Air compressor for winterizing

Seaduster

In a pinch, with a flat tire in the boonies, I had to purchase this tire inflator (only one available in a tiny town)... Slime 40034 dual purpose inflator.  Will this work for winterizing my T@B? or will I need something more substantial?  Hardware guy said it would work, but I'm just not so sure.

I'm hoping someone will show me the ropes at next week's Fort Warden gathering

Verna

If it is the Slime model that will inflate tires to 100 lbs, yes, you can use it for the blow-out method of winterizing. 

4ncar

Is the line side regulated? If it's putting out greater than 50psi...

Seaduster

I don't know what you mean by "line side regulated".

Can someone recommend an air compressor that won't break the bank.  Won't be using it more than once a year.

SGH0004

I think someone mentioned that you can put your water regulator on at the water line to keep the pressure from blowing a pipe.  

4ncar

Aussie said:

I don't know what you mean by "line side regulated".

Can someone recommend an air compressor that won't break the bank.  Won't be using it more than once a year.

Sorry, @Aussie! The line side being the air hose. Some compressors will give you pressure readings of the tank(measured in PSI) as well as "line pressure"(the hose) also measured in PSI.  Reason being is that the plumbing fixtures are rated to hold 50PSI of water pressure. You do not want to exceed this in air pressure either, or run the risk of plumbing fixture & or fitting failures.

DougH

Using this thread as a placeholder to warn about Slime reliability. I bought the high-ish volume ($60 Model 40031 1.25CFM) inflator this year, despite some warnings in Amazon reviews that they don't all last that long. Used several times for adjusting all 6 tires as I changed elevation / temperature in the mountains and for winterizing a couple times.  Still runs, but is now more like 0.00125CFM. Guess I should have sprung for the Viair.

Although maybe if I always carry two Slime or Ryobi compressors at least one will work when in the middle of nowhere with a flat tire for the same average cost per year when averaged over the lifespan of one of the pricey compressor / inflators.

Denny16

If you open the taps when you connect the air compressor, you will not pressurize the water lines, just blow them out.  Open one tap, get the compressor going then go around opening and closing one tap at a time to clear out the water.  This way no real back pressure will build up with at least one tap open at a time.
cheers

DougH

Was likely my fault on the Slime?  I found a label on the bottom that said 10 minutes on, 20 minutes off duty cycle.  Inflator never even got warm, and I was using it in zero psi / just high-ish volume blowing out mode, as you suggest. But winterizing does take a little longer than ten minutes for me if I'm being thorough.  Just bought another mid-priced GSPSCN inflator that sez it has dual overheat protection or something like that.  Fingers crossed.

rfuss928

For winterizing air volume is key.  The exhaust from a shop vac or a high volume air bed type inflator can be quite effective compared to the very low volume tire inflator type compressors.  You also eliminate any risk of over pressurizing the system as the pressure will only reach a coupe PSI with these air sources.  The one tap at a time method helps assure every line is cleared.  The blower hose can usually just be held over and/or sealed with a rag at any convenient tap or inlet because a small leak just doesn't matter.

4ncar

...in theory, using your water pressure regulator could also insure that you do not over pressurize during the blowout process. Never tried it, as my pancake compressor has a line regulator (as previously mentioned). But, water & air are regulated similarly...

Dalehelman

Denny16 said:

If you open the taps when you connect the air compressor, you will not pressurize the water lines, just blow them out.  Open one tap, get the compressor going then go around opening and closing one tap at a time to clear out the water.  This way no real back pressure will build up with at least one tap open at a time.
cheers

X2