Alternative to CO2 tanks.

[ZooJunkie]

Something that dawned on me during one of my regular trips to paintball fields. A little research netted these cool devices.

It's all about the regulator... Really nifty product.

http://www.turanairsystems.com/default.html

CO2 has it's pros/cons.
When the temperature is warm-hot, the change in phase causes spikes in CO2 output, as a result, in consistent power rating in your tools, or in my case inconsistent air pressure to fire a paintball. My fps changes dramatically with temperatures change w/ a CO2 can. With compressed air or nitrogen, there are not phase changes, and as a result, more consistent pressure. Not as many pressure spikes.

 

[adventureduo]

Interesting. I didnt read the whole entire site.. but wouldnt you run out of air rather quickly for what we use it for?

 

[ZooJunkie]

From the looks of it, the smaller bottle is only good for tools, probably a weekend jaunt, but no longer than that. It's too small for long duration trips. However, you can store several bottles of 3000psi or 4500psi in your truck, and it lighter than a full bottle of CO2.

The fiber wrapped bottles are pricey, roughly about $150-300 a piece. However, you can get aluminum bottles that only cost about $50-70 a piece, and will provide about 68ci of compressed air at 3000psi.


It's nifty, but probably too small for expedition travel. However, they offer a larger size, which will work just fine for expedition work.

 

[pwc]

I don't think it would be that great for tires and such. from their website
" The thermos-sized bottle packs 3,000 psi of compressed dry air for 750 shots with a standard brad nailer, 1,300 with a micro-pinner, or 300 with framing nailers."

then you have to get their big ******** compressor to fill it back up.

 

[slooowr6]

Isn't this similar to scuba tanks, 3000psi? To fill a tank up to 3000psi, the only place I can think of is scuba shops. I've 2 scuba tanks and I thought about using them as onboard air but I can't find the correct adapter and regulator for it. And the thought of having a aluminum tank with 3000psi sitting in the truck does not feel very comfotable.

 

[ZooJunkie]

Hence the fiber wrapped tanks they use. In order for us to use a diver's tank to power tools, you'll need a regulator that can drop pressure down from 3000psi to something more normal like 125-200psi. This company designed their own, and mated them to small high pressure tanks. If you could find a regulator that will do the same for your tanks, you could do the same.

In reality, CO2 and compressed air is not different in terms of lethality. If either tanks burst, the end result is pretty much the same.

I use both CO2 and compressed air in paintball, and compressed air is very safe, even for rugged offroading. I'm running and sliding w/ a 3000psi tank under my arm pits!

 

[slooowr6]

In reality, CO2 and compressed air is not different in terms of lethality. If either tanks burst, the end result is pretty much the same.

I use both CO2 and compressed air in paintball, and compressed air is very safe, even for rugged offroading. I'm running and sliding w/ a 3000psi tank under my arm pits!

If they do burst I think it's bad in either case. But there is a difference in static pressure when they are not burst, the CO2 tank is about 900psi and the compressed air is 3000psi.

 

[Life_in_4Lo]

copied from offroadair.net but same for all CO2 systems

implistic! The SOURCE™ is a high powered - high energy CO2 air system. CO2 is filled as a liquid and evaporates to gas (air) through the regulator and out the hose to the tire. As more gas is consumed, more liquid evaporates into gas generating more pressure. This process allows much more volume than other commonly used nitrogen tanks, shop air tanks & scuba tanks.

5. Does the pressure drop as the SOURCE™ depletes?
Absolutely not. The SOURCE™uses the evaporated liquid CO2. As long as there is liquid remaining, your tank will have full pressure.

6. How does the SOURCE™ compare to a 5 gallon air tank?
The OA-TANK10YL is less than half the size of a 5 gallon air tank but holds 20 times the capacity. A 5 gallon air tank pressurized to 125PSI will inflate two 33X12.50x15 truck tires from 10-20PSI. The OA-TANK10YL will inflate thirty nine (39) tires the same size, taking only 30 seconds a tire! See chart for air up times, comparing tires size vs. pressure.

7. How safe is OFFROADAIR SOURCE™ system?
Every component in the SOURCE™ system is professional quality & heavy duty utilizing only the strongest materials. All system’s are built safe. The lightweight cylinder is manufactured from 6061-T6 aluminum with a service pressure of 1800PSI and a safety burst mechanism of 3000PSI. The safety is designed to “let go” when cylinder is introduced to extreme heat, fire or overfill. This safety factor is very high when considering CO2 @ room temperature is 700-800PSI. The valve protection carry handle has dual purposes; manufactured from high impact materials protecting the on/off valve and also making the SOURCE™ easy to move. Please Note: Use precaution & common sense when ever using, handling high pressure gases and equipment.

