CO2 tyre fill system?

[tycho]

Howdy is anyone running a CO2 tank to fill their tyres? We can't get the US Powertank here but there is an Ozzy Air-Up brand that has a high flow regulator. Locally looks like only Cigweld make a regulator that comes close to a high enough flow for fast air ups and running air tools but this maxes out at about 116psi with most overseas running 150psi for fast inflation. Interested to hear if there are other options. I was investigating Boss compressors and an air tank to replace my ARB compressor but the CO2 tank option seems a more compact, simpler and more flexible option.

[Mudde1]

Howdy is anyone running a CO2 tank to fill their tyres? We can't get the US Powertank here but there is an Ozzy Air-Up brand that has a high flow regulator. Locally looks like only Cigweld make a regulator that comes close to a high enough flow for fast air ups and running air tools but this maxes out at about 116psi with most overseas running 150psi for fast inflation. Interested to hear if there are other options. I was investigating Boss compressors and an air tank to replace my ARB compressor but the CO2 tank option seems a more compact, simpler and more flexible option.

whats wrong with an dive cylinder with an argon regulator?very simple.

[tycho]

Howdy is anyone running a CO2 tank to fill their tyres? We can't get the US Powertank here but there is an Ozzy Air-Up brand that has a high flow regulator. Locally looks like only Cigweld make a regulator that comes close to a high enough flow for fast air ups and running air tools but this maxes out at about 116psi with most overseas running 150psi for fast inflation. Interested to hear if there are other options. I was investigating Boss compressors and an air tank to replace my ARB compressor but the CO2 tank option seems a more compact, simpler and more flexible option.

whats wrong with an dive cylinder with an argon regulator?very simple.

Wanting a bit more punch/gas volume from the CO2 over air. 4.5kg CO2 tank nice and compact also.

[tallsam66]

Why the hurry to fill ya tyres?
My compressor takes about 25 secs to fill a 33 inch tyre from 20psi back to 33psi.

[muddy]

If there's any moisture in your tyres, the addition of CO2 will form Carbolic acid, which, while pretty mild, will promote rust inside your rims. Of course - any air compressor will also generate water unless it's going through a tank first to settle out the moisture...

[Crash bandicoot]

yeah CO'2 only in alloy's. It will eat steel if it's got moister etc in them.

It is an oxidising agent after all.

[kbushnz]

I used a CO2 setup for a few years, was a bottle used in those pre mix coke machines. Only reason I used it was I got free fills....
But stopped as the bottle was taking up room, and the nagging thought of a bomb in my truck did not go down too well. Remember it is at about 700 psi and is full of liquid CO2.
Also if it leaked then everyone would fall asleep and die.
As for filling tyres up it was fast. I ran tubes. supposedly it deteriorates the rubber.
Also when it is filling tyres the regulator and hose will get very very cold. Need a decent reg and hoses to take the cold or the hose could snap off.

[TJ]

I used a CO2 setup for a few years, was a bottle used in those pre mix coke machines. Only reason I used it was I got free fills....
But stopped as the bottle was taking up room, and the nagging thought of a bomb in my truck did not go down too well. Remember it is at about 700 psi and is full of liquid CO2.
Also if it leaked then everyone would fall asleep and die.
As for filling tyres up it was fast. I ran tubes. supposedly it deteriorates the rubber.
Also when it is filling tyres the regulator and hose will get very very cold. Need a decent reg and hoses to take the cold or the hose could snap off.

CO2 is dangerous to breathe, as deadly as CO in the exhaust., when in higher concentrations. CO2 exists in natural air, it's dangerous when concentration is high like 10% or more.

Symptoms of Carbon Dioxide Intoxication and Poisoning

deeper breathing
twitching of muscles
increased blood pressure
headache
increased pulse rate
loss of judgement
labored breathing
unconsciousness (occurs in under a minute when CO2 concentration rises about 10%)
death

[Colinl]

Sounds like a night on the piss

[tycho]

I used a CO2 setup for a few years, was a bottle used in those pre mix coke machines. Only reason I used it was I got free fills....
But stopped as the bottle was taking up room, and the nagging thought of a bomb in my truck did not go down too well. Remember it is at about 700 psi and is full of liquid CO2.
Also if it leaked then everyone would fall asleep and die.
As for filling tyres up it was fast. I ran tubes. supposedly it deteriorates the rubber.
Also when it is filling tyres the regulator and hose will get very very cold. Need a decent reg and hoses to take the cold or the hose could snap off.

Cheers yes definately worried about getting the right regulator and hose. Theoretically the liquid is less of a bomb than a tank of just compressed gas

[tallsam66]

I used a CO2 setup for a few years, was a bottle used in those pre mix coke machines. Only reason I used it was I got free fills....
But stopped as the bottle was taking up room, and the nagging thought of a bomb in my truck did not go down too well. Remember it is at about 700 psi and is full of liquid CO2.
Also if it leaked then everyone would fall asleep and die.
As for filling tyres up it was fast. I ran tubes. supposedly it deteriorates the rubber.
Also when it is filling tyres the regulator and hose will get very very cold. Need a decent reg and hoses to take the cold or the hose could snap off.

Cheers yes definately worried about getting the right regulator and hose. Theoretically the liquid is less of a bomb than a tank of just compressed gas

Wrong any compressed gas is a bomb ...even an inert gas in a high pressure vessel is a bomb ....knock the head off one & see for yaself.

