Need a Quiet 12v Air compressor

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Glenn Brooks
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Need a Quiet 12v Air compressor

Post by Glenn Brooks »

Hello all,

Looking for recommendations to buy a small, quiet, 12v air compressor to install on my ET (electric train) conversion. Looking for 60 psi for air brakes...

Anybody recommend one that doesn’t sound like a ratty high pitched machine gun? Size isn’t as important as quietness...

ALSO, OPTION 2: starting to explore mounting an automotive York belt drive air compressor unit with a separate small 600 watt DC motor as an on board air system. Any reason why that couldn’t work - with a (functioning) used unit.

Thanks
Glenn
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jcbrock
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Re: Need a Quiet 12v Air compressor

Post by jcbrock »

There was an earlier thread where it seemed like the Viair compressor was recommended by many: https://www.chaski.org/homemachinist/vi ... 8&t=108136.
John Brock
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Re: Need a Quiet 12v Air compressor

Post by Berkman »

there are so many models of viair.

Depends on how much room you have.
Glenn Brooks
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Re: Need a Quiet 12v Air compressor

Post by Glenn Brooks »

Available space is: 24” x 18”x 16” high space to work with. I could easily mount an compressor, motor and air tank in seperate locations on the loco.
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BClemens
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Re: Need a Quiet 12v Air compressor

Post by BClemens »

Dry ice dropped into distilled water will make lots of pressure in a closed high pressure container... and it does so very quietly. If the volume needed or the length of time/pressure is low - volume and pressure can the 'throttled' by the insulation of the container. A remote controlled propane torch could be used as a throttle for volume and amount of pressure.
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Bill Shields
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Re: Need a Quiet 12v Air compressor

Post by Bill Shields »

none of the viair compressors that i have see (and heard) are quiet...

mounting on bungee cord suspension and putting inside of a sound insulated car begins to make their output tolerable...but still sounds like riding around with a running weed-whacker...
Too many things going on to bother listing them.
SteveM
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Re: Need a Quiet 12v Air compressor

Post by SteveM »

Most of those small compressors are noisy affairs because they all go to some high pressure you will never need, so they are small pistons and high rpm's.

McMaster has this one that tops out at 60 PSI
https://www.mcmaster.com/4251K71/

Looks like it might be a Viair.

I don't know anything about that particular one, but something along those lines might be better.

And, as Bill says, shock mount it and insulate the compartment.

Maybe an airbush compressor?

Steve
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Re: Need a Quiet 12v Air compressor

Post by Berkman »

the fewer leaks in your trainline, the less the compressor will need to run

I've seen some that use :

https://www.homedepot.com/p/Husky-12-Vo ... TYDcsSFoQU

Probably won't last forever, but at that price who cares.

Use isolation mounts and if possible use foam weather stripping or similar to help isolate sound within the compartment it will reside.
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kcameron
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Re: Need a Quiet 12v Air compressor

Post by kcameron »

I recall seeing an engine that used some sort of rotary compressor. It was rather small but not very loud. It was an ex-car part. I was told it was a compressor used to make air to run the seats and rear springs I think. But I think it was just for brakes on the loco, it didn't drive a whole train line.
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rkcarguy
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Re: Need a Quiet 12v Air compressor

Post by rkcarguy »

I'm trying the "better" 12 volt offering from horrible freight. I have already ran it, and while it's not quiet it's at least not weed eater like in noise.
I'm going to try to mount it in an acoustic foam lined box that is open on the bottom to allow cooling, and see if it's tolerable or not. Being I'll already have the noise from my gas engine to drown it out, I think I'll be ok. On a totally electric setup though, it's going to be hard to find something equally quiet. That automotive air-ride pump might be the best bet. My mothers Expedition has that and the pump was running a lot because one of the bags was bad, and it was only about as loud as when the A/C kicked in.
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Re: Need a Quiet 12v Air compressor

Post by Berkman »

But keep in mind you have tons of sound insulation on a car, also a car unit will take up more room. might be a good way to go if you have the space
Glenn Brooks
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Re: Need a Quiet 12v Air compressor

Post by Glenn Brooks »

Thinking about an auto Ac pump, similar to what Ryan (RKCARGUY) described. Actually, as an alternative, might try simply making a simple barrell type one lunger. People do that all the time on steamers, right? Vacuum keeps lurking around in the back of my mind also.

I also do have ample room for an insulated pump chamber...
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Motive power : 1902 A.S.Campbell 4-4-0 American - 12 5/8" gauge, 1955 Ottaway 4-4-0 American 12" gauge

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