A Better DIY Adapter to Blow-out Water Lines

[Ian G]

The trick to successfully blowing our water line to winterize your trailer is low air pressure but lots of volume. The tire chuck adapters are not only a PITA to use but they are very restrictive, often not providing the air volume required to properly blow the water from the lines.
I have documented my solution pictured below which is both convenient to use, not restrictive and easy to build. I have been using this adapter on 3 trailer for the past 2 years and it works great.

Details of building it are on my blog.
Click Here For the Blog

 

[Ron in BC]

Nice clear building instructions and the process to follow. Thanks.

One more project for the list

Ron

 

[padlin]

A bit lighter.

 

[Ian G]

A bit lighter.

Exactly the same principle Bob
I like the convenience of the valve to shut off the air without disconnecting the air line

 

[Dave Walter]

A bit lighter.

Almost looks like this one.

Great minds think alike I guess.

 

[Ian G]

Great minds think alike I guess.

Lots of great minds in this group.

 

[gbaglo]

Count me out of the great minds. I bought one of those and used it once with my compressor, and now this thread has got me wondering where it is.

 

[Jubal]

In line regulator eliminates the need to adjust and readjust the air compressor pressure regulator.

 

[gbaglo]

I don't understand. I set the pressure on the air compressor to 40 lbs. Why would I have to adjust it after doing that?

 

[vermilye]

If you are feeding off an air line, the built in regulator lets you adjust the feed to the trailer without needing to change all the other outlets. I have a simple 2 piece adapter without a valve, regulator, gauge, & use it with a portable compressor, so setting the air pressure on the compressor, so like Glenn, that is all I need to do.

 

[C&G in FL]

I don't understand. I set the pressure on the air compressor to 40 lbs. Why would I have to adjust it after doing that?

Unless you inflate your tires to 40 lbs you will have to adjust up and down again next time you want to blow water out of the lines.

 

[Jubal]

I don't understand. I set the pressure on the air compressor to 40 lbs. Why would I have to adjust it after doing that?

The primary use of the air compressor is nail guns and air wrenches so higher pressure (90 psi) is usually needed.

 

[gbaglo]

The primary use of the air compressor is nail guns and air wrenches so higher pressure (90 psi) is usually needed.

Yes. So, if I'm using a nail gun, I turn the dial to adjust the pressure to 90 psi. When blowing out the water lines ( to my recollection ) no more than 40 psi is recommended, so I set it to 40.
Don't understand why I need more bits.

 

[Jim Bennett]

Unless you inflate your tires to 40 lbs you will have to adjust up and down again next time you want to blow water out of the lines.

This is an easy adjustment, one I make a few times a day, some days. Different nail guns I use, air tools, etc, all require different pressures. It would only take you seconds to change.

 

[Jubal]

The air compressor in the shop is not portable and is behind a sound barrier wall. I find it easier to regulate the air pressure at the point of use.

 

[gbaglo]

This is my compressor. I wouldn't describe it as portable, although I suppose it is. Haven't used it in a year or more.

 

[gbaglo]

The air compressor in the shop is not portable and is behind a sound barrier wall. I find it easier to regulate the air pressure at the point of use.

Now, it makes sense.

 

[jamie beers]

ETI's instructions say to set the pressure to no more than 30 pounds, but you guys are using 40 pounds?

 

[gbaglo]

My recollection of the pressure setting came from a poor memory. I set it to whatever ETI says and I review winterizing instructions before I start and while I'm doing it to make sure I've covered all the steps.
Reason for the poor memory is I haven't used air in at least two years, preferring to use RV anti-freeze.

 

[jamie beers]

Gotcha. Will do my first ever winterizing soon, using compressed air, so I've been studying the ETI instructions...