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Questions from Customers – How Much Oil in a Lubricated Compressor?

On June 8th, 2011 we received an email from Tim Toth of Able Engineering in Oregon regarding the amount of oil that should be added to one of our LT Series, tank mounted lubricated compressors. Tim asks:

“I am trying to locate the oil capacity information for the LT620100B compressor, can you supply that information?”

Before we get into Ray DeCecco’s reply it is prudent to take a moment to mention that our OL Series and OLT Series oil less air compressors DO NOT require the addition of oil. They are permanently lubricated so that the do not require oil at any time of their service life.  We are asked this question regularly.

Back to the question at hand.

Ray DeCecco, our customer service manager and dry pipe system air compressor expert responded:

“You can find the lubrication instructions for the LT series compressors in the manual that accompanies each unit or on our web site (click here to view the LT Series IOM).  The pump on the LT620100B takes approximately 7 oz. of compressor oil.  The compressor oil should be half way to 3/4 of the way up the sight glass.”

Use this as a guide for the entire L and LT Series line (this chart can be found in the L & LT Series IOM in section 5 “Lubrication”):

Tim’s question was only in regard to the model he purchased but for the purposes of this blog let’s take a moment to elaborate:

1.) All of our L Series and LT Series, lubricated air compressors for dry pipe sprinkler systems, are shipped without oil installed.

2.) Specially formulated compressor oil (part # APC01Q) is shipped with each unit. This oil should be used to initially fill the oil reservoir and for maintenance oil changes.

3.) All of our L and LT Series compressors (build after 2006) have an oil sight glass. Oil should be filled until the sight glass is 1/2 to 2/3 full on all models.

Thanks Tim for asking the question and for letting us post it here! Hopefully it will serve to inform other customers about the amount of oil required in their L and LT Series lubricated air compressor designed for dry pipe sprinkler systems.

If you have questions regarding our fire protection air compressors, their installation, best practices or troubleshooting please feel free to call (800-345-8207),  email us with them or leave a comment below. We are always happy to help!