How hot does your compressor get? (put mine in a box)

[pnut]

How hot does your compressor get?

I've got a new 60 gal oil-less Husky. I built a box around it (more on that in another detailed post). I have only cycled it from 0 to 150PSI once. It feels warm, but not too hot to the touch. The box has a large fan which exchanges all the air 4 times per minute, but I have no point of reference to a compressor outside the box. I DO NOT suspect it is much different in the box versus outside.

I know there is thermal protection on the motor, and maybe even the while thing is still breaking in it's a bit warmer, but just curious how hot they really get normally (after all there are "hot" stickers all over it)? My only point of comparison was my old oil-less which did not quite get as warm as this one so far.

Not a big deal since my needs do not mean it will be cycling very much (right now), but just thinking ahead.

 

[35mastr]

They get hot. With all that inso in that box its going to get real hot real fast.

Its going to need air coming in to keep it cool also.

 

[pnut]

They get hot. With all that inso in that box its going to get real hot real fast.

Its going to need air coming in to keep it cool also.

Just to be clear, there is an external air intake on the box (you can see the hole in the box near the bottom), and a fan exhausting the air out at the top. So the fan is pulling outside air through the volume of the box 4x per minute.

I would be surprised if there would be much more heat transition through the box without the insulation.

 

[Kev442]

Oil less isn't going to suffer if the air is exchanged that fast. Compressors can get down right hot when used though, I can't even think of touching the copper feed pipe to the tank on mine after 30-60 seconds, that's even true of my old CH 2 horse.

 

[tjmonsen5]

Why all of the insulation? Sound deadening?

My oiled 25 gallon craftsman pro gets really hot. I cant really touch the motor for more than a second. The tank stays cool though.

 

[Iroc-Z]

At work we have our compressor in a insulated closet. Not sure what size it is but it runs on a 10 hp three phase motor so its large. We have the intake tube for the pump that runs out side to **** in fresh air. Then we have two vent holes that are about three inches in diameter. This compressor has been in there for about 10 years with no problems.

 

[pnut]

Why all of the insulation? Sound deadening?

Yes for sound.

 

[mooman]

I'd be more worried about all the fiberglass bits getting sucked into the air cleaner. Why not use foam panels fo that?

 

[BC iron works]

i dont think thats a oil-less comp
do i see a brass sight gage for oil
level put a therm. in there next
time you start it up and see how
hot it gets in there

 

[Major Ramifications]

That is an oil-filled compressor.
I think that if you are changing the air four times a minute you will be OK. I would probably vent the intake outside of the box, however. And urethane foam would be much less irritating when you have to drain the tank, change the oil, change the belt, etc.
I have a similar compressor in the open air-conditioned garage, and it gets HOT. You can still smell the vapors coming from the paint on the pump after almost 20 years.

 

[oldskewl61]

all i did on my husky 7hp 80 gallon was to run the in take filter outside with some 1in pipe it makes a huge diff. on sound alone like 50% less

 

[pnut]

.... I would probably vent the intake outside of the box, however.....

 

[alex71]

I'd be more worried about all the fiberglass bits getting sucked into the air cleaner. Why not use foam panels fo that?

I raised an eyebrow at that also. If I were you I would at least staple some plastic sheet over it.

 

[diogenes]

Pnut, if those little holes are allowing 4x/minute air refresh it has to whistle something horrible. Are you sure your getting that much air turn over?

 

[Major Ramifications]

Pnut,
I meant that I'd plumb the intake of the compressor to the outside of the box, so that it gets cooler air to compress. As mentioned above, it also helps to pipe it outside the building so that it breathes fresh air.

 

[1320stang]

The intake is the loud part anyway.