Harbor freight sells co2 tanks? You also need a high volume regulator, something like a low volume welding regulator will frost up quickly.

*Yes you can store it flat and use it vertically.

*Yes it is safe in the heat, 110*+ in Vegas..mine never complained

*Dropping it and rupturing it? You don't drop it. Period.
Even if you do drop it, likely won't cause any tank problems, but if you drop it off to knock the valve off (and are dumb enough not to have a valve protector on it) you'll have a 30# missile. An impact would need to be pretty substantial to put a hole in the tank.

*You also want an aluminum tank, not steel, it's substantially lighter.

I've ran a 20# aluminum beverage co2 tank for almost 3 years now with no problems, incidents or concerns. If you handle it like a pressurized tank should be handled, you won't ever have any trouble with it. It's not a toy, it shouldn't be left rolling around a rig, it shouldn't be setup in a place where someone can knock into it, trip over it, etc. If I set mine on the ground outside of the Jeep, it stays very tight to the rig to keep people contacting it to a minimum.

It's not that it is very delicate, it's pretty damn durable actually..but being careless would be like walking around with a gun in your pocket, one in the chamber and the safety off. If it does go off...it's not going to be good...so the safety [your common sense] needs to be on.

 

Actually, (I'm not recommending you do it) I think you could knock the top off the tank with little danger. CO2 is a liquid. I'm no scientist, but I don't think that liquid would create a "missile". I do think it would suck all the oxygen out of an enclosed passenger compartment though. And if the tank were to fly around because of a roll or accident, that would be very bad but I've never heard of a CO2 tank becoming a projectile on it's own.

 

Lets just handle it as if it would and if it happens and it doesn't do anything we'll be surprised. :lol:

But really I couldn't tell you exactly how quickly that would boil off at whatever given temperature and if it'd be enough propulsion to move the tank at a high enough speed to take something out.

 

Goodys - thanks for the info!

One more question: (a) buya nd refill or (b) exchange tanks? This is assuming a home-built kit, not a Powertank obviously.

 

I exchange, since the tank I have is not pretty. If I had a nice new tank, I'd refill it. But I also don't need to worry about keeping the tank "up-to-date" by swapping it out.

 

just picked up my 5lb tank from my local Fire Equipment and Safety store. Brand new 5lb aluminum tank with standard shut-off valve on top. Certified for 5 years and 20 bucks to refill. I put together a regulator from spare parts at our shop and it is adjustable to 160psi. Just need to get a valve protector/carry handle and make a cradle/mount to hold it in the Jeep. It will only be in there when going on a trail ride so i don't need a fancy mount.

The Powertank chart says i should be able to fill each of my 35x12.50x17 tires 15 times or basically 3 times for all around air up.

Would have prefered a 10lb tank but that is all they had other than a 20lb steel tank. I will try the 5lb out and see how i like it. As long as i am only using it to air my Jeep up and not everyone else it should be more than adequate.

 

jAs long as i am only using it to air my Jeep up and not everyone else it should be more than adequate.

Everyone else thinks it's free and that you brought it so they don't have to wait on their baby air compressors :lol:

 

It tougher to find a place to fill it than I thought it would be.

Home brew places: No go. They want to exchange.

Scuba place: can't recall why but they wouldn't do it.

Welding gas places: Nope. I can't recall if it was they wanted to exchange or you had to have a commercial account.

I found one fire extinguisher place that had thier own fill station and would do it, but they have funky hours. I have a buddy who has a machine shop and gets various gasses delivered so he's looking ato add a CO2 fill station. That would be nice.

 

I have been using a 15lb tank from Ultimate-Air for 5 years now and love it. Not sure if they are still in business anymore though. I do have some Power-Tank accessories and hoses I use with it and never had any problems.

My tank has been through some really hot temps (Mojave and Anza Borrego Desert) and never once had a issue when it was in my Hummer and now JK.

I am pretty lucky and have a oxygen supply shop near me. Been going there for re-fills and they charge me a flat $18.

Definitely recommend a Co2 setup vrs a compressor!

 

Aegis Welding supply right across the highway from you off of Opdyke fills them. Right now they have my tank for hydro test.

 

Cool thanks Mike! I also called a Fire Extinguisher place in Livonia and they charge $20 but have to leave it with them.

I'm probably just gonna go with a tank exchange. And I'll see how well my HF regulator holds up.

 

Love my Powertank and would have nothing else. The new SuperFlow regulator and just the whole setup kicks ass. I have known Steve the owner of Powertank for 15 Years, he is smart and excellent to deal with above all.

 

Tell me about that Powertank mount. That looks to be exactly what I'm looking for. Store it flat, then lift up when end to fill up your tires.

 

That mount is a Powertant 45* mount that is a Contractor Type. I chosse it because I could mount it in different places and it operates at that angle ....It works quite well.

 

OK I lied. One more question: 5, 10 or 15 lb? Unless people mooch air all the time, I'm guessing 5 lb is enough for a typical wheeling trip that you may have to air down/up about 2-3 times?

