A CO2 tank air system consists of an aluminum cylinder tank of pressurized liquid CO2 which is released as a vapor through a regulator. CO2 is the offroader’s answer to portable air on the trail, addressing all the needs of on-board air; inflating tires, running air tools & blowing off parts can all be accomplished with CO2.
CO2 can air up tires fast, remove lug nuts fast, repair drive train & suspension systems quick with impact tools, even in hard to get to situations because its portable. CO2 can reseat a tire while still on the vehicle & air up 33” truck tires in less than one minute.
CO2 is filled as a liquid and evaporates to gas (air) through the regulator and out the hose to the tire. As more gas is consumed, more liquid evaporates into gas, generating more pressure. This process allows much more volume than other commonly used nitrogen tanks, shop air tanks & scuba tanks. And because it is CO2, as long as there is liquid remaining, your tank will have full pressure.
A 10lbs. CO2 tank is less than half the size of a 5 gallon compressed air tank but holds 20 times the capacity. A 5 gallon air tank pressurized to 125PSI will inflate two 33X12.50x15 truck tires from 10-20PSI. A 10lbs. CO2 tank will inflate thirty nine (39) tires the same size, taking only 30 seconds a tire! WA HOO !!
Why CO2 instead of air or nitrogen? A CO2 tank stores CO2 in liquid form which results in air output that is 10 time the volume of nitrogen or compressed air. This means you are storing several nitrogen tanks in one CO2 tank.
CO2 is non-toxic, non-corrosive, and totally inert. This means its safe on your air tools, tires & metal wheels. The thermal expansion is similar to air once released from the tank.
A CO2 tank may be mounted in any position, but must be at least 30 degrees upright angle to work correctly when used. Its recommended that you mount in a vertical position to limit unnecessary handling before use.