New Maplenoll Ariadne owner needing advice

Still wondering about buying another refrigerator compressor to replace my bad compressor. I had an HVAC person on another website say that draining the coolant (R22) would cause the compressor to fail. This dies not seem to have been a problem with all the Maplenoll Super quiet pumps that have functioned for so long. Any thoughts?

Refridgerant compressors like those used by Maplenoll are lubricated by oil, not freon. Freon is not a lubricant. Most HVAC guys know that they need to add oil to a new install and/or pump replacement. It's HVAC 101.

I'd strongly suggest going to a rotary vane oil less pump myself. Near zero pulsation and no worries about seperating oil from the air feeding your table. Open the scud and replace the foam. The foam has likely seen oil, as that it is the nature of inexpensive oil lubed refridgerant pumps. Or, just build new ones.

Let's face it, we want to feed the arm tube and platter with the cleanest, pulse free air, right?

Oikmanmojo gave you a wonderful recommendation. I've used a Techumseh pulse free rotary vane pump on my Airiadne Signature for years. And while the multiple stages of oil and water seperators are still in place, they don't require anywhere near the maintenance that they used to.

I have added several extra air tanks, too.

Have fun. Bruce Thigpen never got the respect that he deserved for this table.

Brian is right about the superquiet pumps used with the original maplenoll. It is a "lube" oil, most likely Mobil one or equivalent. I do not like this set up because the refrigeration compressor does heat up and entrain oil throughout the system. This is also one of the reasons some maplenolls put a burnt oil smell into your listening room. if you are going to repair the existing pump. I would recommend draining and replacing the oil with a modern synthetic oil or true compressor oil Most of these are odorless and are more stable to heat.

Again he is right on point about the arm. It likes clean, smooth flowing air. I also recommend flushing the airbearing sleeve with isopropyl alcohol to clean out the ports if you are having any sticking problems

I like the concept of the oil-less compressors but the two i tried (not the one Brian recommended)were just too loud for my taste.

Finally to Markim, I am traveling today, but if you are looking for the belt measurement, i will post tommorrow once i return. I have the signature set up and can get that measurement pretty quickly for you

Oilmanjoe,
Which Juneair did you buy?

Oilman: LOL, The nice thing about a wife's sewing room is that the buzz of an oil less rotary vane pump is quiter than the sewing machine. :) I have a very understanding wife.

Which Junaire model did use and do you have any specs? CFM @ PSI, etc?

You are spot on with the oil smell and the need to flush that sticky mess from your air bearings and air line with isopropyl. Cleanliness is essential. I'd recommend installing new air line after flushing the bearings and making new "scuds" with PVC tubing or buy a couple of 5 gallon paint pots, or those 5 gallon air tanks without the compressor that youy can buy at O'Reillys or the Pepe Boys for $30 each.

My friend Jack bought his Signature from Mark Schneider at Music Direct. He had a plastics fabricator build him a plexiglass cover which covers the entire table, arm and all, so that his arm tube doesn't get any dust on it, while not in use. Probably not a bad idea.