Cold weather compressor use

[Bunchgrass]

I'm looking to set up a new compressor in my refurbed shop and wonder what folks living in cold climates do if anything to deal with low temps and compressor start up. My shop can be heated when I'm in there but piss poor insulation right now combined with a large space makes heating 24/7 not even close to an option.
Questions --- where to locate compressor. Outside the building would be nice but clearly a cold one. Inside = less cold but can be below freezing overnight. In it's own boxed in space would work perhaps but summer might present a heat issue. Any suggestions?

I have a small Rolair and that ****** takes some finnagling to get going on cold mornings as it trips its reset multiple times trying to warm up. Hope to at least avoid that issue.

 

[DeeKay]

I have drum heaters on the sumps of my big rotary screw compressors to help with cold starts, self regulating and simple. They are wired into a contactor so when the compressor is running, the heaters are off. When the compressor shuts down the heaters turn on. You could do a similar setup with a small pail heater or immersion heater.
I would put the compressor outside in it's own little compressor house, I don't think you'd have to worry about it overheating in there. How hot does it get up there in Idaho?

 

[Bunchgrass]

It can get over 100F on occasion but 90s for 10 days throughout the summer isn't unusual.

You think one of those magnetic engine block heaters might work? Any issues with condensation freezing even if I drain?

 

[The Cobbler]

run synthetic oil in it, also you could add a cold start valve to help . they bleed off a bit of air until about 10 or 15 PSI to help everything get going at start up https://www.ebay.com/itm/Air-Compre...555651?hash=item1aaeaa7243:g:xFQAAOSwhZJf6hQO

 

[DeeKay]

What size rolair is it? It should already have an unloader valve I would think.
I would try the synthetic oil mentioned above first, if that doesn't cut it then look into the heater.
If you drain regularly I don't think you'll have any problems with condensate. If you're worried about it you can always heat trace your condensate lines, it really doesn't take a whole lot of energy to keep them from freezing up. I use the 6watt/foot self-regulating Raychem outdoor heat trace on 3/8" condensate lines and have never had a problem with them freezing up.

 

[joshmodelskidoo]

Synthetic oil and a heat lamp. If its small bring it in the house for an hour or two before you need it

 

[Ign]

My 80 gallon Craftsman purchased new circa '03 has always lived outside in an unheated shed. Colorado climate its entire life, so near zero humidity, but winter temps at night can be single digits, summers high 90's with occasional triple digits.

I think I've changed the oil twice in 17 years, and I just use the least expensive "compressor oil" out there.

Wire it up. Turn it on. Forget it. If it dies tomorrow it owes me nothing. Oh and I might drain the tank twice a year. I suspect the tank will rot through before the pump dies.

A few years ago it started squealing quite a bit. I tightened the belt. Problem fixed (shrug)

 

[Jazz1]

It’s -24C this evening. My 5hp compressor is in garage and if in used there’s a fire on and tank is drained after each use. If compressor were outside the moisture would collect until April as well air lines would freeze up. Possibly a electric element could be installed in tank to store compressor outdoors.

 

[demarpaint]

Synthetic oil helps, a lot. They also make magnetic oil pan heaters which you can put on the pump near the sump, and/or use a good heat lamp to warm it up a bit. When I drain mine I leave the ball valve open. So far no problems with my compressor, I've done this for close to 40 years now. If it's real cold I use a heat lamp.