Shop Air Compressor set up questions?

[BLSXJ]

I'm planning out how i want to install a 60 gallon air compressor in my shop. My shop is detached from the house, 24ft wide 36 ft deep. The electrical panel is in the front corner. I'm in Canada.. so its humid and the outside temp ranges from -40 to 104 F

I think I want to install the compressor in the back corner of the shop, and build a closet around the compressor. The closet will serve two purposes, the main purpose will reduce the noise of the compressor and the second purpose will be freeze proof storage for water based paints and chemicals (cleaners and stuff). Is sticking those chemicals in with the compressor a really bad idea?

My plan for the closet would be 2x4 walls with 7/16 OSB on the outside (match's rest of shop) with batt insulation to help with noise. On the inside should I bother lining the walls? sheet them in drywall for fire resistance? or use some scrap peg board to help the "noise" get to the batt insulation?

I will place vents high and low, venting into the shop, to control heat build up in the summer.

I'd like to plumb the air intake and the water drain outside. and possibly build a water separator that would go between the compressor and the tank.

When I run the air lines out in the shop I'm going to need 3/4" lines. I'm thinking about using PEX? but black and galvanized iron pipe are other options.

thoughts, experience opinions?

 

[dodge man]

To be honest, mine isn't that loud. I don't use mine a lot either. If you use it a lot it might be nice to enclose it but if it were me I'd just look for one that is on the quiet side.

Why the air intake outside? Why the water drain outside? When I drain mine not much comes out, usaully just a few tablespoons at most.

They make kits for plumbing air compressors. It looks like Pex but I'm not sure if that is what it is. Either way I'd probably use the plastic stuff be it Pex or what ever they sell for air compressor lines.

 

[BLSXJ]

the logic on the air intake routed out side is purely a noise reduction thing.

the water drain out side is simple... I'm done messing around with those thumb screw drains, this one is getting a 1/4 turn ball valve.. and with the oil and water that comes out I rather just run a small line out the wall and not have the mess inside.

I've seen those "kits" but most affordable ones are 3/8" or 1/2" lines that just aren't up to running 70ish feet and delivering the air required.

 

[Deere Dude]

I like the 1/4 turn ball valve idea for water accumulation. I would plumb in copper, It is durable, easy to work with and hang, and looks nice.

 

[mcfarmall]

PEX works great for air lines. Use plenty of hold downs to keep it nice and straight and it will look fine. I like the neatness factor of copper and I used it in my shop that I built in 2004 but if I had to do it over at today's prices, I'd use PEX. This past spring I mounted my 22 gallon garage compressor up at the ceiling to conserve floor space and plumbed my whole garage in PEX and have been very happy with it. Just don't use PVC.

 

[bigtiller]

To remove tank condensation, plumb in an electric condensate valve. Set it to blow for 2 seconds every half hour.

For the airline, coil up a 25' line on the floor and run it from the tank to the water separator. The coiled up line on the floor will allow the moisture molecules to cool and form into larger molecules that the separator can easily remove.

For insulation and sound deadening, mineral wool bats look to be a better option.

 

[/pine]

Bat type insulation is not know for its anti sound penetration qualities...also if the shop is not heated I don't see how 3.5" of insulation (R11) and 7/16" osb + pegboard or whatever is going to prevent freezing in -40* temps...?

 

[bigtiller]

Bat type insulation is not know for its anti sound penetration qualities...also if the shop is not heated I don't see how 3.5" of insulation (R11) and 7/16" osb + pegboard or whatever is going to prevent freezing in -40* temps...?

I seen it on tv so it must be true. The show was, This old house, on public television.

"Made for interior walls to reduce noise traveling throughout the home".. That is the first line in the product description.

Shop Johns Manville 49.7-sq ft Unfaced Mineral Wool Batt Insulation with Sound Barrier (15.25-in W x 47-in L) at Lowes.com

 

[BLSXJ]

sound blocking and sound absorbing are two different animals.

the shop is not heated.. I would add a electric heat source to keep the closet above freezing.

 

[ovrszd]

I just assumed the closet would be heated since he's storing perishables in there?? Maybe I thought too deep into it....

Brain storming here. So he has a heated closet, thus a heated compressor, full of heated air. So then the air line leaves the heated shop and runs the 70ft thru whatever system he creates throughout the cold shop. Won't the air condense more moisture as it cools in the delivery system?