Greetings, I am searching for a reliable, oil condition monitor that can be used in the shop and in the field. We are a small electric utility with appox. 1500 motorized units. Primarily diesel powered. We use labratory oil analsys on most of this equipment. We are looking for an accurate oil condition monitor that can be used in the field. Are any availiable? Any and all suggestions will be highly appreciated. Oh, did I mention somewhat inexpensive?. Thanks in advance.

I was just looking at oil analisys equipment and found some on the internet just type portable oil analysis and this kind of equipment will come up if you have any questions about the websites I can help you find it again. or email me at infiniteoil@yahoo.ca

Now we will buy the On-Site Analyzer from FL USA. This unit has weight 150 lb and size 38”W x 22”D x 17”H. It features an integrated FTIR Infrared Spectrometer and optical emission spectrometer with an automated system for sample transporting and purging. It can monitor Wear Metals (Al, Cr, Cu, Fe, Pb, Sn, Zn), Contaminates (fuel, glycol, K, Na, Si, soot, water), and Physical Properties (nitration, oxidation, TBN, viscosity) of used oils from engine, transmission and final drive. The results will be received after 6 minutes. I saw the job of this analyzer in ChevronTexaco and can to say – fantasy! If it is interesting for you please contact mchistyakov@catco.kz for more details

Mikhail

You may wish to take a look at the OilCheck. It detects and measures the dielectric constant of an oil. By comparing measurements from new and used samples of the same brand, it will determine the change in the dielectric constant. This is directly related to the degradation, wear and contamination level of the oil and allows you to optimize intervals between oil changes. Also a good screening tool to determine what you wish to send to a lab for more sophisticated analysis.
http://www.reliabilitydirect.com/oilanalysisproducts/SKF-TMEH1.htm

The MIDAS ferrous wear debris monitor from Manor Technology may fit your bill.
[URL=http://www.manortec.co.uk/[/URL]
Perfect for field use and not expensive. Frequently employed as a screening tool prior to oil analysis, it is very sensitive and repeatable.

You might want to consider a simple blotter test kit. Very intuitive for diesel engine applications, easy to use, slightly harder to interpret. But do-able with a pictorial standard and simple comparison chart. Throw in some generic recommendations related to certain conditions and you're on your way......
you can get some info at Herguth Labs.(hope I spelt that right Bill) www.herguth.com
regards
Alan......

The die electric constant values is an excellent idea. In fact, this is contiously measured in transformer oils in use.

Transformers oil are straight minerial napthenic type and sensitive to contamination. Thus any contamination by dirt or moisture will mean treatment. If I can recall, the reject die electric constant for transformer oil is 0.005.

Will appreciate if any reader can tell me the effect of additives, specially metallic additives on the die electric constant values of lube oil.

This can be used for other lubricants as well. I
do recall that some years ago SKF were marketing a hand held analysis equipment, whose principle worked on die electric constant values. It gave a "go" or "no-go" report.

Hussam Adeni

You need to know what you want first. Design your plan, what are your fleet needs? what I need to test in the used oil? What tests do I need to perform in site?
All this answer will tell you what to loof for. Also remember that some oil analisys equipments gives you data wich need to be converted into information.