Air Comp in shed

[BetterDays]

I am planning to move my compressor in the shed.
Running the wiring is not an issue. Planning to put it on a switch so that I can turn it on or off when needed.

However, I am stuck on two things:
1 - should I run the air hose from compressor to the garage (easy way, still allows quick disconnect in shed if needed) ~or~ run a hard air line? This is a temporary solution, as I do not plan to be in the place forever.

2 - draining the tank. I would like to hard pipe this out of the shed so I do not need worry about ruining the floor on the shed. My concern is that the shed does not have heat and it does get cold here in the winter (west of Cleveland, OH). Of course, I am concerned that the pipe would allow the condensation to freeze. Or, will it freeze if it is pressurized? It was fine in the garage, but twice per week (or more), the garage gets a nice long treatment of heat.

Assistance is appreciated.

Kevin

 

[OI812]

WOW

I'm not sure how long you plan on being there or how far away the shed is. You have allot of problems, and I'm short on solutions. Best way is to hard pipe it to garage. Problem is freezing as you stated. If your going to warm up the garage and your bringing in cold compressed air it will most likely freeze. Running a hose, you will lose air pressure. Double edge sword. Just out of curiosity how do you plan to hard pipe it overhead from the shed to the garage?

 

[BetterDays]

The shed is about 4' from the back of the garage. Enough to walk between the two.

I plan to run the wiring and hose (or pipe) from the top of the shed to the top of the garage and bring it down from there. I figure hose would be the easiest way to do it, since the pressure drop should not be too severe. Also plan to use a regulator on the hose end and keep the regulator on the tank fully open.

 

[bmwpower]

Maybe look into heat tracing. Normally seen in an industrial setting, a heated "wire" is wrapped around the item would want to heat. For example, on a sink's water lines used outside year round.

This will allow you to keep the bottom of the tank (or the whole tank) heated enough so that the condensation does not freeze in the tank. You would have to run it on the drain pipe as well, since condensation will immediately freeze when leaving the tank while draining.

The other problem is going to be the operation temperature of the compressor itself. You may have issues when it's really cold. Consult your owner's manual.

 

[Andamo]

Be careful on using heat tape if you go that route. There have been many trailer fires because of someone using heat tape on their water lines. I'm not sure if it's the quality of the tape that they are using or improper installation. I'm not sure if they make a tape that will shut off if it overheats.

 

[bmwpower]

Be careful on using heat tape if you go that route. There have been many trailer fires because of someone using heat tape on their water lines. I'm not sure if it's the quality of the tape that they are using or improper installation. I'm not sure if they make a tape that will shut off if it overheats.

I've only ever seen the thick wire type (almost looks like romex), not the tape type. I'm going to see if I can find out more info...

I'd be curious what others are using since I've seen several threads on installing a compressor outside on this site.

 

[BetterDays]

My compressor is in the garage now. Since it is not insulated, it gets just as cold in there. The only difference is the weekly heating from when I am working out there

 

[OI812]

Just a safety note: Make sure your pressure relief doesn't freeze up.

 

[BetterDays]

my gf's stepdad came over and I was asking him a few things (he is an electrician, works maintenance at Ford, etc.)

If I built an enclosure in the garage and used insulation, that would quiet the compressor down. I can place a regulator outside of the box to control the pressure that I need. In addition, I would run piping through the garage so that I could have a plus wherever I need it. As part of the box, I would place the bottom portion on a hinge so that I can reach the draincock on the bottom to drain the tank.

What are the potential downfalls of doing in this way? How much heat is produced by the compressor during heavy use (DA, grinder, etc.)?

Any assitance is appreciated.

~~I am trying to clean and organize my garage so that car parts are in the garage and lawn stuff is in the shed. Also raised my storage so that I could add another light. I now have 10 fluorescents (20 bulbs total) in my 20 X 20 garage. Nice and bright!

 

[bmwpower]

my gf's stepdad came over and I was asking him a few things (he is an electrician, works maintenance at Ford, etc.)

If I built an enclosure in the garage and used insulation, that would quiet the compressor down. I can place a regulator outside of the box to control the pressure that I need. In addition, I would run piping through the garage so that I could have a plus wherever I need it. As part of the box, I would place the bottom portion on a hinge so that I can reach the draincock on the bottom to drain the tank.

What are the potential downfalls of doing in this way? How much heat is produced by the compressor during heavy use (DA, grinder, etc.)?

Any assitance is appreciated.

~~I am trying to clean and organize my garage so that car parts are in the garage and lawn stuff is in the shed. Also raised my storage so that I could add another light. I now have 10 fluorescents (20 bulbs total) in my 20 X 20 garage. Nice and bright!

Depending on the construction on the enclosure and the insulation type, it may be doable. The compressor needs air to breathe (and compress) so sealing it off completely from the outside world should not be done.

Not sure about how much heat is produced, since it will vary among compressors. Undoubtedly, excess heat will eventually kill the motor.

I would say try it, but keep a close eye on the temp inside the enclosure.

Let us know what you find out. I'd like to do the same someday.

 

[jvo]

My compressor is in the loft above my garage. Next winter, if I get around to it, I will insulate the loft, possibly it may retain enough heat from the heated space below it, so my compressor will start on its own. Mine won't start, at temps below -20 Celsius (about -5 F), unless I go up there and run a hand held propane torch about 6 or 8 inches away from the fins on the compressor pump for a couple minutes. It turns over really stiff. I will probably run wiring from below, with a switch so I can use a 1500 watt space heater to blow onto the compressor, so it will start on its own. Then I can switch the heater on for a few minutes, and hit the compressor switch. Once its running, it will restart and cycle all day, with no problems. Its only the initial start that gives me a problem each day. John V.O.