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Time To Upgrade The Inlet Filter On The Shop Compressor.

Discussion in 'The Tool Shed' started by y2k-fxst, Feb 7, 2021.

  1. Feb 7, 2021
    y2k-fxst

    y2k-fxst Member

    North English,IA
    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2014
    Messages:
    293
    This is the OEM filter on my shop compressor. It is suppose to mount in this position but, when mounted in factory location you cannot access the filter unless you take the entire housing off.
    filter1.JPG
    I've had it mounted upside down with the inlet pointing up since the first time I cleaned the filter. This means all the dust and smoke in the shop settles into the filter. The filter finally got a hole in it and needed replaced. Was not able to find a readily available filter. And since it is basically an open filter you have never been able to hear yourself think when the compressor kicks in.
    filter2.JPG
    Ended up finding a Solberg filter/silencer for the compressor. Ordered 1 size larger than the compressor requires since I'm eventually going to mount it on the outside of the shop in cleaner air.
    filter3.JPG
    Adapted it up from 3/4" pipe thread to 1" to match the new filter/silencer. Had to add a 90 for the filter to clear everything. Should have done this years ago. Quiets it enough you can hear yourself think now. Mainly quiets the air noise down enough I can hear the pistons in the compressor moving and the rattle of the metal belt guard I never noticed before! Plus the compressor builds pressure faster now also! Did some sandblasting in my cabinet yesterday and was able to run continuously.
    filter4.JPG
    Made the adapter for the final installation of the outside air intake last weekend. Didn't finish up with the outside intake since I haven't found the flexible hose I need from the compressor to the wall yet, And, I'm afraid the vinyl siding would shatter with the current outside temps.
    braizing 2.JPG
    Used a 1" black pipe nipple and oxy/acet brazed it to a scrap piece of 1/4" plate to make the manifold. I'm going to use 2" PVC to connect it to the outside of the shop. Once weather warms up where I can drill and stand to be outside for a while I'll post finished pictures.
    braizing 3.JPG
     
    Last edited: Feb 7, 2021
    3b a runnin, Jw60, ITLKSEZ and 2 others like this.
  2. Feb 7, 2021
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sedalia MO.
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    Apr 8, 2008
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    That looks great!
    I wish my compressor had a sensible intake but alas I have to live with the -as made- cloth mat in the head casting.
     
  3. Feb 7, 2021
    y2k-fxst

    y2k-fxst Member

    North English,IA
    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2014
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    293
    What kind of compressor do you have? Bet if you look close you can figure out a way to put a better filter on it. Might have to unbolt a lot of the plastic to get down to the bare castings. Bet there is some way to make a manifold that bolts on or even tap the inlet for a pipe thread filter.
     
  4. Feb 7, 2021
    Jw60

    Jw60 Sitting up n buckled down. 2024 Sponsor 2023 Sponsor 2022 Sponsor

    Sedalia MO.
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    I've got this thing. It's over 20years old but really isn't in bad shape my brother and I used it on the farm for work on a c10 and my jeep then dad just used it to air up tractor tires.
    It's a super awkward intake area. The mat filter is pretty quiet but it will run hot. It's 5hp at 240v
    The motor is wired for 120v so when I get more power to the garage this might get reworked.
    You can see the little inlet check valves are just behind the vertical bosses.
    [​IMG]20210207_183809 by Joe with a jeep, on Flickr

    [​IMG]20210207_183750 by Joe with a jeep, on Flickr

    [​IMG]20210207_183850 by Joe with a jeep, on Flickr
     
    Twin2 likes this.
  5. Feb 8, 2021
    y2k-fxst

    y2k-fxst Member

    North English,IA
    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2014
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    293
    Myself I'd take the 2 bolts out that hold the plate on the top. Then bend some 10 gauge or even some 1/4" inch plate to cover the top and OEM opening, and then add a black pipe coupler that would accept a threaded filter. Then seal the plate with some gasket maker. Not sure why they went so cheap on a 5hp compressor myself, planned obsolescence? Don't see how that would last long if used in a dusty/dirty environment but, 20 years hasn't killed it yet! Definitely looks like that setup would pre-heat incoming air!
     
  6. Feb 9, 2021
    timgr

    timgr We stand on the shoulders of giants. 2022 Sponsor

    Medford Mass USA
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    The filter is a good idea. A lot of noise comes out of the intake on a compressor, and the filter acts as a muffler too. This is one of those projects I've had on my mental list for a long time. Possible you could use an automotive air cleaner and mount it remotely.
     
  7. Feb 9, 2021
    ITLKSEZ

    ITLKSEZ Hope for the best, prepare for the worst

    Liberty Lake, WA
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    Aug 13, 2015
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    Sorry, no pics at the moment, but I built a wooden box for mine and used a rectangular automotive type. It does nothing for noise suppression though, but mine’s in a closet, so noise wasn’t really an issue.
     
  8. Mar 24, 2021
    y2k-fxst

    y2k-fxst Member

    North English,IA
    Joined:
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    Had some sandblasting to do over the weekend in the cabinet inside the closed shop. So finished up the fresh air intake.

    Goth inside plumbing finished. Originally I was going to try to use something like a radiator hose to isolate the vibration. But, any hose the diameter I wanted was getting pricey. I used a couple 2" no-hub plumbing fittings to help with vibration. I'm thinking in the winter there is going to be some condensation due to the temperature differences. It should form on the outside of the pipe since it's usually the warm surface that gets condensation. Did run a drainable drip leg though to ward off evil spirits though!
    compressor 1.JPG
    The filter I mounted up high enough outside to help keep it out of the rain but, be serviceable without a ladder. Definitely makes it a lot quieter in the shop with the compressor running, which it did a lot of due to a worn nozzle in my blasting cabinet gun! Need to do a little more caulking around the pipe. Had a new tube that has been under the work bench for years. Found it had gone bad despite never being open.
    compressor 2.JPG
     
    duffer, timgr, Twin2 and 2 others like this.
  9. Mar 25, 2021
    duffer

    duffer Rodent Power

    Bozeman, MT
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    I like that but I would be a little concerned that the compressor head would get warm enough to make that PVC really soft. Keep an eye on it.
     
  10. Mar 28, 2021
    y2k-fxst

    y2k-fxst Member

    North English,IA
    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2014
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    Ran it pretty much constant last weekend for around 4 hours, long enough the 80 gallon tank itself was warm to the touch. No issues with heat to the PVC.
     
  11. Mar 28, 2021
    Jeepenstein

    Jeepenstein Me like Jeep..

    North Central FL
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    Jun 15, 2003
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    Nice! I adapted a K & N filter I hijacked from the crankcase of a 1250KW MTU diesel gen set to mine.. Been there for years..
     
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