Tandem Reservoir Extension on a Constant Level Oiler?

[Bambie]

Has anyone connected a tandem reservoir extension (TRE) to a constant level oiler (CLO) on a particularly leaky motor bearing reservoir?
1 USgal CLO units are available but vibration of the cantilevered mass and frequent top-up requirements produce cover and threaded cap seal leaks that result in flooded bearing reservoirs.
A remotely supported 3 USgal welded stainless steel oil reservoir with sight glass connected to a small capacity CLO is needed.
Oil-Rite offers a design with an auxiliary tapped hole in the cover where a flexible tube could be connected.
The TRE would be positioned directly above the CLO with soft seated isolation, fill and vent valves.
Top-up would involve isolating, venting and filling the TRE without disturbing any part of the CLO or the oil level.
Is there any technical reason why this wouldn't fly?

 

[TugboatEng]

Do you have access to place a reservoir below the unit? If you set up a reservoir above and let it flow constantly through the bearing housing and overflow in to a reservoir below which can be emptied back in to the upper by hand or pump. This will allow you to have quite large capacities.

 

[Bambie]

TugboatEng,

Lubricating oil is constantly being lost from the bearing housing reservoir past shaft seals.
There is no possibility of capturing and recycling as you suggest.

 

[TugboatEng]

Crude sketch: reservoir above, square bearing housing, drain line with loop to set level, pump to return above, and not included a needle valve to set flow slightly above leakage rate.

You can also pump direct through bearing housing and skip reservoir above but a level switch on above reservoir could indicate a pump failure and provide time to secure before damage.

 

[Bambie]

Thanks for the suggestion TugboatEng...any thoughts on my idea?

 

[TugboatEng]

A reservoir with a valve to top up the CLO? I don't see why it wouldn't work. How often would you need to top up?

 

[Bambie]

TugboatEng,

Actually, the CLO + TRE would automatically maintain the level in the bearing oil reservoir - like a hummingbird feeder.
The TRE would be large enough (3 USGAL) to avoid in-service top-ups and only require re-filling when the motor is off-line for other maintenance.

 

[TugboatEng]

Ok, I wasn't sure how substantial your leak was and how much makeup you would require.

 

[Bambie]

TugboatEng,

During a mock-up I found a problem with the proposed setup.

The CLO cover is flat rather than cone-shaped and the tube fitting protrudes a little allowing air bubbles to accumulate around it.

The negative pressure in these bubbles is equal to the head of oil in the CLO, which is more than what is needed to support the column of oil in the TRE, therefore it does not descend.

It is essential that all bubbles ascend to the top of the TRE, which will require a funnel-like protrusion connected to the tube and inserted into the top of the CLO.