Shipping container and cold weather

[entropy]

I need some on site, secure storage, for parts, materials, rolling chassis and such.
I have toyed with building something but the cost and dealing with building permits etc, the cost adds up!
I called and I can buy a 40-foot shipping container, delivered, for a reasonable cost per square foot, not permits required!
However, I am concerned with condensation in cold weather. IF anyone has experience with these metal boxes in cold climates I would like to hear what you have learned...

's in advance!
E

[Rokcrler]

We use them at work to store electrical and instrumentation spares and supplies. The do get hot as hell in the summer and very cold in the winter here, we installed hallogen and incandecent lights to prevent condensation and so far have had no issues.

Get it, and mod it as needed

[entropy]

Originally Posted by Rokcrler

We use them at work to store electrical and instrumentation spares and supplies. The do get hot as hell in the summer and very cold in the winter here, we installed hallogen and incandecent lights to prevent condensation and so far have had no issues.

Get it, and mod it as needed

That is the plan except that it will not have access to power...

[streetwerkz]

shipping containers are supposed to be a sealed, weather proof unit.
we werk in one, and have for about 5 years, and it has stayed dry and sealed very well all this time.

[entropy]

Originally Posted by streetwerkz

shipping containers are supposed to be a sealed, weather proof unit.
we werk in one, and have for about 5 years, and it has stayed dry and sealed very well all this time.

WOW!
So you're still in there?!
How do your get beer and Pizza in there without braking the seal

I just wonder what happens going above and below freezing...
Were they designed for that?
I'd hate to put several hundred feet of DOM or CrMo in and pull it out rusty.
I figure a solar powered ventilator in the summer would keep it semi cool. however that may be a bad idea.

[shaggy10000]

We have several buildings constructed around containers. We had them coated with expanding spray foam. It ends up around 3" thick and holds up really well once you give it a good coat of paint. Here in AZ we rarely dip below the 20's but every once in a while it happens, never any freezing.

[Nutz4sand]

Originally Posted by entropy

WOW!

I'd hate to put several hundred feet of DOM or CrMo in and pull it out rusty.
I figure a solar powered ventilator in the summer would keep it semi cool. however that may be a bad idea.

I have a 34 foot enclosed trailer and condensation can be a bit of an issue in it. I will be moving soon and need to transport a few hundred feet of 1.5 DOM tube and I wish to keep it from rusting so I am building a small rack on the inside of the trailer against a wall of 2x4's that will hold and support long sections of 3 inch OR 4 inch PVC pipe. I will seal it and cap the far end and put a screw on end on the back end of it and just oil the tube (again) when I store it in the PVC tube then seal the ends as it may be in there a while longer than I hope....

But I would like to see ideas and what not on making less condensation inside such a creation too.

[JaysinSpaceman]

I too have plans for some container storage and space. One of the two I plan on getting will have ventilation cut into it for other needs so it won't be sealed the other may remain sealed. Here's my thoughts though. I have friends that have uninsulated metal buildings and the ones that don't have condensation are the ones that have some sort of positive ventilation, whether it is electric fans or those globe like wind powered spinning vents (no Idea what they are called). And the one that I know of that is basically sealed is like an enclosed rain storm, at the right temperature it drips constantly. So my thought is that I will vent mine, most likely passively as I don't like spending money for power to run fans unless they are fans that are blowing on me to keep me cool.

Jaysin

[wyoming9]

I know with my metal building even with the ridge peak being vented on those days where it goes below freezing at night but warms up about 9am or so it rains.

The first time I saw this it was really strange.

Any time you have the temperature swing you will have a moisture issue. Besides I have only ever seen the temperature control containers have any sort of seals or be water tight . The others most often look like they have been in a war.

Although where you are E you might not have near the problem Like I have in the damp climate of Eastern Pa

[streetwerkz]

We media blast larger items in our shipping container, and sometimes store the blasted part in the container until it's time to come inside the main building.

99% of the time, we could leave a blasted part out there for a few days during any time of the year with no visible signs of flash rust. We have some holes in the container also to run electric, and air lines in.

I wouldn't say it's perfect, I don't think I would worry too much about using one for material storage. I was able to go and inspect mine at the yard befor it was delivered also, which gave me the ability to pick one in better shape.

They are designed to be completely sealed to keep out ocean air from shipments, and werk well for that. If it's kept closed as much as possible to keep as much atmosphere outside as possible in Ohio I don't think material would ever have rust issues.
In Oregon, that may be different, I'm not sure what the climate is there generally

[Bonehead]

I own 6 of them and use them for storage. There are some small vents on the sides near the top. They are great for keeping mice and weather out. I have seen people add the vents that spin on the top. They get hot in the summer, and cold in the winter, but are not much different than any other type of structure. We have no humidity here to speak of.

