10lb co2 tank.
- Thread starter Bbasso
- Start date
1911
Expedition Leader
Pros:
Airs up tires very fast, much faster than a compressor.
Runs air tools at needed PSI.
Maintains full pressure right up until it is empty.
Doesn't overheat like a compressor can.
Cons:
10 lbs. doesn't last all that long if you're airing down and back up every day, or airing up other people's tires too.
Hard to tell when the tank is low or almost empty; only way to tell for sure is to weigh it.
Weighs more and takes up more space than a small compressor.
Cheap regulators will freeze up (buy a good one).
I like my PowerTank but they are expensive. Don't remember what I paid but prices are on the interwebs and sometimes they have sales. You can build your own CO2 tank setup for a lot less if you want. Don't scrimp on the regulator.
My PowerTank mounted in my truck:
Airs up tires very fast, much faster than a compressor.
Runs air tools at needed PSI.
Maintains full pressure right up until it is empty.
Doesn't overheat like a compressor can.
Cons:
10 lbs. doesn't last all that long if you're airing down and back up every day, or airing up other people's tires too.
Hard to tell when the tank is low or almost empty; only way to tell for sure is to weigh it.
Weighs more and takes up more space than a small compressor.
Cheap regulators will freeze up (buy a good one).
I like my PowerTank but they are expensive. Don't remember what I paid but prices are on the interwebs and sometimes they have sales. You can build your own CO2 tank setup for a lot less if you want. Don't scrimp on the regulator.
My PowerTank mounted in my truck:
LR Max
Local Oaf
I won't talk about cost but I've got a 10lb tank. Here is what I use it on:
235/85/16 tires, usually air up from 20 psi to 30 psi
34x9.5x15 Super Swamper TSLs. Air up from 8~10 to 30~35 psi
The 10lb tank works very well for this. Also you will be surprised how heavy a 10lb tank is. If I wheel once a month on the TSLs, I can expect to refill my bottle twice a year. Overall I really like it. Make sure to get one that shows overall tank pressure. I think the tank pressure starts at like, 2000 psi. When it gets to 500, you've basically got enough for one more round of tire fill ups.
I got my tank filled up last time at a paintball place. After that I had serious freezing issues. On my big tires and without the crappy tank fill up, I would get some freezing issues toward the end. My tank + ratchet strap+bottle jack has re-seated a number of beats on the trail. Very quickly and fairly safe as well.
But really, compared to having an air compressor or "I'll just run up to the gas station" the C02 tank owns all. Very quick and quiet.
Its also nice when the g/f calls, "OH MY GOD I'M ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD MY TIRES ARE FLAT I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH" and gives me....that. Grab the toolbag, plug kit (safety seal plug kits brings so much win), torque wrench, couple blocks of wood, floor jack, battery powered LED light bar, and my C02 tank. Roll out there and sort it.
Having compressed air to blow off crap for field fixes is very nice as well.
Cons. Everyone wants to borrow your tank. Then you get it back, and all your C02 is gone. Way to prevent this: bury the tank in the back under all your crap with just the hose sticking out. Then you are like, "Sorry dude my hose is too short. Can't reach your truck". I know this sounds douchetacular but when 5 guys want to use your 10lb tank to air up their 44" tires...you don't have any left to air up your own tires!
As mentioned, when the main tank hits 500 psi, you are pretty much done. So just keep an eye out and refill it when needed. A lot of time they will only charge you by the lb. So if you only need 5 lbs to fill your half full bottle, then you only pay for what you take.
Other Con, finding a place to refill the tank. Like I said, I found a paintball place and the price was pretty good but they have a crappy product. Any welding shop can help you, but either you gotta do exchange (I would recommend this, then getting more C02 isn't an issue) or leave the tank with them. It really sucks to leave my beautifully painted aluminum tank with a bunch of guys who are used to not caring. I know its just a tank but this is why we can't have nice things.
The plastic coily hose that came with mine exploded. That SUCKED. I recommend carrying a small double ended barb fitting and some hose clamps along with your duct tape. If yours explodes, then you can do a field repair. Its a cheap and compact repair kit that will save your bacon.
The way my tank is "mounted" the regulator knob sometimes gets bumped. So I set it to 100 psi and taped it down. Problem solved.
