CO2 Tank for airing up

[rooneypower]

just got quotes from my local airgas store..

They want $107 for the 20lb steel tank and want $14 something for refills

 

[Achmed]

Go get it and then go to www.4x4rockshop.com and purchase a fixed 150psi reg and be done.

 

[SnagglePuss]

just got quotes from my local airgas store..

They want $107 for the 20lb steel tank and want $14 something for refills

My Airgas store wants $150+ for a 20lb and $25/fill.
:tear:

 

[mfascuba]

Back to the scuba stuff, it's pretty much the same as paintball for the cylinders, fills should be four to eight bucks. I'd take breathing air over CO2 any day, no issues with freezing from getting liquid in the line, if the burst disc ruptures it's OK to fill the inside of your jeep with it, etc. And if you swamp your rig you can breath it from the valve until you get out... I also have a dozen or so scuba cylinders of assorted sizes so I'm biased.

But there seems to be a preference for CO2, so I'll let it go.

Mark

 

[Achmed]

But there seems to be a preference for CO2, so I'll let it go.

Mark

I'd say it is only because welding supply houses are a dime a dozen and dive shops are not.

 

[Markos]

Back to the scuba stuff, it's pretty much the same as paintball for the cylinders, fills should be four to eight bucks. I'd take breathing air over CO2 any day, no issues with freezing from getting liquid in the line, if the burst disc ruptures it's OK to fill the inside of your jeep with it, etc. And if you swamp your rig you can breath it from the valve until you get out... I also have a dozen or so scuba cylinders of assorted sizes so I'm biased.

But there seems to be a preference for CO2, so I'll let it go.

Mark

I think the biggest reason is that one will get significantly more volume out of liquid CO2 versus compressed air. The numbers aren't even close. The CO2 tank will outlast several scuba tanks. Also the pressure of a scuba tank is around 3000psi when full, verus 800 psi for a CO2 tank. The burst disk on a CO2 tank is in the 2,500 psi range, so you'll never see CO2 pressure as high as a scuba tank.

I'd also take an 800psi flame retardant verus a 3000psi accelerant. Ever see those no smoking signs on medical oxygen bottles???

 

[SnagglePuss]

Lots of energy stored (more tires filled) when gas is converted and stored as liquid.

 

[tayman]

I'd say it is only because welding supply houses are a dime a dozen and dive shops are not.

not so here...

there are about as many dive shops in this area as there are welding shops...

I live near a very popular dive spot (Monterey Bay)

 

[XCastleXJ]

Back to the scuba stuff, it's pretty much the same as paintball for the cylinders, fills should be four to eight bucks. I'd take breathing air over CO2 any day, no issues with freezing from getting liquid in the line, if the burst disc ruptures it's OK to fill the inside of your jeep with it, etc. And if you swamp your rig you can breath it from the valve until you get out... I also have a dozen or so scuba cylinders of assorted sizes so I'm biased.

But there seems to be a preference for CO2, so I'll let it go.

Mark

just so you know. your not alone. im biased on the dive tanks aswell:cheers:

 

[CaliGold]

Me too! After following this thread, I decided to purchase a 20lb CO2 tank from the local Praxair.

Got a question though. I'm trying to adapt a standard air hose fitting and the outlet thread from the CO2 tank seems to be .825-14 thread size. It seems a 1/2NPT has the same thread size and pitch, but reluctant to use it because of the taper.

I went to the link that Markos posted and I'm intersted in the 38 dollar fixed regulator.

Do you Markos or anyone else know if this is a perfect thread matching fit to my tank?

 

[Achmed]

Yes, it will match the threads on your tank.

 

[CaliGold]

Sweet. I'm ordering.

Thanks Chris

 

[3XJFamily]

Sweet. I'm ordering.

Thanks Chris

Don't forget to pick up some of the washers that go between the tank and regulator. . .

 

[Markos]

Sweet. I'm ordering.

Thanks Chris

I have the Source fixed 150psi regulator. This is another well known store that stocks fixed regulators. You may want to call on pricing.

http://www.williamsballoons.com/html/carbon_dioxide.html


Once you have access to On Board Air, spend $20 and build yourself a couple of adjustable deflators:

http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=930938

 

[CaliGold]

Those are good links Markos, but liked the other one and already placed my order.

I did some research, and common to all CO2 cylinders, the threaded connector type is CGA-320.

There's a guy on ebay who sells a simple CGA-320 to 1/4 NPT under 10 bucks shipped, if you already have a regulator you wanna use.

I think the fixed 150 regulator will work fine for me, and there's no gauge to crack. And I feel 150 psi is the max I'd want for safety reasons with power tools, blowing off parts, etc.

Sorry to hijack your thread rooneypower. I'll shut up now.

 

[CaliGold]

Don't forget to pick up some of the washers that go between the tank and regulator. . .

Washers? What washers? More info please.

 

[Achmed]

The regulator should come with the nylon washer that goes on the threaded side. Mine did. Cali, the way the washer works is kinda like the washer setup on a garden hose, but the washer is nylon I think.

 

[Markos]

Washers? What washers? More info please.

No worries. The CO2 refill place will have them. Your tank will come empty, so you need to go to the refill place anyway. Besides that, the regulator should come with a washer, like Chris mentioned.

 

[CaliGold]

Understood. The Praxair is about a mile away from work if I do end up needing those washers. Thanks guys. no worries.

 

[3XJFamily]

Understood. The Praxair is about a mile away from work if I do end up needing those washers. Thanks guys. no worries.

They are about 25 cents each at the welding supply. It's best to replace the washers each time you hook up a new tank. Get one with each fresh tank you are OK and, they may just toss you one for free. Consider it a "spare part" to keep around for a CO2 setup. I got caught once with only an old leaky washer and it was a PIA, wasted a bunch of CO2. . . Now I keep a few extras tied on the regulator. . .

Those yellow coiled hoses are prone to breaking when cold, and CO2 ain't warm. If you are using that style, I'd recommend keeping a 4 ft rubber air hose around as well. Lessons learned. . .