Pro/Con of Putting Compressor Outside? Please Advise.

[Coursey]

I am currently building a new garage. I am at the wiring stage and have to decide where to put 220 plugs.

I had origionally thought that i would put the compressor by my workbench in the corner of the garage.

Then i thought i might could put it upstairs, but dont really want to pack a big compressor up stairs.

Next i thought it could go outside. This would help gain space inside and would put the noisey compressor outside. I thought i would then pipe in the air using 3/4" pvc. Is this a good or bad idea?

Is there any pros/cons of putting a compressor outside?

 

[porschedude996TT]

You better say copper or black pipe or someone here on the journal my lynch you. LOL

Anyway, I have my compressor outside in a small enclosure. It is nice to not have the noise in the shop.

 

[Shipfittin]

I'd make sure you built something around it to prevent the weather from getting to it, obviously.

I don't understand why people want to run compressed air through pvc.

 

[930dreamer]

+1 on having the compressor outside, build an enclosure with good ventilation for summer use and a way to close off during winter.

 

[e-tek]

I keep planning to move mine outside, but our winters can get to minus 40 so I worry about that....

 

[lunkhead]

air compressors should always go in the basement. They stay clean and and are warm in the winter and cool in the summer, and you don't have to hear them running.
Of course the wife complains some, but wives are easily replaced.

 

[demonspeed]

A buddy of mine had a shed out in his yard and he put his compressor in there. I believe he ran a rubber air hose inside a PVC pipe from the shed to his garage. He seems pretty happy with it so far. Probably not the most perfect way to do it, but it's been cheap and effective so far.

 

[tomshep]

My compressor is in the far corner of my garage. No basements here. I like the idea of having it in the garage so I can keep an eye on it for maintenance. I can see if it is leaking. I know it shuts off...etc. I know if I put it outside....out of site, out of mind. And it isn't THAT noisy for a minute or two when it kicks on.

Tom

 

[Rico.]

My compressor is in the far corner of my garage. No basements here. I like the idea of having it in the garage so I can keep an eye on it for maintenance. I can see if it is leaking. I know it shuts off...etc. I know if I put it outside....out of site, out of mind. And it isn't THAT noisy for a minute or two when it kicks on.

This is my exact mindset too... Really, anything mechanical should have half
an eye kept on it. The chances of anything serious happening are minimal, but
as the ancient wise ones once said... **** does happen, and in a vast majority
of cases mechanical things will give you a warning before catastrophic faliure.

 

[ATC]

My compressor is in the far corner of my garage. No basements here. I like the idea of having it in the garage so I can keep an eye on it for maintenance. I can see if it is leaking. I know it shuts off...etc. I know if I put it outside....out of site, out of mind. And it isn't THAT noisy for a minute or two when it kicks on.

Tom

^ This

Also, I'd never leave my ratchets, wrenches, or screwdrivers outside...so why the hell would I leave one of my most expensive tools outside in the weather year round? An electric tool at that

 

[Coursey]

If it goes outside it will be under a shed and I would probably put it in a insulated enclosure, vented of course.

I do understand that inside would be easier to keep an eye on it. And was kinda my thoughts too.

As far as the piping goes what is the most economical and expandable/serviceable way to do it.

 

[porschedude996TT]

air compressors should always go in the basement. They stay clean and and are warm in the winter and cool in the summer, and you don't have to hear them running.
Of course the wife complains some, but wives are easily replaced.

Geeze, now I need to dig a basement?

 

[cowboy73]

As far as the piping goes what is the most economical and expandable/serviceable way to do it.

Threaded black iron pipe will be the cheapest route and not too difficult to expand/service. Copper pipe would be the easiest but most expensive option.

 

[Coursey]

I know I will get in trouble for this, but I don't know the answer.

What is the reason for not using standard PVC? It is rated to 600psi.

 

[cowboy73]

That is for water, not air. The oil from the compressor and UV light(aka sunlight) can weaken the PVC, causing it to fail. PVC can shatter at a weak spot causing dangerous shrapnel. Weakened PVC can also shatter when hit by something. Like bumping it with something like leaning a piece of plywood against it, accidently bumping into it with a piece of equipment.

