SAB202 Oil levels

[RANGER1]

Could someone please advise on Sabroe 202 oil levels when compressor
running & off.

The only information I can find is oil level should be 1/2 of top sight glass
when compressor running.

If this is so what oil level would you expect when compressor is off.
Can you still see level or is it expected to rise above top sight glass?

Any advice appreciated.

[Sandro Baptista]

Are you talking about the oil level on the oil separator, right?

I think it should be maintained the same level...maybe just a little higher after some time the compressor stop. I think the oil volume inside the compressor block compared with the one of the oil separator is small.

[RANGER1]

Sandro,
Yes I am refering to oil seperator level but this one is a bit unusual.

I havn't had agood look as to what is happening, but in one instance I drained
50 litres of oil out to see level in top sight glass in oil seperator.

When it started oil level was to low?

I didn't personally see it but somethings a miss.
The only place for oil to drain back when compressor is off, is oil filter housing in compressor
as far as I can see!

[Grizzly]

Hi Ranger.
I would not worry about the level to much because as you indeed state it can fluctuate quite a bit.
On the ones we look after the oil levels over time can be anywhere between 1/2 btm and 1/2 top glass.

And yes you can indeed have the situation where the oil disappears above the sight glass.

Which is most disconcerting until you realize that it is not really an issue, well as far as we are concerned anyway!
Until we changed the oil blend and modified the coalesors, we used to have horrendous oil carry over.
Resulting in huge oil level fluctuations.
Nowadays that particular system is really quite stable and often just around full btm to 1/4 top glass.
Dependant upon when you look at it.

Maybe its oil sat in between the coalessor elements (When Cool (Read viscosity change) ) that are squeezed out upon start-up.
Adding to the existing standing oil level?
Just a guess but it happens!
Cheers Grizzly

[Sandro Baptista]

...just remember the SAB202 has oil separator and oil reservoir connected to the oil separator...maybe the explanation passes some how by this fact...

I don't have in memory...where are the level sight glasses?

[RANGER1]

Thanks for replies.
I was mainly worried that coalescer may flooded with to much oil & damage it, on
startup.
The elements are quite expensive & no one will pat you on the back if you damage something.

[Sandro Baptista]

okay,

Please give us feedback later.

[RANGER1]

FYI found that oil coolers were installed in Australia by instal company.
Unfortunately they installed oil cooler a bit high , so when compressor is off oil drains back into
oil resevoir overfilling it & spilling into coalescer.

Cheapest way to fix is 1/ never turn off
2/ low oil level

[Grizzly]

Is the oil draining back through the discharge line then?
Would using a NRV help?
Is it worth modifying?
Grizzly

[RANGER1]

Grizzly,
I don't think its worth fixing at this stage.

I put a new coalescer in one & wanted to cover myself due to
expense of it.

When I pulled it out there was a lot of oil about.

From what I can see oil cooler is mounted at the upper part of oil resevoir.
When unit is turned off oil drains out of oil cooler back into resevoir.

Level is then way above top sight glass & believe it to start filling up oil seperator a bit.

[Grizzly]

All's well that ends well.
As I mentioned some of the ones we look after have floating oil levels.
They have been running for at least 5 yrs now without issue.
Cheers Grizzly