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The OEM manual states that the air/oil discharge temperature must be kept above 180 F,
any opinions why?
If I could run the temperature lower, wouldn't it be more effcient and give longer oil life?

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Badnewsbare,

Dear,
It is not the discharge temperature it is the oil injection temperature.
Actualy when air compressed inside the screw the oil injected into it and both the air and oil goes to the seperator tank where oil and air being seperated. The oil then cool down and injected to the screw. before cooling, the oil temperature is around 95 degree to 100 degree centigrade i.e. 212 degree farenhite. After colling the temperature comes down and it is exactly what you have mentioned i.e. 180 degree farenhite. If it is comes down this 180F there will be a problem of condensation of air and that will be resulting the damage of bearing and running gear. Due to the condensation the oil became muddy or sludge formation takes place.It will decrease the oil filter as well as seperator element life, and finaly the running cost of the equipment goes up rather than the oil cost.Better to use synthatic grade of oil with the ISO VG46 will be the cost saving.
MOHITOSH

The OEM (Quincy)manual states to operate the discharge air/oil temperature at 175-185 F, it doesn't say why.
It also states in another part of the manual, in the oil analysis sheet, that water is to be kept under .05% or 500 ppm, again it doesn't say why.
It also doesn't say anything about ambient temperatures or humidities.
So I am assuming that the discharge temperature only needs to be high enough to to keep the moisture level below 500 ppm.
I live in an area that is as high as plus 40 C in summer and minus 40 in winter.
The lab results for water are always nil in winter, even if the discharge temperature is less than 150 F. These compressors are over 12 years old, run 24/7, and I don't think they have ever been over hauled. Can I assume that it is ok to run them at lower temperatures in winter?