 

[Ed ke6bnl]

That is for water, not air. The oil from the compressor and UV light(aka sunlight) can weaken the PVC, causing it to fail. PVC can shatter at a weak spot causing dangerous shrapnel. Weakened PVC can also shatter when hit by something. Like bumping it with something like leaning a piece of plywood against it, accidently bumping into it with a piece of equipment.

not saying to do it but mine has been in the garage about 25 years. pvc

 

[Coursey]

I do understand why it shouldn't be done.

But I am like you Ed. It is in our shop here at work, and it is in most clean up/ body shops in my area.

 

[Outlawmws]

PVC is NOT rated for Compressed air (OSHA requires compressed air piping to be) and if it blows and someone is hurt the insurance companies will walk away from you Scott free.

There are plenty of horror stories of PVC exploding, and if you want a fair idea of what could happen,then take a loose PVC fitting and hit it with a hammer (Wear safety glasses). Then pick up the shrapnel you just created and ask yourself if you would want that in your back side or maybe your face...

- signed, A former PVC proponent...

 

[Justanoldguy]

air compressors should always go in the basement.

There must be a huge number of guys who just won't be able to have a compressor then.
Basements are virtually unheard of here in New Zealand.
Maybe we could pipe some air over here from your one?

 

[CNGsaves]

Depends on your overall space and what all features the compressor has . . ie auto drain, vertical or horizontal, etc.

If this is "clean sheet" design, then by all means have a lean-to space outside the garage and plan the electrical and airline system to that protected but ventilated space.

However, that PVC comment is killer that you have NOT done enough research here on GJ or other sources to know the risk. Don't do it . . plain and simple. Life-time airline systems can be made affordably from copper or black pipe steel. Pick one of those and research fully to maximize your setup. Also, grab some of the super affordable IR filters and regulators on another GJ thread.

Good luck and post some pics of your compressor and shop setup. That will get the most informed and accurate replies.

 

[larry_g]

Couple of other items to think about when having an outside compressor. If you have very cold times then the oil is going to thicken and you may need to have an oil that will tolerate the cold and allow the compressor to start when cold. Synthetics usually take care of this. Second is high humidity. If you're in rainy weather then you can **** in lots of water so you may want to pipe your intake into the building to get drier air to start with. Either way you will probably want an automatic drain on the tank.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[devoncoolman]

out side is nice. takes up less space and quieter. and you can use a small shed for the compressor and use the rest of the space for storage. (kinda nice). to touch base on pvc. We've had pvc in a couple of our shops. the first one we had it in there for years no issues. another shop we had there was a water catch that somebody made out of 3in pvc pipe. well one day we were on the other side of the shop and the compressor was running building up pressure and all of a sudden the catch just exploded sent shrapnel to the other side of the shop. (about 60ft away) luckily we were no where near this when it happened but it was in a pretty high traffic area of the shop and somebody could have easily been hurt bad! we now have copper in our current shop. was expensive but looks very nice and no explosions!

 

[Coursey]

What size black pipe/copper should be used? 1/2", 3/4" ?

 

[Outlawmws]

What size black pipe/copper should be used? 1/2", 3/4" ?

I'd go with 3/4" unless its just a short run.

 

[devoncoolman]

Our shop is all 3/4 copper

 

[sgs236]

I think the decision of putting it outside depends on much you are going to use it. If it will mainly see light duty usage - pumping up tires, occasional air tool use, etc., then I would keep it indoors. If you're going to use it for painting, sandblasting, etc where it might run for several hours during a day, then you want to put it outdoors.

 

[454ragtop]

Mines been outside for more than 25 yrs, pic here http://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?p=2853323#post2853323 Best idea I ever had, can barely hear it run in the shop if you're listening for it. It tends to get cold, and sometimes very hot, up here, and no pronlems running with Amsoil syn. compressor oil. Even moved the whole shed, compressor, slab, etc. all one shot from the rear of the shop to the side a few years ago when I added on, picked it up with a large Bobcat.
HTH, Jim