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Air Con Compressor vibration isolation

PostPosted: Mon Jul 04, 2016 8:31 pm
by mylesgm
I've got three large aircon compressor units (from split systems) directly mounted on the roof of my building without isolation or resilient channel mounts. I want to isolate them and need the best way to do this. Advice? Products I should investigate?

Re: Air Con Compressor vibration isolation

PostPosted: Tue Jul 05, 2016 10:00 am
by gigpiglet
im sure there are specific products, but when i did this at my place (at ground level) i put down a thick rubber "mat" and just plonked the unit ontop of that.
im sure there are more technical ways, and prob more thought needed on a roof.
but the main thing you are trying to avoid is having it bolted directly to your structure.

over to some others with more specific knowledge

Re: Air Con Compressor vibration isolation

PostPosted: Tue Jul 05, 2016 11:38 am
by mylesgm
Yeah, it's totally exposed to the elements and they don't belong to me so I can't bodge it much as I would like to!

Re: Air Con Compressor vibration isolation

PostPosted: Tue Jul 05, 2016 9:14 pm
by The Tasmanian
Hey Myles,
Regupol is the product you need, the thicker version (15mm)
Its a German product made from recycled car tyres, and is designed for machinery to stop vibration.



but you only need 4 small square pads for each unit, to do the job properly (think car suspension).
If you use a mat - then transfer of vibration will happen.
Happy to chat over the phone about how to do it properly (once)

You can purchase 1 square meter, and cut up 100mm square blocks.
Also very handy to have extra squares of it around the studio - for under monitors, bass amps, drum risers, isolating walls etc.
A great product that has served me well for years - for many isolation tasks.


http://www.regupol.com.au/brands/regupol/

Check the pic on the website "rubber fibres with a low density" - that is the correct one

Re: Air Con Compressor vibration isolation

PostPosted: Tue Jul 05, 2016 9:19 pm
by The Tasmanian
also - you will need to make sure the aircon units are solidly bolted to 2 x 100x50 - or 100x75 joists, then use 4 Regupol pads underneath the joists - 1 on each corner where the joist are resting on the roof.
But - only use 4 x 100mm pads (no more)

Re: Air Con Compressor vibration isolation

PostPosted: Wed Jul 06, 2016 11:30 am
by Sammas
Depends on how the air cons are mounted, but something here might also do the trick.

http://www.vibrationsolutions.com.au/am ... spensions/

Re: Air Con Compressor vibration isolation

PostPosted: Wed Jul 06, 2016 12:45 pm
by Junction
Is there any way to get them off the roof structure and onto a brick wall? Rubberised isolation products on a flexible surface like a roof are not going to work very well.

Re: Air Con Compressor vibration isolation

PostPosted: Wed Jul 06, 2016 12:56 pm
by mylesgm
It looks like they are on built platform extending from the main wall out onto a roof joist. Not sure as I can only see it from a distance and can't get up onto the roof till the installation day. Great huh?

Re: Air Con Compressor vibration isolation

PostPosted: Wed Jul 06, 2016 2:28 pm
by Ben M
Idea: Get an extendable pole (pool cleaning pole) and gaffa an iphone or camera to the top.
Take some footage of it while it's running.
Sadly, If it's mounted at some point onto the timber roofing it will be hard to baffle it down. Those things should ideally be on concrete pads.
Good luck.

Re: Air Con Compressor vibration isolation

PostPosted: Wed Jul 06, 2016 8:39 pm
by The Tasmanian
Ive done it on 3 units - 2 sat on roofing, 1 was wall mounted.
Each had Regupol pads - all of them worked 100% - not a whisper of vibration.
It works - it's not rocket science....

Re: Air Con Compressor vibration isolation

PostPosted: Wed Jul 06, 2016 10:22 pm
by mylesgm
Thanks for the info guys. Chris, is the weight of the compressor important? Do I need to find the right weight to density ratio of the pads?

Those other mounting things look interesting too. I like the idea of the extended pole too, I'll try that tomorrow.

Re: Air Con Compressor vibration isolation

PostPosted: Wed Jul 06, 2016 10:45 pm
by The Tasmanian
weight is not an issue at all - it does not compress - yet still isolates.
Its used extensively in recording studio builds,
as well as for heavy industrial machinery transferring vibration through concrete

Re: Air Con Compressor vibration isolation

PostPosted: Thu Jul 07, 2016 12:06 am
by mylesgm
Cool, got a contact there?

Re: Air Con Compressor vibration isolation

PostPosted: Thu Jul 07, 2016 7:25 am
by The Tasmanian
no contact Myles - I've used them in Sydney over the decades, not sure if they have a presence in Melb.