Lowering compressor noise with sound proof shed?

[Vinny]

Currently, have my large 80 galling two stage compressor in my garage, and while I usually got my muffs on, it would be nice to sit in there without them! Has anyone ever built a soundproof shed for their large compressor? How did it do on noise?
Also contemplating moving in outside and build a similar shed that would be weatherproof, but if experience here doesn't cut noise much, I don't want to kiss off the neighbors!

 

[kbeefy]

Ours is in a finished attached 'closet' outside the shop. We can barely hear it in the shop or outside.

 

[Stuart in MN]

Not to be 'that guy', but this is a pretty popular topic. You can probably find some good solutions in previous discussions with the search function. Remember that you can't just seal the thing off - it will need air both for the intake as well as for cooling.

 

[brownbagg]

you tube, air compressor, automotive air box

 

[LXCam]

Buddy of mine did a pretty decent job of dealing with this. You’ll have to do a little digging but his thread isn’t that long.

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=273690

 

[Ilikeike]

I moved mine to the side of my garage outside, I just built a little lean-to style shed, I haven't put any sound proofing in it other than the OSB.
Lots better than inside next to my bench !

It's not completely finished or painted in this picture,but you get the idea.

 

[The Cobbler]

my compressor is in the shed.

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

Isolating a compressor can certainly reduce noise- whether it's inside or outside. Inside doesn't give you more floor space, as outside would. But, outside can be a nuisance to close neighbors.

I certainly would want the best of both- it's inside, in a closet. The intake is plumbed to the exterior with an extra long "path" and filter/silencers from Solberg. Remember, the majority of the noise generated from compressors is from the intake.

 

[rsanter]

There was a good thread written a while ago here on GJ.

First, more noise comes from the intake than expected, upgrade that and it helps.

Put it in a shed or enclosure inside or outside

 

[Vinny]

I was thinking of building something like your shed, Ike, but insulating the walls to sound deaden in. Taking into what you mention Kledge, would it be beneficial to extend the intake up high along the outside wall, and cap it with a silencer, or will that not buy me much? Anything that I can do for the exhaust, or is it diminishing returns on that?

 

[CoogarXR]

I put my compressor in a regular (non-soundproof) prefab wooden shed behind the garage. When I power it up, it sounds like a small car idling in the distance. I can barely hear it.

 

[Menifee Valley Speed Shop]

In process of building shed or closet if you will

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[Menifee Valley Speed Shop]

Sorry guys, not sure why pics duplicated and sideways....

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[Slednut]

I had one outside for years, put the new one inside. I put 1 and 1/2 inches of sound board on the inside. If I have to run it hard I turn on the fan and open the top door. The small door is for draining the tank. It also has a muffler on the intake.

 

[larry_g]

I'm curious how some of these outbuildings cost compares to the cost of a new aircompressor-resale$ of the old? There are some good quiet compressors out there.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[wanderer]

I'm curious how some of these outbuildings cost compares to the cost of a new aircompressor-resale$ of the old? There are some good quiet compressors out there.

lg
no neat sig line

My thoughts exactly. A nice screw compressor would solve a lot of problems all at once.

 

[CoogarXR]

I didn't buy my shed to house the compressor, it was just an added bonus. There was already a shed there when I bought the house (with a nice concrete foundation). But the roof had failed and had rotted the walls. So I tore it down and had a prefab brought in (same dimensions, set right on the old slab).

 

[Bruce Amacker]

I had one outside for years, put the new one inside. I put 1 and 1/2 inches of sound board on the inside. If I have to run it hard I turn on the fan and open the top door. The small door is for draining the tank. It also has a muffler on the intake.

My Quincy is almost identical with a valve lever hanging out from the bottom and a drain tube going through the wall. I don't even bend over to drain it, just move the lever with my foot. I have a cooking thermometer stuck through it, I only open up the enclosure when I sandblast a very long time. Otherwise I've seen temps of 120F which wouldn't hurt it anyway.

I know lots of them outside under awnings in warmer climates but that wouldn't be good in Ohio.

OSB with FG insulation stapled to the inside, quiets it down really nice.

 

[K'ledgeBldr]

I was thinking of building something like your shed, Ike, but insulating the walls to sound deaden in. Taking into what you mention Kledge, would it be beneficial to extend the intake up high along the outside wall, and cap it with a silencer, or will that not buy me much? Anything that I can do for the exhaust, or is it diminishing returns on that?

If you're leaning toward the exterior shed, I see no reason to "extend" the intake- but I would still do the Solberg filter/silencers outside the shed. Keeping the intake inside just draws the hot air in that's being produced by the motor and compressor.

 

[Vinny]

My thoughts exactly. A nice screw compressor would solve a lot of problems all at once.

Recs? I got the pretty common Quincy standup one that gives the CFM I need for airtools. Shed I planned out is looking to be maybe $100 in materials?

 

[Kraig]

I need the space in my garage badly, the kids bikes etc are taking over every inch and it is already full of three cars, workbench, etc. I live in a relatively close quarters neighborhood so need to be cognizant of the noise. Compressor is a Belaire 7.5hp 80 gallon monster. Way bigger than I need but the price was right. thinking of building a doghouse outside next to the exterior garage wall. Things I am thinking of doing. Mind you I don't work late at night so the compressor would only run during normal daytime hours. It's not that loud now, with the G doors shut you can just hear it running at the end of the 25ft driveway.

- Concrete pad
- 2x4 walls filled with foam for noise control. Not attached to house to manage
vibration. Have it screw together so it can be removed for major maintenance if
needed. (Need engine lift to get the pump off of this thing)
- 2x2 vent on each side near the fan and pump to keep air moving
- Plumb the intake back into the garage to lesson moisture concerns from outside air. I
am WA after all. Add or make a silencer to help with shop noise.
- Rubber insulate the lines going to the house to isolate vibration
- Manual shutoff inside the shop with auto drain for the tank. (Already use these and they
are the best!)

Anything I am missing from those who have done this before?

Thanks

Other option is to sell this beast and get a 60 gal but they are not cheap and probably luder in the end and still take a fair amount of floor space. Won't save much space with that.

 

[stuman]

The intake is the loudest part of a compressor. I would never build a standalone shed for a compressor just to plumb the intake back into the garage.

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[Kraig]

The intake is the loudest part of a compressor. I would never build a standalone shed for a compressor just to plumb the intake back into the garage.

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If my biggest problem was noise, then I would agree, but it's space. This thing is not that loud in the first place. Because it's so overkill for what I need, I slowed the pump down to it's minimum using smaller gear on the motor. With a silencer it would be just a low rumble in the background.

Having the intake inside will keep the moisture down in winter when it's wet for 6 months straight out here.