Compressor noise/vibration abatement

[Mesozoic]

Since my garage is attached to the residence, I'm trying to find ways to reduce NVH in my build. One option I've got is to locate the compressor inside a sound isolated storage room, but not sure that takes care of the vibration aspect. If anyone has any recommendations on what other considerations I might make to reduce noise/vibes, please let me know. Thanks!

 

[Okiecat]

Mines been outside for 25yrs, 80gal quincy. Put it on concrete pillars 8" off ground so I could get a big gate valve on drain. Set some conveyer belting on top of pillars and set it down. Hasn't moved a bit. Some day Im going to build a cover over it too. Maybe when I retire?!!ha

 

[Mesozoic]

Got a Quincy QT-54 on its way... I'm leaning towards placing it in the sound isolated storage room. Conveyer belting for isolation is an interesting idea... I'll have to see where I can find some.

 

[sweetk30]

lots ofinfo in here i gathered from here and few other places . and some of my own stuff that works . https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=334502

biggest is rubber mount every part of the compressor .

i just scored a all original I.R. unit and its got way more harmonic sounds than my 2 other units i built with rubber in all points .

 

[Slednut]

I have the same compressor, I built an enclosure around it and bolted it to a piece of 3/4 inch ply wood that's setting on a couple thicknesses of carpet. It is not fastened to the floor or anything else.

The enclosure has double sheets of sound board inside of it.

When I know it's going to run for an extended amount of time I added a fan so it won't over heat. There is also a door with a quick connect hose so I can drain it.

 

[stonesfan68]

One of the biggest sound generators on reciprocating compressors is the inlet valve. A Solberg (or similar) filter/silencer can reduce the decibel level considerably.

I have rubber pads installed under each of the feet of the tank. I also have a stainless steel flex line that connects the compressor to the filters and regulator.

 

[dffay]

Sandwich mounts can help on the feet. (McMaster-Carr source, for one)
When you go to fasten foam or similar on your walls, try to use construction adhesive. The shanks of nails and screws transmit noise/vibration down the length of them into the wall studs.

 

[driftpin]

What my friend sells for feet insulation: sandwich pads 4" X 4" X 3/4". He sells & services air compressors, mostly industrial installations. He also sells refurbished units of many types.

What-else can-be done:
A remote air intake/filter, separated from the compressor by a rubber hose. That's probably mentioned in the GJ thread posted.

 

[Citation]

Mount the compressor on vibration pads. A really big one is dealing with intake noise. For my 20 gallon belt drive I dropped 8db by changing from basically an open air filter to an "automotive style" filter plus about 14" of rubber hose.
Take a look at this video.

Forget about his PVC stuff. The filter housing is the same type I switched to. I also used a rubber hose like he did. I didn't put anything after the hose.

Believe it or not, that rubber hose alone makes a big difference. I learned about this with a California Air Tools compressor. It came with a 5" dinky vinyl tube you were supposed to add to the intake housing. I thought it was a total joke... until I tried it. It really helps for almost no money.

Still, others like adding a muffler after the rubber hose.

Basically, you can go for some type of isolation room but I would start by working on the intake. Just something to cut down on that intake chuffing helps a lot.