Electrical to Shipping Container Workshop

[jthacker48]

I've just moved into a new home in Phoenix, AZ. Currently, the home is only 1,300 sq ft with a 1 car carport enclosed in a garage door. We are in the process of adding 500 sq ft and I just had a 20' shipping container dropped into the backyard that I'm going to use as my workshop.

The house has a 200A panel (plus solar if that matters). The container is 70 feet from main panel including wall height on both ends. I plan on running a subpanel of at least 90A in the container with dedicated circuits for each of my bigger draw tools (approximately 6). If it mattes, the Dust Collector and Air Compressor will be outside of the container under a waterproof awning. This will be for both space and noise reasons. I've already spoken to an electrician but I'd like to get some recommendations from the group to ensure both the cost and solutions are in line. I've attached a list of my tools and their specs along with a highly unlikely max use type scenario. After reading about the savings of using aluminum over copper, I think it's very plausible for me to keep the max usage below 90A if that made a big difference in pricing. I appreciate any suggestions and apologize if I left out some pertinent information.

 

[Hot Rod Grampa]

Cost of everything is always a factor but consider long term versus short term as well. Aluminum works but copper is a better conductor, smaller wire for similar amperage, easier to work with and more efficient in transmission. Put in more amps than you think you will need. Labor is the same, and materials are not that much more. Put in a bigger conduit to make it easier to pull wires. Higher amp boxes are often cheaper. Just thinking out loud.

 

[Jackpod]

Welcome to Phoenix, You might want to reconsider a metal shipping container as in the summer they get well above 170 degrees inside. I had one for storage when I moved here and it was amazing how hot in got inside there. I had many things damaged, plastic deformed etc. I ended up with a wood structure, insulated and interior walls (R13 in walls and R30 in the ceiling) gable vents, still had to install an air conditioner 15k BTU for 400sq ft. I spent the last year finding ways to keep the heat under control. I can now say I can keep it at between 75 and 80 round the clock

 

[Jackpod]

The air compressor won't like the heat. I have been here 3.5 years and have learned a lot about the Arizona sun. It is brutal. Where abouts in the Phoenix area are you? I am quite a ways out west between Buckeye and Tonopah

 

[Bert_]

Cost of everything is always a factor but consider long term versus short term as well. Aluminum works but copper is a better conductor, smaller wire for similar amperage, easier to work with and more efficient in transmission. Just thinking out loud.

I don't buy this theory. I suppose copper is more forgiving of a sloppy installation, but do a decent job and aluminum will last and perform just as well.
I would say if anything aluminum is the easier of the two to work with.

 

[Hot Rod Grampa]

You have an opinion. What part of my statement is not accurate? Copper is usually half the size for any given amperage. How could you judge the quality of an installation based on information given? Good grief.

 

[matt_i]

I'd second the AC part. I lived in Tempe for 2 years and had stuff stored in a "mini mobile" metal container out in East Mesa where I worked. Aint no man that can work inside of one of those in the summer....without the AC its a brutal oven....it seemed like putting up another roof skin to keep the sun load off the container would be directionally helpful.

Your neighbors may not love the compressor running just under a lean-to.....

 

[Bert_]

You have an opinion. What part of my statement is not accurate? Copper is usually half the size for any given amperage. How could you judge the quality of an installation based on information given? Good grief.

Nothing about your first statement was incorrect. As you say we both have an opinion and I was just sharing mine. No offense intended.

Personally I have no problems with aluminum and I use it extensively for feeders and services.

FYI, an aluminum wire that has the same ampacity as a given copper conductor is usually one or two sizes larger. (60A = #6 copper or #4 aluminum, 200A = 3/0 copper or 250MCM aluminum)

 

[slip knot]

you need to plan for an AC circuit if you plan on actually working inside that can in the summer. it gets fricking hot in them

 

[LXCam]

I highly suggest you rethink the compressor being out there for several reasons. Electrically it'll be your biggest load, without that you could easily get away with a 50amp panel out there. Second heat that was brought up. The compressor don't like it and it'll add to your heat gain in the shop. But most importantly the fricking noise. After years of having my compressor in my shop area when I built what I've been in now for the last 7yrs I installed the compressor in the garage (100ft) away and run my line underground. Best thing I ever did.

My shop which was never meant to be a shop runs just fine off my 50amp subpanel and I have damn near everything you can think of for fabrication out here. A complete machine shop, welding, you name your t, I got it. And being a one man shop your actual connected load is only as great as you are. About the biggest load that can happen simultaneously is all the lights on and welding big plate which in theory would be about 45A and even that is not continuous. If you were to install a small window AC unit I'd up the service to 60A

Anyhow something to consider. And btw, my machine shop area is a 40ft container with a 18ft X 40ft "shop" built off the side of it. It's a joke really, but it's fully functioning and it does what I need it to do.

 

[apollo11]

Bury the container to keep the heat issues under control

 

[James-W]

Bury the container to keep the heat issues under control

OR, build a well insulated wood structure around the shipping container and air-condition the wood structure.

 

[jthacker48]

Sorry but the container is already in the back yard. I had to remove 14' of 8' tall cinder block wall to have it brought in. It's permanent at this point.

I'm insulating the container with Insofast panels, made specifically for a shipping container. I'm, also, going to put a roof structure over it. I've got a 10,200 BTU portable AC unit for 150 sq ft of space, a 20 ft container. I'm not too concerned about it getting too hot based on all those factors.

The air compressor would be completely shaded and covered as well. In addition, I've got a smaller portable compressor that I could use inside in a pinch if it gets too hot out.

 

[Lelandwelds]

Beeg

I'm insulating the container with Insofast panels, made specifically for a shipping container. I'm, also, going to put a roof structure over it. I've got a 10,200 BTU portable AC unit for 150 sq ft of space, a 20 ft container. I'm not too concerned about it getting too hot based on all those factors.

.

I really like containers. Insofast on the inside?

I dont have the solar gain you do but it still gets hot in mine. I was thinking about welding 1/4-20 bolts to the container. Covering with snow and ice shield at least on top. Blanket exterior with XPS. Bolt pressure treated with pvc pipe sharpened spacers through insulation.
Nail wood fence or siding to sides and tin on top. Leave airgap between insulation and siding.

Tax Authority doesn't consider containers to be a building because they are portable.

 

[sberry]

Just put some white sheet metal on as a roof covering, leave some space, it would help a lot.

 

[Ilikeike]

We have two containers at work, just painting the top with snow roof or white Henry's roof coating helped a lot, also a turbine style roof ventilator.