Accessory for porter cable pancake compressor

[Ed]

I am looking for an accessory for my porter-cable pancake compressor. I need to blow out my under ground sprinkler system before the first freeze. I need the requisite accessory to go with my air hose 300(PSI) with ferrules - both ends 1/4 male and female quick couplers. I would appreciate any help.

[Mark]

Hi Ed,

We do not offer any accessories that would help you attach your compressor to your sprinkler system.

I am concerned that your compressor will not be big enough to blow out your sprinklers without damaging the compressor. All air compressors have what is called a Duty Cycle Rating. Sometimes the manufacture publishes the rating sometimes not. What the duty cycle rating tells us is the amount of time the compressor may be running during a given job. For example, if you have a compressor with a Duty Cycle Rating of 50% and your job is going to take you one hour, the compressor can not run for more that 30 minutes of that hour. This does not mean that you can allow the motor to run for 30 continuous minutes during that hour. The 30 minutes of running must be spread out evenly during the 60 minutes that the job takes to complete. A small, oil less compressor like yours probably has a Duty Cycle Rating of about 35% to 45%. A compressor that is lubricated by oil will usually have a higher Duty Cycle Rating. Large industrial compressors, usually with 80 gallon or bigger tanks will quite often have continuous Duty Cycle Ratings. Knowing a bit about Duty Cycle Ratings can help you to select the proper size and quality compressor for the type of work you want to do.

Your compressor will run continuously while it is attached to your sprinklers. If the compressor survives the task it will certainly reduce the life of your compressor. An oil lubricated compressor with at least a 25 gallon tank would probably do the job if your where very careful with it and allowed the compressor to cool periodically. Landscape contractors use rotary compressors capable of running continuously without risk of damage. You might even want to contact a landscaper in your area. The labor to blow out your sprinkler system would certainly be less than the price of a new compressor.

I hope this helps!

-Mark

[Jim the lawnguy]

I made an adapter that screws into a threaded inlet I installed inside the house. It threaded into the water line and had a male quick connect coupler that the air hose snaps onto. (I also made one that can screw onto an outside faucet and has a male air hose coupler) I generally rent a larger compressor to ensure that the water is blown out completely. (The air leaking out of the first head is going to reduce the amount of air for the rest of the run.....) good luck!! Jim