Compressor outside garage?

[Brent T]

What's the common practice on having the air compressor outside the garage? Currently I have a super noisy 110V oil-less in the corner of the garage. I rarely use it because it's truly mind-numbing to be in the garage with it running. I could build an enclosure to cut back on noise, but honestly I need a bigger compressor anyway. I'm getting ready to run a 240V circuit to the exterior of the garage soon for a mini-split. I'm thinking it could be cost effective to run two circuits at the same time. One for the mini-split and the other for the air compressor. My plan would be to get a new 240V compressor and install it outside near my A/C. I could build an enclosure. My concerns are heat / weather and noise. I live in Phoenix and this would be on the west side of the house in the direct sunlight most of the day. 110 degree ambient temps are not uncommon and metal objects exposed to the direct sunlight get much hotter than that. My thought was build some type of vented enclosure to keep it out of the elements. My other concern is noise. I live in an HOA subdivision with houses fairly close all around me. It's about 40 feet from the west wall of my home to the east wall of the nearest neighbors home. We have a 6' block fence between us. I'd need to keep the noise level at or below what's already being made by my home A/C condensor fan. So it wouldn't need to be absolutely silent, but would need to be "quiet enough" to not disturb the neighborhood. Any thoughts or experience appreciated.

 

[sberry]

If you use cable use a number 8, covers them to 5 hp. 10 in pipe.

 

[sberry]

If you use cable use a number 8, covers them to 5 hp.

10 in pipe.

 

[ducksface]

The pictured compressor lived outside in Lake havasu city for 12 years I don't ever remember getting it a new hat, so that might even be the original bin.
Heat isn't a problem, weather isn't a problem.

Noise?
Put it in an old refrigerator. Double walled, insulated, quiet.
Get constructive and bury it in an old refrigerator.
My oiless was on its way to get buried when the refrigerator got word of it and started working again. We sold the Havasu house so I brought the Havasu compressor up here. I never did bury an oiless, but man, give me a chance to....

(the red thing has 10lbs of dessicant in it. It does duty as the dessicator, an expansion cooler, a sand blaster, a portable air tank and I have a tire cheetah head for it.
It's an hf sandblaster.

 

[infinkc]

I would just be concerned with moisture from cooler nights. Make sure you put an auto drain on it. I see a lot of auto shops with their compressors outside all the time.

 

[nadogail]

IMHO, Noisey compressers are happier in their own enclosure.

Run 4 conductors of 10 gauge so you are covered for whatever your future power needs will be.

 

[mepstein]

Our commercial shop keeps the compressors outside with just a little roof to keep water off. On my home shop, I'm building a 12x12 shed off the back of the 24x22 shop. It will be a "dirty room" for blasting and grinding and it will have an enclosed closet with outside air for the compressor. There will be rock wool insulation between the compressor and my shop. We all have 4 acre properties so outside noise isn't an issue.

 

[bad_idea]

I agree, stick it outside. Relatively quiet units can be had at a fair price. It is my understanding the Quincy 325 (I think the new ones are called QT5 or something) units are fairly quiet as they turn around 400-800 rpms. I'd say put a pair of doors on the front of the enclosure and have the sides open for ventilation to reduce overall heat.

 

[Brent T]

Thanks all, for the feedback. Sounds like i just need to control the noise and I'm good to go.

 

[41plym]

Just a thought.
What is the cost of a new compressor versus the cost of an enclosure?

 

[ducksface]

Just a thought.
What is the cost of a new compressor versus the cost of an enclosure?

Dead fridge?
Someone pays you fifteen bucks to haul it away.

Anything else is $30 to $3,000.

 

[Black300zx]

Just to throw out a different thought, do you use the compressor for painting, sandblasting, or anything else that can't be replaced by cordless tools? If not, for the price of a new compressor and enclosure you can probably buy a full arsenal of cordless tools, avoid the noise issue, all while not dragging around a hose. I had planned to squeeze a compressor in my garage and then I found Milwaukee's M12 line and never looked back.

