Air compressor outside?

[Jonny006]

I have a question for those of you in the know-
My compressor is a horizontal Husky model and it is quite large. Large enough that for 2 years it's been sitting unused in my sisters barn until I can I get it fitted in my redone garage.
I ran a separate circuit for it when rewiring the garage so actual placement is still up in the air.
What I was wondering is there any way I can store the compressor in the attic? I have plenty of space up there and I could easily pipe the air down from the ceiling to my reel. It would really free up space too.
Is this advisable? I am concerned about winter use. The space will be pretty cold and I am concerned about it freezing.
As for use, this unit is way bigger than I need. About the only thing I use it for is filling up tires and raising the motorcycle lift. Occasionally I will dry off the bikes after washing.
My current setup is an old Craftsman paint sprayer compressor that is oiled. I don't think I have ever drained it and the water separator at the exit is rarely if ever collected significant moisture. This winter though it froze. I thought it was seized but it was not thankfully. I just think the fact that it was 0 for months on end didn't help.
I would like to avoid a repeat of frozen-ness and on the outside chance I get an opportunity to work in the garage next winter I would hope my equipment will work.
So yea or nay on the attic?

 

[countryroad82]

Seeing as how my compressors live outside under a lean to with no problems other than the air is friggin' colder than a well diggers' a$$ in the winter, I wouldn't see any problem with storing yours in the attic other than when you go to service it. You need to get in the habit of draining your compressors though, if you've never drained that Craftsman it probably has quite a few gallons of water in the tank. Nothing would annoy me more to have a rusty tank explode over top of my head, take out the roof, blow through the ceiling, PLUS get everything soaked with water!!!

 

[cattoon]

My 60 gal upright lives outside under a shed, I do agree that you should be vigilant about draining the tank if you are not already in the habit of doing so. I don't have water in the drip leg or water seperator but I do absolutely have it in the tank.

 

[sberry]

Its colder there. It needs lightweight oil and ideally a crank case heater although with minimal use it may not be a problem.

 

[FMC1959]

My compressor manual states using synthetic oil if used where temperatures drop below freezing, so that would imply it can run in freezing temperatures. The above warning about the importance of draining the tank is something I never thought, good to know.

 

[Jonny006]

Yea, I know I need to drain it. I will do it this weekend.
Since I use the compressor so little, I'm thinking of hooking it up to a switch so I can turn it on only when needed. I would imagine that with little use then it would only have to be drained infrequently like every other month or so?
And honestly, I haven't set eyes on my compressor in so long I don't even remember if its oiled or not! I really need to go collect it!
Thanks for the replies folks.

 

[countryroad82]

I put my compressor on a switch inside the shop, but I made myself a habit of before walking into the shop, walk to the compressor shed, kick the valve open on the bottom of the tank and let it blast THE DAILY WATER, close it, glance at the oil level, and also turn a valve on that is mounted to the air outlet side that prevents the tank leaking down overnight. Notice how I said daily water there, it doesn't really matter how often you use a compressor, if you use it at all you need to drain the tank. It's a very good habit to have. Once a month would scare me on draining one, once a week probably passable for occasionally using one, but daily is better that way it keeps you in the habit of keeping it drained. Look up compressor explosion on here, there are some pretty wicked pictures of tanks rupturing. You got to remember you're dealing with a pressure vessel, which potentially can have a massive explosion!!! While we're talking safety, it's also a good idea to check you pop off valve every now and again, I check mine every 3 months when I change the oil. But my compressor is used every day which is why I have the 3 month routine.

 

[countryroad82]

Just for the fun of it look at these threads

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=242662&highlight=air+compressor+explosion

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=232367&highlight=air+compressor+explosion

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=227709&highlight=air+compressor+explosion

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=227763&highlight=air+compressor+explosion

If you are thinking of PVC air lines

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=216590&highlight=air+compressor+explosion

There are more threads like this. Not trying to scare you but you have to think safety safety safety!!!!

 

[Jonny006]

YIKES!!
I don't think I even want a compressor now!

Just for the fun of it look at these threads

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=242662&highlight=air+compressor+explosion

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=232367&highlight=air+compressor+explosion

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=227709&highlight=air+compressor+explosion

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=227763&highlight=air+compressor+explosion

If you are thinking of PVC air lines

http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=216590&highlight=air+compressor+explosion

There are more threads like this. Not trying to scare you but you have to think safety safety safety!!!!

 

[countryroad82]

Nah don't let it bother you, that is what happens when care isn't taken or you do t treat it with respect. As of most anything, if you don't treat it with respect it will try it's darnedest to kill you, be it a car, your house, heavy equipment, if you think about it just about everything you do in a normal day could put you 6 feet under quick fast and in a hurry!!!

 

[CNGsaves]

^ ^ ^ Good advice CR82 . . . . . those older horizontal 20 gal compressor tanks are especially vulnerable with any water sitting on seam at bottom of tank. Those really need to be drained daily as way too thin skin on tank.

OP . . . drain any water in that compressor tank that's been sitting. If rust problems look severe, then more precautions may be needed. Just take out bung holes in that tank and check condition of tank inside using a boroscope, then you may need to do testing for tank safety like hydrostatic test (ie pressurized water) - - - see prior GJ threads where grease gun supplies the pressure.

 

[sberry]

Its amazing anyone can use one without an inside out inspection. But, if it isn't being used it isn't getting water added to it and if it does its normal, don't panic. Millions are used without draining every 5 minutes.

 

[Jonny006]

Well, I drained the old sears compressor tonight. It's ancient with a big old elec motor and a belt turning a single piston. It says it's a paint sprayer. @100psi max.
I noticed that it had a new drain added to it at some point prior to me getting it and the original drain seems seized. The new drain is a simple 1/2 turn ball ****. I turned it open and..nothing. Not even air. Hmmm. Took a piece of safety wire and fiddled it into the hole and WHOOSH! Lovely rusty water. Not alot though. Maybe a 1/4cup. Filled it with air and repeated and no more water. But it was very rusty.
I'm now thinking that instead of putting the big compressor in the attic I may just build a shelf in the corner and put it up there. My ceilings are 10' so it won't be an issue with it being too low. Easier to access it and drain it.

 

[jonjon1]

Royal Purple oil {Napa has it for $18} and most compressors will run in any cold condition. I have a couple compressors I bought 10 years ago they have aluminum single stage pumps on a 60ga tank {I don't know who actually makes the pump, its the one with the flat filter insert not a threaded style} and one of them was outside with a canopy over it and ran at least once a day for 8-9 years, NO issues, I changed teh oil, did a belt here and there, but it always worked.. The other one was used very little and I actually now have it installed in a shed, hopefully it lasts a long time, but it will be outside with that royal purple oil in it...