I will start off this "idea" thread with this shop addition:
I put a solenoid valve at the outlet of my air compressor that is "opened" by turning on my shop lights. No broken hoses at night running my compressor when no one is around. I can also find out that I have an air leak if my piping empties overnight.
At the moment I don't use air a lot. Most tools are either electric or battery.
I'll plan on running hard air lines around where I'll need air. But, I foresee air as:
Tire Inflation
Tire Machine
Painting
Sand Blasting (planning to get the big stuff out of the main shop, I already found a nice diesel compressor).
Planishing?
Blowing/Cleaning?
I may try air sanding, but hand sanding and electric sanding will probably do what I need.
Anyway, I anticipate turning on the air when needed, and turning it off when not needed. I'd rather do an electric shut-off rather than an air solenoid shutoff.
It might be worth evaluating what needs a master shutoff switch, and what needs to run off hours. So, at least some fans and air circulation should be able to be run with the lights out. Heat?
67Also any fire safety needs power. And recharging batteries. But, a lot of the rest of the shop could be killed with a master shut off.
I'll probably plan a main battery charging station that is both heat controlled, but also fire protected.