I spoke to an HVAC technician friend of mine who has like close to 25 years experience. He told me that since the compressor label says use the phased out R22, all the service guys used the same only because using anything else will mostly require modification else there is risk for damage. No wonder my service for this model was costlier than the newer A/Cs. Also he told me since when I took it out there want any oil in the condenser or evaporator lines then most of the oil is still contained in the compressor itself still which I can hear it splash around while it’s running. He told me that as long as I added two valves to the inlet and discharge things should be okay. And the oil in it should keep the piston lubricated as it swishes around. Maybe I could add a few 5-10ml of the same oil. Also I was told that it’s better to use a compressor oil itself rather than the vacuum oil.

As for the power draw and noise it would be loud only when it’s compressong a pressurized refrigerant which would cause higher current draw too.

 

When you used as an air compressor did you add any air filter, air filter drier(moisture removal) and also change & add any compressor oil at intervals?

I may have added oil at some time, but never an inlet filter. And the oil added was probably #30 weight motor oil. The second and third compressors came from refrigerators while the first one, that lasted so very long, came from a discarded chest freezer many years earlier. So none of them were treated with much respect.
Of course you would not use vacuum pump oil, because refrigeration compressors need oil compatible with the insulation of the internal motor.

 

I may have added oil at some time, but never an inlet filter. And the oil added was probably #30 weight motor oil. The second and third compressors came from refrigerators while the first one, that lasted so very long, came from a discarded chest freezer many years earlier. So none of them were treated with much respect.
Of course you would not use vacuum pump oil, because refrigeration compressors need oil compatible with the insulation of the internal motor.

I saw a guy on youtube say that he used air oil and transmission oil too. This compressor that I have is like 26 years old. So, I think I'll get the mineral compressor oil itself. And then the fact that back in good old days they made things to last for a long time so with little care they should last long.

Yeah, I've decided to give up the idea of using vacuum pump oil after my HVAC buddy said its a bad idea. Getting a little bit of mineral oil isn't that hard he said and you don't have to worry about any damage either.

 

Okay guys, a small update. So, I ran the compressor with both inlet and outlet without any restrictions and measured the current draw with a clamp meter. It was 5.5Amps. The current increases for example only when the outlet valve is closed and the pressure is allowed to build up.

 

I saw a guy on youtube say that he used air oil and transmission oil too. This compressor that I have is like 26 years old. So, I think I'll get the mineral compressor oil itself. And then the fact that back in good old days they made things to last for a long time so with little care they should last long.

Yeah, I've decided to give up the idea of using vacuum pump oil after my HVAC buddy said its a bad idea. Getting a little bit of mineral oil isn't that hard he said and you don't have to worry about any damage either.

You Tube is OK for entertainment but I am not sure how much you should trust it for technical assistance. Just some advice based on what I have seen.

 

You Tube is OK for entertainment but I am not sure how much you should trust it for technical assistance. Just some advice based on what I have seen.

Thanks for the concern. But I gave up that idea of using other oils other than the specific one for the compressor. I've some polyester oil but didn't use it. So, as my HVAC technician buddy told me I just used the mineral oil that he gave me to use in this compressor. I don't use the compressor regularly so only very little oil is lost while using it.

 

Thanks for the concern. But I gave up that idea of using other oils other than the specific one for the compressor. I've some polyester oil but didn't use it. So, as my HVAC technician buddy told me I just used the mineral oil that he gave me to use in this compressor. I don't use the compressor regularly so only very little oil is lost while using it.

I was commenting that not all of the information on YouTube is always 100%. Your tech friend is a far better source of wisdom.

 

I was commenting that not all of the information on YouTube is always 100%. Your tech friend is a far better source of wisdom.

Of course. Absolutely agree with that! People do lot of crazy stuff. xD. Yep, he has helped me with a lot of stuff. He has like 20-25 years experience in HVAC and electrical stuff.