Hello Folks--after reading and watching instructions for the winterizing of my Tab, I am in the process of gathering the items I will need. I started researching compressors on-line and am overwhelmed by the options. From what I have read the12-v ones don't have the volume needed, other sources say it is not the psi that is important, but rather the gallon size. SO. . . .what do you Tabbers use?
I have survived my life without a compressor, and am buying it primarily for the winterization process. I am happy to have something that can also inflate my truck (18") and tractor tires though. So, help a gal out and take the guess work out of this for me. Brand, size, etc. Thanks!
2015 T@b 320S Maxx Outback, aka "Alie Cat"
TV: 2012 Honda Ridgeline
Alice
Crozet, VA
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Something like this is what I use ( I have a 3 gallon Campbell Hausfield, available at Walmart probably).
https://www.harborfreight.com/air-tools/air-compressors/1-3-hp-3-gallon-100-psi-oilless-air-compressor-97080.html
I use it for tires, winterizing, and occasionally adding air to our home water pressure tank.
Here's the link to the compressor SAM was recommending:
https://www.amazon.com/Viair-00073-Heavy-Portable-Compressor/dp/B0012WHBSO
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2016 Max S
Kalamazoo Michigan
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Here's my 2 cents on air compressors..
In my experience with blowing out our yard sprinkler system, and in talking with the installer who does this professionally, the most important spec on the air compressor is not the PSI rating, but the airflow rate in CFM (cubic feet per min).
You can get a high PSI pressure rating, without much of any sustained airflow, and the tankless compressors typically have lower CFM ratings. While you don't need a big 30 gal tank compressor like we use for our sprinkler system to blow out the smaller diameter & shorter length pipes in a T@B, I believe that one with a tank of at least a few gallons size and a few CFMs rating would be far more effective in clearing water from pipes than a low flow air pump designed simply for inflating tires.
Any amount of low pressure, like 20-40 PSI can safely & effectively push out a continuous column of water from the pipes, even at a low flow rate, however, after the column of water is already mostly drained from the pipes, then you need a high air flow rate to actually blow out any remaining pockets of water.
For the above reasons, I recently recommended this model to our cousins for blowing out their new T@B, because it's rated at 3.7 CFM at 40 psi..
A tank half this size may do fine too, but will likely have a lower CFM rating and may cost just as much. This one can be used for power tools as well, and it does have a separate pressure gauge and regulator adjustment knob at the hose connection.
So, that's my take on air compressors for blowing out water lines - it's mostly all about CFMs. By the way, this standard type of air compressor takes a standard pressure hose that fits a blowout connector like this in the T@B water connection...
I always use a 90-degree elbow fitting like this one as the first thing connected to the T@B's plastic threaded connector collar. Then the weight of whatever hose or filter, etc, that you connect is hanging straight down and not sticking out & acting like a pry-bar on the T@B's water connector.
I like brass fittings - they're strong & don't rust.
TV: 2005 Toyota Sienna LE (3.3L V6)
RV: 2018 T@B 320S, >100 mods
2021 T@B 320S Boondock “The T@B”
Towed by a white 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 Supercab, 3.5L V6 Ecoboost “The Truck”
But there is a very important side point; this assumes that you work with all valves and drains off and then open one at a time. This means that the air compressor does not need any reserve capacity, a smaller one or one with a small tank will just take a little longer.
However, if several lines or faucets are open at one time, then the larger units with bigger tanks, such as the Porter-Cable pancake unit above, will be more likely to clear several or all lines.
You are correct that the water pump needs to be considered and planned for.
First step is usually to drain the water tank and open the valves, the water pump sits higher than most of the system. Then run the pump while the pick up line is sucking air.
For the details and diagrams, this may be helpful:
http://www.angelplace.net/camp/Winterization.pdf
2023 Tab 400 / 2022 F150 XLT Sport 3.5EB
Traded in - 2018 T@B 320 S/2019 Toyota 4Runner SR5
2021 T@B 320S Boondock “The T@B”
Towed by a white 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 Supercab, 3.5L V6 Ecoboost “The Truck”