compressor plumbing between buildings

[bdog]

I have two metal buildings located 12' apart. The both have 220 electric but one I use just for storage and the other for working. I want to put my compressor in the "storage" building so I don't have to hear it when I am working.

What is the best way to run the air to the other shop? I like to park my trailer in between the shops so the line must either be buried or high enough to drive under it.

Burying it seems like the best solution but I have always heard to have a drain on the lowest point of an air system which would be impossible if it were underground.

If it matters this is being done in a rural area with no codes to worry about.

 

[BackAgain]

Not sure what kind of pipe, but for a drain you could use one of those underground irrigation boxes with a drain valve in it....the same way you drain sprinkler systems.

 

[Mickey_D]

I have 2" PVC buried that I pulled 1/2" rubber air line through. If the line breaks I will just pull another through which is much better than getting out the shovel. To even out air pressure during intermittent high demand, I have a second receiver tank (actually my backup compressor) in the front shop. It give a good reservoir and gives moisture another place to drop out.

 

[Torque1st]

Just run a steel pipe line overhead.

 

[sberry]

For that short run and regular use I doubt water would be a problem, open a valve in second building on occasion to remove any water. I forgot about one, been in service a few years with minimal air flow, was almost froze off last year, I managed to squeak a bit of air by, then warm air thawed it, once I got it blasted out no more problem and I now crack open a big valve a couple times a year to keep it clear.

 

[JSBriggs]

Id run copper if you are worried about moisture. I bury it in a PVC sleeve to protect it underground. I wouldn't go overhead, as its bound to get overlooked and get caught on something.

-Jeff

 

[rodm1]

If you need it only a few hours a week you could install a hose real with some fitting to pipe it into the building then when done disconnect and wind it backup. I'm thinking about doing this but in my case I have a 100ft run over a culvert and probable will need a expansion tank..

http://www.northerntool.com/webapp/wcs/stores/servlet/product_6970_200094774_200094774

 

[edsollen]

Id run copper if you are worried about moisture. I bury it in a PVC sleeve to protect it underground. I wouldn't go overhead, as its bound to get overlooked and get caught on something.

-Jeff

Be careful about copper sleeved in pvc, our local water authourity guy has seen copper in pvc cause corrosion of the copper due to chemical reaction.
Joel

 

[bdog]

Thanks for the replies. The air use in the main shop would be an all the time thing so i am looking for a permanant solution (and high volume) so a hose does not seem practical. I am leaning toward the overhead option. Like My original post said there is only 12' between the buildings and they are 14' tall so I can put the pie high enough that nothing I have is tall enough to hit it. The back end of 12' space is fenced off so it is not like we drive anything through there, just back a trailer in and park it.