[X33D80]

This weekend I removed the siding from the back side of the shop and built a shed to house the new air compressor. In the next few days I plan to nail on the shingles, plywood to the back wall, and plywood on the exterior sides. I'll then use the vinyl siding removed from the wall to finish the exterior walls.
I am debating whether to just leave the front open for air circulation or put doors or something on the front to block the sun. The shed opens toward the east and gets a lot of morning sun into the PM hours.
I have attached before and after photos. What do you guys think? Should I enclose the front?

[67 Plum]

I would leave it open.Compressors generate alot of heat when you run them alot.If you do close it in install vents to let the heat out.

[DjD]

Think about your neighbors if you are in close quarters, it will avoid issues later. I'd want it enclosed, insulated and vented anyway. Maybe even wire in a relay that turns on a vent fan when the compressor is running for added cooling...

[X33D80]

The nearest neighbor is probably 200 ft away so the noise won't really be a problem. I thought about building a pair of doors out of 3/4" plywood that swing out and leave a gap on the bottom and top for ventilation. Kind of like saloon doors. What would be even better would be some kind of louvered doors if I can figure out where to find them. I can also leave the eaves open for ventilation.

[CarlC]

Mine is enclosed in a hot water heater cabinet. The motor burned up while perfroming a bunch of head porting. If I had removed the door and used a box fan for extra cooling it would not have happened.

For most usage additional ventilation is usually not needed.

[Spitfire44]

How about using an attic fan. They come with a built in thermostat so it would turn on when things got hot.
They run about $70-100. Or a solar powered one for $200.

[rojo]

Nice compressor you've got there Andrew. I'd enclose the whole thing and install some sort of ventilation and then put a normal solid door into the shop. I think you will want to check on the compressor more than you actually would with it being out back and out of sight. I check the oil in mine frequently.

[Microgiant]

I dont see why a you would need electric ventilation. You could just put in some screening like they use on in your roof near the top. It should ventilate itself since heat rises.

[8ballracing]

Louver swing doors are available at Lowes or HD. Should work fine for venting..... I like the attic fan idea as it is only uses power when needed.....

Just a note on install......Add rubber pads to the bottom (legs) and also if it is going to used during the winter (SC might not be that bad). I would pipe the water release at the bottom so I could drain it without going out side (valve shop side) .......This will help you keep an eye on freezing.....Large compressors 7.5hp and larger draw a lot more at start up when they are cold ......cold oil etc......

Over kill but a flexable steel braided tube/pipe between compressor and the air lines to shop will keep vibrations down........

8 Ball

[DjD]

I would enclose it for the sake of keeping critters out of it if nothing else but there is also inclement weather, rain and snow doesn't always fall straight down... It looks like you have some outdoor living space but it could be worth insulating to supress noise even if it's just the wife hanging out the laundry that hears it...

[X33D80]

Where do I find the rubber pads to put under the legs? I was wondering whether to hard pipe or flex pipe it through the wall, the flex pipe would probable be best. Where do I get the flexible steel braided tubing?
I think that venting the eves will be sufficient without power ventilation, especially if some of the front is left open. It gets hot here in SC so it needs shade. If it's 100+ degrees in July or August no amount of attic ventilation will make it any cooler than the outside air temperature. It has been several winters since it has snowed here and the most we ever get might be a few inches that melts within 24 hours. But you won't believe how a few inches of snow will shut Greenwood down, not to mention wipe out all the bread and milk from the store shelves! But that's another story.
I will check out Lowe's tomorrow.