Ingersoll Rand Ultra Coolant 5 Gallon vs. 5 Liter: Which Size Do You Need?
When you are shopping for Ingersoll Rand Ultra Coolant, one of the easiest mistakes to make is confusing 5 gallon with 5 liter.
They sound close enough when you are moving fast, but they are very different amounts of coolant. And if your rotary screw compressor needs more than a small top-off, ordering the wrong size can turn a simple maintenance purchase into an annoying delay.
If you already know you need the larger pail, view our SSR Ultra Coolant replacement for Ingersoll Rand (5 Gallon).
What Is Ingersoll Rand Ultra Coolant?
Ingersoll Rand Ultra Coolant is a synthetic lubricant/coolant used in rotary screw compressors. It is designed to support lubrication, heat transfer, varnish control, and long service intervals in demanding compressor environments.
Customers may search for this product using several names, including:
- Ingersoll Rand Ultra Coolant
- SSR Ultra Coolant
- IR Ultra Coolant
- Ultra Coolant compressor oil
- Ingersoll Rand rotary screw compressor coolant
Those terms often point to the same basic need: coolant for an Ingersoll Rand rotary screw compressor that specifies Ultra Coolant, SSR Ultra Coolant, or an approved equivalent.
5 Gallon vs. 5 Liter: The Big Difference
A 5 gallon pail and a 5 liter container are not close in volume. A 5 gallon pail is much larger.
| Size | Approximate Volume | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| 5 Liter | About 1.3 gallons | Small top-offs or smaller maintenance needs |
| 5 Gallon | About 18.9 liters | Larger maintenance jobs and rotary screw compressor oil changes |
So if you need a full pail for service, the 5 liter container may not be enough. It is the tiny bucket of sadness when your compressor was expecting the big bucket of responsibility.
When Should You Buy the 5 Gallon Size?
The 5 gallon size makes sense when you need more than a small top-off container. It is commonly used by maintenance teams, plant personnel, and industrial customers maintaining rotary screw compressors that require a larger coolant quantity.
The 5 gallon size may be right when:
- You are performing a scheduled coolant change.
- Your compressor requires more coolant than a small 5 liter container provides.
- You maintain one or more Ingersoll Rand rotary screw compressors.
- Your manual or service records specify SSR Ultra Coolant, Ingersoll Rand Ultra Coolant, or an approved equivalent.
- You want to keep coolant available for planned maintenance.
For the larger pail, shop our Ingersoll Rand Lubricant Replacement - SSR Ultra Coolant (5 Gallon).
When Might the 5 Liter Size Be Enough?
A 5 liter container may be enough if you only need a smaller amount of coolant for a top-off or a smaller maintenance task. It may also be useful when a customer wants to keep a limited amount on hand instead of buying a full pail.
Before ordering, check your compressor manual or service documentation to confirm how much coolant your machine requires. Do not guess by the name alone. “Ultra Coolant” tells you the product family. It does not automatically tell you the quantity you need.
Why Size Confusion Happens
Size confusion usually happens because customers search by product name or part number, then assume the first result is the size they need.
Common searches include:
- SSR Ultra Coolant
- Ingersoll Rand Ultra Coolant
- IR Ultra Coolant
- Ultra Coolant 5 gallon
- Ultra Coolant 5 liter
- Ingersoll Rand Ultra Coolant replacement
The problem is that several of those searches can bring up different container sizes. That is why your buying checklist should include both product type and container size.
How to Confirm the Right Size Before Ordering
Before buying Ingersoll Rand Ultra Coolant or an SSR Ultra Coolant replacement, confirm three things:
- Machine type: Make sure the compressor is a rotary screw compressor, not a reciprocating compressor.
- Coolant requirement: Confirm the machine calls for SSR Ultra Coolant, Ingersoll Rand Ultra Coolant, or an approved equivalent.
- Container size: Confirm whether you need a 5 gallon pail, a 5 liter container, or another size.
This step matters because buying the right product in the wrong size can still slow down maintenance. Nobody wants to realize they bought the snack-size coolant when the compressor needed the family pack.
Is 5 Gallon the Same as 20 Liter?
A 5 gallon pail is close to 20 liters, but the measurements are not exactly identical. Five gallons is about 18.9 liters. Many customers use “5 gallon” and “20 liter” in the same general shopping context because they are looking for the larger pail rather than the smaller 5 liter container.
When ordering, always rely on the actual product listing, container size, and your compressor requirements. If the product says 5 liter, it is not the same as a 5 gallon pail.
Is This for Rotary Screw or Reciprocating Compressors?
SSR Ultra Coolant and Ingersoll Rand Ultra Coolant are used in rotary screw compressors that specify this type of coolant. They are not intended for reciprocating compressors.
If your compressor uses pistons, cylinders, valve plates, an intercooler tube, or is often described as a pump, it may be a reciprocating compressor. That type of machine typically uses a different lubricant.
Quick Buying Checklist
Use this checklist before ordering:
- Your compressor is a rotary screw compressor.
- Your documentation specifies SSR Ultra Coolant, Ultra Coolant, or an approved equivalent.
- You need the larger 5 gallon pail, not a smaller 5 liter container.
- You are not buying for a reciprocating compressor.
- You are not mixing different lubricant chemistries unless compatibility has been confirmed.
- You are ordering enough coolant for the maintenance task.
Shop the 5 Gallon SSR Ultra Coolant Replacement
If your Ingersoll Rand rotary screw compressor calls for Ultra Coolant or SSR Ultra Coolant and you need the larger pail size, you can order the 5 gallon replacement here:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is 5 gallon the same as 5 liter?
No. A 5 gallon pail is much larger than a 5 liter container. Five gallons is about 18.9 liters, while 5 liters is about 1.3 gallons.
Which size of Ingersoll Rand Ultra Coolant do I need?
Check your compressor manual, service records, or maintenance requirements. If you are doing a larger maintenance task or coolant change, the 5 gallon size may be more appropriate than a small 5 liter container.
Is this 5 gallon product for rotary screw compressors?
Yes. SSR Ultra Coolant and Ingersoll Rand Ultra Coolant are used in rotary screw compressors that specify this type of coolant or an approved equivalent.
Can I use SSR Ultra Coolant in a reciprocating compressor?
No. SSR Ultra Coolant is intended for rotary screw compressors that specify this coolant. Reciprocating compressors typically require a different lubricant.
Why do people call it coolant instead of oil?
In rotary screw compressors, the lubricant does more than reduce friction. It also helps transfer heat out of the machine, which is why products like Ultra Coolant are often described as coolant.
Can I mix Ultra Coolant with another compressor oil?
Do not mix compressor lubricants unless compatibility has been confirmed. Mixing different lubricant chemistries can reduce performance and create maintenance issues.
Where do your products ship from?
Everything ships from our warehouse in Greenville, South Carolina, and our support team is based here too, ensuring fast shipping and real help when you need it.