SCBA Bottle for tire fill

ADH8796 · 08-16-2009, 06:30 PM

Im a volunteer firefighter and my department got new air packs a little over a year ago. I realized the other day that we still had all of our old packs and bottles. I'm wondering if I can use this old bottle to fill my tires. What do you guys think? The bottle is still in perfect working order so I'm not worried about any safty issues in that regard. It's rated for 2216 P.S.I. Any input yall can give me would be great thanks!

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Lumpy · 08-16-2009, 06:35 PM

I would not use it...Just send it my way and I'll take care of it for you. I'd hate to see someone get hurt.

They should be good to use, Great find!!! before you find someone to fill them you may have to get them pressure tested.

4Crawler · 08-16-2009, 06:52 PM

Has been done, but filling the tanks can be difficult unless you have someplace that will do it for you.

I know of one guy doing this on one of the Caribbean islands. He works at a resort with a dive and boat service for the guests. Since he needs to air his tires down and up many times a day and always has Scuba tanks around, it is an obvious solution for him. He runs one of my 4Air hoses:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/4air.shtml
which we set up with a Scuba quick disconnect fitting he supplied.

kiyobrown · 08-16-2009, 10:30 PM

Man, that thing is an antique!!! Do you have the scba threads to tire chuck adapters? If so, lemme know where to find em, I know we have old bottles laying around at work too. And as long as that thing had a recent hydro, I say give it a go. Now you just have to grab an old bracket so you can mount it somewhere cool.........

ADH8796 · 08-17-2009, 10:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 4Crawler

Has been done, but filling the tanks can be difficult unless you have someplace that will do it for you.

We have a cascade at the station so filling the bottle up isn't a problem and doesn't take but a few min.

ADH8796 · 08-17-2009, 10:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiyobrown

Man, that thing is an antique!!! Do you have the scba threads to tire chuck adapters? If so, lemme know where to find em, I know we have old bottles laying around at work too. And as long as that thing had a recent hydro, I say give it a go. Now you just have to grab an old bracket so you can mount it somewhere cool.........

Yeah we have about 30 more sitting in the back of the staion. It's hard to find anyone that wants them (most of our surrounding departments have recieved grants for air packs like us).

That's the problem I'm not sure what all I need in order to hook up an air hose and what not.

I plan on mounting it to the rear rollbar (out of a first gen) I put in my 3rd gen.

ADH8796 · 08-17-2009, 11:21 AM

Someone gave me this info on another forum:

"it's doable but it doesn't have enough volume to fill tires as gas(air) is stored in the tank as vapor, on the other hand, the popular CO2 tanks, gas(co2) is stored as liquid, the volume is plentyful.

i use the samilar scott airpak for my air guns only it's a carbon tank holding 4500 psi. you will need a special adapter(~$130) to get air out of the tank, then a welding gas regulator to reduce the output pressure under 100psi to safely operate with common air hose/tire filler. all has to be made from stainless/brass fittings.

IMHO, it's just not worth the hassle. "

4Crawler · 08-17-2009, 01:38 PM

Yes, not quite the volume of say a CO2 tank. I think a typical Scuba tank is like 80 cu.ft. so you could get about 6 fillups of 4 tires from say 15-30 psi:
- http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...uchAirForTires

ocdropzone · 08-17-2009, 03:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kiyobrown

And as long as that thing had a recent hydro, I say give it a go.

X2 about the Cert...looks like it might be beyond a certification....
I wish I could grab some of our old tanks from work

**waskillywabbit** · 08-17-2009, 03:45 PM

Filling an out of certification tank is ILLEGAL.

tc · 08-17-2009, 04:22 PM

To heck with illegal - just downright DANGEROUS.

Did you see the mythbusters where they launched a bottle through a concrete wall?

x2 on the gas storage vs liquid for CO2. I think that is more like a 20 CF tank (thinking of my welding Ar/CO2 which doesn't compress to liquid either), so you're looking at maybe ONE fillup of your 4 tires.

crolison · 08-17-2009, 04:31 PM

waste of time, like said above won't fill tires for long

**4x4Fink** · 08-17-2009, 04:46 PM

Hey dude,

You should have asked me, I tried this about 3 months ago with the old tanks from CFD and it's a no-go.
Too dangerous and not worth the hassle.

My uncle has a newer tank that's rated around 4000psi, IIRC, that I may try it with but with the extra crap needed to make it usable it's not worth it IMO.

I'll just get a Powertank one of these days.

Runner is looking good though, man.
I'll be getting the '85 back tomorrow and new suspension on at the end of the month - you'll have to check her out when she's done.

Fink

08-16-2009, 06:52 PM	#3 (permalink)
4Crawler Contributing Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Posts: 7,836	Has been done, but filling the tanks can be difficult unless you have someplace that will do it for you. I know of one guy doing this on one of the Caribbean islands. He works at a resort with a dive and boat service for the guests. Since he needs to air his tires down and up many times a day and always has Scuba tanks around, it is an obvious solution for him. He runs one of my 4Air hoses: - http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/ForSale/4air.shtml which we set up with a Scuba quick disconnect fitting he supplied. __________________ 1985 Toyota 4Runner SR-5, 22REC engine, dual t-cases, 4.88 gears, dual ARBs, 33x10.50 BFGs or 35x12.50 MTRs r.c.brown@ieee.org TruckEditor@tlca.org Project: 4Crawler 4Crawler OffRoad Gettin'Off 4WD Club Last edited by 4Crawler; 08-17-2009 at 09:43 PM.

