I would go in between with a medium compressor like the ones you were looking at. They’ll have plenty of ooomph for other uses like inflating car tires too. I had a pancake compressor that took 15 mins to blow up a pool float and made it more trouble than it was worth. It couldn’t even think about a flat tire. If it doesn’t clear the pool lines you can always take it back.
Air Compressor Chosen/OK???
- Thread starter Mendy48
- Start date
- Jul 21, 2013
- 52,486
- Pool Size
- 35000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
I agree the little guy will work, but as soon as any air escapes the line the compressor will lose its pressure. Any water in the vertical pipes will drain back down. It’s probably not enough to matter with some antifreeze, but a beefier compressor might get that extra second or two to help get more water out.
The system should be airtight.
There should be no reason that you can't get a good seal.
Out of stock for both air compressors at Harbor Freight and Home Depot.I decided to just spend money … a bit more… less than $200 on a compressor. I’m not paying the pool company to close out my lines every year for $200.
What do you guys think of this one?
Bummer, i like the small uprights or horizontals rather that the pancakes because the tank size makes them better for the garage. But if you really want a pancake compressor it will work.
I’m sorry I don’t know. I don’t like pancake compressors as most are ‘door busters’ and useless for anything more than a finish nailer for trim work. Their sole reason for existing is so people don’t have to drag out their real compressor for really small jobs. It’s questionable at best if it will do what you need and it won’t come in handy for other uses either. Mine even struggled to blow sawdust that was more than a foot from the nozzle. Also, many of the cheap ones skimp on the regulator and although they appear to have a full range of adjustment of +\-, it really only selects 90 psi or 40 psi, both way more than you want.Is this fine
But that’s not to say that this one can’t work, I’m just playing the odds. The people who are happy with their pancake compressors usually spent a lot more than the budget model ones.
With a strict $200 budget, I’d buy the big 16 gallon shop vac at HD ($99) which is guaranteed to clear most of the water from the lines. Then it will suck out most of what’s left for added insurance. And a good shop vac is one of those things that you don’t need until you need it. But when you DO….. oh boy it’s worth it’s weight in gold. Then you’ll also go to it for sawdust spackle dust or anything else you don’t want clogging up the regular vacuum.
- May 23, 2015
- 24,411
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
A good shop vac with a blower hose connection on the exhaust will do the trick as well. I have a 12 gallon shop vac that is great for cleaning up after a lot of work and the same hose can connect to the exhaust port to act as a blower. Should provide enough pressure and plenty of flow.
A shop vac will not have the ability to blow out an 8 foot deep main drain.
Check the "Sealed Pressure".
8 feet is 96" and you would need more than that to blow out a main drain.
Most Shop Vacs wont do more than about 72" max.
Check the "Sealed Pressure".
8 feet is 96" and you would need more than that to blow out a main drain.
Most Shop Vacs wont do more than about 72" max.
Yeah! I feel like I’m going on a merry-go-round with what to get for an air compressor…LOL
…. My first time doing this so… I thought a pancake air compressor was fine???? That’s why I got it. Mmmm. Now I’m confused.
So is what I got fine? HereA shop vac will not have the ability to blow out an 8 foot deep main drain.
Check the "Sealed Pressure".
8 feet is 96" and you would need more than that to blow out a main drain.
Most Shop Vacs wont do more than about 72" max.
I’m not sure what the different is between Home Depot Rental and the one I bought (pic attached). Wouldn’t it just make sense to rent the air compressor. Or is the one i bought better?I think that it will work.
Just not understanding why the Home Depot one wouldn’t be ideal for me? Or would it?
- May 23, 2015
- 24,411
- Pool Size
- 16000
- Surface
- Plaster
- Chlorine
- Salt Water Generator
- SWG Type
- Pentair Intellichlor IC-60
72” works great for me … and I don’t close my pool so my needs are minimal.
Blower is the right tool for the job but they are expensive and not easy to find last-minute. A compressor can be made to work but there are risks with over pressurizing a line and if you run a pancake compressor in a continuous fashion you will burn out the motor. They are not designed for continuous use.
I’m sure whatever the OP rents/buys will do the job. Then next year they can go and buy the right tool.
The rental is a $500 unit. Better parts/motor/regulator etc. You won't be using it on a commercial scale (often) so it probably doesn't matter.
There is an output regulator to control the output pressure.
Just turn it down to 10 psi.
What reference says that the compressor is going to burn up with regular use?
For blowing out a pool system, the run time is not that much.
Similar threads