The handle thing is CRUCIAL. Don't cheap out there.
Overall I'm very impressed with my tank. Seems like on the trail people cobble together an engine driven compressor and it never works (mind you, I live in the South so redneck cobbled together crap is common). Or a cheap walmart air compressor is bought that overheats after filling one tire 5 psi short of what the guy wanted. In comparison, the C02 tank just works.
235/85/16 tires, usually air up from 20 psi to 30 psi
34x9.5x15 Super Swamper TSLs. Air up from 8~10 to 30~35 psi
The 10lb tank works very well for this. Also you will be surprised how heavy a 10lb tank is. If I wheel once a month on the TSLs, I can expect to refill my bottle twice a year. Overall I really like it. Make sure to get one that shows overall tank pressure. I think the tank pressure starts at like, 2000 psi. When it gets to 500, you've basically got enough for one more round of tire fill ups.
I got my tank filled up last time at a paintball place. After that I had serious freezing issues. On my big tires and without the crappy tank fill up, I would get some freezing issues toward the end. My tank + ratchet strap+bottle jack has re-seated a number of beats on the trail. Very quickly and fairly safe as well.
But really, compared to having an air compressor or "I'll just run up to the gas station" the C02 tank owns all. Very quick and quiet.
Its also nice when the g/f calls, "OH MY GOD I'M ON THE SIDE OF THE ROAD MY TIRES ARE FLAT I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO AAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH" and gives me....that. Grab the toolbag, plug kit (safety seal plug kits brings so much win), torque wrench, couple blocks of wood, floor jack, battery powered LED light bar, and my C02 tank. Roll out there and sort it.
Having compressed air to blow off crap for field fixes is very nice as well.
Cons. Everyone wants to borrow your tank. Then you get it back, and all your C02 is gone. Way to prevent this: bury the tank in the back under all your crap with just the hose sticking out. Then you are like, "Sorry dude my hose is too short. Can't reach your truck". I know this sounds douchetacular but when 5 guys want to use your 10lb tank to air up their 44" tires...you don't have any left to air up your own tires!
As mentioned, when the main tank hits 500 psi, you are pretty much done. So just keep an eye out and refill it when needed. A lot of time they will only charge you by the lb. So if you only need 5 lbs to fill your half full bottle, then you only pay for what you take.
Other Con, finding a place to refill the tank. Like I said, I found a paintball place and the price was pretty good but they have a crappy product. Any welding shop can help you, but either you gotta do exchange (I would recommend this, then getting more C02 isn't an issue) or leave the tank with them. It really sucks to leave my beautifully painted aluminum tank with a bunch of guys who are used to not caring. I know its just a tank but this is why we can't have nice things.
The plastic coily hose that came with mine exploded. That SUCKED. I recommend carrying a small double ended barb fitting and some hose clamps along with your duct tape. If yours explodes, then you can do a field repair. Its a cheap and compact repair kit that will save your bacon.
The way my tank is "mounted" the regulator knob sometimes gets bumped. So I set it to 100 psi and taped it down. Problem solved.
The handle thing is CRUCIAL. Don't cheap out there.
Overall I'm very impressed with my tank. Seems like on the trail people cobble together an engine driven compressor and it never works (mind you, I live in the South so redneck cobbled together crap is common). Or a cheap walmart air compressor is bought that overheats after filling one tire 5 psi short of what the guy wanted. In comparison, the C02 tank just works.
crawler#976
Expedition Leader
Cons:
Cost is roughly $0.70 per 35" tire in CO2 every single time you air up (and that was in 2007).
I averaged 24 to 26 tires per 20 Lb tank when going from 10 PSI to 30 PSI on a 35/12.5-15. Cost to refill the tank was $20.00 in 2007 - dunno what it is now.
You have to drop off or wait for a Power Tank to be refilled. If you use a standard 20 lb tank, you can do a tank exchange - much easier.
Pros:
It's fast.
It will re-seat a bead.
