manni-yunk
Contributor
How hard is it to convert a compressor to be water cooled for a bilge install?
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How hard is it to convert a compressor to be water cooled for a bilge install?
Why don't you go back to April last year on the same topic to refresh your memory.
The outcome will still be the same..........suggest you invest in a good pair of ear muffs as a cheaper option or a larger muffler on your gas motor.
True water cooling includes new heads, etc. I've only seen the k-15 conversions done by Bob Olsen at Nitrox Technologies. A little over 100 grand, but boy are they nice. MAKO industrial compressors (anything over 25 CFM) are water cooled, as are the bigger Bauers. I've seen a boat route the air coolers through the bilge very effectively, but my compressors run non stop during the day, and I keep my bilge level at a minimum, so I'd be somewhat concerned that the bilge water would get very hot very quickly and I'd lose that ability to cool. A third choice is to put in a small marine chill water unit and use a air cooler you can make yourself by coiling tubing of the correct diameter and stuffing it in a pvc pipe with water flowing through it. Be careful to always have your air pressure higher than your water pressure, so any leaks don't go into the air side.
You may be able to find a water cooled moisture seperator. With the compressor inside and in a bilge I think the, improving air flow route previously mentioned, would be thing to do no matter what else you do.
Thank You.
The bilge area that sits the compressor (8.4CFM) is a nice large area (probably 6'L x 4' W x 5" D) - I was thinking about mounting a small AC unit to blow cool air into the bilge compartment while the compressor is running? Would that work?
So I've gone back to read both of your posts. Are you trying to keep the compressor cool (important) or cool the compressed air (important, but not as much as keeping the compressor cool)? Each present their own engineering challenges. The benefit of keeping the compressor cool is longevity of the compressor, as well as not breaking down the oil into not easily breathable components. The only real benefit of cooling the compressed air is filter life and air quality.
Im just trying to keep the compressor cool. Im not as worried about filter life. I will do the same thing I do on the Compressor in my garage - where the filter stacks are doubled up, AND, replaced twice as often as I normally should. I figure its cheap insurance. Wi