Hybrid_From_Hell Posted August 10, 2016 Share Posted August 10, 2016 In the workshop I have a very noisey 3HP single Phase 100 Lt Compressor. When diff building / stripping etc its on overtime, and I end up with a nice pounding Headache. So, looking to soundproof it It currently sits under the bench in the corner of the workshop, so it has a back and 2 x sides and a "Roff , but open at the front. Yes I could pop a door front on - not sure if that would do much So, what are the best sort of sound proofing materials ? No, it can't go outside / anywhere else Thoughts pleeeease !Nige Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam001 Posted August 10, 2016 Share Posted August 10, 2016 Kingspan type panelling is not bad, or sheeting of foam wrapped around the box it's in. The best thing you can do is to isolate it, put some nice big blocks of rubber under the feet. Getting it out of the garage altogether is better though, seen people put little lean-tos on the side of the garage for this kind of thing. Didn't read... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Adam001 Posted August 10, 2016 Share Posted August 10, 2016 Oh, google acoustic foam (The egg box looking stuff), we use it for all sorts of automotive applications, it's brill. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davo Posted August 10, 2016 Share Posted August 10, 2016 I read somewhere that it's the intake that makes all the noise, and putting a muffler on it makes all the difference. I still haven't managed it with mine though. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Disco-Ron Posted August 10, 2016 Share Posted August 10, 2016 I read somewhere that it's the intake that makes all the noise, and putting a muffler on it makes all the difference. I still haven't managed it with mine though. Does that work with women too?! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mad_pete Posted August 10, 2016 Share Posted August 10, 2016 I'd start with why can't you put it in a sealed mdf box and work back from there. Because it needs air, how much and where from, what's the minimum apature I need and how can I route it via a route that involves the sound hitting lots of noise absorbing marterial. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Davo Posted August 10, 2016 Share Posted August 10, 2016 Does that work with women too?! Sounds good. You can try it out first. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickeyw Posted August 10, 2016 Share Posted August 10, 2016 I have what is badged as an ABAC silent compressor In reality it's not even as quiet as my Hydrovane (that would be one ££££ solution), but it's pretty quiet for a belt driven piston compressor. How? Well it's in a foam-lined cabinet with the receiver beneath it. There are of course ventilation holes, but they are kept to a minimum. You can even get ones with enclosed workings like this. Now I appreciate you already have a compressor, but maybe these models will give some inspiration towards reducing its noise output. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shackleton Posted August 10, 2016 Share Posted August 10, 2016 You've a conflict of interests in that you need to give the compressor a decent air supply to keep it cool, but from a sound proofing point of view anywhere air can move sound will follow. Ideally you'd have it in an airtight box and insulated with layers designed to absorb the range of frequencies a human ear would consider offensive. Alas you'd most likely burn out the compressor in short shift because of the inherent heat insulation. So the ideal for quick and pain free relief is to relocate your compressor to the other side of a wall, outside your work area if possible. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
elbekko Posted August 10, 2016 Share Posted August 10, 2016 If the main issue is the inlet noise, how about routing that outside and leaving the compressor where it is? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hybrid_From_Hell Posted August 10, 2016 Author Share Posted August 10, 2016 I have what is badged as an ABAC silent compressor In reality it's not even as quiet as my Hydrovane (that would be one ££££ solution), but it's pretty quiet for a belt driven piston compressor. How? Well it's in a foam-lined cabinet with the receiver beneath it. There are of course ventilation holes, but they are kept to a minimum. You can even get ones with enclosed workings like this. Now I appreciate you already have a compressor, but maybe these models will give some inspiration towards reducing its noise output. But mine is also 14CFM Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mad_pete Posted August 10, 2016 Share Posted August 10, 2016 https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=UOpB6oD2lt4 This sort of thing but if you need a vent don't give the sound a straight path build a little maze structure is the sound has to bounce of several surfaces to get out. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mickeyw Posted August 10, 2016 Share Posted August 10, 2016 But mine is also 14CFM You can still use similar methods to soundproof your 14cfm machine. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Jon White Posted August 11, 2016 Share Posted August 11, 2016 Unplug it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bowie69 Posted August 11, 2016 Share Posted August 11, 2016 Ear plugs. That and get the intake out the garage, main source of noise IME. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tim2809 Posted August 11, 2016 Share Posted August 11, 2016 We have a large compressor in a room at work with open roof inside the building and its got a noise suppresion cabinet but the best improvement was to hang old carpet on the walls Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
