Portable compressor/inflator

Deb55

I'm considering this portable compressor/inflator to have on hand for tire inflating. Bonus if it can also be used for blowing out the water lines in my 2018 T@B 400. I've only ever used antifreeze in the freshwater tank, and it might be time to try something new. Will this work? Makita DMP181ZX 18V LXT® Lithium-Ion Cordless High-Pressure Inflator, Tool Only https://a.co/d/dDMn3ab

pthomas745

That thing is...massive. And expensive.  And, it seems you need to buy a battery for it, too.  Other owners have been using the smaller "Ryobi" battery inflators, and there has been some discussion on how they work.

I have a smaller "Viair" compressor, a small "tank" compressor.  About the size of a shoebox, and very powerful.

Check this thread, and the other threads in the comments and you will see all these things discussed.

https://tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com/discussion/12158/recommendations-needed-travel-air-compressor

Here are the threads that mention "Ryobi" as a blowout compressor.

https://www.google.com/search?q=ryobi+site:tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com&client=firefox-b-1-d&sxsrf=ALiCzsY_eaJ_WoonXDBNBlbQ_5F0SFALLw:1670609416871&ei=CHqTY9vlNPDEkPIPyfmV-AY&ved=0ahUKEwjbieeGke37AhVwIkQIHcl8BW8Q4dUDCA8&uact=5&oq=ryobi+site:tab-rv.vanillacommunity.com&gs_lcp=Cgxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAQA0oECEEYAUoECEYYAFDjDlioJ2ChLmgCcAB4AIABRYgBrweSAQIyMZgBAKABAcABAQ&sclient=gws-wiz-serp

Deb55

@pthomas745 thanks for the links. I'm now thinking about this one, since we already have batteries and the charger at home for a Rigid 18volt cordless drill. I want the cordless feature plus it also comes with a 12 volt plug. I'd only need to get the inflator and not the extras.  I think it will handle inflating our truck, car and the Goodyear Endurance tires on the T@B. But I'm still not confident in my understanding of how to blow out the water lines to know if this will do the job.
Ridgid 18-Volt Digital Universal Inflator (Tool Only) (RENEWED) https://a.co/d/aIA8TVv

AndreO

@Deb55

I have the Ridgid for a full season now. Love it! So much easier.

I got it from Home Depot directly. NOT REFURBISHED for the same price.

Without going into the technical details. It most likely not work for blowing out your plumbing. It will generate high pressure but just doesn't produce enough air volume to get all the water out.

For that I use a pancake compressor.

Points to note:

- It comes with a cord that can be used in place of the batteries if needed

- You must use a min of 4ah batteries

- Both inflator and Batts come with lifetime warrenty

- It's quite loud. Especially in morning when you need to inflate.

-  The auto-inflate is a great feature but not really accurate. So I over inflate 1 or 2 lbs then use an accurate gauge to set the final pressure.

Horigan

One trick some folks use to get more airflow from these small compressors is to put a long garden hose between the compressor and the water inlet.  This builds up some stored air volume that can simulate a larger compressor.  You will need to "charge" the hose several times as you blow out all the valves until only air comes out of the faucets/showers/toilet.

Deb55

@Horigan thanks for this idea. It kinda makes sense, but before I try the blowout method, I'll have to study it some more. Meanwhile, I've decided to get the Ridgid inflator (Home Depot has it on sale for $59.99!) and the Tire Minder solar monitoring set of 2 for the camper. It's Christmas for my husband (yeah, I'm probably too much of a practical gift giver, but that's the way I am!). Hopefully the research I've put into this will mean it doesn't end up in "the pile of unused gifts" lol!  I'm sure he'll appreciate not having to hitch up and go to a gas station when the camper tires need topping off, or go when the snowblower and wheel barrow have flats!

Deb55

@Horigan do you know how long a garden hose to use? If I'm picturing this correctly, the hose connects to the city water inlet, and the other end has a Schrader fitting for the inflator. Set it to (30? 40?) and fill the camper lines plus the hose to that pressure. Go inside the camper and open a faucet until water is gone. Repeat. Is this correct? I'm the one who does the winterizing, so there's a possible ulterior motive to my husband's Christmas present, lol!

Horigan

50' should be sufficient.  I would bring it inside before you do it so it expands a bit more.  You've got the process right.  No more than 50 psi.