I'm building a new woodworking shop (26' x 26') and framing is
complete. I plan to install an air compressor (2 - 3 hp with an 80
gallon tank) and would like to know if I should plan a special air
intake that draws outside air (I'm in Ontario Canada) into the
compressor or should I simply use the air in the shop as the "feed" for
the compressor? If I go with an outside air feed, what size of inlet
should I provide?
Thoughts and comments would be appreciated.
"Doug" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm building a new woodworking shop (26' x 26') and framing is
> complete. I plan to install an air compressor (2 - 3 hp with an 80
> gallon tank) and would like to know if I should plan a special air
> intake that draws outside air (I'm in Ontario Canada) into the
> compressor or should I simply use the air in the shop as the "feed" for
> the compressor? If I go with an outside air feed, what size of inlet
> should I provide?
> Thoughts and comments would be appreciated.
>
Two schools of thought.
One, outside air will be quieter and the outside air will help keep the
compressor cool.
Also, the air being compressed has to come from somewhere. If it comes from
inside, the shop will have air leaks bringing in other contaminates.
Inside air usually is lower humidity than outside and the you generate less
water in the system.
I personally like having my compressor outside, under a shed roof. Plenty
of shade and air circulation for cooling. My system for condensation
removal is simple. I ran some 1" iron pipe up and down the outside (West
facing) wall of my shop. Each section has a drip leg and a valve to drain
condensation. This in addition to a automatic tank drain and one filter,
provides me with clean dry air.
Dave
>> "Teamcasa"
>> I personally like having my compressor outside, under a shed roof.
>> Plenty
>> of shade and air circulation for cooling. My system for condensation
>> removal is simple. I ran some 1" iron pipe up and down the outside (West
>> facing) wall of my shop. Each section has a drip leg and a valve to
>> drain
>> condensation. This in addition to a automatic tank drain and one filter,
>> provides me with clean dry air.
>"Mike Marlow"
>
> What do you have for an automatic tank drain Dave?
Mike, Its a system I adapted from one of my shop's Champion Compressor.
It's a timed system that looks like the Speedaire system.
Dave
<[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> The air being compressed also has to be used somewhere. If it comes
> from inside the shop and is consumed in the shop there will be no "air
> leaks"
>
As long as you use the same amount of incoming air at the same time as you
are compressing it. Not likely.
Go to http://www.harborfreight.com/ and do a search for
compressor drain. I have the $10.00 one and it has been
working fine for three years.
Frank
"Mike Marlow" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Teamcasa" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>>
>
>> I personally like having my compressor outside, under a
>> shed roof. Plenty
>> of shade and air circulation for cooling. My system for
>> condensation
>> removal is simple. I ran some 1" iron pipe up and down
>> the outside (West
>> facing) wall of my shop. Each section has a drip leg and
>> a valve to drain
>> condensation. This in addition to a automatic tank drain
>> and one filter,
>> provides me with clean dry air.
>>
>
> What do you have for an automatic tank drain Dave?
>
> --
>
> -Mike-
> [email protected]
>
>
"Teamcasa" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> I personally like having my compressor outside, under a shed roof. Plenty
> of shade and air circulation for cooling. My system for condensation
> removal is simple. I ran some 1" iron pipe up and down the outside (West
> facing) wall of my shop. Each section has a drip leg and a valve to drain
> condensation. This in addition to a automatic tank drain and one filter,
> provides me with clean dry air.
>
What do you have for an automatic tank drain Dave?
--
-Mike-
[email protected]
"Frank K." <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Go to http://www.harborfreight.com/ and do a search for
> compressor drain. I have the $10.00 one and it has been
> working fine for three years.
Yeah - I'm famiar with the HF system, I was just wondering what Dave used.
I need to put a Harbor Freight drain on my compressor, but I just haven't
gotten a round tuit. One of these trips down there, I'll actually remember
to pick it up.
--
-Mike-
[email protected]
"Doug" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> I'm building a new woodworking shop (26' x 26') and framing is
> complete. I plan to install an air compressor (2 - 3 hp with an 80
> gallon tank) and would like to know if I should plan a special air
> intake that draws outside air (I'm in Ontario Canada) into the
> compressor or should I simply use the air in the shop as the "feed" for
> the compressor? If I go with an outside air feed, what size of inlet
> should I provide?
> Thoughts and comments would be appreciated.
>
No need for outside air.
--
-Mike-
[email protected]
I would not use outside air, reason being is that when it is raining or
humid outside you are drawing that moisture laden air into the compressor. I
am not saying that the air in the garage or shop would be much better, but
in my opinion it would be more suitable to just use shop air. My compressor
(Ingersol Rand) draws air from inside the garage. You want the air as
moisture and contaminant free as possible.
Searcher