To properly blow out a sprinkler system, your air compressor needs to provide at least 20 cubic feet per minute. Most irrigation professionals recommend using at least 50 cubic feet per minute. Most air compressors will list their cubic feet per minute rating on the side of the tank.

Is a 3 gallon air compressor good for blowing out sprinklers?

We have used a variety of compressor sizes to winterize our sprinklers over the years. You need a compressor that has either enough volume or large enough motor to fill your system with pressurized air. A compressor size of 4-6 gallons should be enough.

How do you clear irrigation lines?





Unscrew the nozzle of the sprinkler and pull out the filter to see if it’s dirty. Running the filter under cold water will remove any dirt. Flushing a sprinkler line will remove dirt and other debris. Automatic sprinkler systems rely on clean pipes and steady water pressure to operate properly.

Where do you plug an air compressor into an irrigation system?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Which goes in this way here. And then the Chuck for the air compressor to fit on will fit into this piece here so that goes in there and then you take your air compressor hose here.

What is the psi for sprinklers?

around 30 psi

How is pressure measured? Water pressure is measured in pounds per square inch – also called psi. The average water pressure for most homes and businesses is between 30 psi and 50 psi; most sprinkler systems are designed to use pressures of around 30 psi.

Is SCFM higher than CFM?





Since SCFM measures volumetric airflow at standard conditions, it will always be higher than the CFM value for an air compressor.

How do you hook up an air compressor to a sprinkler system?

Quote from the video:
Quote from Youtube video: Open let the air in evacuate that zone you'll see the water come out of the sprinkle heads and when the water is done you'll see a little bit of mist. And sometimes the heads will even close.

How many CFM do I need to winterize my irrigation system?

The minimum volume an air compressor must be able to provide to properly blowout an irrigation system is 20 cubic feet per meter (CFM). Still, many professionals recommend up to 50 CFM at under 50 PSI for optimal performance, assuming the water lines are less than an inch in diameter.

How do I know what size air compressor I need?

The general formula used to calculate this is expressed as compressor time on/ (time on + time off) = Duty Cycle percentage. For example, if a compressor is said to use a 100% duty cycle, that would mean that the compressor provides 25 CFM and 125 PSI for 100% of the time it is in use.

How many CFM air compressor do I need?



Air tools made for general use with portable air compressors typically require 0 to 5 cubic feet per minute (cfm) at 70 to 90 pounds per square inch (psi), whereas with larger tools connected to stationary systems, the requirements usually exceed 10 cfm at 100 to 120 psi.

Does HP matter in air compressor?

HP is not as important as pressure and flow in determining if your compressor will work for you, as newer & more efficient compressors can do more with less HP! Doing more with less HP will save you energy, as well as will give you larger returns throughout the life of the compressor.

What is the best PSI for an air compressor?

Most air tools require between 70 and 90 PSI. Any light-to-medium-duty air compressor can easily handle 90 PSI, but you always want the compressor to supply more flow than needed. Pro Tip: Always respect a PSI rating. If you don’t supply enough air volume, the tool won’t operate correctly.

Does air compressor tank size matter?



Tank size



A compressor tank only stores air. The more important consideration is to have a big enough pump and motor to produce as much air as you need. Smaller tanks around four to six gallons are suited for projects that don’t require continuous use such as air nailers.

Which type of air compressor is best?

Comparison of the best air compressors for 2021

Make Tank size
Best air compressor overall Industrial Air 20 gallon
Best stationary air compressor/Best premium air compressor Quincy 60 gallon
Best portable air compressor Briggs & Stratton 10 gallon
Quietest air compressor California Air Tools 20 gallon

How do I select a compressor?

Determine the maximum pressure (PSIG) needed to run the equipment. Simply use the value of the equipment that requires the greatest amount of pressure. If above total = less than 100 CFM divide this total by four to find HP. If total is over 100 CFM divide by five.

What is the difference between single stage and 2 stage air compressor?

The fundamental difference between a single and two-stage air compressor is the number of times the air gets compressed. In a single-stage, the air is compressed one time; in a two-stage, it is compressed twice for double the pressure.