Compressed air tank question
 

I was thinking about getting a tank and mounting it in the back of my rig like Corey's. Only difference is that I would be using the tank for my air horns. This way I can do away with the mini compressor and the small air tank currently used for the horns.

Questions are: How much use will I get out of the new tank before I have to go refill, how much does it cost to refill, where do I go to refill, will this set up work, can you regulate the pressure comming out of the tank?

867 one second blasts :dunno:

Have ya priced Powertanks? I'm guessing not. That would be the most expensive horn setup out there...

I'm sure there not cheap, but in the future I will also use the tank for airing up tires, and getting the power lug wrench set up like Corey has.

My only concern is that when you run out of CO2, the horn stops working. I think that might not fly in PA for vehicle inspection - not sure what about where you are though.

I'm keeping the stock horn and will have a seperate button for the air horn.

Can't help with the cost of refilling - I think Corey's discussed it before - try searching "powertank". Anyway - no reason your airhorns wouldn't work with it. You would definitely want to regulate it. Full presure out of the PT would damage the airhorns I'd think. You can treat the CO2 like compressed air - no special fittings or anything... Good luck!

Here in Portland (OR) the cost of exchange ( I don't have the fancy tank) is $11 at a welding supply store.

Mick

I take mine to a fire extinguisher shop when I am at home.

I got it filled at a similar place this summer when I was on the road.

Beverage stores, welding shops and fire extinguisher places are your best bet.

It costs $18 to get my 15 filled.

Unregulated CO2 out of the tank will toast your horns, try to find the operating pressure.

You could get the regulator and get a swapper tank. No worries about needing a stop and fill place for it.

Jon, I love my Power Tank setup for it being fast to air up tires and run an impact wrench.

Not sure if I'd wanna have it turned on all the time though to be on standby to power a set of horns.

If you did get one, yes, you'd have to get the adjustable regulator.
When folk's use one to power an ARB Air Locker, they only turn the tank on for their wheelin' session.
If you left it on all the time, it's possible there could be a real small leak somewhere which would bleed your tank dry.

This is where I get mine filled up at.
About 5 or 6 miles North of me in downtown Kent.
Great guy's to work with.

It runs me about $16 for 9.5 lb.
I never get 10, I go a tad shy to let it have some room to expand since my tank is in direct sunlight in the back, as it gets hot in the rig during the summer.

I was told if leaving the tank valve open make sure you open the valve ALL THE WAY. If you don't then the valve will leak and you'll be filling much more often. I can get my 15 lb tank filled for $10 here in OKC.

The old timer at my filling place said that a completely full tank will not over heat in the sun any faster than one partually filled. But I don't know other than that. They carry CO2 tanks in all their delivery trucks for airing up too.

Does anyone know if you can use a CO2 tank while on its side or is it better to use it upright?

Nope, look on PT's site.

Look up the mounting ideas page and you will see Chris Geiger's rig with the tank on it's side.
http://www.powertank.com/images/mounting/pt3119.jpg

They mention in the snippet that the tank must be removed from the horizontal position in order to use it.
I believe if you use it on it's side, you dispense C02, and not air.

Thanks Corey, that was what I was worried about. I'd like to mount mine in a position that it could also be used in too.

When it is on its side like that, liquid CO2 can come out and damage the regulator rather than gas.

No worries transporting like that, just don't shoot the tires when it is like that.

Oh I never thought about damaging the regulator, glad I didn't just try it now. Thank you.