 

[NUTTSGT]

Maybe an outside overhang and put some lattice on the sides ? It'll allow plenty of ventilation yet should cut down on the noise. Maybe add a row of some shubbery to cover it from prying HOA naysayer eyes ?

 

[Brent T]

Just a thought.
What is the cost of a new compressor versus the cost of an enclosure?

I've considered it, but I'd still have a small 110V compressor. Garage is wired 15 amp. I have one 240V outlet that I use for my welder.

 

[Brent T]

Just to throw out a different thought, do you use the compressor for painting, sandblasting, or anything else that can't be replaced by cordless tools? If not, for the price of a new compressor and enclosure you can probably buy a full arsenal of cordless tools, avoid the noise issue, all while not dragging around a hose. I had planned to squeeze a compressor in my garage and then I found Milwaukee's M12 line and never looked back.

This might be a good option. I used to use it for some air tools which I have a few of, but I spent more time waiting on air (and listening to the compressor) than I did working. Past several years it mostly gets used to air up tires and I'd like to get an air over hydraulic tube bender someday. Might be money ahead to buy a quieter 110V compressor and some cordless impacts.

 

[Brent T]

Maybe an outside overhang and put some lattice on the sides ? It'll allow plenty of ventilation yet should cut down on the noise. Maybe add a row of some shubbery to cover it from prying HOA naysayer eyes ?

Possibly. Our HOA hasn't been a huge issue for me. I can't have anything show over the fence, but otherwise shouldn't be an issue as long as it's quiet enough.

 

[dffay]

Do the enclosure, four walls and door, nwith venting and foam walls (like thick semi-rigid foam) construction glued to the plywood or T1-11 (or whatever) walls. Screws and nails will carry the vibration along their shanks. And explore a muffler system for the device. There are some low buck mufflers Googled for precisely that purpose.

 

[Dragfluid]

ANYthing that you get to replace one of those oilless noise makers will be a major improvement. Put it inside, in the corner and vent the air intake to the outside. That's where the majority of the noise is from.

 

[Ilikeike]

I did the same thing this Spring, My compressor was in the garage right next to my work bench in the 3rd car tandem area, which is my "shop" space. Although not oil-less it was loud enough right next to you.

I built a 3 wall lean to style outside.

 

[strutaeng]

There's plenty of guys doing enclosures. Do an Advanced Search. I've got 2 compressors outside, a 120V 2HP and a 7.5 HP one. The big one just has a tarp over it because it has a open-dripproof motor, I think that's what you call it? At some point I planned to build a little roof over it. The little one has TEFC motor and seems to be holding up just fine. No tarp over that one.

Both are noisy, but one is behind my garage and the other is next to the alley...I just try to avoid running them at night/midnight. No complaints.

 

[bradpac]

Just build a little enclosure, use some polyiso insulation sheets on the roof and walls for sound deadening. I would keep about a 8- 12" section of the wall open on two sides up near the top for air intake and heat ventilation.

 

[ducksface]

So...
You guys are saying to build a refrigerator shell from scratch?
Doors, latches, foam insulation, steel exterior, no studs, welded or bent corners, waterproof, sound insulated door seal?

 

[Metallitubby]

Put it in an old refrigerator.

Dead fridge?

You guys are saying to build a refrigerator shell from scratch?

Do you own stock in old refrigerators?

 

[ducksface]

Do you own stock in old refrigerators?

No.
I own a stock of life sense which speaks to pre-built unit vs $300 cobbled box and wasted labor.

Why wouldn't you use a pre-built, almost designed for this usage cheap readily available box?

Just give me a why not.
It sure can't be an esthetic choice.

 

[sberry]

I will agree with some salvage but most residential fridges are small. More likely to find a freezer. Get real tricky and vent it for summer, close them with a temp sensor and turn on a heater when it gets cold. Super ideal is 50 or better and anywhere over freezing is better than colder
Paint the box, trim it out so it doesnt look like one.

