Hi, I have a quick question about compressor oil. I have a Hitachi EC-12 twinstack and I am thinking about changing the oil soon (that FHB article jogged my memory). The manual says to use 5W-50, which I haven’t been able to find locally. Is it possible to use the generic oil (like Husky or Campbell Hausfeld) that doesn’t list its viscosity? Thanks for any input.
Nils Nordstrom
Replies
I looked into this a few years ago, so details now elude me, but I do remember that compressor oil is a completely different product than motor oil. IIRC, motor oil will turn to foam and lose it's lubricity. Compressor oils are rated on an ISO scale that, again IIRC, has to do with the temperature that the machine will operate in. It's probably worth your while to do a little research, at least if you care about the compressor.
Scott.
Always remember those first immortal words that Adam said to Eve, “You’d better stand back, I don’t know how big this thing’s going to get.â€
Emglo Synthetic Blue compressor oil is readily available over the internet. I've had very good luck with it in both my gasser Rol-Air and my Hitachi twin stack. Whatever you do, make sure it's non-detergent oil.
Edited 4/28/2006 9:30 pm ET by dieselpig
I usually see 30 wt non detergent oils spec'ed for compressors. most motor oil is detergent, so there's a difference there.
I went looking for synthetic compressor oil this morning, nobody around here has it. I guess I'll order some off the internet, like dieselpig says. synthetic oil is supposed to help the compressor start smoother, and run better.
zak
"so it goes"
Zak,
Look around for that Emglo synthetic Blue. I always had problems with my Hitachi twin stack in cold weather. Even if I warmed it up in the truck for awhile it would still often get 'stuck' between cycles and make that awful humming noise that sounds like money burning. The synthetic oil made it run much better in the cold. We mainly use the big gasser, but occasionally it's nice to just set up the quiet little twin stack. Especially if I'm working alone.View Image
Brian- where'd you get your emglo compressor oil? I just got a little emglo twin stack, and they're notorious for blowing 15 amp breakers. I don't have any 15 amp breakers to try it out on, but it does dim the lights when it starts up. I remember someone saying that synthetic oil would help.zak
"so it goes"
I get the emglo synthetic from my tool/nail guy Zak. But here's a link to a place that I buy a lot compressor and nail gun parts from:
http://www.mastertoolrepair.com/synthetic-oil-p-733.html
It's not the emglo brand oil, but it is the same stuff.... synthetic blue compressor oil.View Image
Zak, Master's an excellent company...Brian turned me on to them and they recently helped me with a problem--the CS was second-to-none!
Ask for Eric if ya call them; he's a really great guy.Jason Pharez Construction
Framing Contractor