My friend Ami Slavin requested that I write about this important topic in response to the horrifying videos showing up online of death and gore associated with compressors exploding. He pointed out that the “diesel effect” can be the cause, so let's explore what may be—and likely is—leading to these horrible incidents. In a diesel […]

Before the fighting starts about term definitions, let's just settle on using “adjustable drive pulley” and “sheave” interchangeably to describe the belt-driven power transmission device shown above. Second, for the newer tech, you shouldn't be altering these sheaves so that the belt rides lower or higher in them unless you know EXACTLY what you are […]

This is a subject that even many commercial guys don’t have to consider. For the majority of equipment, even refrigeration equipment, all that is required for proper oil return is to size the suction line properly, trap the suction line as needed, and allow for proper slope towards the compressor. Then we get into larger […]