Air Compressor Lean-To Questions

[MadeByMiller]

Hello everyone! I wanted to get some advice on building a lean-to for my air compressor off of the back of my shop. I'll attach a picture of my compressor. I live in South Dakota, so it obviously gets very cold. The compressor will be used year round, nearly every day. I've seen some builds from others on the forum through searching, and I wanted to clarify some things. Is there a rule of thumb for size, as far as area around the compressor? Should the space be insulated? I would like to try to keep it somewhat quiet for the neighbors, but I'm concerned it will trap heat in during the warm months. What are your suggestions for venting? I've seen some guys use ventilation fans in their compressor sheds, is that necessary? What should be done with plumbing going through the wall? I plan on installing an automatic drain valve and of course a light bulb. Thanks for your help guys!

 

[nitroracer20]

Curious also. May do somthing similar in future. Nice! What are the specs on that compressor?

 

[59 wagon man]

i used a Rubbermaid shed bolted to my garage and drilled a hole thru the wall ,ran a piece of copper and sealed it with caulking. you can hardly hear it run. been that way for 10 yrs now
if you put a drain and there is no water in the shed ,the cold really shouldn't hurt it , compressor may actually run cooler with less water. plus if the condensate in the tank was cold enough to freeze thru the steel tank how much difference could a light bulb make

 

[The Tool Tyrant]

MBM, Read your owners manual as they usually state required clearances for proper cooling. Put some thought into adjusting or changing drive belts as you'll need work room. You may want to place it sideways to the door opening to allow clearance at both front and rear.
I would install a louvered 14"X14" vent (minimum) low, along with one up high on the opposite side to get some cross-flow ventilation. You could cover the vents from the inside when it gets cold if needed. If need be, you could always install a powered exhaust fan that would run when the pump motor runs.
The majority of compressor pump noise comes from the intake valves, so adding an intake silencer helps a lot.

I would make sure that the enclosure is large enough. Make it a couple of feet larger than you THINK you need.

 

[MadeByMiller]

Curious also. May do somthing similar in future. Nice! What are the specs on that compressor?

Thanks! It's a 60 gallon 5hp two stage compressor. I got it used, but very lightly used.

i used a Rubbermaid shed bolted to my garage and drilled a hole thru the wall ,ran a piece of copper and sealed it with caulking. you can hardly hear it run. been that way for 10 yrs now
if you put a drain and there is no water in the shed ,the cold really shouldn't hurt it , compressor may actually run cooler with less water. plus if the condensate in the tank was cold enough to freeze thru the steel tank how much difference could a light bulb make

Yeah I'm not too concerned about freezing, the light bulb would just be for light. Do you have venting in your shed?

 

[sberry]

If you mess with the factory drain it will mess with it in the winter,, maybe/likely. The petcock in the bottom doesn't act like a sump and the ice doesn't hurt anything and it can be drained in warmer weather. I might be tempted to provide heat, It will work cold but **** lasts so much better and works easier if its not froze.
Open a door in summer. If you are not running it steady such as auto sanding or blasting heat isn't so much an issue.
Poke hole in wall, run pipe thru.

 

[MadeByMiller]

MBM, Read your owners manual as they usually state required clearances for proper cooling. Put some thought into adjusting or changing drive belts as you'll need work room. You may want to place it sideways to the door opening to allow clearance at both front and rear.
I would install a louvered 14"X14" vent (minimum) low, along with one up high on the opposite side to get some cross-flow ventilation. You could cover the vents from the inside when it gets cold if needed. If need be, you could always install a powered exhaust fan that would run when the pump motor runs.
The majority of compressor pump noise comes from the intake valves, so adding an intake silencer helps a lot.

I would make sure that the enclosure is large enough. Make it a couple of feet larger than you THINK you need.

Thank you for the advice! I just checked the online Rolair manual, they only specify 18" from the flywheel guard to the wall. Do you have any input on insulating?

 

[wcp0611]

Its been stressed already, but be sure to build it large enough to perform maintenance later. I built mine with tons of breatheable soffit but the building is just small enough that getting to the back where the belt is is pretty much impossible. When the belt goes and has to be replaced I'm planning on removing the building at that point and doing it again much better and smarter.

