Compressor outside

[bedn0009]

Hello,

I am planning a 32 x 28 x 9 build for later this summer. In the garage I plan to do some woodworking and subsequently HVLP paint spraying and finishing (as well as storage).

I live in Northern Wisconsin (cold winters) and I was wondering if there would be any options for me to house my compressor (to be purchased) outside the garage?

What are the downsides to this?

What type of enclosure would I need to build?

For weatherproofing/insulation purposes, how would I run power/air lines through the wall?

Thanks for the input... this community is amazing.

 

[Fixnair]

Be aware if the oil you use. It must have a pour point below the lowest expected temp for your area. Most homeowner compressors are splash lubricated and 30 wt. will not lubricate the wrist pins & cylinders at ambients below30*. Another thing compressors make a fair amount of water and when it freezes it can break pipes & other parts.

 

[bedn0009]

Good info. Would you then NOT suggest it for my scenario? Seems like the issues and considerations I may run into outweigh the benefit of not have to listen to it once in a while.

Thanks

 

[rsanter]

Build a small corner closet or design in a small bump out on the side of the shop that will hold the compressor but still have it indoors.

Bob

 

[cherokee]

I have thought about this as well....would a chicken coop light keep it warm enough for it to be ok. Winters here are pretty dry...very low humidity....summer is very different 90%+ is very common. Do you think a heat light like that would work.

 

[volleyball]

Is that a 1200w chicken coop light?

You can run a compressor outside, there are lots of them on service vehicles. But do you want that cold air feeding what you are doing? Do you wait for spring to drain it?
Decent compressors are not that noisy. And you can put them in less critical areas.

 

[kbs2244]

If your concern is noise remember the major noise source is the inlet.
If you remove the air filter and install a small car muffler between it and the compressor you may find it quiet enough to keep it inside.

 

[kazlx]

But do you want that cold air feeding what you are doing?

Cold air is far better than warm air.

 

[volleyball]

Ca. cold air is a lot warmer than Wi. cold air.

 

[joe_padavano]

Here in Northern VA, where overnight temps can approach zero during the winter, many commercial shops and tire stores have their compressors outside with just a chain link fence around them.

 

[kazlx]

Ca. cold air is a lot warmer than Wi. cold air.

That has zero to do with anything. Cold air is still better than warm air.

 

[volleyball]

Go to wisconsin and work all day off a compressor that is outside in the middle of winter and tell me that.

 

[ford33]

I live in Chicago and my compressor has been located outside for the last two years. It runs fine. I did build a small three-walled enclosure for it to keep the snow and sun off the compressor. I use a synthetic oil for lubrication and installed a pull type drain in the tank drain port so make it easier to drain water from the tank.
In the coldest of winter days the compressor is slow to start to full speed but never failed to run. I strongly recommend a synthetic lubricant for compressors. I use Aimsoil compressor lube.

 

[Fixnair]

If you use a 10 wt oil in the winter you will be just fine, or a multigrade 10w30. A regular petroleum oil will allow your compressor to last many years providing you change it yearly.
For the average homeowner synthetic oil will never pay back the investment. You can use it if you want to but it's not worth my money.

 

[GYPSY400]

If you do choose to house it outside, I would build an insulated enclosure to keep it above freezing in the winter months. A small heater would keep it warm enough.

 

[600SL]

Just put mine outside. Plan to insulate it with Roxul Safe and Sound. The structure vents at the front over the top of the door. Mine is a cheep noisy compressor so I will be insulating well to keep the neighbors happy. No plan on heating hear in NC. It did get down to 8° F last winter but it wont be in use on those days.

 

[joe_padavano]

If you do choose to house it outside, I would build an insulated enclosure to keep it above freezing in the winter months. A small heater would keep it warm enough.

Considering that my compressor has been in an unheated, uninsulated garage in sub-freezing temps for nearly a decade now, and works just fine under those conditions, I don't think this is necessary.

 

[volleyball]

For the cost of building an outdoor space, you can upgrade to a quieter compressor

 

[GYPSY400]

Considering that my compressor has been in an unheated, uninsulated garage in sub-freezing temps for nearly a decade now, and works just fine under those conditions, I don't think this is necessary.

Good to know.. I would think the cold starts wouldn't be good for the bearings


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Charles (in GA)]

I would use a bond on type silicone electric heat pad on the bottom or side of the compressor crankcase with a thermal switch to turn it on about 35°F, plus, use synthetic oil. The compressor still needs a roof over it. I also would use a heater tape on the drain pipe.

Several ebay sellers have various sizes of the heat pads.

Charles

http://www.omega.com/pptst/SRFR_SRFG.html

The title is a typo, it is a 120v, NOT 12v thermal switch.

http://www.homedepot.com/p/Unbranded-Thermocube-TC3/100210525

 

[drcliff]

Compressors do not care what temperature it is, AT ALL, as long as the oil can flow and lubricate. Cold air is actually much better- it's more dense and less watery than 50-degree air. You don't need to keep your compressor warm, you just need to keep the rain off it.

Volleyball has a good point, too- larger, quality compressors (Kellogg, Quincy etc) are a lot quieter than 'Home Depot' units. It might make sense to solve the problem by investing in a pricey compressor that's quiet (and that will live forever) instead of housing it outside.

If you do put your compressor outside- Home Depot has prefab galvy water-heater enclosures for about $100. Pour a little slab for it, then build it in 30 minutes and be done. Wire a safety-disconnect on the wall inside the shop and use that as your on-off.

 

[Charles (in GA)]

If you use a 10 wt oil in the winter you will be just fine, or a multigrade 10w30. A regular petroleum oil will allow your compressor to last many years providing you change it yearly.
For the average homeowner synthetic oil will never pay back the investment. You can use it if you want to but it's not worth my money.

The difference in price for two quarts per year of synthetic vs regular oil is so minimal that I would hope it is not a consideration. GJ members, as a whole, tend to care about their possessions, especially tools, more than the average Joe. My Husky/Campbell-Hausfeld 7½ hp two stage specifically calls out synthetic oil for the compressor to run the full 15,000 hr service life. I seem to recall its about 5,000 hrs if a non-synthetic is used.

Charles

Wire a safety-disconnect on the wall inside the shop and use that as your on-off.

Electric code requires the disconnect within 50 ft of, and within line of sight from the equipment.

 

[wildbill23c]

If you build your shop right you can have it in a small outside building and run a heating duct to it for the winter. You don't need the compressor room to be the 70 degrees or whatever you keep your shop at, but warm enough to keep the compressor warm enough that the oil will flow easily when its cold.

I've had my Montgomery Wards air compressor outside for years, grandpa bought it in 1977 and its still going. Sometimes it takes a bit to get it going when its below zero but it will start. I make sure I put light weight oil in it for winter though LOL.

 

[jlckmj]

I have had my 5hp in Wisconsin located in the cold side of my shed with no heat at all for 20+ years and no problems.

Jim