That's a rather blunt assessment. There are drastic differences in
noise levels between compressors. A cast iron oiled compressor might
run in low to mid 80 db noise level. An oil free aluminum might run in
the mid 90's. Given that every 3 db increase in sound level equals a
100% increase, that would mean that the the oil less compressor might
be 16 times as loud as a cast iron. Many people would anecdotally say
"its at least that much louder".
I agree that none of them would be considered quiet, but the cast irons
are generally tolerable, while the oil less are intolerable.
Bob
This "3 dB = twice as loud" error is frequently made. Alexander Graham
Bell was, among other things, an audiologist. He did empirical studies
of loudness, and codified a relative loudness scale Bel(l)s. 1 Bel
represents a doubling (or halving) of sound pressure level. A decibel
is 1/10 of a bel, therefore 10 decibels is required for a doubling of a
perceived sound pressure level (on average - these are based on
empirical data). To generate a 3 dB increase in sound pressure level,
on a stereo for example, requires a doubling of power. I believe it is
this latter relationship that is often confused with the former.
Stepping off peeve-box....
A true 6hp compressor would draw approximately 4,500 watts, or 40 amps
on a 115v circuit, so you are oviously in the realm of 220+ v units.
I would look at the Eaton compressors (www.eatoncompressor.com) for
what appears to be a well-made unit.
Ba r r y wrote:
> On 10 Dec 2004 20:17:08 -0800, [email protected] wrote:
>
> > I believe it is
> >this latter relationship that is often confused with the former.
>
> Good description.
>
> I'll add that distance can affect sound level in a huge way. Placing
> the irritant as far from the source of irritation as possible can
also
> help.
Purely as a point of curiosity (and not to stir the pot) does that
follow the inverse square rule?
snip
-Phil Crow
"Joseph Connors" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Can anyone recommend a quiet air compressor in the 5-6 HP and 25-30 gal or
> more size range? Noise level is paramount. Thanks!
The quietest ones will normally be "ALL" Cast Iron and oil lubricated. When
shopping take magnet with you to check the cylinder and head and if possible
ask to listen to the unit running. Typically the lower rpm units will be
quieter also.
In news:Joseph Connors <[email protected]> typed:
> Can anyone recommend a quiet air compressor in the 5-6 HP and 25-30 gal or
> more size range? Noise level is paramount. Thanks!
You can reduce about 75% of the noise if you take the motor and pump off the
tank and mount it to another platform. Of course that would be a pump that
uses oil. You will have to have someone hook up the tubing for you, unless
you can fabricate it yourself.
--
Ted Harris
http://www.tedharris.com
[email protected]
(remove .NOJUNK to reply)
On Sat, 11 Dec 2004 14:45:15 GMT, Ba r r y
<[email protected]> wrote:
>On Sat, 11 Dec 2004 06:40:29 GMT, mac davis <[email protected]>
>wrote:
>
>>You might think of adding a cooling fan..
>
>A cooling fan could even be switched on and off with the pressure
>switch, so it's not running all the time.
>
>Barry
very possible.. I just plan on using the thermostat one because it
comes as a unit in the fan and is fairly affordable..
Also, thinking about it a little more... since it gets up to maybe 105
or 108 (F) here during the summer, anything that helps vent the garage
as the heat increases is a good thing.. *g*
On 10 Dec 2004 07:02:59 -0800, "Bob"
<[email protected]> calmly ranted:
>That's a rather blunt assessment. There are drastic differences in
>noise levels between compressors. A cast iron oiled compressor might
>run in low to mid 80 db noise level. An oil free aluminum might run in
>the mid 90's. Given that every 3 db increase in sound level equals a
>100% increase, that would mean that the the oil less compressor might
>be 16 times as loud as a cast iron. Many people would anecdotally say
>"its at least that much louder".
>
>I agree that none of them would be considered quiet, but the cast irons
>are generally tolerable, while the oil less are intolerable.
I've found that in the better made compressors (oilers, cast iron
pumps) that the main noise is the intake. Put a muffler on that and
you barely notice the thing running.
