air compressor oil change interval

[vavet]

What's the right interval for an 30 gallon reciprocating air compressor?
I have 3 compressors of different brands (Husky, Kobalt, Wen), but similar styles. Two of them call for an oil change every 200 operating hours. The third one does not indicate the interval. Without any other info, I'm inclined to stick with the 200 hours.

 

[FMB4]

I try to change mine once a year. However, I've gone a couple years a number of times. That said, I don't run my 39 yo compressor very much these days (i.e once or twice a month with limited run times of maybe 10 minutes).

 

[engineer2]

It varies quite a bit.
Champion VR series is every 500 hours.
I think my Sanborn at home is every 100 hours.

 

[u3b3rg33k]

my pressure lube pump's PLC reminds me every 1000hrs.

 

[vavet]

Here's my monitoring solution. I rerouted the cord that went from the switch to the motor and ran it into a 3D printed box with an hour meter. Then I ran another cord from the 3d printed box into the motor. I used fast-on flag terminals, just like they used from the factory and cord bushings where the cord enters/exits the 3d printed box. Now I can know at a glance how many hours it has run since the last oil change.
You can't see in these pics, but the 3D printed box is mounted using the handle mounting bolts.

 

[joshmodelskidoo]

I have a 60 gallon and changed shortly after i got it and in April will be 2 year so I will probably fork over the big $$ for a quart of oil. Like most people i use cordless mostly and every 2 year is probably way over kill on an oil change. I could probably go 4 and be ok but since a qt of oil is like $5 it’s well worth a change every 2 years. I use a sticker on mine so i have a date

 

[jubilee]

I have four compressors. Two gas, two electric. 28 cfm down to 11 cfm.
Oldest I’ve had for 45 years, newest about 22 years. All have been used hard, but still operate perfectly.
Haven’t changed oil yet in any of them and see no need to.

 

[nadogail]

Oil Change? I have not changed the oil in my little compressor since I bought it; guess I better get right on it.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

@nadogail If it oilless I wouldn’t worry about it. Just teasing.

 

[seber]

I recently picked up a two stage Westinghouse. I forget the exact date, but it was made in the sixties. Owner said he never changed the oil. It was pretty dark, but still seemed to be doing the job. I replaced it with fresh synthetic. I'll be gone before it gets checked again.

 

[finn]

Thinking about it, there aren’t really any contaminants other than water from condensation and dust that makes it past the rings. That makes the Champion 500 hour recommendations logical.and 200 hrs a little more conservative.

Homeowner compressors probably have a smaller sump, which leads to shorter intervals.

Probably part of the reason to recommend short intervals is that 90% of the owners don’t even check oil level on a regular basis. If you recommend once per year, you know the oil level is correct at least once every year.

 

[Wrench97]

I do both my own and the shop compressor once a year and use synthetic oil. Shop compressor had a rebuilt head installed in 1975.

 

[Rinspeed]

I recently picked up a two stage Westinghouse. I forget the exact date, but it was made in the sixties. Owner said he never changed the oil. It was pretty dark, but still seemed to be doing the job. I replaced it with fresh synthetic. I'll be gone before it gets checked again.

What oil did you use.

 

[seber]

What oil did you use.

Sullair. I kept a bit from my last workplace.