[nismo26]

There is a guy on ebay who sells the reg and hose/fittings. I'll find his user name when I get home. Then you just need to get a bottle here, I can sort the bottle if you need one.

[Pedro]

If you pull a lot of gas off the liquid Co2 it will freeze the regulator,and the hoses, and if the reg freezes you may get a run away pressure supply, tyres will inflate quick though.....

pedro

[Trundle]

What about using nitrogen ?
quite good in circuit racing and drifiting as the pressure does not increase with tempreature etc and its cheap to fill , I have a bottle for shocks with regs etc but can be used for tyres

[tycho]

I used a CO2 setup for a few years, was a bottle used in those pre mix coke machines. Only reason I used it was I got free fills....
But stopped as the bottle was taking up room, and the nagging thought of a bomb in my truck did not go down too well. Remember it is at about 700 psi and is full of liquid CO2.
Also if it leaked then everyone would fall asleep and die.
As for filling tyres up it was fast. I ran tubes. supposedly it deteriorates the rubber.
Also when it is filling tyres the regulator and hose will get very very cold. Need a decent reg and hoses to take the cold or the hose could snap off.

Cheers yes definately worried about getting the right regulator and hose. Theoretically the liquid is less of a bomb than a tank of just compressed gas

Wrong any compressed gas is a bomb ...even an inert gas in a high pressure vessel is a bomb ....knock the head off one & see for yaself.

Sudden release of pressure on liquid CO2 and you'll end up with a lot of dry ice snow:). The change in state from liquid to gas and associated cooling is pretty funky but not as explosive as compressed gas.

[tycho]

What about using nitrogen ?
quite good in circuit racing and drifiting as the pressure does not increase with tempreature etc and its cheap to fill , I have a bottle for shocks with regs etc but can be used for tyres

Liquid CO2 has about three times the gas volume stored as nitrogen so one tank of CO2 same as carrying three tanks of N. Like any gas Nitrogen's pressure will increase with temperature but not as much as moisture laden air. CO2 is only about $7 a kilo so pretty cheap also

[tycho]

There is a guy on ebay who sells the reg and hose/fittings. I'll find his user name when I get home. Then you just need to get a bottle here, I can sort the bottle if you need one.

Brilliant many thanks, I already have a bottle. Home brew 4.5kg from Harvey Norman of all places. Looks like I may be up for swapping the regulator connector from a CGS 320 to Type 30 if sourced out of the States.

[nismo26]

Looks like I may be up for swapping the regulator connector from a CGS 320 to Type 30 if sourced out of the States.

Yep you will have to swap them over.

[tycho]

Have given up on the Aussie crowd I was trying to source a regulator from so bit the bullet and ordered a regulator and hose kit from Powertank in the States. Fingers crossed either the inlet stem is standard thread into the regulator body or I can just swap the nut out. Will update when bits arrive.

[nismo26]

I think the stem thread is the same and just the nut needs to be changed.

[tycho]

I think the stem thread is the same and just the nut needs to be changed.

That would be awesome and make for an easy upgrade. Will grab a regulator nut from BOC.

[tycho]

Here is a great comparison between various compressors and tank system
http://www.parksoffroad.com/prodreview/ ... ormain.htm

The Oasis compressor is a beast-uses a winch motor!

[slidenyo]

I use about a 78% nitrogen 21% oxygen mix

[TJ]

I use about a 78% nitrogen 21% oxygen mix

I find that mix is easy on lungs too if the container leaks.

[Crash bandicoot]

smartarse

[tycho]

Righty got everything I need
Started with a 4.5kg CO2 tank from Harvey Norman (home brewing)

http://s999.photobucket.com/user/jasonm ... 3.jpg.html

Ordered a regulator, hose and handle kit from Powertank via Amazon
Had to swap the regulator nut for a NZ type 30 to fit the tank. This took a bit if mucking about but was able to reuse the short Powertank stem with the BOC sourced nut. The stem was pretty tight to get off the regulator but took the gauges off and put it in a vice.

http://s999.photobucket.com/user/jasonm ... D.jpg.html

Assembled everything including a boot to protect the bottom of the tank.

http://s999.photobucket.com/user/jasonm ... 8.jpg.html

http://s999.photobucket.com/user/jasonm ... A.jpg.html

Haven't had a chance to test the air up speed will do that on the weekend. Seems to run impact driver and drill ok under load when output pressure is set to about 120psi to compensate for the pressure drop when in use. Certainly chills the regulator and tank end fittings but regulator guaranteed not to freeze up

http://s999.photobucket.com/user/jasonm ... 4.jpg.html

[trucked]

thats a cool idea and great for portability, have you worked out how many fills this will do at your size tyres?

just curious about the economics of it

[tycho]

thats a cool idea and great for portability, have you worked out how many fills this will do at your size tyres?

just curious about the economics of it

There are various tables put out by the manufacturers should be around 30 33inch tyres each going up 20psi. I figure around $1 per tyre given a fill is $35 and I'll be only airing up about 15psi typically.

[tycho]

Just tested the system. Aired a front tyre (33 inch) down to 15psi. Took 52 seconds to air back up to 36psi but that included pausing often to check the pressure as the tyre visibly inflates fast as you watch it. Reckon once I'm used to it should be down to about 45s. My Supercheap rattle gun undid the 95 ftlb wheel nuts no prob so very happy with that also

http://s999.photobucket.com/user/jasonm ... 7.jpg.html

Job done