn dark brown and then black. Your oil will never turn black. Use a dipstick on the compressor or a dipstick on some models to determine the color and level of the oil.
Keep in mind that maintaining a good oil in the compressor will ensure that it is efficient and will last for many years.
Other oil accessories
For specific applications, inline air compressor oilers may be required. This
is the unit you will be connecting to the airline and then transporting it into
the air tool. Just like a compressor, the oil requirements of an in-line lubricator
will vary depending on the tool used.
For some compressors, it is also possible to lubricate the motor with oil supplied from an in-line air compressor.
Most tools do not require oil lubrication, in fact, mixing air with oil will reduce efficiency.
To ensure that the oil is filtered from the compressed air delivered to your tool, check whether the compressor has a built-in separator or install a line-type oil separator between the compressor and the pneumatic tool.
Is an oil-lubricated compressor the best
choice?
Your ideal compressor will depend entirely on your needs. Small oil-free
compressors can do most light duty tasks, but when you approach heavy-duty
applications, you can almost only use oil-based compressors.
