Air Compressor Quick Connector

Users who are viewing this thread

Chevy

New Member
Messages
1
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Canada
Hi, I'm new here and have been reading for some time now. Lots to learn that's forsure.

Anyways, I would like to winterize my own sprinkler system and I do not know what type of connect I need to attach my compressor hose to the tap. In the past my system has been winterized by the guys that installed the system and I never really paid that much attention to how they connected to the line.

The connector is a normal garden hose tap that they connect the compressor to, and the shut off valve is in the house. What type of connector can I purchase to screw onto the tape with the quick disconnect male on the other end?

Thanks in advance!
 

Frenchie

Jack of all trades
Messages
1,239
Reaction score
0
Points
36
Location
Brooklyn, NY and Fire Island, NY
I don't think there's a one-piece for this.

I stood in the plumbing section at the local hardware, and put one together out of adapters: quick-connect to fine-thread, fine-thread to hose threads. Took 4 or 5 parts, total.

Screw em all together, there's your adapter.
 

Gary Swart

In the Trades
Messages
8,101
Reaction score
84
Points
48
Location
Yakima, WA
As the previous respond says, there's no one way. You have to make up an adapter that will work for you. When I blow my system, I remove the backflow preventer. That is attached with 1" copper unions. For the outlet side, I made an adapter that has the mating union half, then reduced the 1" to 1/2" with a ball valve and the quick connect fitting for my air hose. I open one zone at the manifold, then open the ball valve and let it blow until the entire 60 gallon air tank is empty. Then I close the ball valve and recharge the air tank and repeat the process. Then I close the first zone and go to the second. I use 2 tanks of air on each zone. The pros using the big industrial compressors can blow the entire system with one connection, but that costs from $50 and up. It's mucho quicker, but I figure I make pretty good wages doing my own, especially since I already have the compressor.

I blow my daughter's one line with 3 hose bibs with a small compressor through the hose bib at the high end of the line. I use a PVC double female connector with a 3/4" to 1/2" bushing with the quick connect fitting screwed in the other end.

If you ever see the yard service guys going around with the big compressor, you might see that they have a huge collection of fittings so they can make up whatever they need quickly.
 

Master Plumber Mark

Sensitivity trainer and plumber of mens souls
Messages
5,533
Reaction score
354
Points
83
Location
indianapolis indiana - land of the free, home of
Website
www.weilhammerplumbing.com
just pay to have it done

the yard fellas lug around a real big compressor behind their trucks for a good reason...

when they connect to your system it literally has so much
PSI and pressure that all the sprinklers literlly jump out of the ground at the same time.....
...

the big compressor kicks butt ,,,,
and thats what you want to do it right.....


how much do they carge you ??
 

Gary Swart

In the Trades
Messages
8,101
Reaction score
84
Points
48
Location
Yakima, WA
I've been doing my own for several years, but I believe the last time I had it done it was $50. I'm sure it's closer to $100 now. My 7-1/2 HP single stage compressor with a 60 gallon tank is slow by comparison, but my time is mine and since the compressor is sitting in the shop, it just makes sense to spend a couple of hours a year and save the $100. But, you're sure right about those big compressors kicking butt!
 

theelviscerator

New Member
Messages
69
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Elkhart, IN
the yard fellas lug around a real big compressor behind their trucks for a good reason...

when they connect to your system it literally has so much
PSI and pressure that all the sprinklers literlly jump out of the ground at the same time.....
...

the big compressor kicks butt ,,,,
and thats what you want to do it right.....


how much do they carge you ??


Psi and pressure?


Hmmm...


how bout PSI and CFM?
 

Frenchie

Jack of all trades
Messages
1,239
Reaction score
0
Points
36
Location
Brooklyn, NY and Fire Island, NY
And actually, you don't need much presssure - my irrigation guy says about 40 psi'll do most zones - it's volume that's important for blowing out irrigation systems.

The conversation started, because I noticed his compressor has no tank. He removed just the actual compressor & carries that around, it's lighter & easier.
 

