Off Topic - Quieting down a compressor ??

[Tony Jacuzzi]

I have a 20 gallon 5 hp upright oiless compressor in my garage that I use for painting and minor stuff. i have owned it for about 5 years and it seems to be getting louder. i noticed that the intake on the cylinder was a little loose so i tightened that up but is there some way to quiet this thing down. Can I enclose the compressor head without damage or will the generated heat harm the unit. Are there any after market products that will work. Thanks Tony j

 

[Foolwitools]

Tony,

I have a horizontal oiless under my shop table. If I had any idea they were that loud I would never have bought the thing... Anyhow,

I enclosed mine with 1/2 plywood and stapled r-11 insulation inside the enclosure. this cut down the noise a lot but the last time I had it out from under the table, I noticed that the plastic cover was distorted from the heat.

Good Luck,

Bob the Fool

 

[Blue Tongue]

Bob has the general idea but I would suggest using the heaviest/thickest material that is practical to use to enclose the unit and have air inlet and outlet passages that are baffled or that have a couple of bends in them.........forcing the sound to change direction will absorb energy from the sound waves.........and either on the inlet side or outlet instal a fan wired in with the compressor motor switch, this way, when the comp is running, air is being drawn through the enclosure to assist cooling.

ChrisO B)

 

[Joe_Knesek]

Tony, you may need to replace the compressor's muffler. Grainger has several to choose from.

 

[jeff baham]

tony,that sounds like a CAMPBELL-HAUSFIELD AIRCOMPRESSOR RIGHT, can you build a small room outside, the same lenght as the compressor, but square (if the compressor is four foot long, make the box 4ft x4ft) and add the vents like chris suggested. i have a 20gallon x 2 hp and a 60 gallon x 7 hp. this happen one time so far, i have a 20' x 40' shed and it is divided into. i forgot i hadthe 7- 60 gallon behind the door that goes in the larger room. when i open the doorand hit the compressor that big boy came on. all i can say is exalac wouldn't havedone a better job. lol so now i don't mind the noise.

 

[ALLAN YUEN]

I dont like Compressor oilless because big problem valves make crack cause make worse noise so should replace compressor or repair valves every 4 year. B) I use air comprssor with oil last long almost 10 years no problems. Allan