downsizingnow48
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I see it at $1400 at aircompressorsdirect. The more expensive version has a dryer built in.
Noise Insulation for shop compressor?
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dragoneggs
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Aha thanks Pat... I was not interested enough to research what the high dollar price was getting you. That makes sense. If I was doing it over again, I would probably consider the $1400 ultra quiet machine but unless I could get $500 for mine, it isn't in the cards.
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dragoneggs
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Well my little redneck experiment didn't yield much but I dropped the sound a bit by adding some sound proofing material on the adjacent cabinet sides and 'roof' and a wool throw rug hung on the back (drywall) wall. Also wrapped a HF moving blanket around the tank.
And the results...
Noise (pretty much against wall w/o any insulation)
88dB @3ft
85dB @6ft
Noise (pretty much against wall w/ some back and side insulation along with wrapping the tank with HF moving blanket)
87dB @3ft
84dB @6ft
Does seem just a little muted and not as high pitched (a little easier on the ears). Didn't cost me much. Not as quiet as pulling away from the wall but a duller sound. It's better.
Now I'm thinking of a heavy blanket hanging between earshot and the compressor. Stay tuned.
MossRoad
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...
Now I'm thinking of a heavy blanket hanging between earshot and the compressor. Stay tuned.
That's what I thought you were going to do when you mentioned a blanket or moving quilt. Temp tacking it up in front of it and see what it muffles.
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dragoneggs
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Tacked up a cheap HF moving blanket to serve as a curtain so now enclosed on all but one side left open for air/ventilation. A face on view and a view 'behind the curtain'.
Noise from front (w/ some back and side insulation along with wrapping the tank with HF moving blanket)
87dB @3ft
84dB @6ft
Noise from front (w/ added hanging blanket partially enclosed)
84dB @3ft
82dB @6ft
Some definite muffling going on. The frequency seems a less piercing as well. Still louder than desired but this is encouraging. Now I am on a pursuit for a heavier/thicker blanket that could be a short term solution. It isn't ideal from an ergonomics standpoint though. I can't easily see my on/off and pressure gauges and it is kinda in the way of things.
Have dropped the levels by 4dB so far but I am running out 'in place' ideas other than a heavier curtain. I could move it to the far corner of the shop but that would be a real pain to move other shelving and reroute the plumbing.
I see egg carton shaped acoustical sound deadening foam on Amazon so if your moving blanket helped then perhaps the foam would really work well. I have a heavyweight moving blanket to try also.
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dragoneggs
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I have two concerns with the egg crate foam.
1. Very flammable
2. Dust trap
I think heavy wool/cotton is probably better than foam for these reasons but more expensive too.
Perhaps they make fire resistant acoustical foam? I would box the compressor in, line box with foam and perhaps duct in a little outside air for cooling. It all depends on how the heavy moving blanket works. I want to get the sound down to 75-76dB or close.
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dragoneggs
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Okay, for chits and giggles, I tacked up a second HF blanket, this time closing off the open end and wrapping it most of the way around giving me a double wall facing the shop. Now the only fresh air will pull and escape from the 24in gap at the bottom.
Noise from front (w/ added hanging blanket partially enclosed)
84dB @3ft
82dB @6ft
Noise from front (w/ added 2nd hanging blanket and fully enclosed except for bottom)
81dB @3ft
79dB @6ft
A further 3dB drop! :dance1: For a total loss of 7dB. I think that is pretty good.
Again, noticeable and even more pleasant sounding (muffled) if that makes sense. The higher pitches are welcomely absent.
Now my concern is the temperature of the compressor head. I would like to know if with repeated cycling, the temp is much hotter than the default. I should have measured that before I got started with this MacGyver project.
Noise from front (w/ added hanging blanket partially enclosed)
84dB @3ft
82dB @6ft
Noise from front (w/ added 2nd hanging blanket and fully enclosed except for bottom)
81dB @3ft
79dB @6ft
A further 3dB drop! :dance1: For a total loss of 7dB. I think that is pretty good.
Again, noticeable and even more pleasant sounding (muffled) if that makes sense. The higher pitches are welcomely absent.
Now my concern is the temperature of the compressor head. I would like to know if with repeated cycling, the temp is much hotter than the default. I should have measured that before I got started with this MacGyver project.
MossRoad
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Just for a couple minutes, make it all the way to the floor, so it's enclosed on all 4 sides, the top, and the bottom and take some quick measurements. It would be interesting to see how much sound escapes that bottom. I'm happy to hear the higher pitches are noticeable less.