HoSS Posted August 11, 2016 Share Posted August 11, 2016 Why not put it outside? All it would need is a little weather protection roof, or if worried about neighbours, a soundproof box (but lesser grade than if inside). Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hybrid_From_Hell Posted August 11, 2016 Author Share Posted August 11, 2016 Can't get planning permission (SWMBO) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robertspark Posted August 11, 2016 Share Posted August 11, 2016 2p, look for a dense material for soundproofing... like old carpet as in the other post. The anachoic foam is good for high frequency but if you download a free app for your phone with a sound spectrum analyser on it it will show you were most of the noise is and at a guess it's low frequencies... hence dense material Yes the apps are not 100% accurate... but give you an idea (microphone not calibrated) Also place a barrier in front of the air holes ... try to explain.... say you cut a 100 square hole.... put a board in front of it say 300 square with 50mm standoffs... so that the noise has to travel around the obstruction... and put some sound deadening material on the side of the board facing the hole (but still keep the 50mm clearance Rob Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
nickwilliams Posted August 11, 2016 Share Posted August 11, 2016 Rockwool slab insulation is fairly cheap and very effective. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mike174 Posted August 11, 2016 Share Posted August 11, 2016 I work with compressors, we've occasionally built enclosures using mdf and egg crate foam stuff. If you build it with baffles it's amazing how much difference it can make. Just make sure the air can flow enough to keep it cool. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
robertspark Posted August 11, 2016 Share Posted August 11, 2016 Yes baffles are great, basically think of them as a means to increase both the surface area and the density of the overall sound absorber and sound travel distance Anything that you can do to stop direct sound path will lessen the noise (3dba for every doubling of the distance), so if you measure the sound at 1m, the DBA at 2m will be 3 DBA less, then at 4m another 3dba less, that also applies to baffles. Rock wool is good. But think of the dust collection over time... this will then lessen the effectiveness of the rock wool sound porous surface, hence a means to clean off the surfaces.... barofoam is more like a dense but expanded nitrile rubber lining, used in ductwork (muftilag is another name) Also, think about some jelly type antivibration mounts, there is a science to this which considers the mass that you are trying to dampen, but if you look on a reseller website you can find a PDF on it (the harder the rubber the less dampening, but it needs to resist the weight too) The better you make it the more noise it will attenuate (and vibration) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
UdderlyOffroad Posted August 12, 2016 Share Posted August 12, 2016 If the missus complains you’re encroaching into the garden, why not extend it a bit so you can park garden furniture/tools in there? Or if she doesn’t buy that, tell her that it’ll mean she won’t have to look after quite such a deaf old git in your dotage? I know you said you can’t relocate it outside…but by the time you’ve constructed something around your compressor, with all the associated faff of having to clear a space around it, you could’ve thrown up a doghouse/lean-to style thing outside your shed? Few bits of decking board to make the sides, marine ply roof and felt over it, insulate with kingspan offcuts/seconds and carpet, and add some strategic baffled vent holes…done? Matt Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Eightpot Posted August 13, 2016 Share Posted August 13, 2016 I route the air intake outside using some flexible hose with a cone filter on the end - massive drop in noise - in the past I've even just put an old discovery air filter box on the intake and that dropped noise significantly.. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mad_pete Posted August 13, 2016 Share Posted August 13, 2016 Get a noise app for your phone so you can measure before and after? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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