Air compressor containment question

[jproaster]

Thanks to all who helped me think through the "which" compressor question. I ended up ordering a quincy qt54 through Lowes today. I expect it'll be available to pick up around Oct 1. In the mean time I want to set up a place for the ac outside my shop...then pipe the air in.

I live in very humid SE Tennessee. So my question is "what structure would work to smartly shelter my ac?"

Thank you
John

FYI- my shop is not on the ground; the floor is anywhere from several inches to a couple feet above ground.

 

[MShaw]

The major thing to consider is giving the enclosure enough vent area to adequately cool the compressor.

 

[jproaster]

Thanks Shaw.
Will a couple soffit vents up high on the walls do the trick?
It gets awful hot and humid here.

Thanks.

 

[Mr_B]

I use an extractor fan on my outside hut help move air and keep comp cooler, wired in so only comes on while comp running and has a 5 minute overrun timer .

 

[jproaster]

I think that I'll build a 6-8' lean to building on one side creating a 4' opening- to get ac in or out easier. Extra storage room for abrasive media, etc too.

Since I'm not sure how much I'll actually use the ac during the remaining hot weather, I think that I'll monitor the hot temps over the next several months...adding a fan or what ever if necessary.

Having been working on this building since April, I'm kinda burnt out on the carpentry. Seems the right thing though given such a small building- 12x20.

John

 

[Mr_B]

^
exactly what I done was a lean to on outside of workshop, keep some steel stock and used parts in it too, way better space usage and far better for compressor and you as noise can be controlled well and compressor environment clean and ventilated .
A fan is a must in my opinion, compressor will love you much longer for the little extra effort .

 

[OccupantRJ]

My compressor is in an insulated room built onto the rear of the shop. I also use this room as my tool and hardware storage. I installed a louvered 6” through the wall vent fan controlled by a thermostatic switch to come on at a prescribed room temperature, then turn off when the room has cooled.

The fan can be seen to the upper right of the blue cabinet, and the switch is below it. I am building another compressor to go onto the tank you can just see in the righ corner, and will run them on an alternating control to allow each unit more cooling off time when I am blasting.

The lower end of the air piping goes through the wall to the outside so I can connect my 110 cfm portable compressor to pressurize the shop air system as needed.

 

[American Locomotive]

Keep in mind that hot and humid air is not good for your compressed air quality. You will have a lot of water in your air tank. You may want to consider an automatic compressor drain valve and a nice inline air dryer - perhaps one with desiccant.

 

[jproaster]

Keep in mind that hot and humid air is not good for your compressed air quality. You will have a lot of water in your air tank. You may want to consider an automatic compressor drain valve and a nice inline air dryer - perhaps one with desiccant.

After learning more about air systems, this issue is the one that almost thwarted my "quality" ac pursuit. Even though my recent workshop build is for my desire to have a proper place for home and moto maintenance, it is especially to allow me a place to rebuild motos and other non-wood projects that I know not of yet. Given I'd like quality tool experiences for my last 15 or so years of hands/head ability, I blew my tool budget and ordered the quincy.

Given what you all have said, I think that I'll alter my design. Since the last 5' of my shop is a small room across the 12' width with a small window ac unit already installed, I'll build a small cabinet behind this room and cut a hole down low to allow cool air to enter. Then I'll have a small fan in the cabinet to circulate the air. Combined with vents up high in the cabinet to allow hotter air to exit, I should be fine pertaining to keeping cabinet air cooler. I'm also fortunate that the cabinet will only have direct sun in the morning.

And regarding inline water removal, is it a given that more is needed than running some verticals and water filters in humid areas like mine? Do I need an air dryer?

Thanks
John

 

[American Locomotive]

Coalescing filters are almost always needed. Dessicant filled inline dryers are needed if you plan to paint.

 

[jproaster]

Not really sure that I'll paint; suppose the inline dryers can be added if necessary.
Thanks.

 

[OccupantRJ]

I simply have a filter and regulator with quick connectors that I attach into the air outlet that I am working nearest.