I tried to blow my lines with our shop-vac this year and failed to get that to work. Next step was to try a compressor. I'd been wanting an upgrade to my dinky little $50 compressor for other reasons anyway, but didn't want a behemoth, so ideally I wanted something that would work for the pool, but no bigger than necessary. Reading these forums I'd found several posts that hinted I'd need something pretty hefty.
Well, FWIW in case others want to know what might work for them, I borrowed and used a DeWalt (D55146) 4 1/2 gal (quite portable, not that big) rated for 5.2 SFCM@90psi from the pump basket drain and it barely even knew I was using it. I could take my time and never worry about running short on air. Based on what I experienced, I think anything over 3 SFCM would have still been overkill for our setup. I suspect most compressors would work, and almost wish I'd tried even my itty bitty one first, but I actually liked this size and may get one just like it for myself now that I know it works.
I blew dual MDs ~6.5-7' deep (after allowing for some water drained, + going "below" pool surface.) Connecting pipes are 2" and have probably around 40' linear run in addition to the depth.
It also blew a 2" waterfall line, exits ~+6' elevation relative to pump, probably 60' run, the vac return (probably the easiest to blow) and 3 (partially shared) return lines, probably 90-100' run.
The shop-vac took care of the skimmer previously but I'm sure this would have been fine.
Also FYI, 20lbs of pressure was plenty; it was hard to get the regulator on this one to set for less than that.
Well, FWIW in case others want to know what might work for them, I borrowed and used a DeWalt (D55146) 4 1/2 gal (quite portable, not that big) rated for 5.2 SFCM@90psi from the pump basket drain and it barely even knew I was using it. I could take my time and never worry about running short on air. Based on what I experienced, I think anything over 3 SFCM would have still been overkill for our setup. I suspect most compressors would work, and almost wish I'd tried even my itty bitty one first, but I actually liked this size and may get one just like it for myself now that I know it works.
I blew dual MDs ~6.5-7' deep (after allowing for some water drained, + going "below" pool surface.) Connecting pipes are 2" and have probably around 40' linear run in addition to the depth.
It also blew a 2" waterfall line, exits ~+6' elevation relative to pump, probably 60' run, the vac return (probably the easiest to blow) and 3 (partially shared) return lines, probably 90-100' run.
The shop-vac took care of the skimmer previously but I'm sure this would have been fine.
Also FYI, 20lbs of pressure was plenty; it was hard to get the regulator on this one to set for less than that.