[Benderboy]

As far as being "completely sealed", I have one 40' and two 20's, all 3 have two ventilation ports each, located at opposite diagonal corners, near the top of the sides. You really have to be looking for them to notice, as the exterior covers fit between the ribs on the siding. I just took a look at the one in our shop and you can see the nine 3/8"+/- holes located on the inside. Although not much to speak of as far as ventilation, but enough to sustain life for 'stow-aways' I guess.

My 40' is located at my house, which is about 3 miles (as the crow flies) from the ocean, so we do get a fair amount of moisture in the air, along with cool nights and warm days and have never noticed any condensation issues.

Another issue to consider is color. My 40' is painted a medium blue and gets hotter than hell. My two 20' (located at my shop, which is further inland than my house) are a very light grey color, (although one is in the shop) the one that's outside stays fairly cool.

Every time I go into my 40' I say to myself "Man!(as I'm sweating bullets) I've gotta put some ventilation in this fawker" but just haven't gotten around to it yet.

I know you're planning on using yours outdoors, but they are great indoors too.
I not only use ours for material storage, but also as a divider between the fabrication area and the machining area. On the fab side, I mounted my cold saw in the center with a 10' material conveyor on each side. I also built a mezzanine floor on top and use it for overstock.

If you aren't aware, there's a grading system that's used to classify the condition of the container, here is a link you may find useful http://www.containeralliance.com/buyers-guide.php

Good luck,
Benderboy

[entropy]

I am never disappointed by the depth of knowledge on the OFN!

When I pull the trigger I will be:
Cleaning and painting the box to match the other buildings.
Cutting in a window behind a fabricated steel bar grate.
Building a peaked roof that will shed snow and shade the top of the container.
Solar power ventilation.
Finally a local friend asked why not do a solar radiant heat system to simply hold a few degrees above freezing and avoid the Interior Rain... I hear ya Wyoming!

Thanks all
Now I just have to find a container for a reasonable price

[Fab-Ex]

I've got an old refer box car that has the ice racks in the ends. I plan to do a little work on the door. Its got a small overhead door that needs alot of weatherstrip to keep out snow in the winter. With all the insulation it never gets very cold or hot in there. Once the door gets all done I may see about putting my compressor in there and piping air over to my shop just to get rid of the noise.

[entropy]

Originally Posted by Fab-Ex

I've got an old refer box car that has the ice racks in the ends. I plan to do a little work on the door. Its got a small overhead door that needs alot of weatherstrip to keep out snow in the winter. With all the insulation it never gets very cold or hot in there. Once the door gets all done I may see about putting my compressor in there and piping air over to my shop just to get rid of the noise.

A refer~box... I know a guy that has a Refer semi-trailer which is sweet, but it is also still on the chassis and so way off the ground, and it would tangle with zoning in the area.

[StarFoxFab]

What are they going for in your area ? I checked here a few years back and a clean container was going for around $3350 delivered. another 150 for the improved additional locking door. We had these in the army and they got lots of moisture for long term storage in North Carolina.

[entropy]

Originally Posted by StarFoxFab

What are they going for in your area ? I checked here a few years back and a clean container was going for around $3350 delivered. another 150 for the improved additional locking door. We had these in the army and they got lots of moisture for long term storage in North Carolina.

I've only talked to one vendor.
20-foot is $2300
24-foot currently zero supply (of course the size I would like)
40-foot is about $3000
All delivered.

[rbeckett]

Old 53 foot reefers and pull off the wheels. They can be had cheap and if the reefer runs you got A/C and Heat. We hooked a 200 gallon tank to the reefer unit and run it when we are working and even in the 100+ florida heat and the high humidity we never sweat too often. Never had any inside rain, but it is possible I guess. The reefer keeps the humidity down so metal sheet and tube takes a long time to rust. The reefers are usually retired for frame cracking issues and can be had with or without the units if you catch em before they seperate em at the yards. Tow truck companies will usually do the lift to remove the dollies for free if you offer em the dolly in exchange and then charge em for the modification to convert it to a tow dolly for semi's. Just a thought.
Bob

[entropy]

I got to thinking about a Refertrailer...
Zoning violation because it is a "Truck" and that would if left in one place be a violation. The container is not a truck...

[wyoming9]

Just wondering if you pull the axles and landing gear and set it on some nice sticks.

Is it still considered a moving vehicle

you find a cheap temperature control can in the long run sitting on the floor they would look almost the same once the painting was done

you gotta love zoning