==============================================================
Like peace and quiet? Buy a phoneless cord.
http://www/diversify.com/stees.html Hilarious T-shirts online
==============================================================
Either you have an outstanding boss or photo negatives. ;-) Are they black
and white or color? <EG>
-- Mark
max wrote:
> I have a little compressor called a Jun Air. My boss gave it to me
> because I wanted one for my nail gun but didn't want one of those big
> loud things. This compressor is almost silent. It is the size of a
> pancake but you can hardly hear it and the output is fantastic. My
> boss says they cost almost $1000. The photographic and medical
> communities use them.
> max
>
>> That's a rather blunt assessment. There are drastic differences in
>> noise levels between compressors. A cast iron oiled compressor might
>> run in low to mid 80 db noise level. An oil free aluminum might run
>> in the mid 90's. Given that every 3 db increase in sound level
>> equals a 100% increase, that would mean that the the oil less
>> compressor might be 16 times as loud as a cast iron. Many people
>> would anecdotally say "its at least that much louder".
>>
>> I agree that none of them would be considered quiet, but the cast
>> irons are generally tolerable, while the oil less are intolerable.
>>
>> Bob
On 10 Dec 2004 20:17:08 -0800, [email protected] wrote:
> I believe it is
>this latter relationship that is often confused with the former.
Good description.
I'll add that distance can affect sound level in a huge way. Placing
the irritant as far from the source of irritation as possible can also
help.
Most compressors can easily be placed in a convenient spot and plumbed
to the area where the air is needed. They don't need to be right next
to the user, or right under the wife's TV room.
Barry
On Sat, 11 Dec 2004 06:40:29 GMT, mac davis <[email protected]>
wrote:
>You might think of adding a cooling fan..
A cooling fan could even be switched on and off with the pressure
switch, so it's not running all the time.
Barry
I have a little compressor called a Jun Air. My boss gave it to me because I
wanted one for my nail gun but didn't want one of those big loud things.
This compressor is almost silent. It is the size of a pancake but you can
hardly hear it and the output is fantastic. My boss says they cost almost
$1000. The photographic and medical communities use them.
max
> That's a rather blunt assessment. There are drastic differences in
> noise levels between compressors. A cast iron oiled compressor might
> run in low to mid 80 db noise level. An oil free aluminum might run in
> the mid 90's. Given that every 3 db increase in sound level equals a
> 100% increase, that would mean that the the oil less compressor might
> be 16 times as loud as a cast iron. Many people would anecdotally say
> "its at least that much louder".
>
> I agree that none of them would be considered quiet, but the cast irons
> are generally tolerable, while the oil less are intolerable.
>
> Bob
>
I work in the photo industry repairing industrial and darkroom equipment. I
get a lot of cool stuff as the industry slowly dies. I have all sorts of
columns, motors, gears and other stuff that I build in to tools.
Oh yeah, I have thousands and thousands of negs, B/w and color.
max
> Either you have an outstanding boss or photo negatives. ;-) Are they black
> and white or color? <EG>
>
> -- Mark
>
> max wrote:
>> I have a little compressor called a Jun Air. My boss gave it to me
>> because I wanted one for my nail gun but didn't want one of those big
>> loud things. This compressor is almost silent. It is the size of a
>> pancake but you can hardly hear it and the output is fantastic. My
>> boss says they cost almost $1000. The photographic and medical
>> communities use them.
>> max
>>
>>> That's a rather blunt assessment. There are drastic differences in
>>> noise levels between compressors. A cast iron oiled compressor might
>>> run in low to mid 80 db noise level. An oil free aluminum might run
>>> in the mid 90's. Given that every 3 db increase in sound level
>>> equals a 100% increase, that would mean that the the oil less
>>> compressor might be 16 times as loud as a cast iron. Many people
>>> would anecdotally say "its at least that much louder".
>>>
>>> I agree that none of them would be considered quiet, but the cast
>>> irons are generally tolerable, while the oil less are intolerable.
>>>
>>> Bob
>
>
Thanks Hank! This just what I'm thinking of doing.
