heatcraft-refrigeration-p h-im-fl1a User Manual

The BR and Scroll compressors use Sontex 200, a “white oil”. 

This oil is not suitable for low temperature applications nor is 

it available through the normal refrigeration wholesalers. For 

field “top-off” the use of 3GS or equivalent, or Zerol 200TD 

is permissible, as long as at least 50% of the total oil charge 

remains Sontex 200. 

 

Suniso 3GS, Texaco WF32 and Calumet R015 (yellow oils) are 

available through normal refrigeration wholesalers. These oils 

are compatible if mixed and can be used on both high and low 

temperature systems. 

 

The Mobil EAL ARCTIC 22 CC is the preferred Polyol ester due to 

unique additives included in this lubricant. ICI Emkarate RL 32S is 

an acceptable Polyol ester lubricant approved for use when Mobil 

is not available. These POEʼs 

must be used if HFC refrigerants are 

used in the system. They are also acceptable for use with any

of the traditional refrigerants or interim blends and are 

compatible with mineral oils. They can therefore be mixed 

with mineral oils when used in systems with CFC or HCFC 

refrigerants. These lubricants are compatible with one another 

and can be mixed. 

 

Zerol 200TD is an alkyl benzene (AB) lubricant. Copeland 

recommends this lubricant for use as a mixture with mineral oil 

(MO) when using the interim blends such as R-401A, R-401B 

and R-402A (MP39, MP66 and HP80). A minimum of 50% AB is 

required in these mixtures to assure proper oil return.
Shell MS 2212 is a 70/30 mixture of AB/MO. If this lubricant is 

used in a retrofit situation virtually all of the existing MO must be 

drained prior to refilling with the MS 2212 to assure a minimum 

50% AB content.

With the changes that have taken place in our industry due to 

the CFC issue, we have reevaluated our lubricants to ensure 

compatibility with the new HFC refrigerants and HCFC interim 

blends offered by several chemical producers. As a secondary 

criteria, it is also desirable that any new lubricant be compatible 

with the traditional refrigerants such as CFC-12, HCFC-22 or 

R502. This “backward compatibility” has been achieved with the 

introduction of the Polyol ester lubricants.
Table 3 below summarizes which oils/lubricants are approved 

for use in Copeland compressors:

Ester lubricants (POE) have the characteristic of quickly 

absorbing moisture from the ambient surroundings. This is 

shown graphically in Figure 3 where it can be seen that such 

lubricants absorb moisture faster and in greater quantity than 

conventional mineral oils. Since moisture levels greater than 

100 ppm will results in system corrosion and ultimate failure, it 

is imperative that compressors, components, containers and the 

entire system be kept sealed as much as possible. Lubricants 

will be packaged in specially designed, sealed containers. 

After opening, all the lubricant in a container should be used at 

once since it will readily absorb moisture if left exposed to the 

ambient. Any unused lubricant should be properly disposed of. 

Similarly, work on systems and compressors must be carried 

out with the open time as short as possible. Leaving the system 

or compressor open during breaks or overnight MUST BE 

As received, the POE lubricant will be clear or straw colored. 

After use, it may acquire a darker color. This does not indicate 

a problem as the darker color merely reflects the activity of the 

lubricantʼ s protective additive.

During Copelandʼ s testing of Polyol ester oil, it was found that 

this lubricant exhibits a greater tendency to introduce oil into the 

cylinder during flooded start conditions. If allowed to continue, 

this condition will cause mechanical failure of the compressor.
A crankcase heater is required with condensing units and it 

must be turned on several hours before start-up.
Oil level must not exceed 1/4 sight glass.

 POEʼs 

Mobil EAL ARCTIC 22 CC 

A 

A 

P

 

ICI (Virginia KMP) EMKARATE RL 32CF 

A 

A 

P

 

Suniso 3GS 

P 

PM

 Mineral 

Texaco WF32 

P 

PM 

NOT

 Oils 

Calumet RO15 (Witco) 

P 

PM 

ACCEPTABLE

 

Sontex 200-LT (White Oil) 

(BR & Scroll Only)

 

Witco LP-200 

P

 

 A/B 

Zerol 200TD 

AM 

PM 

NOT

 

Soltex Type AB-200 

 

PM 

ACCEPTABLE

 P = Preferred Lubricant Choice A = Acceptable Alternative M = Mixture of Mineral Oil and Alkyl Benzene (AB) with minimum 50% AB.

* (Reprinted with permission from Copeland)