08-16-2009, 10:30 PM	#4 (permalink)
kiyobrown Registered User Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Tacoma, WA Posts: 271	Man, that thing is an antique!!! Do you have the scba threads to tire chuck adapters? If so, lemme know where to find em, I know we have old bottles laying around at work too. And as long as that thing had a recent hydro, I say give it a go. Now you just have to grab an old bracket so you can mount it somewhere cool......... __________________ Jason. 87 4runner 22re SR5 5 speed 189k, supra MAF mod, battery/intake swap, Black Magic 165, Zuk mod, BJ spacers. 3rd gen rims with 265/70/16s. Pioneer/Boston Acoustics/Kenwood/Fosgate sound system, softopper. Craigslist and rattle cans have done wonders.

08-17-2009, 11:21 AM	#7 (permalink)
ADH8796 Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Fayetteville, AR Posts: 1,073	Someone gave me this info on another forum: "it's doable but it doesn't have enough volume to fill tires as gas(air) is stored in the tank as vapor, on the other hand, the popular CO2 tanks, gas(co2) is stored as liquid, the volume is plentyful. i use the samilar scott airpak for my air guns only it's a carbon tank holding 4500 psi. you will need a special adapter(~$130) to get air out of the tank, then a welding gas regulator to reduce the output pressure under 100psi to safely operate with common air hose/tire filler. all has to be made from stainless/brass fittings. IMHO, it's just not worth the hassle. " __________________ SOLDBlack '99 4Runner Highlander Edition SOLD '98 4Runner Limited Edition

08-17-2009, 01:38 PM	#8 (permalink)
4Crawler Contributing Member Join Date: Jun 2002 Location: SF Bay Area, CA Posts: 7,836	Yes, not quite the volume of say a CO2 tank. I think a typical Scuba tank is like 80 cu.ft. so you could get about 6 fillups of 4 tires from say 15-30 psi: - http://www.4crawler.com/4x4/CheapTri...uchAirForTires __________________ 1985 Toyota 4Runner SR-5, 22REC engine, dual t-cases, 4.88 gears, dual ARBs, 33x10.50 BFGs or 35x12.50 MTRs r.c.brown@ieee.org TruckEditor@tlca.org Project: 4Crawler 4Crawler OffRoad Gettin'Off 4WD Club

08-17-2009, 03:45 PM	#10 (permalink)
waskillywabbit Super Moderator-Sponsoring Member Staff Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Tuscaloosa, AL Posts: 14,559	Filling an out of certification tank is ILLEGAL. __________________ WabFab Off-Road, LLC MySpace Twitter Facebook 7th Annual South East 4Runner Jamboree, 2010 The toughest part of a Jeep is the chick driving it. WabFab Off-Road 4th Anniversary Sale

08-17-2009, 04:22 PM	#11 (permalink)
tc Contributing Member Join Date: Nov 2005 Location: Longmont, CO Posts: 8,377	To heck with illegal - just downright DANGEROUS. Did you see the mythbusters where they launched a bottle through a concrete wall? x2 on the gas storage vs liquid for CO2. I think that is more like a 20 CF tank (thinking of my welding Ar/CO2 which doesn't compress to liquid either), so you're looking at maybe ONE fillup of your 4 tires. __________________ Check out www.coTTORA.org to hook up with great Toyota 'wheelin' folks! Current - 93 4Runner: 3VZ 33"x10.50" no lift ARB F/R 96 Impala SS: My own personal cop car Previous - 89 2WD Pickup 22R, Fabtech "Ivan Dan" lift, 31x10.50, IASCA World Finals 4th Place Stop with the mods and get on the trail! Pix at www.4wheelingoh.shutterfly.com/action

08-17-2009, 04:31 PM	#12 (permalink)
crolison Registered User Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: knoxville, tn Posts: 2,282	waste of time, like said above won't fill tires for long __________________ 97 4runner, 2.7 5speed 4wd, 5.29, 33 horns armor locked lifted heavy SOB broken front and rear swaybars My Profile..

08-17-2009, 04:46 PM	#13 (permalink)
4x4Fink Super Moderator Staff Join Date: Jul 2003 Location: Centerton, AR Posts: 5,952	Hey dude, You should have asked me, I tried this about 3 months ago with the old tanks from CFD and it's a no-go. Too dangerous and not worth the hassle. My uncle has a newer tank that's rated around 4000psi, IIRC, that I may try it with but with the extra crap needed to make it usable it's not worth it IMO. I'll just get a Powertank one of these days. Runner is looking good though, man. I'll be getting the '85 back tomorrow and new suspension on at the end of the month - you'll have to check her out when she's done. Fink __________________ 1985 4Runner 22RE 4WD "Ratchet" 2007 Tacoma Double Cab SB 4x4 V6 TRD Sport AR-TTORA "My work number is 9-1-1."

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