Another compressor piping question

[chrislehr]

OK, so my garage is very multipurpose and I have and use an air compressor regular for:

- filling tires
- some power tools (C10 project truck)
- dusting/cleaning
- nailer/staplers

NO body work type stuff.

I am in TX (hot) and thinking about putting the compressor in the attic (hotter)

Im sure that will decrease lifetime, but my only other option is to build an outside closet to put it in and I am not ready for that project yet - so the attic it is.

I have a ceiling mount hose reel that will be attached, but I also want a drop out by the garage door and two on the workbench. Maximum I guess of about 30-35 feet of pipe.

garage is already drywalled for the most part, so I am thinking black pipe cause it looks nicer exposed than other options.

 

[ford33]

What is your question?

 

[chrislehr]

Any reason not to go iron pipe?
Where is best place to buy air line supplies?
What air line supplies do I need?
Should I get a separate 120v circuit for it, or share an existing garage circuit?

 

[The Cobbler]

Any reason not to go iron pipe?. nope
Where is best place to buy air line supplies? shop around for prices and stock
What air line supplies do I need? depends on what you're plumbing, but at minimum the necessary fittings for the pipe and some couplers
Should I get a separate 120v circuit for it, or share an existing garage circuit? depends on compressor, but should have at least a single circuit for any compressor other than small portable

 

[Moose364]

I went with Rapid air Maxline got it at atwoods on sale very easy to install plus you never have to worry about rust
Now I still not real sure about the compressor in the attic, I put mine outside and just covered it at night and when not using it until I had time to build some protection around it, I mean you need to drain the tank, plus in Texas as Hot as it get's plus the attic heat I don't see it lasting very long at all, your oil will break down, plus having no cool air for the fan to blow across the compressor it will get HOT

 

[ford33]

I would recommend a separate electrical circuit for the compressor. Before putting a separate circuit for my 120 v compressor, the breaker would trip when I used other tools on that circuit.

You need to determine what type pipe and fittings appeal to you and design accordingly.

If you are putting the compressor in the attic, what are you going to do when it is time to drain the water from tank? In hot and humid Texas, that might mean every week.

How will you do oil changes and air filter changes on the compressor in a hot dark confined attic?

 

[chrislehr]

How will you do oil changes and air filter changes on the compressor in a hot dark confined attic?

It's lit and has plenty of room to leave myself 2 feet on all sides of the compressor if I need to.

 

[72Anthony]

Is the garage attached to the house? If so, you need to consider vibrations transmitted to nearby rooms/areas.

I would place the compressor on a separate circuit and turn it off after leaving the shop.

I would not use the plastic Rapid Air because it only has a maximum temperature of 180 degrees F. The ambient temperature in an attic in TX can reach 140 deg F. In a normal space (70-80 deg F), the discharge temperature at the compressor can easily exceed 200 deg F.

Iron pipe is relatively easy to work with and will help cool the air.

Beyond regular piping and fittings, at a minimum you want a regulator and filter. You can simplify things by having a single regulator and filter, so all the outlets run at the same pressure. Not a big issue in a small, one-man shop. Just mount the regulator in an easy to reach location.

Probably wouldn't hurt to rig up a small box fan to run while the compressor is on.

I would also look at some type of automatic tank drain or piping a manual drain through the ceiling to allow easy draining from the shop.