Conex/seacan/shipping container mods

Landslide said:
Absolutely no, do NOT spray foam the insides of shipping containers. You will create a whole new set of problems with container metal rotting out.
....
Second is to install a humidifier in the container if possible
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Why do you claim this?
How is shipping container different than any other type of wood or metal building where this is best practice?
Closed cell spray foam effectively creates a moisture barrier. Interior side of metal cannot rust if sealed, same as paint.

And why the hell would you add a humidifier?
 
rattle_snake said:
Why do you claim this?
How is shipping container different than any other type of wood or metal building where this is best practice?
Closed cell spray foam effectively creates a moisture barrier. Interior side of metal cannot rust if sealed, same as paint.

And why the hell would you add a humidifier?
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I think he meant De-Humidfier.
 
Landslide said:
Ventilation is the key for these things. I have a couple house attic eve vents I’ll be installing in
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Big black chimney (abs pipe?) the bigger and taller and blacker the better.

Sun hots it up and bingo free powered vent.

Actual black stovepipe would probably be the most effective, but rusts…
 
220v shore power
50a feed, removable (bigass RV/boat style with outdoor rated nema 14-50 connections) cord
50a sub panel in the container
Air QR out
Water drain out from the compressor tank
Motion triggered light

I will say that going through the side of it with a hole saw big enough to fit the nema 14-50 connector box, sucked.
 
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71PA_Highboy said:
Not sure why I never thought of it... I am gonna get rid of the second door latch on both doors...

Thanks for just that tidbit!
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Not sure I can take credit. The newer containers have one big handle, once I used one I was like, ok this is where it's at.

Hind sight, remove the other latch thing also and do an 18-24" handle just cause. The 12" isn't bad, but I think longer would be better.


Pretty sure these are 8x10, they don't look square. Didn't get a chance to take pics of inside, but they're all set up on skids to support diamond core drilling. Pulled around with a dozer or skidder.



They all have a large aux fuel tank. One is a generator and frost fighter heater. One is a generator and diesel fire heat coil for water. The last is a small diesel water pump and diesel heat coil.

We also have a 3 - 20' on skids. One has 2 - 3k water tanks. One is just empty storage with spray foam and the other is a tool and parts room with built in furnace, lights and outlets.

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rattle_snake said:
Why do you claim this?
How is shipping container different than any other type of wood or metal building where this is best practice?
Closed cell spray foam effectively creates a moisture barrier. Interior side of metal cannot rust if sealed, same as paint.

And why the hell would you add a humidifier?
Click to expand...
I watched some videos of what happens when you spray foam them and the results of what happens. If you want to do it. Just be sure to investigate the pros and cons of it. Shipping containers aren’t the same as a metal pole barn.

Sorry, I meant de humidifier.

The containers have tiny vents in them already but they don’t really let them breath much. I’ve no idea how anyone could survive living in one in the summertime.

My container has the left door rust issues. Both doors needed a lot of work to get them to move freely but a bit of resistance still. While I which I had a nice clean one tripper, I can’t complain about the price of mine - free.

My plan is to install either a garage door which I’m sure I’ll have to modify to work in there maybe. Or I might get a set of framed insulated double steel doors that open outwards and frame that in it. I can’t shut the doors on it now without a huge battle. So now I just close them to best I can. Bugs, wasp and mice get in it tho.
 
Landslide said:
I watched some videos of what happens when you spray foam them and the results of what happens. If you want to do it. Just be sure to investigate the pros and cons of it. Shipping containers aren’t the same as a metal pole barn.
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I've seen the results of people using open cell foam (which is cheaper) as opposed to closed cell foam. There is a high likelihood that what you're seeing is the same mistake.
 
clodhopper said:
Those are not vents for air circulation. They are intended to allow the container to sink into the ocean if it falls off the ship.
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Interesting, thanks for the info. I guess the contents really determine if it does sink though.
 
PAToyota said:
I'd expect the weight of the container - and full of water - it would sink no matter the contents.
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If the load slightly biased to the rear of the container to where the doors stay above the water, they can stay afloat for years.
 
Landslide said:
Sorry, I meant de humidifier.
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I figured but this is Irate so....
PAToyota said:
I've seen the results of people using open cell foam (which is cheaper) as opposed to closed cell foam. There is a high likelihood that what you're seeing is the same mistake.
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This. Cheap open cell will **** it up. Closed cell foam directly on the metal is the best thing, but expensive.
 
SHARPMACHINE said:
They want them to sink so they do not have to clean up the mess?
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The semi-submerged containers can take out small craft. My aunt lived on a sailboat and traveled the world for 5yrs. She said that was her biggest fear. Finding one just below the surface where you can’t see it, but it would sink your boat.
 
clodhopper said:
Those are not vents for air circulation. They are intended to allow the container to sink into the ocean if it falls off the ship.
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Who the **** told you thst?
:lmao:

They are for venting air. Imagine how much pressure they would build if they were shut in the cold and sat in the sun? Or the vacuum if visa versa.

They definitely float anyway. There are a few places where the commonly wash up and pics of people opening them up. Could be 40 tons of rotten feed corn or $180k in dirt bikes :laughing:
 
I 3D printed a holder for a computer fan, put a flapper vent for a dryer on the outside and rigged it up to a solar panel. It helps a little bit but it can still get a little wet inside at times . Or really hot. But it keeps the gas fumes Etc from not stinking everything up
 
I have a couple of these I’m gonna install on mine. I’m storing steel inside of it. I keep it WD-40 down so it’s protected pretty much that way. No different than the big open aired buildings steel is stored in at suppliers.

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YotaAtieToo said:
Who the **** told you thst?
:lmao:

They are for venting air. Imagine how much pressure they would build if they were shut in the cold and sat in the sun? Or the vacuum if visa versa.

They definitely float anyway. There are a few places where the commonly wash up and pics of people opening them up. Could be 40 tons of rotten feed corn or $180k in dirt bikes :laughing:
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I will agree on air pressure release. Although I have yet to see a box that had door seals capable of holding air pressure. Maybe the new ones. But the vents are way too small to provide any reasonable amount of air transfer to passively control humidity or internal conditions.
 
Recently picked up one for storage. Anyone have suggestions for what cheap shelving you used inside it to store different things?
 
Check out my last post on my container hijinx thread

Post in thread 'Highboy's container Hijinx'

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Finally got some **** moved in, now to organize the garage now that I have some space.

But it is already over 90, so it is getting a bit warm and after yesterday my energy level isn't 100%.

Gonna do some less hot work like set my ass on the lawn mower and work on the plumbing in the crawl space.... :)

Happy Sunday!
  • Like
 
71PA_Highboy said:
Check out my last post on my container hijinx thread

Post in thread 'Highboy's container Hijinx'

20260517_115643.jpg
20260517_115702.jpg


Finally got some **** moved in, now to organize the garage now that I have some space.

But it is already over 90, so it is getting a bit warm and after yesterday my energy level isn't 100%.

Gonna do some less hot work like set my ass on the lawn mower and work on the plumbing in the crawl space.... :)

Happy Sunday!
  • Like
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****. You've been busy.
 
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