___________
If you don't mind the re-occurring cost and have a place to safely store a high pressure cylinder they are great. After a few years I got tired of the $$$ and re-filling hassle, so I bought a ViAir 400P, and it's now going on 5 years of service. It get's used 15 or 16 times a year, and if I'm on a group run, it usually does my tires plus one other set, so figure 80 tires x 5 years = 400 tires since it was purchased for $200.00. That works out to $0.05 a tire just on the purchase price. With CO2 you'd be at $280.00 just in gas alone, and if you add in the cost of the system for $440.00, it really get's expensive. In my case it would be almost $1.80 PER TIRE AIRED UP. I think I probably air down more than the average person since we get almost twice a month between the Jeep and the Power Wagon.
Cost is roughly $0.70 per 35" tire in CO2 every single time you air up (and that was in 2007).
I averaged 24 to 26 tires per 20 Lb tank when going from 10 PSI to 30 PSI on a 35/12.5-15. Cost to refill the tank was $20.00 in 2007 - dunno what it is now.
You have to drop off or wait for a Power Tank to be refilled. If you use a standard 20 lb tank, you can do a tank exchange - much easier.
Pros:
It's fast.
It will re-seat a bead.
___________
If you don't mind the re-occurring cost and have a place to safely store a high pressure cylinder they are great. After a few years I got tired of the $$$ and re-filling hassle, so I bought a ViAir 400P, and it's now going on 5 years of service. It get's used 15 or 16 times a year, and if I'm on a group run, it usually does my tires plus one other set, so figure 80 tires x 5 years = 400 tires since it was purchased for $200.00. That works out to $0.05 a tire just on the purchase price. With CO2 you'd be at $280.00 just in gas alone, and if you add in the cost of the system for $440.00, it really get's expensive. In my case it would be almost $1.80 PER TIRE AIRED UP. I think I probably air down more than the average person since we get almost twice a month between the Jeep and the Power Wagon.
trump
Adventurist
The social aspect of airing back up at the end of a trail was lost on me long ago. The pros/cons are well known, so I won't cover them again. For me, at the end of the day, I don't want to sit around waiting 15-30 mins for a compressor to get me roadworthy again. After using a nice CO2 setup it would be hard for me to ever switch back.
I use a Powertank HPX regulator and exchange tanks. I started with a 20# and ended up going down to a 10#.
I use a Powertank HPX regulator and exchange tanks. I started with a 20# and ended up going down to a 10#.
Chris85xlt
Adventurer
i used to carry a 10lb Powertank when out wheeling but have switched to a OBA.
i got tired of guessing if its near empty or having to go out and get it filled before a trip. Im also afraid one day someone is going to see it mounted in the back and decides he needed it more than i do.
With the OBA its nicely tucked away under the hood with a 2 gallon tank. its not as fast or enough psi to power the big air tools (mines 150psi max) but it gets the job done. I usually hit the switch before the end of the trail to charge up the 2 gallon tank for tire filling.
i got tired of guessing if its near empty or having to go out and get it filled before a trip. Im also afraid one day someone is going to see it mounted in the back and decides he needed it more than i do.
With the OBA its nicely tucked away under the hood with a 2 gallon tank. its not as fast or enough psi to power the big air tools (mines 150psi max) but it gets the job done. I usually hit the switch before the end of the trail to charge up the 2 gallon tank for tire filling.
UnfrozenCaveman
Explorer
I bought a 15 pound tank & regulator from the local home brew beer place a few years ago.
Its not ideal but it works and I'm cheap
Its not ideal but it works and I'm cheap
fishEH
Explorer
Sounds like you've already made your move but I'll throw this out there. The Puma 12V compressor. I got mine for $150. I was able to air up my 265/75/16 from 18 to 40 psi in 75 seconds. Takes up about the same amount of space as a Powertank but has an endless supply. Also runs my ARB with no problem.
Bbasso
Expedition goofball
Yup, Rob.
dr350jja
Observer
Well I got some really disconcerting news. I picked up a Smittybilt CO2 tank at truckfest, this past summer. I was calling around trying to find a place that would fill it. One place told me that they would NOT fill any Smittybilt CO2 tank, because they are not sure the tank is certified properly, and have heard about the regulator blowing out on them. He told me that PowerTank, in Calif. is doing some testing on these Smittybilt CO2 tanks. So, to me, it sounds like the Smittybilt CO2 tanks may have the proper stampings on them, but they may be bogus. Now I'm second guessing my choice of getting this tank in the first place. Maybe I should just return the dang thing.
