inexpensive CO2 system

[offroad_nomad]

I built my own CO2 system a few years ago for around $100. I purchased a 10 lbs tank from a local welding supply company and the remainder of the parts online or from Lowes. Costs me $11 for a refill/tank exchange. I've never had a problem with my homemade system. My regulator has gotten alittle frosty after airing up 8 tires or more, but it has never frozen up on me during refills.

 

[SinCity4r]

I'm another happy Source owner..

$20/10lb fill in my area.

 

[esh]

Mine's built from local welding supply stuff. I think it was somewhere around $140 after hose, fittings, etc. to build. 20lb tank on exchange for $10. Cheapo 110 fixed regulator has never frozen after maybe 10 tanks.

 

[Front Range 4x4]

So can somebody summarize what a guy would need to put one together - best tank size & specific regulator, etc.

 

[Boston Mangler]

here is a link to a good regulator that comes in various PSI settings:

http://www.offroadairstore.com/servlet/Detail?no=11

 

[Cruiserdrew]

here is a link to a good regulator that comes in various PSI settings:

http://www.offroadairstore.com/servlet/Detail?no=11

That is exactly the regulator I have. It's excellent, but I use it at 150 psi for tires. A custom setting at 100 would be nice for running air tools.

 

[Cruiserdrew]

So can somebody summarize what a guy would need to put one together - best tank size & specific regulator, etc.

Go to any welding store or compressed gas place. Get a 10 pound tank. It should cost roughly $100 filled with CO2. Then you can exchange for the rest of your life and each time get a fresh tank. Around here the exchange is $14.

The regulator that Kevin(Boston Mangler) posted works great-I ordered from Cramer-Decker. $40

The hose is standard stuff-get a cheap one at Harbor freight or a better one from Lowes. $20

You'll need misc air fittings in 1/4 pipe thread. $10 The US made ones (hard to find) are better than the Chinese ones available everywhere.


So that's about $170. I don't see how to do it cheaper unless you already own some of the components. I used an ould beverage regulator the first time through which worked OK, but at high flow rates it would freeze up. You do not need a pressure guage on the tank side of CO2.

 

[ginericLC]

Try being more adament (spelling), they tried telling me that, i argued with the guy for a few minutes and he filled MY TANK and i was on my way!

I'm pretty rural. The C02 comes trucked in a prefilled tanks. We don't have a filling station here in town. Driving 50 miles to get it filled isn't worth it to me. I've grown fond of my ugly grey tank.

 

[Brentbba]

Based on the recommendation and connection from FirstToy, I'm the one that put the group buy together with The Source at Offroadair. They ARE CramerDecker. No question. Some of their regulators are adjustable. You can get a cheaper/used tank - but spend your money on a GOOD regulator. Don't skimp there IMHO. The one I purchased can regulate the outbound pressure. I went that way personally because I didn't want 150 constant psi blasting into my Airlift air bags and their delicate air lines.

CO2 works great - until your run out of CO2 in the middle of Death Valley trying to air up 4 tires and only having enough for two. :whoops: Reminder to self - fill the tank before expedition trips. I use Seals Compressed Gases and it's about $11 to completely fill the 10lb tank.

Like FirstToy - I've helped out others with CO2, and was helped out by the Brokeback boys in DV. What goes around comes around with this great community.

As far as brackets - check out the FAQ - the bracket on the intro page with the yellow tank is mine.

 

[Front Range 4x4]

Thanks Cruiserdrew! Exactly what I needed!

Go to any welding store or compressed gas place. Get a 10 pound tank. It should cost roughly $100 filled with CO2. Then you can exchange for the rest of your life and each time get a fresh tank. Around here the exchange is $14.

The regulator that Kevin(Boston Mangler) posted works great-I ordered from Cramer-Decker. $40

The hose is standard stuff-get a cheap one at Harbor freight or a better one from Lowes. $20

You'll need misc air fittings in 1/4 pipe thread. $10 The US made ones (hard to find) are better than the Chinese ones available everywhere.


So that's about $170. I don't see how to do it cheaper unless you already own some of the components. I used an ould beverage regulator the first time through which worked OK, but at high flow rates it would freeze up. You do not need a pressure guage on the tank side of CO2.

 

[Romer]

One of our supporting vendors sells units with free shipping that are less expensive than the ebay unit with shipping. And for a few bucks more you can get the better regulator. He was laos giving a 5% discount to mudders above these prices, not sure if that special is still on

http://www.ultimate-air.com/products/clearancecenter.htm


I am real happy with my setup and the regulator allows you to go higher on the pressure and fill the tires faster.

 

[Brentbba]

Your mount turned out nicely as well Ken. Don't think I'd seen a pic of it to this point.

One of our supporting vendors sells units with free shipping that are less expensive than the ebay unit with shipping. And for a few bucks more you can get the better regulator. He was laos giving a 5% discount to mudders above these prices, not sure if that special is still on

http://www.ultimate-air.com/products/clearancecenter.htm


I am real happy with my setup and the regulator allows you to go higher on the pressure and fill the tires faster.

 

[Romer]

Thanks - and thanks for the idea. I took your write-up to a friend and he welded up the same set-up. Has since done it for another club member

 

[Brentbba]

Thanks - and thanks for the idea. I took your write-up to a friend and he welded up the same set-up. Has since done it for another club member

Nice - but you know I can't take credit for the idea either.

 

[pismojim]

Here's an idea, go to Rubithon and win the raffle prize I'm donating on behalf of Surf N Turf 2006.

Basically, what Cruiserdrew described, (but different local sources) and a brand new aluminum tank. Barebones DIY for about $150.

I've been using these systems for years and never had a freeze up. As someone said, frosty yes, but freezing not yet. What happens when it freezes? Does it stop working? What do you do, wait until it thaws?

Good luck at the raffle!

 

[pappy]

What happens when it freezes? Does it stop working? What do you do, wait until it thaws?

The volumn significantly slows down. It hasn't stopped yet, but it does slow down enough to be anoying.

 

[dieselcruiserhead]

if anyone has the time search on pirate. A few guys tracked down some ballon supply places that are dirt cheap for a C02 setup and no icing etc as well. Mangler, I didn't see a regulator of some sort or is there one built into your setup? Andre

 

[VETTE60]

now that i have done a little research, I think home built is the way to go. a 10lb tank is only $77 from beveragefactory.com and the regulators are easy to come by. I think it is easy to build one for less than $150 bones.

http://www.beveragefactory.com/draftbeer/tanks/co2.shtml

we'll see how it goes...

 

[cruiseroutfit]

I'm coming in on this way late, but here it goes...

Powertank is great, but it is not the end-all of the CO2 industry. I have used one quite a bit and I don't think it is any better than my "home brew" CO2 setups. I have a 10, 15 & 20 lb CO2 setups, all running different regulators. I have used the 20lb'er to fill up 12 tires on a recent Moab trip, it didn't freeze, never has in fact.

There are several places here in SLC to fill them, even with the 20lb'er I have never paid more than $10

I am into my steel 20lb'er ~$75, my steel 15lb'er ~$100, and my aluminum 10lb'er ~ $75

 

[VETTE60]

so with all that said, if you had to pick one size, what would it be?