 

I carry a 20lb for tires, and a 10lb for running air tools, I run a 150psi constant regulator from poly


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I carry a 20#, I don't like worrying about using enough or do i have enough in the tank. You can't go off gauges with co2 to determine how much is left, it goes by weight. If I have to reseat a bead and still air back up at the end of the day...I don't worry about it.

The initial price difference should be minimal, the refill difference should be minimal. Go bigger IMO.

 

The only caveat to getting the biggest tank is size and storage.

My 10lb fits perferct on my roll bar. The 20lb I have as a loaner is freakin huge and has to sit under the rear rack where other things probably could be packed.

Just something to think about specially for a 2 door with a family packed in as well.

 

I'd never consider wheelin' with a 2dr full of people any way :lol:

Mine sits vertical on the opposite side of the subwoofer. It's 9" in diameter, height isn't a concern for me.

 

This was my 4dr for the weekend, but we also had passengers so it all had to go in the back.

:lol:

 

The only differnece between 5, 10 and 15 should be height. Mine's a 15. Works for me. Doesn't really take up any more space than a smaller bottle. I'm still working on a permament mounting solution that I like.

 

By me there are 3 places within 10 minutes to exchange tanks but the nearest place to refill is 40 minutes away.

I've been wanting co2 but haven't found a source for a good, affordable regulator and guard. any leads?

[mobile post]

 

I've been wanting co2 but haven't found a source for a good, affordable regulator and guard. any leads?

[mobile post]

"The Source" is what I have, $50 static 150psi regulator. It works okay, will frost up and slow down some on cooler days. It looks very similar to Poly's static regulator.

The flat out best is Powertank...but you're going to pay a premium for it.

 

Ok, stupid question probably for alot of you,, but what is the benefit of CO2 for filling tires and such vs O2?

And btw, I work in a hospital, and I have seen someone drop a portable O2 tank on the ground,....thing was propelled about 15ft into the wall and shattered numerous tile. Luckily no one was hit, but the sound it made and the force it applied on impact, it could easily critically injure someone.....its not a common occurrence for them to explode when being dropped, but it does happen

 

O2 is HIGHLY explosive/flammable. Any spark and it goes boom. driving around with straight o2 in your tires is an extremely bad idea, let alone a charged tank in the jeep. air you are breathing is only like 20% o2 if I remember right.

Co2 is an inert gas that you couldn't light on fire. Co2 works off the liquid boiling into vapor and giving you more volume than just compressed gas. You could use a scuba tank, but it wouldn't have as much volume either.


Sent via paper airplane

 

great read over co2 versus n2 versus compressed air.

http://powertank.com/truth.or.hype/

i suggest anyone who has questions about safety and if it "works as good" as air read this. it acts virtually the same.

 

Just so you know guys I am going to use your CO2 now because I don't have my compressor anymore!

 

Why would one need an adjustable regulator?

I found a 15# aluminum tank for $90 and the poly fixed regulator is $40 so that's $130 for a Co2 setup minus the hose.

Speaking of hose is there a Co2 specific hose or will any 200psi rated air hose work?

 

You will break some tools at to high a pressure. You don't NEED an adjustable regulator, but it is a very nice and useful thing to have.

 

Any 200psi hose will work, but I don't recommend the little plastic coily ones, when airing up it gets a little brittle due to being so cold. For seating a bead I have a special hose that our local hydraulic shop made me rated at 800psi. Connects straight to bottle.....will seat any bead


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This has been a very informative thread. Thanks y'all :gluging:

No mean to jack, but...

I have been meaning to buy a compressor, tank, or some sort of air supply as having to bug others to air up at the end of the day, or risking it at 12psi and driving to the nearest gas station is getting old,...fast. I have yet to de-bead a tire (obviously not wheeling hard enough! :nono, but I know it will happen, its almost a guarantee, I hope to amend that before it does.

For me, I most likely will not plan on running air tools, (as I dont have any), it will strictly be for airing up at the end of the day and paying it forward for those who have helped me air back up the past year :thankyou:

With that said, this is the kit I was looking at getting.

http://www.quadratec.com/products/92043_0012.htm

or do you thing that this would be a better option for what I am looking for?

http://www.quadratec.com/products/92042_000X_PG.htm

 

The air compressor will never run out, but is substantially slower than co2 and will never reset a bead.

I have about $75 or so wrapped up in my beverage 20# co2 tank. The Poly regulator is $40, used tank is $40-$50 and go swap it out for a full one for around $20. Not "as good" as the power tank as far as freezing up/pure flow, but much cheaper and can get banged around without being concerned about the finish.

I'd tend to suggest that route, beverage tank/static regulator is kind of the 3.8L of co2 systems. It's cheap, it works, not as fast as the Hemi...but gets it done just fine. The Powertank would be the "Hemi".

"bumming" air [or gas] does get quite old.

 

Thanks for the info! I don't use air tools so I should be good to go with a fixed rate.

 

You can still run air tools, and by all means at least try it. If you have inexpensive stuff it'll likely last awhile, 150psi was about the normal shop rate where I was at BMW and our stuff worked fine.

Quick 1/2" impact makes a trail flat or something go much quicker.

 

This thread is very informative.

http://www.jeepforum.com/forum/f27/build-your-own-co2-tank-system-high-quality-lowest-cost-1208163/