8. Why CO2 instead of air or nitrogen?
The SOURCE™ stores CO2 in liquid form which results in air storage 3 times the energy of nitrogen or air. This means you are storing three nitrogen tanks in one using the the SOURCE™.

9. Is CO2 gas safe on my equipment?
CO2 is non-toxic, non-corrosive, and totally inert. This means its safe on your air tools, tires & metal wheels. The thermal expansion is similar to air once released from the tank.

10. How can the SOURCE™ be mounted?
Mount the SOURCE™ in any position. The brackets are drilled on the base & back plates to permit many options. However, note the SOURCE™ must be at least 30 degrees upright angle to work correctly. Its recommended that you mount in a vertical position to limit unnecessary handling before use.

 

[RoundOut]

Isn't this similar to scuba tanks, 3000psi? To fill a tank up to 3000psi, the only place I can think of is scuba shops. I've 2 scuba tanks and I thought about using them as onboard air but I can't find the correct adapter and regulator for it. And the thought of having a aluminum tank with 3000psi sitting in the truck does not feel very comfotable.

I'm glad someone chimed in before me on the liquid CO2 issue, because I didn't know that and it makes great sense.

However, you can obtain a "hook-a-rig" for your scuba cylinders and use a BC adapter air fill or nozzle fitting. I have one. Most scuba shops can order them. My system consists of an older "first stage regulator", a 25' low pressure hose (I think, it may be 20 or 30') and a 3' hose, both with BC-type female adapters on the end, a tire inflator adapter and a rubber-ended air nozzle that you flex to allow air to flow, both with the BC-type male adapters. Until I purchase a compressor for my vehicle, this will be my solution.

However, it is not a cheap one, as I rarely deplete two cylinders per year and they require annual visual inspections (about $15 ea.) I just had mine hydrotested at a cost of about $50 each. That is required regardless of service.

If my kids don't leave the tank valve open, a single tank will last all year inflating bike tires and still fill four 285x75x16s twice each from 20 to 60 pounds. Unfortunately, they leave the tank valve open often, causing serious damage to the hook-a-rig and emptying the tank each time. :ar15:

 

[slooowr6]

I'm glad someone chimed in before me on the liquid CO2 issue, because I didn't know that and it makes great sense.

However, you can obtain a "hook-a-rig" for your scuba cylinders and use a BC adapter air fill or nozzle fitting. I have one. Most scuba shops can order them. My system consists of an older "first stage regulator", a 25' low pressure hose (I think, it may be 20 or 30') and a 3' hose, both with BC-type female adapters on the end, a tire inflator adapter and a rubber-ended air nozzle that you flex to allow air to flow, both with the BC-type male adapters. Until I purchase a compressor for my vehicle, this will be my solution.

However, it is not a cheap one, as I rarely deplete two cylinders per year and they require annual visual inspections (about $15 ea.) I just had mine hydrotested at a cost of about $50 each. That is required regardless of service.

If my kids don't leave the tank valve open, a single tank will last all year inflating bike tires and still fill four 285x75x16s twice each from 20 to 60 pounds. Unfortunately, they leave the tank valve open often, causing serious damage to the hook-a-rig and emptying the tank each time. :ar15:

Any pic?? I'm lost after 1st stage regulater. I need to get my octopus out and see if I can undstand what's what. Isn't 1st stage reg expensive? Thanks!

 

[RoundOut]

Any pic?? I'm lost after 1st stage regulater. I need to get my octopus out and see if I can undstand what's what. Isn't 1st stage reg expensive? Thanks!

The first stage is the part that hooks to the tank. Mine has 5 ports for accessories. The typical scuba setup is a first stage, a second stage primary regulator (that is the one you always use), an octopus (backup second stage regulator), a BC hose, and a pressure guage hose.

I purchased the regulator from a scuba shop that was going out of business and had this one laying around from years of lessons. It was not something that I was going to dive with (the second stage, anyway), so I was not too worried about it's reliability. I think I paid $25 or $50 for the whole regulator setup.

Once home, I screwed on my hook-a-rig hose in place of the second stage regulator, and put a plug in the place of the octopus. I kept the pressure guage and the BC line on the first stage. My tire fitting goes on the hook-a-rig and the rubber nozzle on the BC hose. I can have the tank in the bed of my Tundra and fill any of the four tires. I use the nozzle to purge the pressure in the line after finishing my air-ups.

 

[RoundOut]

Pics of my hook-a-rig

Here you go. I used my phone, so I apologize for the quality of these photos, but they are sharp enough that you can get a feel for what it is.

 

[slooowr6]

Here you go. I used my phone, so I apologize for the quality of these photos, but they are sharp enough that you can get a feel for what it is.

Thank you! I see how it's hook up now. A cool way to use what you already have! :Mechanic: