Record your compressor decibels

[Kaizen]

I would like to start an ongoing thread specifically listing your air compressors’ sound level. With compressors there often is not data provided to help in our buying process. Even ones advertised as quiet often only say it’s x amount quieter. I’m especially interested in people that have enclosures, modifications, and Frankenstein creations. Measure up your little pancake and oilless as well.
If this takes off I will make a usable spreadsheet of the data. My goal is to help others so let’s not get in the weeds with all the variables we are ignoring.
1. Use a decibel meter or download an app for your phone.
2. Measure at zero pressure 4 feet away and four feet high.
3. Post a picture or the model of your compressor.
4. Post a picture or screen shot of the reading. (If you have an enclosure post reading outside and inside)

Mine is a 7.5hp “quiet one” by Eaton air. Does not feel as quiet as their ads made it out to be. Will be adding an enclosure in future.




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[American Locomotive]

This is a fun idea, but it's not going to be useful unfortunately. The problem is that sound level measuring apps are basically useless without careful calibration. Every phone has a different microphone calibrated differently, and the same app running on two different phones can read two very different things with the same sound source.

We'd need everyone to be using a calibrated decibel meter for this to be accurate.

 

[larry_g]

https://www.garagejournal.com/forum/showthread.php?t=215216&highlight=decibels

Start at the above and follow the branches. You can also do a search on 'decibels ' here and find many more.

lg
no neat sig line

 

[d.mcfarland]

Harbor Freight black upright 20 gallon. LOUD!!

 

[Kaizen]

This is a fun idea, but it's not going to be useful unfortunately. The problem is that sound level measuring apps are basically useless without careful calibration. Every phone has a different microphone calibrated differently, and the same app running on two different phones can read two very different things with the same sound source.

We'd need everyone to be using a calibrated decibel meter for this to be accurate.

My thought is crowd sourcing will show outliers and give a rough idea to new shoppers. Hence we don’t need to be exact. Just thought it would be useful if people could see some kind of data. Right now we have none. Perhaps my purchase that was an extra grand is only two decibels quieter then cheaper units. That might have swayed my decision.
Looking at the past threads listed it does not appear others feel this idea is good even though I find tons of people asking about how loud a compressor is.


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[Kaizen]

Harbor Freight black upright 20 gallon. LOUD!!

My husky was the same way. Wish I had measured it before I sold it. Thing would wake the dead


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[clubairth]

I have an SPL meter (an old Radio Shack model) and it reads much different from any phone app. I just don't think phones have the proper microphone to accurately do this.

I have a CH 7.5HP unit that produces 23.5 CFM at 175 psi. I just ran the intake outside my shop and I did notice a drop in the noise level. I still measure about 90 db.

You need to make all measurements the same or you really can't do any comparisons.
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[mxdev]

I have a Powerex SLAE05E oil-free scroll compressor powered by a 5HP motor. It runs about 70dB, but it's a constant noise without much variance. It's easy to have a conversation right beside it without raising your voice much.

https://imgur.com/2BuztuG
https://imgur.com/moxnlGN
https://imgur.com/MvFLu4d

 

[WES51]

This is a fun idea, but it's not going to be useful unfortunately. The problem is that sound level measuring apps are basically useless without careful calibration. Every phone has a different microphone calibrated differently, and the same app running on two different phones can read two very different things with the same sound source.

We'd need everyone to be using a calibrated decibel meter for this to be accurate.

Exactly my thoughts. I recognized the same, some phones can be off as much as +/- 6db.

That will make any comparison impossible.

 

[EZ_Garage]

I have CH Maxus EX5403 80 gal 2 stage 5HP.

I know sound apps won't provide comparable results from one user to the other but I have lots of machinery in my shop to compare my sound levels against.

I have a professional level woodworking shop and my compressor read in the high 60's which was comparable to other stationary tools like my 8" 2HP jointer, 20" 5HP planer, 3HP Unisaw, 17" and 18" bandsaws, drum sander, edge sander, etc. A few of the other stationary tools were quieter in the 50 and low 60' like the spindle sander, lathe, drill press, etc. The loudest machine in my shop was my cyclone dust collector which rattles in at 80 dB. I measured the sound on all the tools from about 4ft away and none of the woodworking tools were running without any load. In other words, the machinery was just powered on without any wood being sanded/cut/etc.