Air Compressor Help

[Appaloosa]

Hi I'm new here, it looks like you guys have some good info. Maybe you can help me with my air compressor questions.

I just got a used Gehlen Quiet power Air compressor. I believe this is a late 70's or early 80's dental air compressor, and by looking at the stamping on the tank I believe it to be 12 gallons? it has a 125 psi blow off valve.

This seems to be a high quality unit. I plugged it in and it seems to works fine. I would love to use this in my basement shop because it is so quiet.

My question is, what type of oil should I use in it? I've read a lot here and other places about Non detergent 20 or 30wt and synthetics, but I just wonder if this unit might take a special oil? it seems the electric motor and pump are one piece.

Also where can I find a new air filter for it, this has a foam type that goes into like a quart paint can. (see pic) the old one is mush..

Any info or help on this old compressor, specs, type, tips. would be much appreiciated, thanks

 

[nehog]

Take a closeup (readable) picture of the data plates visible in the first image and post them.

 

[Craptain]

How about you tell us something about yourself before asking questions. Are you sticking around?

In any case I "believe" you have a Copeland compressor head on that unit. They are made in China and assembled here in USA. I don't know if Gehlen is still in business. The oil is nothing special, just regular compressor oil. As for the filter I would find a local dental supply company and check with them. Or make a filter from foam.
Honestly the compressor is nothing special being a dental compressor, but it is/was a very good unit. It would have a very good cleaner/drier to ensure the air is clean and free from oil. But that is probably not part of what you have.

 

[TwoInch]

How about you tell us something about yourself before asking questions. Are you sticking around?

.

sure has been a lot of this **** lately,and from someone who has been here for two months...? come on. whats with all this policing ********? why not give a warm welcome to the community?

 

[Zrexxer]

Why don't you retrofit it to use a standard air compressor intake filter... no point in keeping it running with some unobtanium filter foam for a shop compressor.

 

[Appaloosa]

Hi, thanks for your response

I'm a Construction Contractor in Wisconsin. Specializing in tile, and stone. My business is Appaloosa Construction LLC.

In my free time I work on cars, motorcycles, electronics and guitars. I'm currently setting up a shop with my father. we are installing paint booth, Rotary in-ground hoist, and setting up Bridgeport mill, and an old Leblonde lathe.

this little air compressor I got at an auction, buying tooling for an atlas lathe. I just though it would be great to run in the house because it is very quiet.

Yes I'm planning on sticking around, I'm always working on something, I may have some good advice to share, and i'm always looking to learn something from you "experts"

as for the compressor, I can't take another pic till I'm back at the shop. but it does say copeland on the pump. I haven't searched the interwebs for info on this yet, but I can't find hardly anything on Gehlen.

I would like to know the specs on this pump. To me it looks like a small two cylinder, whether its single or dual stage I don't know.

thanks again!

 

[Appaloosa]

Why don't you retrofit it to use a standard air compressor intake filter... no point in keeping it running with some unobtanium filter foam for a shop compressor.

I think that's probably what I will do.

 

[Craptain]

sure has been a lot of this **** lately,and from someone who has been here for two months...? come on. whats with all this policing ********? why not give a warm welcome to the community?

You are right. But there is also a lot of "1 post wonders" (my terminology). My first post was in the Intro thread, before I got into anything else. My parents always taught me to be polite and introduce myself when meeting new people and communities. This (in fact all forums) is another community.

Appaloosa has risen to the occasion and filled in some info. Kudos and thank you. It appears as if you will have plenty to share.

 

[Fixnair]

I would use light weight hydraulic oil. Like ISO #32. 46 would work too but may be a bit heavy for winter temps in Wisconsin.looks lie you scored.

 

[Appaloosa]

I would use light weight hydraulic oil. Like ISO #32. 46 would work too but may be a bit heavy for winter temps in Wisconsin.looks lie you scored.

Any reason why you recomend hydro oil? is it better or just as good as using a synthetic air compressor oil? it sounds cheaper...which would be good.

 

[nehog]

Any reason why you recomend hydro oil? is it better or just as good as using a synthetic air compressor oil? it sounds cheaper...which would be good.

I think he recommended it because it meets the needs, and synthetic oil may (as you note) be much more expensive.

 

[TwoInch]

i would stay clear of hydraulic oil in a compressor pump. no need to screw with anything other than compressor oil, as its not expensive, and you are using a few ounces at a time.

 

[EOC_Jason]

You can get regular non-detergent 30W at any auto parts store, heck I noticed even my local Walmart carries it!

As for the air filter, you'll probably have to find a part number on something and backtrack from there. I've seen people retrofit filters from small engines for air compressors, or you can order solberg models thru Amazon.com

If it was really a dental compressor, it would be oil-less, as oil in a persons' mouth would be a bad thing.

 

[zkling]

I would call a manufacture of similar style dental compressors.

When people recommend 30wt ND that is for common piston syle compressor pumps. I don't think what you have is a piston style pump. Usually oil in the dental compressors if for cooling, not lubrication. I think they are similar to refrig compressors. I really wouldn't expect much flow out of it. I ran across an OLD dental compressor at a garage sale once. Super quite, but not much air flow.

 

[marinusdees]

I am a 50 year retired dentist which buys me nothing. I would use 20 or 30 weight non-detergent oil and be done with it. There are many other options. Pay your money and take your pick. It will all work (at least until you die). If you want a reason for non-detergent, it (the detergent), will attack sleeve bearings. Even so, the bearings will last until you don't know or don't care/ No oil is the problem. Which kind is not really important.

 

[devinakbv]

The oil is nothing special, just regular compressor oil.

 

[Appaloosa]

thanks for the replies, I ended up putting in the lighter hydraulic oil in, because I had it, and someone else thought it may foam less.

As for the air filter, I found some filter foam saved off a tractor air filter, cut circles out of it, and stacked them up inside the stock "quart can" air filter.

next up i will see how it works

 

[dbonne]

Welcome to GJ!

I have been factory trained in Copeland compressor service and have seen my share of these compressors. This is indeed a dental unit. The difference between this compressor and a refer compressor is that this unit has oil rings on the pistons. It also has higher temperature cut out switch embedded in the windings (the refer units are suction gas cooled). From the looks of it, she is a 1.5 horse power, as for CFM, it is pretty low. They are basically bulletproof and will last many years. Use a non detergent 30 oil (you do not want foam in the crankcase) or use straight mineral oil.

Good luck with your new compressor!

 

[Lugnut30]

I have the same compressor - I work as a service guy for dental offices and grabbed this thing from a dentist that was getting a new unit. I also love how quiet it is. I use standard old compressor oil in mine and all is fine.

 

[Fixnair]

Hydraulic oil is almost a pure lubricant. ISO # 46 which is approx. 30 wt. The only additives it has in it are rust, foam and oxidation inhibitors in it. Any other ingredients only serve to foul the valves. these are necessary for a reciprocating compressor and is very inexpensive. You can buy it at Tractor Supply or any well stocked hardware store but probably not a big box store.
Synthetic oil may damage some internal parts like seals and motor insulation.

Oh and by the way this oil spec is right out of a Gardner Denver service manual.