scuba tanks and AC serpentine pullies questions

[copasspupil]

I picked up some serpentine pulies for my 350 motor and it comes with AC. I thought it would be nice to change into an air compressor. My only issue presently is that the fittings seem to be pressed in then bolted in from the rear of it into the housing. Any one run into this as well or like to add input into this?

Also, I am at work and was offer 2 MSA air pack tanks for free...Is it possible to use them as air tanks?

 

[Bodean]

I have some as well. I just need to know what valves I need to convert them. The tanks I have are actually rated for a higher pressure than you would ever have with Co2. (2600 I think) Should be doable???

 

[cruisernerd]

i found a scott air pack tank. drilled out the aluminum where the valve goes, tapped standard pipe thread. after that i was able to use what ever fittings i desired. i am not sure if the tanks you are refering to are similar but they they can't be so different.

 

[FF LC FREAK]

Just remember, air tanks are basically bombs. A couple years ago, Detroit fire had an SCBA bottle explode inside the cab of a fire engine. It completely destroyed the cab area. Luckily, no one was inside at the time. There is a big difference between 400 psi in a CO2 tank and 2800 or 4500 in an air bottle. Also, you are not getting nearly as much "fill up air" with an air bottle. CO2 is stored as a liquid. The expansion rate gives you much more "air".

If it were me, I'd just go ahead and buy a CO2 tank. It is much safer.

Good luck!

 

[Cirbo]

Then there is the yearly visual inspection, and the hydrostatic testing required every 5 years. Nobody will fill them without those certifications.

Scuba tanks... that is.

 

[copasspupil]

I chose to say scuba tank for those not famaliar to an SCBA high pressure bottle. I can fill them up at the station if needed. They are kevlar wrapped btw.

 

[Icantdive55]

Every cylinder needs to meet DOT standards if it will be transported on a public road. Scuba tanks are very safe and rugged. I rolled a cruiser once with 8 live tanks in the back, even busted off one of the valves. Nothing but a lot of noise. Fiber wrapped tanks (SCBA) that I'm aware of all have a maximun life of 15 years. Any drilling tapping or altering of the threads of any cylinder would render it unsafy by DOT, PSI and CGA standards. It would be removed from service at the next required inspection.

A typical Scuba cylinder is made of aluminum (now days) and is advertised to hold 80 cu,ft of air at 3000 psi. It actually only holds 77.4 . It takes approximately 130 psi just to opearate the first stage of the regulator . So you end up with less than the 77.4 you had to begin with. So with all that said Scuba air is cheep safe and available but not real practical. I own 18 tanks and my own fill compressor and chose to mount a small on board 12V compressor for my air needs.

Rod