 

[sberry]

I have a freeze in my storage building I put ag chemicals in, also acts as a secondary containment. If it gets bitter I have 2 100 watt lamps wired in series I put in it.

 

[ducksface]

Yeh, I said fridge generically.
He said oil less so I assumed 26 gallon max allowing the overhead freezer as a storage box.
A 60gallon would require a freezer.
Same. $15 bucks given to you to answer a Craigslist adv and hail it away.

 

[tretter7]

Years ago I built an insulated box for my oil-less and it made a world of difference. It was still inside but if you put it outside it would be plenty quiet. Even better would be to get a piston type compressor and do that. You need a little bit of ventilation to allow air in, but not much. As others have stated, the compressor doesn't really care about being in the elements, but your insulation and wood will.

 

[Dragfluid]

Just venting it to the outside would be a lot easier and cheaper.

 

[3rdgendslmech]

Look at some youtube videos on various compressors but I ended up with the 2 stage 60 gallon from Lowes. It makes noise, but not so much that you have to stop talking to your friend when it kicks in. I even left it bolted to the pallet and its sitting on concrete floor.

 

[Sureshot]

Spend the money on a diaphragm compressor and forget spending on an enclosure. I have California Air Tools and it has been fantastic.

 

[swavescatter]

I just went through this same decision process. My choice was down to the Kobalt Quiet tech 26 gallon from Lowe's for $300, or a $1300+ 60 gallon + wiring + enclosure. About $2k to "do it right."

I realized that the Kobalt runs an impact just fine and blows dust all day long. HVLP paint sprayers will run long enough for me to spray small projects.

Best of all - it's WAY quieter in person than the 100+ YouTube videos I watched. Plus it's portable.

I'm all in on battery powered tools like the orbital sander or cutoff wheels that consume the most air. If I ever "need" a bigger compressor I'll get one, but in the meantime I have a decent sized compressor that's a joy to hear kick on. Plus I have about $1700 left in my budget for other tools!

 

[brandonsmash]

My primary compressor lives outside in the Phoenix heat. I built a little shed for it with "windows" of hardware cloth to allow for airflow.

It's great: You can barely hear it inside the shop, and it's not obtrusive at all.

 

[rattle_snake]

Good advice on electric tools to replace air.
My comp has lived 22 years outside in phx. My enclosure is 3 sided for venting, and skinned with only metal. I instrumented with temp probes, was not as hot inside as I would have thought while running in 115 heat/direct sun.
I recently had skin off to replace belt and refurb pump. The noise difference is significant. No need for gasketed door or any of that. Last one had insulation, wasn't that helpful.
Yes the intake is noisy, but the low frequency energy from pistons and motor are also present. I found it helpful for overall noise to mount comp on it's own concrete pad (400 lbs) and use large rubber isolators on the feet.

 

[Metallitubby]

I found it helpful for overall noise to mount comp on it's own concrete pad (400 lbs) and use large rubber isolators on the feet.

Did you pour the pad or purchase a pre-cast pad? I am in the decision-making process of doing the exact same thing you've laid out.

 

[Cyclotronguy]

Your answer is a purpose built inlet muffler on an already quiet compressor.

 

[brownbagg]

mine been outside for 36 years, its not a vertical but a horizontal so I got half of a plastic 55 gallon drum over the motor and pump

 

[CoogarXR]

When I had my new shed built behind my garage, I moved my noisy compressor out there. It's wonderful to be able to fire up the compressor and only hear a faint hum instead of a deafening roar.

 

[Mike Folks]

Sheets of sound absorbing foam are available,along with the adhesive, ww Grainger has them, an electric carving knife makes short work of cut to fit,pieces.

 

[Mike Folks]

I understand Hockey pucks drilled and counterbored for the mounting bolts, are good isolators.