Fully Pneumatic Air Locker System

[Bawlzdeep]

That's right, run the air locker (mine's ARB) with no compressor or extra wiring. Got the idea from a guy with a Samuri. Really small vehicle that he wanted to minimize weight and space taken. He was running both lockers off a 9oz paintball Co2 tank and an in-line 3-way pneumatic switch. The switch is normally off, flip it on and your locked, flip it off and it closes the valve and bleeds off line pressure. I regretfully didn't get any part #s from him but it seemed simple enough.

I've searched and searched and come up with nothing besides people claiming to have a setup, no pics or part #s or instructions.

I'm doing this on a budget as most do. ARB locker has been installed and working for a year now but I've recently ditched the compressor for a Power Tank. I want a separate small tank that I can fasten to my roll bar for the locker. Fully pneumatic is just so much more reliable, compact, light and quiet.

Here's what I "think" I need...

9oz Paintball tank $20

5-125psi Regulator kit w/20oz bottle $100 (much rather something cheaper and don't need the hose or big bottle) they don't sell the regulator alone

3-way pneumatic switch $60 (ordered)

I'm holding off on the regulator kit to see if perhaps you guys can help me out. I am pretty firm on using the more compact 9oz bottle. Just need a regulator to go from that to 1/4 NPT then the ARB blue line.

 

[47coeman]

What is the projected usage capacity with the small bottle I sure am interested. Good idea...

 

[Bawlzdeep]

Lots of variables when comparing a paintball "shot" to a locker actuation. My quick digging has found that folks are getting anywhere from 300-500 shots out of a 9oz tank at around 600-800psi per shot. So the regulator needs to tame a max 1000psi down to 30-100psi. Doesn't take much to engage the locker. Too much pressure will cause damage to seals.

The home brewing industry has got a lot of good setups but all the pressures seem to be too high or too low.

 

[Mace]

A standard air tank regulator will work perfectly.

You will have to make sure that your system does not leak, or you will lose air rapidly.. You may want to consider a bike pump and a schrader valve in the system so that in extreme circumstances where you need the locker and have no air, you can easily just pump up the "tank" manually.

I'm using the mechanical switches on my ARB that's going in my 60 this weekend.
This is the valve I'm using
http://www.clippard.com/part/FTV-3P

 

[BionicCruiser]

looks good. I am running a similar system with a much larger bottle. being a firefighter I have a couple old SCBA bottles. runs the locker all day and then fill up the tires at the end of the day. I carry 3 bottles at camp to swap out for multi-day events. regular air and free refills at work. the regulator issue was easy for me with a big non-CO2 bottle, so I can't help there.

 

[Tigerstripe40]

Where did you find the 20oz bottle w/ regulator for $100 ?
I am setting up a small portable Keg system and a paintball tank w/ regulator would be idea.
I have found this regulator: http://www.williamsbrewing.com/MINI-DUAL-C02-REGULATOR-P2650.aspx
which is setup for a CO2 bottle, but the regulator ALONE is $150 (though it's lower pressure than the regulator you've posted).

 

[spotcruiser]

I have a pair of the switches that I won't be using. PM me if you're interested.

 

[Bawlzdeep]

Damn spotcruiser, that's the only thing that I HAVE ordered LOL.

Tigerstripe - I found the tank kit on Fleabay http://www.ebay.com/itm/Pin-Valve-C...125psi-CO2-REGULATOR-KIT-W-TANK-/111334405488

Bionis - always good to score freebees from work! My last fill, I got 16 tires filled on one 15lb Power Tank. Taking my 35x12.50s from 4-40psi. Under 2min per tire at 150psi in the line. I'm happy. Makes snow wheeling just that much funner. No standing around for an hour waiting for the pump to fill 4 tires.

 

[BionicCruiser]

I only get 4 tires from 6 to 25 or 30psi. they are 39.5 irok's though. that's why I carry spare tanks and fill for free. my switch looks just like yours. bought from something like 'Desert Rovers'. too many years ago to remember exactly.

 

[rusty_tlc]

I got my regulator free from a place that services beverage dispensing systems, the glass on one of the gauges is cracked. Been working great for many years, speaking of which I could have paid for a couple of Viair compressors with the money I've spent of CO2. Just wanted to point that out.
Just curious why you don't want to use electric solenoids? Mine are over 15 years old and still work every time. As long as you do a proper job with the wiring they are the least problematic part of the air locker system. And wire is one hell of a lot easier to route than air line.