Noise Insulation for shop compressor?

[PILOON]

So if anyone can point to a source for these mufflers (ones that actually work!), I'd appreciate it, as I'm sure would others.

Here is a thought.
Cheap and easy to find is the 'muffler' that is used on central vacuum systems.
Basically a poly tubing length lined with sound absorbing foam and sized to fit central vac plumbing.

Trick would be to reduce the 1 1/2 inch down the typical compressor intake plumbing but I believe pipe thread adaptors are available.

One sound deadening trick I tried on my cheap stainless kitchen sink was to smear polyurethane caulking using a putty knife to spread it.
The result was amazing, gone is the tinny sound!

I strongly suspect similar treatment on a compressor tank would help a whole lot.
That or as I suggested earlier, self adhesive roofing membrane.

A tank is like one big bell that amplifies all the mechanical noises produced by the actual compressor head.
Kind of like wind chimes.

 

[Doofy]

I'm going to have to investigate that.

My 6hp,60gal Cambell Hausfeld has a funky plastic box over the intake held on by 2 bolts. I opened the box an there was a coarse piece of foam approximately 3/4" x 3" that is supposed filter the intake air. I looked behind this air box and the intake is threaded (1/2" female pipe thread). I ordered silencers from Amazon.

 

[Doofy]

I don't have time to read all the responses so if someone has mentioned this before I apologize for stepping on their post(s) ...

The best way to reduce noise of an air compressor is to REDUCE its speed! In order to cut cost, air compressor manufacturers sell by their CFM ratings - faster speeds mean more CFM and therefore exponentially more noise. Box store compressors are notorious for fast speeds.

Install a smaller sheave on the motor end of your compressor and you'll be amazed in the difference in sound! Quality compressors run slow and quiet.

Now, that is a useful idea too! Absolutely no need for my compressor to run so fast. 3450 rpm motor with a 3" pulley, with a 10" on the compressor. Need to find the formula to see what I can do.

 

[dragoneggs]

Now, that is a useful idea too! Absolutely no need for my compressor to run so fast. 3450 rpm motor with a 3" pulley, with a 10" on the compressor. Need to find the formula to see what I can do.

I would need to consider recovery time... I run a hungry sand blast cabinet so I need to be sure I don't slow it down such that it can't keep up. I also don't want it running continuously or almost. Not sure how one would go about calculating that.

 

[Doofy]

I would need to consider recovery time... I run a hungry sand blast cabinet so I need to be sure I don't slow it down such that it can't keep up. I also don't want it running continuously or almost. Not sure how one would go about calculating that.

Where are the Math Wizards when you need them? I am sure there is a formula for that.

 

[dragoneggs]

Where are the Math Wizards when you need them? I am sure there is a formula for that.

I'm (was I should say) a mechanical engineer but I am too lazy to think about that. Hoping someone can do my homework while I explore muffler configs.

 

[MossRoad]

I wonder if it is better for a compressor to run continuously and blow off the unused load VS cycling off and on all the time? Kinda like when you size a well pump for a sprinkler system. We had some huge screw-type compressors at my old employer that ran 24/7/365. And we had large piston compressors that had huge tanks that would cycle off and on as the pressure rose and fell. Don't know which is better.

 

[Doofy]

I'm (was I should say) a mechanical engineer but I am too lazy to think about that. Hoping someone can do my homework while I explore muffler configs.

Pulley Calculator. RPM, Belt Length, Speed, Animated Diagrams. This was a decent formula. If I decrease my motor pulley size from 3" to 2.5", I will reduce my compressor rpm from 1035 rpm to 862.5 rpm. This is a 173 rpm difference in the speed of the compressor. How it affects sound and recovery time would be anyone's guess. I'd just have to try it to find out. If the silencers fail to deliver then this may help.

 

[radios1]

I wonder if it is better for a compressor to run continuously and blow off the unused load VS cycling off and on all the time? Kinda like when you size a well pump for a sprinkler system. We had some huge screw-type compressors at my old employer that ran 24/7/365. And we had large piston compressors that had huge tanks that would cycle off and on as the pressure rose and fell. Don't know which is better.

the problem is most compressors are NOT designed to run continuously, they'll get WAY too hot, and burn out!. the cycling let's them cool down a bit!..

 

[aczlan]

I wonder if it is better for a compressor to run continuously and blow off the unused load VS cycling off and on all the time? Kinda like when you size a well pump for a sprinkler system. We had some huge screw-type compressors at my old employer that ran 24/7/365. And we had large piston compressors that had huge tanks that would cycle off and on as the pressure rose and fell. Don't know which is better.

Not sure about compressor longevity, but for a fixed displacement compressor such as a piston compressor, it is most efficient when it is turned on and off.
If you have a check valve and a bleed down valve (so that the compressor starts unloaded), your motor should not have much startup load.


Aaron Z