Bob NH

In the Trades
Messages
3,310
Reaction score
9
Points
0
Location
New Hampshire
You can get an air hose quick-connect adapter in 1/4" pipe thread, male or female. Just get a reducing bushing that takes any convenient pipe fitting or valve down to 1/4" pipe and screw in your adapter.

I would probably put a 1/2" ball valve off a tee and put a 1/2 to 1/4 bushing in it for the air connection.

If your hose doesn't correspond to 1/4" pipe, then get the correct size.
 

Frenchie

Jack of all trades
Messages
1,239
Reaction score
0
Points
36
Location
Brooklyn, NY and Fire Island, NY
The top end doesn't look like a quick-connect... and the bottom end's male threads...? I'm confused as to how this'd work on a house plumbing system, or an irrigation sytem...

My home-made job's with female threads, so I can attach it to any convenient hose bib or drain, and a quick-connect on the other end.

I just closed up the house, sorry I forgot to take a pic.
 

Gary Swart

In the Trades
Messages
8,101
Reaction score
84
Points
48
Location
Yakima, WA
If you can't spend 10 minutes in a plumbing store to figure out a fitting combination that will adapt your compressor to you irrigation system, perhaps you should hire the lawn service to do this.:eek:
 

cn90

New Member
Messages
28
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Location
Nebraska
For those who want to connect Air Compressor to Hose Bib, here is the setup I use (cost about $8 to put it together):

- Part 1 is the standard 1/4" Air Compressor fitting
- Part 2 is Adaptor to go from 1/2" (Female end of the Hose Coupling #3) to 1/4"
- Part 3 is Hose Coupling.
Ace Hardware PN 71941
http://www.acetogo.com/product/71941/coupl+hose+34fhtx12fip.html

Use Teflon and you are good to go.

attachment.php
 

Attachments

  • air_water.jpg
    air_water.jpg
    54.4 KB · Views: 55,596

bunkers

New Member
Messages
5
Reaction score
0
Points
0
Location
Castle Rock, CO
I did something like that last year, but then when I used it (even though I only attached it loosely), the thing came apart and got stuck inside the backflow and I had to destroy it getting it out with vicegrips.

If you put on of these rigs together, how to get them to stay put (together) ?
 

cn90

New Member
Messages
28
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Location
Nebraska
I did something like that last year, but then when I used it (even though I only attached it loosely), the thing came apart and got stuck inside the backflow and I had to destroy it getting it out with vicegrips.

If you put on of these rigs together, how to get them to stay put (together) ?

This thing is brass and rock solid!!!
Use Teflon Tape and put them together tight using adjustable wrench.
It is bullet-proof!
 

cn90

New Member
Messages
28
Reaction score
0
Points
1
Location
Nebraska
Follow-up:

This is the setup I have:

attachment.php


My Adaptor works fantastic:

attachment.php


1. Water Supply Valve (in basement) closed.
2. Adaptor attached to Hose Bib #3.
3. Air Compressor set at 50-60 psi.
(I have a belt-drive compressor with max air flow 9 GPM at 50 psi, which is adequate).
4. I use the Blue Valve downstream of the Back Flow Preventer for control (On-Off). This is to keep pressure inside the BFP at 50 psi to prevent to floater from dropping down.
If you shut the Valve upstream of the Back Flow Preventer, pressure will drop and the floater will come down, making your winterization job much harder (air leaks out the top of the BFP).

5. Bleed each circuit 2-3 x with 6-8 min each.
6. Give the compressor sometime to cool off between runs.
7. When done, all valves (Testcocks, Blue Valves x2) set at 45 degrees.

- BFP covered in ziploc bag for winter.
- Hose Bib opened for drainage.
See you in the Spring!!!
 
Top
Hey, wait a minute.

This is awkward, but...

It looks like you're using an ad blocker. We get it, but (1) terrylove.com can't live without ads, and (2) ad blockers can cause issues with videos and comments. If you'd like to support the site, please allow ads.

If any particular ad is your REASON for blocking ads, please let us know. We might be able to do something about it. Thanks.
I've Disabled AdBlock    No Thanks