pbohart
Portland, Oregon
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I am hoping to find a DC air compressor big enough to blow all the air out of my lines in winter. I have a huge (75G?) air compressor at home - but it is enormous, the trailer is at a lot, and I want to see if I can engineer this process on-site.
There are several DC pumps out there that claim 100 PSI.....but they are small and appear designed for inflating car tires and water toys.
Anyone able to winterize with an air compressor that runs off DC power?
Thanks!!
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OnaQuest
Old enough to be a
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You don't need anywhere near 100 psi to blow out the water lines. Don't set it higher than about 30psi until you know you have at least one tap open.
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btd35
Spokane, WA
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You don't need pressure, you need volume. A car tire compressor with tank isn't nearly enough. I have a 20 gallon on wheels that I use. It works perfect. I would just tow it home, winterize, and tow it back. You'll be ahead in the long run. If you know you're not going to used it again when you come back from a trip, winterize it at home when you unload it, then take it back to the storage lot.
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Golden_HVAC
Fulltime, CA, USA
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I think a car tire inflater will work. You really don't need much air volume.
I started with removing the water heater drain, then put it back, turn on the compressor, and open the cold water and hot water lines, let out the air. The water heater will get another gallon or so of water back into the tank. remember the outside shower if you have one.
If you don't want to put the water into the gray tank, then put it in a dishpan.
Fred.
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CloudDriver
New Jersey Shore
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A larger air flow rate is more important than a high pressure when blowing out the lines. A large air flow will entrain water that would otherwise remain and carry it along to the faucet or other drain point.
IMO blowing the water out of the lines does not completely avoid the risk of freezing, as some water may remain and migrate to a low point. The pink antifreeze is the best method.
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skipnchar
Topeka or somewhere else
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High pressure isn't what you need you need high VOLUME. Using 100 lb. pressure that puts out a couple of cubic feet a minute is worthless for the purpose.
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Keith99RS
Suffield, CT
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Ditto the above. You need something that will put out 30-40 psi for a long duration. Like wen you need to use a compressor to blow off dust. How much dust would you blow with a DC tire inflator? All you'd be able to do is pressurize the plumbing, not push anything out.
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Mikesr
Lebanon Pa
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This size has served me well for a few years now. It even can inflate my TV tires.
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LarryJM
NoVa
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pbohart wrote:I am hoping to find a DC air compressor big enough to blow all the air out of my lines in winter. I have a huge (75G?) air compressor at home - but it is enormous, the trailer is at a lot, and I want to see if I can engineer this process on-site.
There are several DC pumps out there that claim 100 PSI.....but they are small and appear designed for inflating car tires and water toys.
Anyone able to winterize with an air compressor that runs off DC power?
Thanks!!
IMHO the best thing is to forget the blowing out the lines and just use the RV antifreeze pumped thru the lines. Blowing the lines out will not get rid of the water in the pump or it's line that meets the main cold water line so that critical part of your water system needs to be protected and only by pumping antifreeze thru the pump will accomplish thatl You can address the city water inlet by manually opening the stop valve with the system open and unpressurized which is the one area that blowing out you lines does help in winterizing.
Larry
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shum02
Burlington ON CDA
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Blow the lines with whatever you have then fill with pink. Guarantee that will work absolutely perfect.
BTW I've used everthing from a 12VDC car compressor to a small 1gallon oiless to my 20g twin cylinder to blow out the lines and it really doesn't matter. With the smaller units I just wait till it builds a little pressure then open the tap to blow out the water/air. Not a big deal at all but I highly recommend pink after your done. I live in Canada so not using it is really is not an option.
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