SA-200 oil bath air filter -- what oil?

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What oil should I use in the oil bath air filter?thanks guysPS I listed a SA-200 for sale here, but then decided to give it "extra service", rebuild the carb, install electronic ignition, etc.
Reply:I use the same as in the engine, Castrol Heavy Duty W-30.Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:thanks, that's straight 30, right?
Reply:Yes sir.Don’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:You can use any motor oil in an Air Maze (oil bath) air cleaner so long as it's clean.
Reply:Suppose to match oil bath air cleaner oil to be the same weight as your engine oil.  Oil bath air cleaners were designed before multi weight and detergent oils that can cause foaming in the air cleaner.  If have foaming problems go with a non detergent oil but those can only be found in straight weights like 15, 20, 40, 50 or 30W.  On farm irrigation or industrial power units we always ran non detergent oil and there was less foaming and mess around the air cleaner.  Can go with a new Donaldson dry air cleaner kit from Hybriweld or others and get rid of the oil bath too.
Reply:I have been using 10-30 in my machine.   Do y'all recommend changing to straight 30?69 sa 200
Reply:Straight 30 non-detergent.
Reply:Detergent in oil doesn't cause foaming.  It is not soap.  It is a means to keep crude in suspension.  Nothing more, nothing less.Gordie -- "I believe you understand what you think I said, but I'm not sure you realize that what you heard is not what I meant."
Reply:Right off an SA-200. Attached ImagesDon’t pay any attention to meI’m just a hobbyist!CarlDynasty 300V350-Pro w/pulseSG Spool gun1937 IdealArc-300PowerArc 200ST3 SA-200sVantage 400
Reply:Non detergent because it allows the moving internal parts to seat properly.  Modern engines don't need that seat in time.
Reply:I think you may use the same type of oil as the lubricating oil in your engine..
Reply:I run the same as in the crankcase when I do an oil change.Disclaimer; "I am just an a$$hole welder, don't take it personally ."
Reply:An oil bath filter might seem old fashioned....but if designed properly and the oil changed regularly has the potential for catching much smaller particles than any dry filter system.  So, while messy to service... it is a wonderful design.  The most brutal test of oils by normal consumers is in air cooled lawn mower engines.... often less than clean fins , in the heat of the summer, and often not changed according to recommended schedule.... and for decades the manufacturers of those engines specified Straight 30 Wt. for those engines..   That is why I use straight weights on farm stuff and any air cooled engines.  When those additives are put in to make the oils multi viscosity they reduce the basic lubrication strength available.  On older engines where bearings have more clearance due to wear I use Straight 40 Wt......Weldandpower Lincoln 225 AC,DC with Briggs 16hp gas engine.WW2 era Miller TIG.
Reply:Detergent in oil keeps the dirt in suspension, so that it can be carried to an oil filter.  In an oil bath air filter, you want the dirt to settle out to the bottom, and that requires an ND oil (edit: other oils WILL work, but not as well, and will cost more too).GBM: you hit the nail on the head when it comes to multi-weight oils.  A straight weight will outlast a multi-weight in hot weather.  The multi-weight just lets you work in the winter.As for oil bath filters.  I'm not sure they can catch smaller particles than a paper filter, but on a relatively stationary engine, they can remove a LOT more dirt before getting clogged.  It's actually not a bad idea for something like a welder that gets used in dustier environments, although it is more difficult and messy to service than a paper filter.
Reply:There's a big difference between the non-pressurized oil motors (like your lawnmower) and "regular" engines.  Given enough pressure and flow even water will make a nice bearing.  It's not so nice for startup, shutdown, and rust prevention though. The non-pressurized engine may be able to generate and float on an oil film in the bearings, but I suspect it relies in large part only on the slipperiness of the oil.Dynasty200DX w/coolmate1MM210MM VintageESAB miniarc161ltsLincoln AC225Victor O/A, Smith AW1ACutmaster 81IR 2475N7.5FPRage3Jancy USA1019" SBAEAD-200LE
Reply:While it may seem that the way in which an oil bath filter works... has to do with that mesh kept wet by the oil... the main important way is that the air makes a sharp turn near the oil....and the particles suspended in it... can't make that sharp a turn at the speed they are traveling due to inertia... so they go straight into the oil and are caught there if the surface tension is correct due to the oil being kept serviced properly...Weldandpower Lincoln 225 AC,DC with Briggs 16hp gas engine.WW2 era Miller TIG.