That's very interesting Alan. Let me know how it works out.
On the oil type, I've heard of guys using vegetable oil, because if it leaks it won't pollute, and it's thin enough. Olive oil sounds good. I like the idea of testing it with water in a jar. Good idea. Maybe it would be a good idea to try several types of oil. There's some type of "di-electric" oil some one remarked on before, and then the WD40 stuff. How about regular 3-in-1 oil? Or maybe any light oil like 5 weight motor oil. A little bit leaked out isn't going to pollute anything.
Some oils will break down plastics like wire insulation or the epoxy "potting" on armature windings. I don't think vegetable oil would do that.
How about some light Hydraulic oil?
Anybody else got info on this?