Air Compressor Outside

[Jeff May]

Currently my 60 gal. single stage air compressor is inside my shop.
I have been considering moving it outside in a closed in area attached to my shop.
Summers here can get into the upper 90s and winters have been know to hit single digits. Although usually our winters are in the 20s and low 30s.
I figure it would need good air circulation, a flexible line through the wall into the shop.
I"d like to here others ideas, thoughts, and experiences with having their compressor outside.
Thanks,
Jeff

 

[VaTom]

A little colder here, no problem with my IR outside my shop the past 15 years. I ran copper pipe. Much nicer to have it outside.

 

[Chris(WA)]

Mine is in a small lean to on the outside of my shop too. Keeps the noise way down in the shop.Really does not get neglected any worse than it did inside!LOL!I actually do more with it now as I do think about it and check the filter and oil once in a while because it IS outside!
Works just as well as it did inside. Probably better as it doesn't have to breath all the dust and dirt from inside the shop.

 

[timcasbolt]

Yea, I've had mine outside on the last three shops over the last 25 years. Much quieter, and it gets better air.

I hardlined everything with black pipe. Water trap right out of the compressor, and a drain valve at the lowest point.

 

[hintocw]

I've had my IR (80 gal) outside for the last 20 years. I built a roof over the unit and equipped it with an automatic drain valve (approx. $10.00 from Harbour Freight).

 

[Cheesehead Fred]

I'm sure you'll probably plan to deal with the condensation you get in the compressed air in a way where the freezing temperatures don't cause problems. That was the only issue we didn't think of, and we didn't have to change much to make it work.

 

[timcasbolt]

That's no different for me, since I don't heat the garage anyway, and the temperature in the building is roughly the same as outside. Give or take a little sunshine effect.

 

[GordoSD]

My shop is 40x64. Two overhead 16 wide doors on the long (west) side. Compressor is bolted to the floor on rubber pads midway between the doors. 75 feet of hose on manual reel. Air will reach to and beyond both driveways.
I like to do all the dirty work outside, sandblast, air DA sand, prime, cleaning, and all those jobs outside with the doors down. Keep the dirt and overspray out of the shop.
It's a nice way to clean implements, mowers, balers etc off with that air also.
And of course drive anything up on the ouside slab and asphalt for airing tires and blow cleaning floors and pickup beds.
As that side faces the road I wouln't want a "leanto" jutting out there.

 

[Bob Bancroft]

Mine is in an old milkhouse next to my shop.
I think maybe you would want to insulate your outbuilding to modify temp. swings on the compressor/tank. Then open it up and give it a little air flow when it gets hot out.

 

[Stephen Newell]

An air compressor is better off outdoors if you don't have to worry about theft. It will run cooler and cleaner there. Even used indoors it's recommended that the intake air be piped to the outside. I've had one outside since 1995 with only an awning over the top to keep the rain off.

 

[Awlknottedup]

My compressor is mounted outside in a leanto. I have a flex line to black iron pipe leading inside the shop. From there I have PEX running to the doors, a hose reel by the front door, and drop lines in the middle of the shop. This is mostly a woodworking shop. I have a portable compressor in the garage.