CO2 Tank options

[ukaviator]

Was looking at the Ultimate Air site that has some pretty sweet setups just dont have the coin to drop on one of those right now.

Let me start by saying I know ZERO about tanks and regulators etc

Was searching through FleaBay and came across this (no affiliation):
15 Pound Co2 Cylinder Tank New Aluminum - eBay (item 350397158064 end time Nov-22-10 15:20:36 PST)

Could I use something like this with a regulator and attachments to air up my tires, or will that not work?
Does it have to be a special re-enforced tank or something to be taken off road?
Are there some special fittings i need to have in order to make that work?

How many times would you say a 15 pound tank like this would air up a 33" tire?

Thanks

 

[Degnol]

I think that would work just fine. I have a buddy that sourced one from Pepsi and an old regulator I had from a kegger and I can air up 4 33" tires from #12 to #30 at least 5 times....don't really know as I have gas still in the tank, but it is a #20 bottle.

 

[Fast Eddy]

Maybe not the smartest idea, but I'll admit to having used a CO2 tank with no regulator for the last few years. You have to have it connected to the tire before you open the valve or it will blow off the hose or the inflator, but I've never done that.

It fills very fast and never freezes.

I'm going to trade my 20lb tank for a 10lb tank at my next fill. As often as I use it I only have to fill once every couple years and I'd prefer something lighter. I wonder if the 20oz paintball tanks would fill tires one time? A 20lb tank at home and one or two 20oz tanks for in the rig would be sweet.

 

[Josie'sLandCruiser]

Hi All:

I have been using a home-made "powertank" set-up for the last year or two. 20 lb. CO2 tank, fixed 90 PSI regulator, curly air hose and air-up chuck with pressure gauge.

The 20 lb CO2 bottle was flinched from a recycle pile and traded-in for a full one for about US$30. The 90 PSI regulator cost around $30 (IIRC) from PRAXAIR, a PNW US welding gas supplier. The curly hose was like $10. while the air-up chuck with gauge was like $10 at HarborFrieght (a better version at Loew's for $15.)

The 10 and 20 pound CO2 bottles are the most common, and one can simply trade in their bottle for a full one. If you are using an odd-ball size like a 5 or 15 pound you will most likely have to wait while the bottle is re-filled.

I have a home-made mounting bracket in the back of my '40 to hold the CO2 bottle while 'wheeling. The CO2 bottle has worked well for me in airing-up tires so far.

Regards,

Alan

Was looking at the Ultimate Air site that has some pretty sweet setups just dont have the coin to drop on one of those right now.

Let me start by saying I know ZERO about tanks and regulators etc

Was searching through FleaBay and came across this (no affiliation):
15 Pound Co2 Cylinder Tank New Aluminum - eBay (item 350397158064 end time Nov-22-10 15:20:36 PST)

Could I use something like this with a regulator and attachments to air up my tires, or will that not work?
Does it have to be a special re-enforced tank or something to be taken off road?
Are there some special fittings i need to have in order to make that work?

How many times would you say a 15 pound tank like this would air up a 33" tire?

Thanks

 

[ukaviator]

Thanks for the replies guys, very helpful.

So i would need a 90 psi regulator, some air hose and and air up chuck with pressure gauge. Is that it?

Could you guys post some pics of your tanks and mounted setups?

I'll take your advice and keep my eyes open for a 10lb tank as you suggested. I dont want it to take up too much room as it wont be used all that often.

 

[IH8Wood]

Ask if the tank has a DOT specification marking. If it's stamped with "DOT-3AL..." it's good. Ask when it was last hydro'd. It'll have a date stamped on the top of the cylinder. You won't be able to fill a tank if it the hydro date is more than five years old.

 

[dtrain]

There is a write up on the board somewhere about how to setup a homebrew version. Its a full on write-up.

Also, checkout "The Source"... IIRC, they are cheaper than ultimate and I believe the cheapest out there... not that much more than a homebrew setup.

EDIT: Prices are different now...

 

[rusty_tlc]

Not much need for a write up.

• Get a tank, I use exchange tanks.
• Get a regulator, I got mine from a company that sells soda dispensing systems. One of the tech's gave me one that had a cracked lens on one of the gauges.
• Get some air fittings, retractile hose and teflon tape from Home depot.
• Screw everything together.
• Done.

I got a tank clamp from the local welding place and welded it to my roll cage

I'm sure glad I didn't spend the bucks to buy one of those bling PT set ups. That on top of re-fills for the CO2 would have cost way to much. As it is I've spent more on CO2 over the past three years than a good electric pump would have cost.

 

[Gumby]

I got my tank and bracket from a local fire extinguisher place. They sold it to me, so they have no problem filling it. That was key. I have a couple of other bottles that were just gonna be a pain to get filled. Cheap pre-set regulator. I have a curly hose, but it's not the best idea with CO2. One day it's gonna get too cold and crack.

It would take a lot of fills to be better than a good electric and those things are still too damn slow and can't run air tools or give a good burst to pop a tire back on a rim.

 

[Tools R Us]

...
It would take a lot of fills to be better than a good electric and those things are still too damn slow and can't run air tools or give a good burst to pop a tire back on a rim.

I guess it depends on how often you wheel? I got off the bottle a long time ago and never looked back, it's now my MIG bottle. We often binge wheel, like on our annual Utah trip, will wheel all day for 7-8 days, with little/no chance to fill a bottle. So you would have to decide which days you wanted to air down, with a compressor, good to go, endless air supply. The compressor has easily paid for itself in just refill charges.

Most that I wheel with, have dumped the bottle and moved to Puma compressors. I carry a IR2115, air hammer, die grinder, have done a bunch of on trail repairs, with zero issue. Can remove all six lug nuts before having to wait on it, by the time the new tire is on, it is good to go. Have never had to re-bead a tire, but doubt it would be a problem, carry ratchet straps, carb cleaner, etc. The Puma is about the same size as the bottle, ~$220 shipped, so about the same price, without the refill pain/payment program.

 

[ukaviator]

Actually I dont hardcore wheel a lot anymore - just cant afford the repair bills should i screw something up
Mainly stick to the forest roads, light water crossings and the such - no hardcore rock crawling or anything like that.

Im planning on a road trip out West next year with a trailer in tow, and im just trying to think of things that would be worth taking along. Our travels are going to take us to Yellowstone National park, as well as some secluded areas on the way there and the way home, so im just trying to be as prepared for the worst as possible.
Thought a cheapo Co2 bottle might be the way to go.