Sprinkler Blowout with Air Compressor FEBCO 765 Full Guide, FEBCO 765-1 Backflow Preventer PVB shown

This video show the steps I use to winterize and blow out a residential sprinkler system using the test ports on a FEBCO 765 Pressure Vacuum Breaker, or PVB (a type of Backflow Preventer). As covered in the video, using the test ports is not ideal, but it can be done. This video also shows the internal parts of the FEBCO 765 PVB, including how to disassemble or repair the PVB. The video also includes information about the parts and air compressor used, and some tips that might help you complete this DIY and select parts and equipment. Check below or the Pinned Comment for Timestamps, part numbers, and links.
Timestamps, part info, links:
00:11 Which port? "Ideally neither, but if you must either."
01:26 Difference between the two test ports
02:20 Example of a proper blowout port fitted downstream of the PVB
02:23 Know the rules in your jurisdiction
03:50 Begin - Steps to drain the PVB
04:00 Shut off the water supply to the PVB
04:47 Run the furthest sprinkler zone for a few seconds to depressurize the
system
05:23 PVB is now depressurized
06:08 Drain the water supply pipe
06:36 Close the inlet valve to the PVB
06:48 Open the test port valves using a flat-head screwdriver
How to remove the valves from the PVB
(not necessary to do, but shown in
case you need to make repairs)
07:53 Remove the canopy with a wrench
08:14 Remove the bonnet - turn counterclockwise by hand
09:20 Remove the poppet by hand
09:25 How the air inlet valve assembly works
11:19 Remove the check valve assembly by hand
12:01 See the different paths of the two test ports
13:20 Different bonnets you can buy to perform the blowout
13:54 Inspect and re-install the check valve assembly
15:38 Inspect and re-install the air inlet valve assembly
17:08 Overview and precautions about the Blowout Procedure, using the K-
Rain document (link below)
21:14 A quick look at the compressor shown in the video
21:32 Use the shortest hose of the largest ID
21:58 Don't use an extension cord
22:24 Compressor pressure setting - 50 psi,
optimize flowrate
Begin the blowout:
24:04 Hook up the hose to one of the test ports
24:41 Open the furthest zone valve before introducing air to the sprinkler
system
25:21 Introduce air to the system
26:03 How to manually trip the inlet valve to close
26:16 Check the sprinklers to see that they'd popped up and are spraying
water out - run for only 1 minute
26:44 After one minute, shut off the air and disconnect the hose
26:54 Close the zone valve
28:16 Same process, shown for another zone
28:37 Same process again, for another zone - multiple passes will likely be
required with a smaller compressor
29:49 Same process again, this time on the lower test port
30:43 Turn off the sprinkler controller and unplug it
32:22 Exercise the valves, then turn all valves to the "45 degree" position
34:40 How to turn the sprinklers back on (spring-time start up)
37:01 Info about the hose and fittings shown in this video:
short 3/8" ID air hose: Harbor Freight item # 91294
shut off valve: Harbor Freight item # 63553
high-flow fitting: Harbor Freight item # 63546
38:38 Another option if you can't find a flare fitting to fit the test port
40:01 Information on the air compressor shown in the video and general air
compressor information
K Rain Winterization document, PDF:
www.krain.com/...
www.krain.com/...
Colorado State University Winterization document, PDF:
extension.colo...
I hope this video was helpful for you. Thanks for watching, and good luck with your winterization! : )