Shipping container with side doors for storage
- Thread starter marhar
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Hexa Fox
Silver Member
So I thought about a mini-split to just ventilate it. Were you thinking the same thing or to actually cool it? Do you only cool it when you are using it?
I like your idea. I am thinking of a solar attic fan on top and vents near the bottom on each end. I think I will have the container placed on blocks 18 inches off the ground.
I agree. I do not have an electric pole in the location I want to set the container. Any ideas on getting some power to the unit without too much cost? I just want some lights and a fan or two.
Hexa Fox
Silver Member
I just contacted a local place that sells shipping containers today. They actually have these side door units but do not have used ones. They are $12,500 new. In my opinion that is a whole lot of extra money for something with side doors. If you just bought the regular shipping containers I'm sure you could just buy some garage doors to fit, put a foundation under it, install a mini-split unit and all for less than buying a side door unit new or even used really. I have watched some videos and it looks like people are saying if you cut into the regular units to add something like a door you should reinforce that area as cutting a hole in it reduces the structural integrity of the unit.
Hexa Fox
Silver Member
You are already talking about spending a lot of money on a side door unit. Why not just spend the extra money and have an electrician come give you an estimate? Then ask him what you could save if you dug the trench, assuming you or a neighbor has that capability. I can rent a Ventrac with a trencher for like $250 a day. Then you can add whatever you want, like a 220v for blade sharpening, welding and the like in case you ever get anything like that.
If you want to go the cheapest route, you can get some hanging lights from Amazon, Costco or something, then get a solar vent or couple whirly birds. Again though and no offense, I do not understand spending a premium price on the container and then not wanting to spend a tiny fraction of the price running electricity to it.
I have the same problem with a 12x16 on my property now. My father and uncle built a really nice little shed here but spared every expense they could. We have regretted it over the years and now I have inherited this mess of a problem. Just do it right the first time, or put yourself in a position where you can do it right later. For instance, get the container(s) now, place it where you want, then start getting estimates for things like electricity and see how hot they get this Summer. If I remember correctly it gets pretty cool in NC over the Winter months so if you can hold off until then you have plenty of time to look at your concerns and address them. Just my two cents.
Your post makes sense. What has happened: I assumed I just wanted a place to store implements and a tractor. The more I thought about it the more I wanted to add to it My vision started as a 20 ft container. I then thought about the ease of detaching and attaching implements, then other equipment I wanted to store.
newbury
Super Star Member
- Joined
- Jan 8, 2009
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- From Vt, in Va, retiring to MS
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- Kubota's - B7610, M4700
IF
And that's a big if, you've clear sky and a relatively secure area a small solar panel and small battery can be had as a "camping setup" for about $100. Prices climb rapidly as you add niceties, like a charge controller etc.
I need it cooled for using it as a shop. Will also provide some dehumidification, tho in my experience mini-splits are not great at that so I might get a small dehumidifier.
Bobby T
New member
I have a 40ft double door container i made into my temporary shop while i build out my new shop/property. I pressure washed it inside and out and painted it inside and out. White inside and a greenish/brown outside to blend into the woods better than the original off white. I installed a 100amp panel and piped in lights and receptacles.
I welded a 2" flat bar down the center to hang lights and things from without screwing through the roof, but ended up using magnets with hooks to hang the lights from so its easy to adjust or move if needed. I installed a 12k BTU Pioneer mini split (i had planned on spray foaming) and it keeps the humidity perfect (35-45%) for all my tools, lathe and Bridgeport. It still gets hot in the summer (100ish degrees) if the sun hits it when overhead, even with the AC, as its just a giant metal heat sink, but i threw some foil backed foam boards on the roof weighted down and camo netting over it to help shade and hide the temporary insulation fix
, otherwise without that, its 150ish.... if i had known i wasn't going to insulate it, i would have gone bigger with the HVAC to compensate for the additional heat load.... but its all just a temporary setup anyway.The mini split keeps it ok temp wise in there when its really hot outside, but the humidity reduction is the main plus, especially here in Arkansas. Just the other day it was 89 outside with 62% humidity and it was 84 inside with 32% humidity, but it felt like 20 degrees cooler walking into it. (Unit was set to 80)
Here are some pics of the install and today's temps/humidity inside and out. I welded uni-strut on the top edge to mount the condenser on for vibration isolation and pipe clamping. I have since painted it all to match the container.
i'm building a pole barn to house all my equipment and attachments.
