12 Volt air compressor

[Kamahele]

I would like to use a 12 volt air compressor to help winterize my boat's plumbing system by blowing out the pipes before putting in non-toxic anti-freeze - no AC available. Can anyone comment on that idea and maybe recommend an inexpensive compressor, like one that's used to pump up car tires?

 

[H20Rat]

Very few if any of the 12v compressors will generate enough CFM to be even remotely useful. Very few even have a storage tank of any sort. You would be far better off just getting a portable air tank and filling it prior to leaving. (fill it at the highest PSI you can for the most capacity.) You could have a small 12v compressor hooked to an air tank to fill it, but it will take a LONG time!

http://www.harborfreight.com/7-gallo...ank-94801.html


The other thing to consider... When I winterize my RV, I first blow the lines as empty as they will go, then dump some RV antifreeze in, and then blow that out. Air don't freeze. The only reason for the RV antifreeze was to mix with any pockets of water that remain after blowing it out. Replacing the RV antifreeze with air won't hurt anything.

 

[Natesms]

As smokingcrater said, you won't be able to generate enough airflow with anything 12 volt. I'm not sure if the portable tank will hold enough air, but it might. I used to have to fill our portable off a 12 volt and it would take over 30 minutes.

Any reason the RV antifreeze isn't enough for you? Not sure you would need to do both.

 

[alldodge]

I would like to use a 12 volt air compressor to help winterize my boat's plumbing system by blowing out the pipes before putting in non-toxic anti-freeze - no AC available. Can anyone comment on that idea and maybe recommend an inexpensive compressor, like one that's used to pump up car tires?

Get a compressor with at least a 3 gallon tank, going to spend around 100 minimum. The bigger the compressor the more CFM can be produced. Then get a air pressure regulator and set to around 20 psi. It's going to take a bit of time, and if you get the water out there is no need for antifreeze. If your going to use anti freeze then no need to blow the system out. This one isn't bad for minimum starter type
http://www.homedepot.com/p/Porter-C...MERCH=RV-_-rv_nav_plp_rr-_-NA-_-203162815-_-N

 

[smokeonthewater]

there is ABSOLUTELY NO NEED for an air compressor..... No value whatsoever.... bypass and drain water heater, pump out the water from the tank.... drain any pre pump strainers and filters.... switch off pump and remove suction hose from pump and attach a hose inserted into a gallon jug of rv antifreeze... switch on pump and verify strong pink color at all faucets..

 

[JoLin]

there is ABSOLUTELY NO NEED for an air compressor..... No value whatsoever.... bypass and drain water heater, pump out the water from the tank.... drain any pre pump strainers and filters.... switch off pump and remove suction hose from pump and attach a hose inserted into a gallon jug of rv antifreeze... switch on pump and verify strong pink color at all faucets..

I don't blow out the lines either. I drain the heater and water tank, then bypass the heater. I don't disconnect the pump's suction hose as it's kinda hard to get to. Instead, I put 4 gallons of antifreeze in the fresh water tank, run the faucet in the head (hot and cold one at a time) until it's strong pink, then run the faucet in the galley the same way until the antifreeze is gone. In the spring it's pretty easy to flush the system.

My .02