 

[MadeByMiller]

If you mess with the factory drain it will mess with it in the winter,, maybe/likely. The petcock in the bottom doesn't act like a sump and the ice doesn't hurt anything and it can be drained in warmer weather. I might be tempted to provide heat, It will work cold but **** lasts so much better and works easier if its not froze.
Open a door in summer. If you are not running it steady such as auto sanding or blasting heat isn't so much an issue.
Poke hole in wall, run pipe thru.

Good point, I could put a standard 110v outlet in that way I could put a small space heater in during the cold months.

Its been stressed already, but be sure to build it large enough to perform maintenance later. I built mine with tons of breatheable soffit but the building is just small enough that getting to the back where the belt is is pretty much impossible. When the belt goes and has to be replaced I'm planning on removing the building at that point and doing it again much better and smarter.

Good advice, any other thoughts of improvements you plan on making on your next version? Did you insulate your current set up, and are the vented soffits your only venting?

 

[sberry]

It doesn't got to be hot like the Texas sun. 40, 45 degrees . Keep the ice off it. **** just works so much better and longer when it ain't froze.

 

[The Tool Tyrant]

Thank you for the advice! I just checked the online Rolair manual, they only specify 18" from the flywheel guard to the wall. Do you have any input on insulating?

That is the reason that I suggested mounting it sideways to the door, leaving plenty of work room at both front and rear AND allowing for the required minimum air space for proper cooling.

I live in San Diego, so insulation is not a factor for me, but I would suggest R19 fiberglass batts in the stud bays and cover with a sound deadening board.
The little space heater that you mentioned would be a great idea if freezing is of any concern. Hook it up to a thermostat, and don't worry about it.

 

[MadeByMiller]

That is the reason that I suggested mounting it sideways to the door, leaving plenty of work room at both front and rear AND allowing for the required minimum air space for proper cooling.

I live in San Diego, so insulation is not a factor for me, but I would suggest R19 fiberglass batts in the stud bays and cover with a sound deadening board.
The little space heater that you mentioned would be a great idea if freezing is of any concern. Hook it up to a thermostat, and don't worry about it.

Mounting sideways sounds like a great idea, I'll be implementing that. Thanks for the insulation info, I wasn't aware they made a sound deadening board.

 

[The Tool Tyrant]

Mounting sideways sounds like a great idea, I'll be implementing that. Thanks for the insulation info, I wasn't aware they made a sound deadening board.

https://www.blueridgefiberboard.com/soundstop-maximize-sound-deadening/

 

[MadeByMiller]

I wanted to update this thread with the progress I've made. The shed is built, wired, insulated, and the compressor is mounted. The dimensions are 4'x4' with 7' walls. To be up and running I just need to plumb the system and decide what to for a tank drain (ball valve or automatic). The air compressor is largely inaudible unless your right up to the shed. I haven't sheeted the inside, not sure if I will. I also have not provided any ventilation, I'm going to see if it's necessary once I've got it up and running. I'll also be painting the shed this spring when it warms up. There is plenty of space around the compressor for air movement and maintenance. I've changed the oil to Amsoil ISO 100 full synthetic, recommended to me by Rol-Air. The oil is rated down to -10* F, which it shouldn't come close to. I also installed a 110v outlet in the shed should I need to warm it up with a space heater prior to startup on extremely cold mornings.

I would really appreciate any advise or threads I can be pointed to in plumbing my air system, as well as feedback on the tank drain. The primary purpose of the compressor will be to provide air for my CNC plasma table.

Also, on a side note, if you have Instagram and are interested in seeing more pictures and details from the start to where the shed is now, check out my story highlight on my page @madebymiller_

 

[sberry]

Plug 2 little heaters in case one fails and set them low, the spare a little lower and heat it, never freezing is a good thing.

 

[MattT]

One of these is the easy way to control your heater.

https://www.tractorsupply.com/tsc/product/farm-innovators-thermostatically-controlled-outlet

And you'll likely have to do something about venting in the summer. Check the compressor manual to see if it has a max ambient temperature listed. Should be one on the motor too.

 

[sberry]

An insulated room in the Midwest likely wont take much heat and could put a thermostat on a couple lamps wired in series but heater would be simple. A chore heater. SD prolly a little more but if a guy is using this regular makes it run better last longer at 40 vs 10 or even lower. Mine never freeze, they last a long time.