Thread: How to open up a small Compressor controller

I'm in the middle of making a sound proof container or box so I can locate my el-cheapo 2.5HP 40L compressor up against the outside my shed.

The 18 CF box is made from 900 mm wide x 30 mm thick solid mountain ash lab bench tops I scored from the dumpster at work. The container will also be clad with color bond to match the shed and protect the timber from the weather. The container is big enough to fit most 80L compressors if required in the future and there is a 15A outdoor line already up against the shed that will end up inside the box..

The container has to be as airtight as possible to reduce compressor sound escaping from it, but also requires a pathway for an airway air so the compressor can compress air, and so it can cool itself. To minimize sound loss through this I am setting up some simple baffles.

To help pull air move through the inlet baffles and then air out through the outlet baffles I am going to use a 240V 4.5" electronics cooling fan with a capacity of 100 CFM. The fan only needs to be on when the compressor is actually working so I was thinking of wiring it into the control unit on the compressors. However try as I might I have been unsuccessful in opening the control unit.

Any ideas on how to get inside that box would be appreciated.

I have explored getting access at the motor end but the 240V line just seems to go direct to the inside of the motor and there are are no terminals on the outside of the motor itself to tap onto. I could also cut the line between the motor and the controller but I would prefer not to if possible.