I’m about to design and build a very small building onto the back of my house to store my new 60 gallon air compressor in. Just looking for images and advice for a design that allows proper air circulation, protection from rain and sound insulation.
The location will allow me to run the air directly through the wall behind it and into the house, so I’m not worried about the plumbing and wiring aspects – just the shelter itself…
thanks!
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Replies
It might help with the noise to have the air come in through a series of baffles. Just make the air have to change direction a few times. If you make some openings for the air intake maybe put some hardware cloth over them so pests don't get in there.
Most of the compressors I've seen have blades on the flywheel that blow air over the heads. You might want some outside air coming right to that flywheel.
Were you thinking of pitching the pipe from the compressor to the shop for drainage? If you have long pipe to your shop the water should condense out as it cools in it.
You may want to use a short length of flexible armored hose between the compressor and the pipe that passes through the wall. This will isolate the vibration of the compressor from the wall, decreasing sound transmission into your shop and avoiding vibration stress on the tank air fittings.
Use ICFs.
Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
You're right - that's an excellent idea - I've been wanting to try that anyways...Thanks!
Actually I'm DIY, and this is a very small project. I don't think I'll be able to get ICFs for this project. It would be great, (ICFs would be PERFECT for this) but I think I'll just have to frame up something with studs and plywood, and create a baffle system from air intake/expulsion.
A bit off topic but I once did a job using a fairly large, noisy generator. Owner lived just one place over (country lots)and worked from his home. He refused to run permanent power into the site until we were done so we were stuck with a generator for power. When he was on site he always a jerk and complained about having to shout over the noisy generator and in his usual complaining manner demanded that I to do something about it or shut it down when he was on site. No commiseration about how it must be for all of us working there. So I did, made up a three sided and roofed structure , looked like a miniature amphitheater. I lined the inside with scrap metal roofing and then outside of that I placed some 2' ridgid insulation I had handy. Aimed the whole thing away from the building site. It worked well to quiet down the jobsite. I have wondered how he felt though at 7 am when I fired the generator up and he was at the receiving end of the open sided "speaker box". It just happened to point right at his house. ;-)
They can't get your Goat if you don't tell them where it is hidden.
That's sweet! That guy didn't have a clue. My big brother had a neighbor that called the city on him. My brother deserved it though.
My brother couldn't wait to start a permited job next to this guy. He planned on starting every morning at the allowable time and banging a big piece of sheetmetal. And he'd do it too.
You gotta use emoticons, man. :-)
I was serious. If you're going to house the compressor, you might as well make it safe and the concrete would dampen the noise too.I thought the same thing: doing a small job with ICFs would be a good way to experiment with them. Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
I thought you were just channeling frenchy.
Edited 4/9/2008 9:17 pm ET by TomW
That's funny. He unchannelable. Bob's next test date: 12/10/07
I was going to suggest a double timber-frame in 12x12 black walnut with an ICF infill between.
timber frame, slate roof and SIPS....
give Slateman a run fer his money....
just have the final looking like a really old seen better days out house....
Life is not a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming
WOW!!! What a Ride!
Forget the primal scream, just ROAR!!!
If your drainage allows, I'd put it in a hole in the ground. Let the noise go 'up.'
Putting it in the gound! That's the most creative idea I've heard so far - and I'm sure it will work, especially in the case where there is a steep grade to cut into.I did however, find a different solution that works perfectly for me:I found a 2.5'x2.5'x6' tool shed that will fit it perfectly. I'm going to cut holes for the feet out of the floor section, bolt it to the concrete, install the air compressor, and assemble the tool shed around it after retrofitting vents into the top and bottom for convection ventilation. I'm thinking about filling the hollow walls with expandable foam before I cut into them, then adding a layer of acoustic ceiling tiles to the inside for added sound absorption.I may add fans to increase circulation that run whenever it cycles, but if it gets really hot, I'll just open the doors.