OIL SUMP LEVEL

Low levels of oil can

Increase operating temperature
Starve the bearing of oil
Increase degradation rate

High levels of oil can

Increase churning and foaming of the oil
Increase operating temperature
Increase energy requirements

2008 Trico Corporation. All rights reserved.

CONSTANT LEVEL OILERS

Constant level oilers are designed to

maintain a predetermined oil level in a
pump bearing housing, gear box or other
oil sump applications.

TYPES OF CONSTANT LEVEL OILERS

Vented
Fixed

Adjustable

Non-Vented
Fixed

Adjustable

All Constant Level Oilers require air to function properly

Vented: Air supply is from the
atmosphere

Non-Vented (Closed): Air supply is same

as air within oil sump

VENTED (OPEN) TYPE OILERS

Constant level oilers are designed to maintain a predetermined oil level in a sump

If the oil level drops below the control

point, the depleted oil is automatically
replenished by the oiler, returning it to its
original level.

Vented Type of Oilers

(Air supply from Atmosphere)

NON VENTED (CLOSED) TYPE OILERS

Installation must be on centerline of oil level

Requires level adjustment

Non-Vented (Closed) Type of Oilers

(Air supply same as air within sump)

VENTED CONSTANT LEVEL OILER

Made to be used on vented oil
sumps.
As oil level decrease, oil is fed
from the lower casting into the
oil sump.
Seal is re-established when oil
level reaches a predetermined
level.
Two options available the OptoMatic and LCL oiler.

Opto-Matic Oiler on a centrifugal pump at a

brewery.

DISADVANTAGES
Provides quantity but not always quality

Pressure differential induced

ingression
Temperature changes
Airflow across pump generated by
wind, fans, blowers, and pump motors
Pump shaft speed changes

Surrounding environment vented to

outside
Can be minimized by installing Closed
System Oiler

Pressure differential from air flow over

breather vent can cause the oiler to
overfeed.

2008 Trico Corporation. All rights reserved.

CLOSED SYSTEM OILERS

Reduce particle and water
contamination
Choice of two alternatives
equipment dependent
Closed System Opto-Matic

Applications where vertical adjustments in

setting oil level are required
Watchdog Oilers

Applications where it mounts on centerline of

desired oil level

2008 Trico Corporation. All rights reserved.

CLOSED SYSTEM OPTO-MATIC

Direct replacement for vented Opto-Matic

Side or bottom mounting connections

Used where adjustment is desired
Prevents contamination ingression through oiler
Eliminates oil misfeeds due to pressure differentials
with pressure balancing line
Can be used with all types of bearing isolators
Sight level window for visual indication of oil level
and condition

2008 Trico Corporation. All rights reserved.

CLOSED SYSTEM OPTO-MATIC

Any piece of equipment with
oil sump lubrication closed
to the atmosphere
NPT below the centerline
of the level to be
maintained
Requires a pressure
balancing line back to the
sump housing
Gear boxes
Motors
Compressors
Pumps
Fans/Blowers

2008 Trico Corporation. All rights reserved.

INSTALLING CLOSED OPTO-MATIC

Loosen set screw on reservoir and
remove it
Verify that there are no contaminants
in any of the connection hardware
Connect oiler to sump through side or
bottom port
Apply thread sealant at all connections
Lower casting should be level and
parallel to oil level to be maintained
Apply non-volatile thread sealant to
1/8 x 1/4 compression fitting for
vent port on oiler and bearing
housing and install
Connect these fittings by means of a
tubing

2008 Trico Corporation. All rights reserved.

INSTALLING CLOSED OPTO-MATIC

Adjust collar to desired level, bottom of collar is indication of oil level to be
maintained
Fill reservoir
Place finger over reservoir spout, invert, and insert oil spout in lower housing until
upper casting bottoms out on collar
Oil drains out of reservoir and into bearing housing, repeat as necessary
Secure set screw

Oil level

2008 Trico Corporation. All rights reserved.

WATCHDOG OILERS
Mounts on centerline of desired oil level
Prevents contamination ingression
Shares air in housing requires no pressure
equalizing line
Non-adjustable design eliminates level setting
errors
Allows for sump oil level verification
Designed for faster, more accurate filling
Improves oil sampling consistency

2008 Trico Corporation. All rights reserved.

WATCHDOG OILERS
4 ounce reservoirs

Glass or polysulfone reservoirs

Thermoplastic, stainless steel,

and aluminum body
Maximum operating
temperature of 350F
Viton O-ring

2008 Trico Corporation. All rights reserved.