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Winterize with 12 volt compressor?

geoBgeoB Member Posts: 109
edited October 18 in Heating/Plumbing & Winterizing
Is using a 12 volt compressor to clear plumbing really working? Has anyone confirmed that it either works or doesn't? I'd like to believe that mine does, but I haven't gotten any visual proof. FWIW, the compressor has done its duty on bike & car tires
2020 Toyota Highlander + 2021 T@B 400 BD 
Truckee, CA, expat, now driving out of Reno
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  • MuttonChopsMuttonChops Member Posts: 1,854
    edited October 18
    Does your compressor have a pressure gauge?
    If yes, close all sink, etc faucets. Run compressor to about 40PSI, stop compressor, open a faucet tap or low drain.  Repeat process until only air comes out or all taps/drains (one at a time).
    With a small compressor the process will just that longer, the less water in the system the longer it will that to reach 40'ish PSI.  I use a small compressor, old Black & Decker, just fine - - - just takes some time.
    '18 320 S,  pitched axle, 3020HE; PNW based
    TV: '17 Colorado V6 Z71 4x4, Tow Package, GM Brake Controller
    Adventures:  57   Nights:  399  Towing Miles 49,190
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  • geoBgeoB Member Posts: 109
    Compressor has a gauge - that's never budged when attached to intake. Valves are open; attempts done at Nautilus's 45° settings.

    Compressor gauge has worked up to 50 psi on bikes.
    2020 Toyota Highlander + 2021 T@B 400 BD 
    Truckee, CA, expat, now driving out of Reno
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  • geoBgeoB Member Posts: 109
    Dope slap! Procedure works when done in expected order. 
    2020 Toyota Highlander + 2021 T@B 400 BD 
    Truckee, CA, expat, now driving out of Reno
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  • HBarryHBarry Member Posts: 30
    Not a direct answer to the question but maybe of use to folks. On my 2020 400 had always gone the antifreeze route. Decided to blow the lines last winter although with a larger tool compressor. Worked fine except when fired up the rig in the spring discovered that plastic filter screen housing at the base of the water pump was fractured. It’s a bit of a water trap that air pressure doesn’t seem to clear out. Fracture means you can’t pump water out of the water tank because it’s sucking air through the fracture. 
    2020 Tab 400 BDL with Solar
    2013 Tacoma TRD with towing package
    Vermont
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  • tabiphiletabiphile Member Posts: 462
    @HBarry, frankly, it is surprising that more compressor fans don't report similar problems. Most home compressors lack what good commercial compressors have, a drier. Because of that, the compressor blowout method succeeds in removing most of the water from your system while blowing in moist air. The only sure-fire method to remove water is to push anti-freeze through. It fills all of the voids and sits in all of the low spots where moisture would otherwise collect. Once you have repaired a few valves and faucets, it becomes much more obvious.
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  • pthomas745pthomas745 Administrator, Moderator Posts: 4,340
    One of the things about winterizing that has gotten lost with the Nautilus panel instructions is ..how to protect the pump.  There are many threads here in the Forums that discuss simply disconnecting the pump supply lines and draining them and the pump.  I guess it is something we should try to hightlight more.
    2017 Outback
    Towed by 2014 Touareg TDi
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  • Sharon_is_SAMSharon_is_SAM Administrator Posts: 10,036
    Yes, and emptying the filter cup.
    Sharon / 2017 T@B CSS / 2015 Toyota Sienna Minivan / Westlake, Ohio
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