Air Comressor in a Garage Pit

[yodelcheese]

Hey guys,

I am trying to solve the age old issue of making space in my garage.

I have a large Champion compressor with an 80 gallon horizontal tank which I have been thinking for quite some time about placing outside of the garage. I have seen some do on this site but I don't really have the place big enough to put it near the garage.
Placing it out in the back yard in a suitable location will require running 75 feet of conduit and the return air lines.

So!!!!
My question is.
What would be the issues with cutting a 3'x6' pit in the garage floor, running the appropriate electrical conduit and air lines, lining it with concrete and placing the compressor in that hole? Of course I would put a heavy but removable cover over it for safety.

I can think of several issues already but I want to hear your thoughts.

 

[Lippyp]

Needs to be very waterproof or you'll end up with a drowned compressor.

 

[boiler7904]

How are you going to service the compressor if it's in a hole?

Being in earthquake country, I'd think you'd have to stay quite a distance from your existing garage foundation to avoid impacting its structural integrity. Structural engineer could tell you exactly how close you could be and how to reinforce your new pit to make it work.

 

[TAMPAGT07]

Sounds like a neat idea....Maybe use a steel door (or steal grate) with a few hydrolic cylinders to open and close the lid...You will need to consider an easy way to drain the tank for water...Maybe get an auto drain...

 

[volvo]

...
CAUTION.......I would give some thoughts to having and open electrical spark producing device at one of the lowest parts of your garage. Sounds too risky for me for possible conceivable fire or explosion of combustible fumes.

 

[pcmeiners]

Sounds cool if water is no issue and you have plans in case of needed repairs; would save a good bit of floor space/quieter. I would make sure water vapor/condensation is not an issue (added rust to compressor components) , a tight vapor barrier for the concrete would be needed; perhaps even blue board insulation, as the pit walls would be cooler than the air without it, in the summertime, easily/cheaply done. I also foresee a dust issue if the air intake is at the pit level; I work with computers, and the highest concentration of dust is at 0-12" from floor level, so if intake is at pit level you will need to change /clean filters more often. Good point made by Tampagt07 about an auto drain, if not auto, at least a line with a valve operated easily at room level.

 

[kbs2244]

It would be a lot easier, and safer, to build a strong shelf and put it up high.

Remember that you can separate the compressor part from the tank part.
That might make it easier to get it high.
You can trade off height for more horizontal space.

 

[Zeke]

Sounds like a lot of work to me. If you do this, get something for the cover that allows for air circulation and maybe run a fan off the electrics when the compressor starts.

Why can't you build a small dog house lean to right outside your wall? Maybe even elevate the compressor in a taller shed lean to and store the mower down below.

 

[LutzTD]

...
CAUTION.......I would give some thoughts to having and open electrical spark producing device at one of the lowest parts of your garage. Sounds too risky for me for possible conceivable fire or explosion of combustible fumes.

2nd this, thats why you dont see a lot of service pits anymore, both fire and breathing hazards

oops already suggested, 2nd this too. seperate the pump and tank, then put the tank up high out of the way and a small covered blister on the outside of a wall of the garage for the pump. a lot of commercial system are seperate. make sure you put a check valve on the tank.

 

[Greatbear]

Your compressor would have to have explosion proof motor and controls for one. Also, that which collects in low spots (gases, vapors, humidity, etc) will be found in your compressed air supply.