Screw compressors - how quiet are they?

[Prince Art]

I'm looking at the feasibility of putting an auto in our relatively small space, and need some input on screw compressors.

My research says they're anywhere from about 65-80 dba. I located a chart that compared that to somewhere around the noise a dishwasher makes. But I have no personal experience, so...

-What can I expect if I'm working only about 12' away from one? How loud, how monotonous, how annoying? Can you talk over it at normal conversation level? Can you listen to music without cranking it up?

-And how bad is the drone/vibration that might carry beyond the walls? Will nearby neighbors hear it or feel it outside of the building?

-Also: How much heat do they produce? I'm in the middle of adding A/C to the shop, so I have to address various heat sources.

I'm considering a 5hp or 7.5hp unit.

Thanks!

[cbjamel]

Do you have 3 phase as most are 3 phase? or if single phase some pull big amps. what cfm requirements does the need?

Shane

[244]

I'm looking at the feasibility of putting an auto in our relatively small space, and need some input on screw compressors.

My research says they're anywhere from about 65-80 dba. I located a chart that compared that to somewhere around the noise a dishwasher makes. But I have no personal experience, so...

-What can I expect if I'm working only about 12' away from one? How loud, how monotonous, how annoying? Can you talk over it at normal conversation level? Can you listen to music without cranking it up?

-And how bad is the drone/vibration that might carry beyond the walls? Will nearby neighbors hear it or feel it outside of the building?

-Also: How much heat do they produce? I'm in the middle of adding A/C to the shop, so I have to address various heat sources.

I'm considering a 5hp or 7.5hp unit.

Thanks!

Buy a Kaiser unit and you won't even know it's there. We run one in our small show booths to show people the sound is not an issue. People lean on it and don't even know it running.

[Stinkhorn Press]

kaeser 3 phase sx3 (smallest one they make). very very used. quiet. the blowoff valve on the chiller is 3X as loud. very quiet. conversation 2' away at normal levels totally possible.

Heat? minimal. Bigger issue is keeping it in a decent temp range. It doesn't like going below freezing and will overheat if kept above 85-90 degrees for an extended period of time. But create heat itself? Not so much. They are usually contained/boxed up/insulated. it's probably hot in the box, but you don't know it.

[Frog]

LOL, boy did my mind go somewhere else when I saw the first two words of the subject line,
I assumed that this would be a discussion on all electric machines! 

[Croft]

My Kaeser airtower 5hp is quiet but not that quiet, a lot better than a piston compressor

[Doug B]

  As Rich said, I walked by one at a show years ago and asked how loud it is. Salesman
reply was "It's running now!"

[Prince Art]

Thanks for the input thus far. I'm limited to single-phase. We're trying to do this on residential 200 amp service, so I'm not keen on the "big amps" part, and that may affect what we do. But volume level is an even bigger factor.

And yes, Frog, if we can't keep it quiet enough, and balance our other concerns too, your initial reading may end up correct!

[Stinkhorn Press]

if it's not quiet enough, build another box around it, insulate it, give air a filtered entrance. good to go.

[Tywash]

We now have the Atlas Copco GA5 and it is a quiet compressor(72db).It is rated at 60db, not silent, but I can talk on my cell phone while standing next to it. At first, I tried to save money by getting an Atlas Copco GX7FF and it was god awful loud (83db). It was rated at 65db, which is suppose to be quiet, but it's nowhere close. I had them switched out because it was unbearable. This video shows the GX starting up so you can judge for yourself https://youtu.be/k_JV0z8_KsI?t=17m46s

Buy a Kaiser unit and you won't even know it's there. We run one in our small show booths to show people the sound is not an issue. People lean on it and don't even know it running.

I wanted a Kaeser real bad. It is the quietest (in real world conditions) and in my opinion is the best. But, it is thousands more than the equivalent from Atlas Copco. Service from my local Kaeser dealer was $500.00 just for them to walk in the door for any maintenance, but this is because they are an hour away and I am responsible for their travel time. Installation/startup is more expensive and no warranty is given without them doing it with their techs. Atlas will let me use whoever is convenient. Now, long term I am not sure who is better, but please do your own homework to make sure what is best for you. Go listen to each of them in person. Ask questions about how your particular building's construction will affect overall noise too. The Atlas is rated quieter on paper than Kaeser, but from my previous post you should gather that this only matters in the most favorable conditions.

[tonypep]

We have a new Kaiser and its a monster w/ a 300 gal tank. Vewy qwiet

[cbjamel]

I'm looking at the feasibility of putting an auto in our relatively small space, and need some input on screw compressors.

My research says they're anywhere from about 65-80 dba. I located a chart that compared that to somewhere around the noise a dishwasher makes. But I have no personal experience, so...

-What can I expect if I'm working only about 12' away from one? How loud, how monotonous, how annoying? Can you talk over it at normal conversation level? Can you listen to music without cranking it up?

-And how bad is the drone/vibration that might carry beyond the walls? Will nearby neighbors hear it or feel it outside of the building?

-Also: How much heat do they produce? I'm in the middle of adding A/C to the shop, so I have to address various heat sources.

I'm considering a 5hp or 7.5hp unit.

Thanks!

Depending cfm requirements look at this - https://www.eatoncompressor.com/index.php?route=product/product&path=68_243_245&product_id=394

Shane

[brandon]

You get what you pay for. Just get the K and then you can work and not even think about it. At all. Just have them come once a year to do preventive maintenance. Will be a couple or few grand more up front but will outlast and is a workhorse for years. Weird thing is when installing our current one the other big compressor company came in at even 2K more. I believe they thought I was a bit ignorant. I would like to add I have noticed a trend or just a truth that being nice seems to label you as a sucker.

[bimmridder]

We run two Kaeser 10HP running in tandem. Stand next to them and talk, no problem. Never a single drop of water out of any piece of equipment. Quiet, quality, local service. Peace of mind

[farmboygraphics]

I would like to add I have noticed a trend or just a truth that being nice seems to label you as a sucker.

Nothing new there :-(