I am looking around for a good upright 2-stage air compressor that I can install outside without an enclosure. Grainger seems to list a lot of their "Speedaire" compressors as having a driptight motor and starter. I have seen that brand before.

It seems like Ingersoll-Rand's outdoor kits are overkill. I think they are some sort of hood? I have seen plenty of other compressors outside.

What are the real world experiences here?

Birken

 

A driptight motor and starter is not raintight. They are specified for environments where an occasional drip of water etc from condensation or something will not destroy the electricals. I would not use such a compressor outside without an enclosure of some sort.

You may be able to see some definitions at the Grainger website: http://www.grainger.com/

 

Hey Birken. Is there some reason you can't have an enclosure? Not only for protection from the elements, but what about theft?
Will it be gas operated? If not, even an old and gutted refrigerator is better than nothing. There are no refrigerant lines going through the door, so you could install a vent at the top and bottom for fresh air and keep moisture down.
Rubbermaid makes those compost containers now for about $25 and would at least conceal it from most prying eyes.
Talk with you guys later..

Hi Eric!!!

 

Well I have seen a lot of large air compressors at industrial sites that sit outside and it just rains on them all the time. I intend to bolt it to the pad and then weld the nuts. Enclosures make me leery because it gets blazing hot around here already.

I was hoping somebody who worked at a place that has one of these setups would chip in. I did see a weatherproofing kit in I-R somewhere but I can't find it now.

Birken

 

There are motors and electrical equipment that is made for the outside environment. Most std machines are not tho.

If you mount yours outside you may want to build a sheet metal hood for it to keep the direct and wind driven rain off.

 

The typical industrial motor is "TEFC" - totally enclosed fan cooled, which is a lot more weather tight than a dripproof motor.

As far as sitting the compressor outside, I would also suggest an enclosure. A solid roof and louvered walls would provide adequate weather protection with good ventilation. Pressure treated wood louvers or even old shutters will look respectable.

You mentioned summer heat is a consideration. Are freezing temperatures in winter also a concern? The condensation inside the tank & lines will freeze & this may also cause trouble. You can minimize ice troubles by making sure there are no points in any piping where water will collect. Drain the water out of the tank whenever it's warm enough to do so. If you use a filter / regulator / lubricator setup, put that inside the shop.

The compressor oil my thicken too much in cold temperatures, too.

Also you may need to be considerate of yor neighbors. If the tank cools down at night, the pressure will drop & it may kick on if the power is left on (it is VERY easy to forget to kill the power at night). I have a compressor inside my garage, but I would be really unhappy if a neighbor's rig kicked on at 3:30 am.

Cheers,
Eric

 

I see now on the internet the totally enclosed motors...I have not started to call suppliers yet but that is OK, I don't have the money yet either.

This is for my fire department, I am doing the installation. The compressor will be on constantly in order to supply air to vehicles that have systems that leak. Don't lecture me on fixing the air brake systems please, leakage over a day is perfectly acceptable. So the compressor will run from time to time. It is going to be out back because that is the only place there is room, and to keep the noise away from the barracks especially.

The compressor will be a 5hp 2 stage vertical unit.

I installed the line last week, it is underground and it is pitched down to the shop where I have a drip leg and a u-shaped drain buried with a small riser and ball valve to blow off water there. The frost does not get into the ground here. The air does freeze but only at night. I intend to install an automatic drain on the compressor and use synthetic oil or whatever the manufacturer gives the best warranty on.

Otherwise there should be no problems, inside the building is always heated and that is where I will put the rest of the goodies.

When I do construction projects I don't make up anything myself (within reason) I just copy other professional installations. That is why I asked, because I see lots of other compressors sitting outside completely exposed. I am not opposed to making a tin hat for whatever needs it to keep the water off. But I would prefer to buy it already that way.

Birken

 

I didn't see a single compressor in my Grainger catalog suitable for outside use. Check with a local compressor or industrial supply store to see if they have one. An enclosure may be required here...

Why do you want a two stage model?

 

Single stage compressors do not belong in truck shops. They do not even build enough pressure to fill tires

Birken