portable air ... revisited

[Ursidae69]

I need to get a small back up compressor to compliment my CO2. I will not be getting one of these MF compressors. Seems to be a few people reporting issues with them. As a FYI on the CO2, the company provides data on the # of fill ups. For my 10 gallon CO2 tank, I generally can fill around 20-25 33" tires from ~15-35psi.

 

[WJinTRSC]

I'm new to in-vehicles compressors and CO2 tanks and know little but wanting to learn more. In the coming months, i hope to build a rear bumper for the WJ and wanted to incorporate my own tank in the bumper w/ rect. tubing and welded end caps. I can drill/tap for fittings and a reg. and it should make a decent source for CO2. If I just have a good "tank" like that w/ above hardware, then is that enough to have a sensible means of air? I mainly want it for inflating tires and occasionally tools or whatever else it may come in handy for. What concerns should I have or what may I be forgetting? Thanks in advance, and sorry if I'm stealing the thread, but I'm sure there are others out there w/ same question.

 

[Kilroy]

I go to a welding shop and they fill a 10 lb for about $12. I think a 20 is only slightly more. I checked a fire extinguisher place and they we're significantly more.

fyi; The fire extinguisher place about 45 mins from where I live charges 28.00 for 20 lbs - after a few trips there and back, it adds up to a compressor real fast

 

[crawler#976]

I'm new to in-vehicles compressors and CO2 tanks and know little but wanting to learn more. In the coming months, i hope to build a rear bumper for the WJ and wanted to incorporate my own tank in the bumper w/ rect. tubing and welded end caps. I can drill/tap for fittings and a reg. and it should make a decent source for CO2. If I just have a good "tank" like that w/ above hardware, then is that enough to have a sensible means of air? I mainly want it for inflating tires and occasionally tools or whatever else it may come in handy for. What concerns should I have or what may I be forgetting? Thanks in advance, and sorry if I'm stealing the thread, but I'm sure there are others out there w/ same question.

You will not be able to fill a bumper with liquid CO2 - tanks must be hydrotest certified to contain it. With liquid CO2 in a tank, the gas above the liquid is compressed to roughly 800 PSI, and I've seen my 20LB tank register over 900 PSI after being heated in direct sunlight.

The best a bumper can do for you is act as a storage tank for compressed air - essentially a buffer for your compressor. It won't store enough air at 100 PSI to fill 4 tires - I doubt if it would fill much more than one or two at best. It will allow you to run an air tool for a short time tho, even if your using a small compressor like my Viair 400 that can only sustain an output of 1.3 CFM at 100 PSI.

I have both CO2 and a portable compressor. My old trail rig has a 20LB CO2 cylinder on it, and I carry a Viair in the Taco. Upfront cost are similar. The CO2 tank cost me about $200.00 including a good regulator and coil type 25' hose. The Viair was $229.69 from Summit Racing - complete with storage bag.

The CO2 system has a reoccuring cost of $18.00 per tank, and I get roughly 30 tires per tank (35/12.5-15 MT/R's from 6 PSI to 22 PSI) or roughly $0.60 per tire. It has some major advantages over the Viair - it can reseat a tire bead very easily, run an impact wrench or air ratchet, or anything else you can do with a large shop compressor, albiet for a relatively short time. I've averaged two refills a year on the CO2 tank for the last 6 years - roughly $240.00 with taxs...

The Viair provides "free" air, but can't easily reseat a bead or run tools.

Both systems are handy, but I'm keeping the Viair and selling the CO2 system with the beater...

Mark

 

[WJinTRSC]

WOW!!! Thank you SO much for that explanation!!! I appreciate it so much, and now I finally understand CO2 systems so much better and now I can proceed appropriately w/ my bumper plans w/ applicable info.. Thanks again and have a good one! That's what makes this forum awesome.

 

[MountainBiker]

Now you tell me! I just bought one of those Master Flow 1052s at Costco today. I says it has 3 year warranty so you should be able to take it back. I'm hoping mine lasts longer than your experience.

The manufacturer provides the 3 year warranty. But Costco has a return policy that lasts a lifetime: http://www.costco.com/Service/FeaturePageLeftNav.aspx?ProductNo=11204333
"Merchandise: We guarantee your satisfaction on every product we sell with a full refund. Exceptions: Televisions, projectors, computers, cameras, camcorders, iPOD / MP3 players and cellular phones must be returned within 90 days of purchase for a refund."

 

[LexusAllTerrain]

The manufacturer provides the 3 year warranty. But Costco has a return policy that lasts a lifetime: http://www.costco.com/Service/FeaturePageLeftNav.aspx?ProductNo=11204333
"Merchandise: We guarantee your satisfaction on every product we sell with a full refund. Exceptions: Televisions, projectors, computers, cameras, camcorders, iPOD / MP3 players and cellular phones must be returned within 90 days of purchase for a refund."

Very good!:chowtime:

 

[Tucson T4R]

The manufacturer provides the 3 year warranty. But Costco has a return policy that lasts a lifetime: http://www.costco.com/Service/FeaturePageLeftNav.aspx?ProductNo=11204333
"Merchandise: We guarantee your satisfaction on every product we sell with a full refund. Exceptions: Televisions, projectors, computers, cameras, camcorders, iPOD / MP3 players and cellular phones must be returned within 90 days of purchase for a refund."

Sweet, even better then. Thanks

 

[MaddBaggins]

I feel that air is important and therefore I have 3 options in my rig at all times.
I have a 10lb Co2 tank which cost me $14 per fill at the local fire protection supplier ( United Fire on 4th ave for those in Tucson). Thats the fastes option but I tend to save it for things like reseating tires. I have a Costco masterflow which will fill my 315's from 15psi to 40psi in 6 minutes each. and I have also plumbed my ARB compressor with an airchuck and can use it as a last resort ( very slow fill time).