barrysuperhawk
Well-known member
I would like to have compressed air in my basement but apparently I am doing it wrong.
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Quiet air source
- Thread starter barrysuperhawk
- Start date
matt_i
Well-known member
I would like to have compressed air in my basement. I have one a full size compressor in my garage, but I used a pancake in the basement.
Anyone have any ideas?
I have this idea to run copper, aluminum, steel/iron/black pipe or PEX from your garage into the basement. Even air hose inside of PVC conduit will work.
Then things will be very quiet as the compressor is a long way away.
Imo just need a good quality valve to isolate it so the new header is not a source of leakage, I like Apollo Conbraco bronze full-port.
There are probably reasons why you elected to build/buy additional compressors but personally I would work on solving the above problem.
I've used a standard water pump switch to build compressors. They don't work well on say a3hp compressor because it has to unload as part of the switch.
I don't think you will be happy with the volume from a standard refrigerator though.
Good luck.
Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk
I don't think you will be happy with the volume from a standard refrigerator though.
Good luck.
Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk
buckwheat_la
Well-known member
The California pumps are fabulous for no noise. If this idea doesn't pan out
OP
barrysuperhawk
Well-known member
This is what I was thinking:
https://www.instructables.com/How-to-modify-a-fridge-compressor-into-a-silent-ai/
https://www.instructables.com/How-to-modify-a-fridge-compressor-into-a-silent-ai/
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Jswain
Well-known member
Another option(if you still have the motor/pump style compressor) and IMO would be better than using the fridge compressor would be to spend the money you were going to invest in making that system work and build a very nice fan cool quiet box to place the compressor in.
You could build a pretty nice unit on wheels with ~12" electric rad fan and a 12v-120v converter all mounted inside a plywood, insulated, baffled box with a baffled intake/exhaust. Could probably all be done for ~$100.
I did this for an old Coleman 1850w generator and it took the noise level from deafening to damn near as quiet as a nice inverter generator and could run all day under full load in the sun without overheating.
You could build a pretty nice unit on wheels with ~12" electric rad fan and a 12v-120v converter all mounted inside a plywood, insulated, baffled box with a baffled intake/exhaust. Could probably all be done for ~$100.
I did this for an old Coleman 1850w generator and it took the noise level from deafening to damn near as quiet as a nice inverter generator and could run all day under full load in the sun without overheating.
metlmunchr
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 10, 2011
- Messages
- 1,278
A/C and refrigeration compressors are designed to circulate oil thru the system, so your air will be full of oil until all the oil is pumped out of the compressor. At that point, the compressor will cease to go roundy-round.
Also, the motor windings in hermetic compressors are cooled by the returning low pressure (cold) refrigerant. Room temperature air doesn't provide sufficient cooling, so it becomes a contest to see whether the compressor locks up due to lack of lubrication, or if the motor windings burn up first.
Also, the motor windings in hermetic compressors are cooled by the returning low pressure (cold) refrigerant. Room temperature air doesn't provide sufficient cooling, so it becomes a contest to see whether the compressor locks up due to lack of lubrication, or if the motor windings burn up first.
OP
barrysuperhawk
Well-known member
^^^^^^^^^ This is an issue..
Dude, Ok.
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seriously , the fridge compressor sounds like a good idea, but the oil ( lubrication ) concern pointed out is real .
I wouldn't bother either. they are very low volume too .
just for grins, run the compressor off & on for several days/weeks and see how it does
I wouldn't bother either. they are very low volume too .
just for grins, run the compressor off & on for several days/weeks and see how it does
Not as quiet but probably worth the extra cost
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Californ...p-4-7-Gal-Steel-Tank-Air-Compressor/258922094
4.7 gallon CAT compressor for $130
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Californ...p-4-7-Gal-Steel-Tank-Air-Compressor/258922094
4.7 gallon CAT compressor for $130
Dude.........don’t listen that’s up to you........but ........the oil in the air and low volume pump is a problem.
Oil in the air to the powder coat gun is a HUGE problem.
Just maybe some of us have been down this road ............good luck.
Oil in the air to the powder coat gun is a HUGE problem.
Just maybe some of us have been down this road ............good luck.
metlmunchr
Well-known member
- Joined
- Sep 10, 2011
- Messages
- 1,278
Not as quiet but probably worth the extra cost
https://www.walmart.com/ip/Californ...p-4-7-Gal-Steel-Tank-Air-Compressor/258922094
4.7 gallon CAT compressor for $130
Likely cheaper than a coalescing filter that's actually capable of removing all the oil a refrigeration compressor will blow into the lines.
OP
barrysuperhawk
Well-known member
Dude.........don’t listen that’s up to you........but ........the oil in the air and low volume pump is a problem.
Oil in the air to the powder coat gun is a HUGE problem.
Just maybe some of us have been down this road ............good luck.
Ok, nevewrmind
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I find as I grow older, that one of the great secrets to success is learning from other people's mistakes. You won't live long enough to make them all yourself.
"Wisdom comes with age, but only if you let it"
Bob Laurich
I hear great things about those california compressors.
Harbor freight has a few quiet ones also.
Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk
"Wisdom comes with age, but only if you let it"
Bob Laurich
I hear great things about those california compressors.
Harbor freight has a few quiet ones also.
Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk
I own a CAT 5510A. It's very quiet compared to traditional compressors. The components are low end but for light duty use I've been happy. I have no reason to think they are any better than many of the other quiet compressors that use similar pumps.I find as I grow older, that one of the great secrets to success is learning from other people's mistakes. You won't live long enough to make them all yourself.
"Wisdom comes with age, but only if you let it"
Bob Laurich
I hear great things about those california compressors.
Harbor freight has a few quiet ones also.
Sent from my Pixel 4 XL using Tapatalk
samss
Well-known member
Considering how much air you need, would a 20lb CO2 tank be sufficient? FB market place/Craigslist should have a tank and regulator for less than $200 and you can get the tank refilled for $25 or less.
Another option is get a nitrogen tank. You would need a high pressure regulator to step the pressure down to something similar to a conventional compressor. The upside is you get dry, clean air. Still, if the noise of a CAT/or similar compressor is OK I would pick that.
FuzzyTiger
Well-known member
Just use a tank without a compressor. If you're just using it for very minor stuff like dusting etc then why bother with a compressor in the basement at all? Fill a tank in the garage and then carry it to where you need to use it. Something in the 10-30 gallon capacity would probably last long enough.
Otherwise for the pressure regulator maybe you can salvage something from a tire inflator? I know some of them have regulators that will automatically shut it off once the desired psi is reached and they're cheap/always being thrown out.
Otherwise for the pressure regulator maybe you can salvage something from a tire inflator? I know some of them have regulators that will automatically shut it off once the desired psi is reached and they're cheap/always being thrown out.
I think OP have made up his mind already, just wanted a few "encouragements" to go ahead.
I did once "wanted" to build one out of AC compressors see how quiet they are. Dependents on your source, it might end up costing you more if you don't have free. Lets say you get everything free, like those commercial rotary screw refrigerant compressors ... ( yea there is such a thing) and make it work... all power to you. It probably won't be cheaper than just buying a California Air tool type pump only and fit it in... there is such thing as better for the application.
I think there is a commercial air compressor artist uses that is build on specific made refrigerant compressors... or at least look a like. Google Sil-Air...
I did once "wanted" to build one out of AC compressors see how quiet they are. Dependents on your source, it might end up costing you more if you don't have free. Lets say you get everything free, like those commercial rotary screw refrigerant compressors ... ( yea there is such a thing) and make it work... all power to you. It probably won't be cheaper than just buying a California Air tool type pump only and fit it in... there is such thing as better for the application.
I think there is a commercial air compressor artist uses that is build on specific made refrigerant compressors... or at least look a like. Google Sil-Air...
chrismenke
Well-known member
Many dental compressors use what look looks like a Danfoss refrigeration compressor...I picked one up just to have a quiet small job compressor at the bench.
With that said, I'd spend the $120 and get the small California compressor linked above because of the time needed to complete the OPs project wouldn't be worthwhile for me.
With that said, I'd spend the $120 and get the small California compressor linked above because of the time needed to complete the OPs project wouldn't be worthwhile for me.
Crazyjake8493
Well-known member
I used to have an air hose running through a 1.5" conduit from my garage to my basement for air nailers and what not. Worked fine for that purpose. Eventually I ended up buying battery nailers and and pulled the air hose out to repurpose that conduit.