Air Compressor for Winterizing

NitroStar · 11-12-2014, 05:43 PM

How important is it to use an "Oil-Less" air compressor? I have one of the little Craftsman compressors. It does have an oil compressor on it. The video of "How to Winterized" shows a compressor that looks just like mine.

WFD · 11-12-2014, 07:06 PM

Very important! You don't want any oil getting into the system and thereby lining your water system.

jtstromsburg · 11-12-2014, 07:13 PM

Grab a cheap inline filter from Napa or similar auto parts store. $10 and it'll be there for next time too. I have a few I use for winterizing the camper and at work.

**ependydad** · 11-12-2014, 08:45 PM

Could anyone share a link to a specific filter?

jtstromsburg · 11-12-2014, 09:00 PM

http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B001NS...011955-6617012

If the link works (pasted from my phone). This isn't the one I use, but similar enough

Canadiancrew · 11-12-2014, 09:46 PM

Oil/Water Separator

Both my compressor are oil and get used fro winterizing.

NitroStar · 11-12-2014, 09:53 PM

Great. Today I thought about a large one I gave my Dad years ago. Didn't thing about a small one. Coulda picked one up in town this evening. Hope they got one locally tomorrow. Great links and info!

**ependydad** · 11-12-2014, 09:54 PM

Thanks guys. Both links worked. I had heard of them but didn't quite know what they are.

camaraderie · 11-12-2014, 10:18 PM

Hey...in keeping with the winterizing theme...I'd like to get a pancake or hotdog type air compressor to do the winter blowout AND also use it to take with me on the road to fill tires. Mine take 85lbs...and I know that some pumps will struggle with that. I have very little basement storage space left so size is an issue for me....the smallest reliable unit that will get both jobs done is what I'm looking for. I know what is available from my on line shopping at Amazon, Lowes and HomeDepot & Harbor Freight. Now I'm looking for YOUR input as to what will work well. Price is secondary to performance and size. Thanks!
Just ordered one of these so I'm ready to buy before it gets below freezing in the South!

rsscully · 11-13-2014, 10:22 AM

That's the one I bought. Nice piece. I use it to blow out my garden hose also so it doesn't freeze

Cowracer · 11-14-2014, 11:22 AM

I wouldn't bother with the expense of Oil-less. I have winterize both my Class A and My roo for 10 years now with a standard garage-type compressor. The amount of oil they put out in the airstream is miniscule.

Oil-less is really only for breathing applications (you don't want to inhale ANY oil vapor) and for certain processes (laboratory) where oil could contaminate samples or such.

But to satisfy yourself, take a compressor, let the tank fill, and use a blow nozzle and shoot the whole tank of air at a clean sheet of paper. Then notice how much oil is actually on it. If my garage compressor put out anything more than negligible oil levels, I wouldn't have to oil my air tools.

Tim

tanddc · 11-14-2014, 12:01 PM

I have to disagree with cowracer. Oil free compressors actually cost less that the oiled types. They require almost no maintenance and weigh substantially less. The only reason advantage to an oil lube compressor is that it is a little quieter and will last a lot longer than oil free. If you want something light and easy for filling tires and blowing out lines, oil free is the way to go

Cowracer · 11-14-2014, 02:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by tanddc

I have to disagree with cowracer. Oil free compressors actually cost less that the oiled types. They require almost no maintenance and weigh substantially less. The only reason advantage to an oil lube compressor is that it is a little quieter and will last a lot longer than oil free. If you want something light and easy for filling tires and blowing out lines, oil free is the way to go

Disagree.

From Home Depot:

2HP compressor with 6.3 gallon tank $142
2HP Oil-less compre with 4.6 gallon tank $299

Product Comparison Page

Same brand and everything.

Tim

kssportsman · 11-14-2014, 08:14 PM

I have a 12 volt Puma with a small tank. Shuts off at 135 psi. Works well and is relatively small.

HONDAMAN174 · 11-14-2014, 08:27 PM

I take a craftsman electric inflator- 6 amps. Wired in a 1000w inverter under the rear seat and as long as the truck is running and I power it up before connecting, it works great. Also thinking of ditching the cordless impact and get an electric one.

2014 Stealth Evo 2850 "Woodstock"
2011 Toyota Tundra Rock Crawler TRD 5.7 "Clifford"

camaraderie · 11-14-2014, 08:50 PM

Thanks for the recce's guys...will check 'em out.

tanddc · 11-17-2014, 12:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Cowracer

Disagree.

From Home Depot:

2HP compressor with 6.3 gallon tank $142
2HP Oil-less compre with 4.6 gallon tank $299

Product Comparison Page

Same brand and everything.

Tim

The aluminum twin stack tank is the reason for the price difference. All things being equal, oil free is cheaper

camaraderie · 11-17-2014, 06:38 PM

Just an update...I bought the compressor at Lowe's today...got their Kobalt brand with 3Gal Hot Dog Tank....Oil-less 1.5HPCompressor ... 155max psi and 2.6 cuft./min @90psi.
It was on sale for $99 which I thought was an excellent deal for the given specs.
I really was looking hard at a similar pancake style Porter Cable model at a similar price but it was a bit bigger footprint and I can stash the Koblalt upright on its frame with better space utilization. Also got their cheapie 12pc accessory kit for $15 bucks as it had the hose and basic hookup components I need. I fully expect the hose won't last...but the fittings alone were worth the price to me AND we are gonna be having a good freeze tomorrow nite so I needed to get something up and running by tomorrow!
Will be hooking up the blowout plug from post #9... and beating Jack Frost to the punch. Here's pix of the two pumps I settled on... the Porter Cable is available in a number of stores...the Kobalt is a Lowes brand.

19"x19" Base...12" High. Will stand on tubing using 12x19" base in basement compartment.

17" Pancake Base...20.3" Height.

Will try to post some pix on the winterization process weather permitting!

Taranwanderer · 11-17-2014, 06:50 PM

I recently picked up a Harbor Freight model that looks ALOT like that Porter Cable one. Oil-less, 3-gal, 100 PSI, adjustable line pressure, $49.99. Used it to blow out the RV and all my garden hoses, and it worked well.

BTW, that's a nice looking blow out plug, nicer than the one I pieced together with various parts from the plumbing section! Got a link to that?

camaraderie · 11-17-2014, 07:11 PM

Taran...yup...I looked carefully at Harbor Freight too since they are my favorite toy store! The one you have is the 3gal 1/3HP 100PSI model which is also a heck of a deal. My problem with all the 1/3 HP models is that they're slow to do 6 big tires to 90Lbs. each so I opted for larger HP. HF also has a larger model comparable in specs to mine for the same $99 bucks inn their flyer this week in a pancake style similar to the Porter Cable. Worth a look as well for those needing more powerful.

The blowout plug is from Amazon and fits the 1/4" fitting perfectly and without any screws/fittings to leak. I is machined from a single piece of aluminum. Link:
http://www.amazon.com/Winterize-Heav...5DEBFR2A375GQX

Thanks again to all for the comments & suggestions!

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