"Hank Gillette" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In article <[email protected]>,
> "Joseph Connors" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > Thanks everyone for the ideas. I think I am going to build an enclosure
for
> > my existing compressor (6HP 30 gal upright Sears - oilless) using
plywood,
> > 2x4's, soundboard, and insulation. Just a box with openings for access
to
> > controls and air and power (plus some ventilation as well). Thanks
again!
>
> Serendipitously, I wandered onto this web site just the other night:
>
> <http://www.cianperez.com/Photo/Exposed/album_WoodWerx/Projects/Compresso
> r_Enclosure/Pages/Compressor_Enclosure.htm>
>
> --
> Hank Gillette
Thanks everyone for the ideas. I think I am going to build an enclosure for
my existing compressor (6HP 30 gal upright Sears - oilless) using plywood,
2x4's, soundboard, and insulation. Just a box with openings for access to
controls and air and power (plus some ventilation as well). Thanks again!
"patrick conroy" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "Joseph Connors" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
>
> > Can anyone recommend a quiet air compressor in the 5-6 HP and 25-30 gal
or
> > more size range? Noise level is paramount. Thanks!
>
> [ Not what you asked for - but, hey this is Usenet, where we excel at
> answering questions you didn't ask, but we're all damned sure that's what
> you meant: ]
>
> One day to get my 2Gal oiless pancake out-of-the-way, I stuck it in the
base
> of an all 3/4" MDF cabinet, and closed the door. Out of curiousity, I
> plugged it in, and was shocked by the amount of noise reduction. Actually
> muffled down to Small 1HP Dust Collector levels (dbs in high 70's, low
> 80's?),
>
> I does get hot in there, so I don't run it long with the door closed, but
it
> has made it a usable tool now at all hours rather than only during
daylight
> hours.
>
>
What is your concern about noise? In that size of compressor I don't
believe there are any 'quiet' ones.
If this is a neighbor concern, I doubt if it will be that big of a deal. I
have a 6HP CH in my garage. When it starts while I am in the garage I am
occasionally startled. Outside, with the door down, I can barely hear it.
I can also hear it in the house but it is not disturbing. Beside that,
unless you are spraying, running air sanders or doing other things that
require constant flow, the compressor seldom runs for more than a minute or
so at a time. For normal use (nailing, occasional impact wrench use, some
other air tools, etc.) a larger tank will usually mean less startups.
As others say, oiled compressors are generally quieter. In addition to
being noiser, the oil-less machines run at a frequency that makes my hair
hurt.
Search for "dental compressor". I recently bought a military surplus
used $7,790 dental compressor for $400. It was very quiet indeed, and
has air dryers and whatnot. I resold it for $1,250, as it was too big
for me anyway. The buyer was a dentist. It required 220V to run
though.
Check out "Air Techniques AirStar 50" at www.airtechniques.com.
i
On Fri, 10 Dec 2004 13:24:40 -0600, RonB <[email protected]> wrote:
> What is your concern about noise? In that size of compressor I don't
> believe there are any 'quiet' ones.
>
> If this is a neighbor concern, I doubt if it will be that big of a deal. I
> have a 6HP CH in my garage. When it starts while I am in the garage I am
> occasionally startled. Outside, with the door down, I can barely hear it.
> I can also hear it in the house but it is not disturbing. Beside that,
> unless you are spraying, running air sanders or doing other things that
> require constant flow, the compressor seldom runs for more than a minute or
> so at a time. For normal use (nailing, occasional impact wrench use, some
> other air tools, etc.) a larger tank will usually mean less startups.
>
> As others say, oiled compressors are generally quieter. In addition to
> being noiser, the oil-less machines run at a frequency that makes my hair
> hurt.
>
>
--
"Ba r r y" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> On 12 Dec 2004 07:11:57 -0800, [email protected] wrote:
>
>
>>Purely as a point of curiosity (and not to stir the pot) does that
>>follow the inverse square rule?
>>
>
> AFAIK, it does.
>
> Barry
except there are exceptions. frequency, sound tunnels, and a lot of other
things come into play and can affect this.
