Is there such a thing as multi grade air compressor oil and is it any good? I have a Max Air 18.5 CFM compressor that due to a lack of shop space I have mounted in a outside enclosure. It gets pretty cold up here and the owners manual says that it can operate to about 0 degrees with 10 weight and about 95 degrees with 30 weight. Is there a multi grade compressor oil that I can use....or maybe 10W-30 motor oil or do I have to change to a the thinner oil for winter use?
I don't believe that multi-grade oil is recommended for compressors. If it's in an enclosure, try to score some leftover insulation from any nearby construction project (sort of like using carpet remnants) and staple it to the inside walls. Then tap into the 120 for a light socket. Your incandescent bulb (along with the insulation) should keep it warm enough for you to use the 30w oil (this will also cut down on condensation and resutant moisture damage to equipment and tools. dj
You could just get one of those little stick-on 110V engine block heaters and attach it to your compressor crankcase. Either time it to come on several hours before you start the compressor, leave it on all the time, or put a thermostat on it.
Thanks guys. It's actually in a garden shed so the best bet would probably be the block heater trick so I'll look into that. I was just hoping that I would get lucky and be able to use a multi grade oil.
I have heard that multi weight oils have additives and detergents that can really foam up when used in non automotive uses.. That is why single weights are used in compressors,power washers and such..
You know, everybody will tell you not to run car oil, detergent oil, etc, in an air comp, it will screwit up bla,bla. I've been running two compressors that live in ambient air for maybe 30 years. When I used to run real compressor oil, they both used to get milky oil (moisture) after awhile. Maybe once a year change the oil. I got Rotella 15-40 in them now. And have done this about 15 years ago. The 5hp direct drive had the oil changed 5 years ago, I wrote the date on the side of the tank. The oil still looks good. The belt drive 5 don't have a date and I don't remember when the oil got changed. They both start fine when cold, it gets 0 to 10 F here the coldest, mostly stays in the 20's for the winter. The direct drive used to struggle to start the first time in the cold with compressor oil. I don't see any downside to running multi grade car oil in an air compressor.
Try a stick on crankcase heater for a refrigeration compressor.Made by motors and armatures corp.(MARS).They are about 50w and self regulating so they only use power when needed.I use them all the time and have never had a failure I could trace to a cold compressor.
The block heaters, especially the ones mentioned by Stude 283 are good another trick is to use a synthetic as that sold by Amsoil. Good synthetics are not as temperature sensitive as petro oils and don't thicken as much in extreme cold or thin as much in heat. Dave
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