On Fri, 10 Dec 2004 00:39:26 -0800, "Joseph Connors"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Can anyone recommend a quiet air compressor in the 5-6 HP and 25-30 gal or
>more size range? Noise level is paramount. Thanks!
>
>
the quietest ones that I've heard about are the new generation of
pancake compressors, which are usually smaller than you need..
I can't remember who had them, maybe PC, but they were oiled and low
rpm for lower noise level.. about double the price of the normal ones,
though..
"Joseph Connors" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Can anyone recommend a quiet air compressor in the 5-6 HP and 25-30 gal or
> more size range? Noise level is paramount. Thanks!
[ Not what you asked for - but, hey this is Usenet, where we excel at
answering questions you didn't ask, but we're all damned sure that's what
you meant: ]
One day to get my 2Gal oiless pancake out-of-the-way, I stuck it in the base
of an all 3/4" MDF cabinet, and closed the door. Out of curiousity, I
plugged it in, and was shocked by the amount of noise reduction. Actually
muffled down to Small 1HP Dust Collector levels (dbs in high 70's, low
80's?),
I does get hot in there, so I don't run it long with the door closed, but it
has made it a usable tool now at all hours rather than only during daylight
hours.
So, he wants a new compressor, eh?
"Hank Gillette" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> In article <[email protected]>,
> "Joseph Connors" <[email protected]> wrote:
>
> > Thanks everyone for the ideas. I think I am going to build an enclosure
for
> > my existing compressor (6HP 30 gal upright Sears - oilless) using
plywood,
> > 2x4's, soundboard, and insulation. Just a box with openings for access
to
> > controls and air and power (plus some ventilation as well). Thanks
again!
>
> Serendipitously, I wandered onto this web site just the other night:
>
> <http://www.cianperez.com/Photo/Exposed/album_WoodWerx/Projects/Compresso
> r_Enclosure/Pages/Compressor_Enclosure.htm>
>
> --
> Hank Gillette
In article <[email protected]>,
"Joseph Connors" <[email protected]> wrote:
> Thanks Hank! This just what I'm thinking of doing.
>
Let us know how it works. I might want to build one sometime.
--
Hank Gillette
In article <[email protected]>,
"Joseph Connors" <[email protected]> wrote:
> Thanks everyone for the ideas. I think I am going to build an enclosure for
> my existing compressor (6HP 30 gal upright Sears - oilless) using plywood,
> 2x4's, soundboard, and insulation. Just a box with openings for access to
> controls and air and power (plus some ventilation as well). Thanks again!
Serendipitously, I wandered onto this web site just the other night:
<http://www.cianperez.com/Photo/Exposed/album_WoodWerx/Projects/Compresso
r_Enclosure/Pages/Compressor_Enclosure.htm>
--
Hank Gillette
On Fri, 10 Dec 2004 20:19:39 -0800, "Joseph Connors"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Thanks everyone for the ideas. I think I am going to build an enclosure for
>my existing compressor (6HP 30 gal upright Sears - oilless) using plywood,
>2x4's, soundboard, and insulation. Just a box with openings for access to
>controls and air and power (plus some ventilation as well). Thanks again!
<snip>
You might think of adding a cooling fan..
I'm in the planning stage for a sound enclosure for the compressor and
DC and plan to incorporate (damn, I used a big word!) a small attic
fan with a thermostat, venting towards the neighbor i like the least..
On 12 Dec 2004 07:11:57 -0800, [email protected] wrote:
>Purely as a point of curiosity (and not to stir the pot) does that
>follow the inverse square rule?
>
AFAIK, it does.
Barry
On Fri, 10 Dec 2004 00:39:26 -0800, "Joseph Connors"
<[email protected]> wrote:
>Can anyone recommend a quiet air compressor in the 5-6 HP and 25-30 gal or
>more size range? Noise level is paramount. Thanks!
>
>
No such thing. Compressors are noisy by their nature. You may want to
consider running the compressor in an area where noise is not an issue
and run a pipeline to where you need the air. The oiless compressors
generally have more noise than the one's that have an oil reservoir.