There are a number of good options for air. Some are fairly inexpensive.

I recently bought an aluminum 10# tank, a regulator, and a mount for $135 at a welding supply shop about a mile from my house. It's not too pretty, like Corey's, but it will serve my needs fine and since I mounted it horizontally on the passenger side wheel well, I can still cover it up with my standard cargo cover when I'm not out wheelin'. They charge $11 for an exchange refill and it doesn't matter whether it's a 10# or 20# tank, it's the same price.

Mick

 

I'm going to go ahead and jump on the CO2 band wagon- I just about a 10 lb steel tank off ebay for $50.00, am getting an adjustable pressure regulator free, and will probably be about 100 bucks in whole for the the system. I'm hoping to try it out off-roading this week if I can get the tank filled in time!

 

Got it filled this morning to the tune of $17.16.
They are more money than a lot of other places for sure, but they are close by.
If I can find another source that is closer and cheaper, I will switch.

On a side note, this shop has all you need if you want to build your own system.
Only thing is it ends up costing almost as much as a Power Tank by the time you figure it all in.

The one reason some of these other places you buy online are cheaper is they don't offer an adjustable regulator, it's a fixed one.
If you plan on running air tools also, it's a must to have one.

 

Yup- luckily I managed to get an adjustable regulator from work. I got my CO2 tank filled (they just swap steel tanks, which I was okay with), at the Central Welding Supply in Ballard for 10 bucks. I'm looking forward to trying it out on my next run!

 

Don't forget.. If you have say 150psi out the regulator, you can step it down using a normal airline regulator for air tools very eaisly.. Most shop compressors are 150psi+

 

So let me ask a very newbie question...

A Powertank is just that, a tank right?
No compressor or anything? Just a modified fire extinguisher on steroids?

 

Aluminum tank designed for CO2- not air tank that you would connect to an air compressor.

 

Ah... okay so fill with CO2 and just use until you run dry - in Corey's case 3 years later?

Okay, I get it

 

 

That is because Corey has it just for show. Now if he really wheeled and used it like normal wheelers it would run out much sooner...

The guy I wheel with that has one gets about 2 trips out of his, but he is airing up EVERYONE in the group.

Gadget

www.GadgetOnline.com

 

I've got to pick up a couple of fittings to hook up the hose to the regulator, but my DYI CO2 tank is more or less ready. I'm looking forward to getting home quicker after a run, I'll be airing people up as quickly as possible, maybe they can chip in a buck for air.

 

Lowe's has a decent selection, and they sell a nice kit with a 25' hose, tire ball, airjet nozzle, filler pieces, adapters, etc. for about $20.

When you shop for a tire inflator ball, you want a "closed ball" chuck. Napa has them (part #90-524) and I think Rob said he found oneat an ACE hardware. Lowe's or Home Depot do NOT have them. Shuck's has them as well.

1/4" NPT.

 

Well, I went to both Lowes and Home Depot. Problem is that when the liquid CO2 evaporates to gas, it has a significant cooling effect. Regular rubber air hose might split as it gets cold/stiffens. So, I had to get some other hose at a welding shop (it still looked like rubber hose to me, but I'm taking his word for it), and have to run back there to get the right fittings. For just a couple of tires, its probably not an issue. However, if I fill up several rigs, that hose might start getting pretty chilly. Guess we'll wait and see!

 

I wrote to Steve Sasaki owner of Power Tank a few months back.
I had asked about using a rubber hose as I wanted to get a longer one than the 25' one that came with it.

He said I would loose a bit of pressure I think since the rubber one is bigger diameter, and it is best to stick with the coiled type of hose that came with it.

They have several on this page here.

Mine is the standard yellow one.

 

Huh, so you're just using straight rubber line? I read about the splitting thing on another board, but it sounds like I might not have to worry about it....

 

I take that back- the Durethane material that PowerTank uses is a polyurethane hose- the suggested hose to use with CO2 to avoid it becoming fragile as it cools. Again, if you're only doing a couple of tires, it might not be an issue.

 

OK, great info!
I definitely want to get a CO2 tank to air up and I like the idea of running tools off of it.
A few questions:
1. What is the difference between the Power Tank and Power Shot systems?
2. Would it be safe to mount the tank on it's side in a roof safari rack and have an extra long line to reach all 4 tires?

I'm sure it's safe as you all will testify to but the idea of a high pressure tank sitting 5' away kind of freaks me out. With my girlfriend and dog... I'd rather have it somewhere outside and keep all the "soft goods" inside.

3. Any pre-packaged alternatives to the Powertank? I don't want to drive all over creation to hunt down a regulator here, tank there, etc. Besides the fact I don't trust myself with all this high pressure stuff to assemble a system.

Thanks all!

 

Hilarious!

 

Hello FirstToy.
You can mount a PT on it's side, but it won't work.
In order for the C02 to come out correctly, the tank must be upright.

See Chris Geiger's install in his Land Cruiser on PT's mounting page.

They mention on the page that it must be removed from that position in order to use it.

The diff between the Power Shot and my tank is that the Power Shot model doesn't have an adjustable regulator.
Not good if you are going to run air tools.
The reg in that unit is set to deliver air @ 150 PSI.
Air tools like around 100 PSI, and you could damage the tool.
The Power Shot was designed for airing back up only.

I have had mine in the same mounting location now for years, and don't have any worries about it 5' from my head.
it's gets hot here too in WA. state, and rig gets hot inside with all the windows up, and never once has the tank burped.
If it did, the pressure release valve would have blown, and it would need replacing.

When you fill it, you tell the shop to fill it to 9.5 lb instead of 10, so it has a little room for a hot day.

Putting it on a rack might work, as long as it was secure so it would not fly off the rig in case you had to make a sudden stop, but being on it's side you will run into the above mentioned problem, and you'd have to upright it.

The stock hose is fine for me, as I leave the tank in the rig when I air up my tires, and the hose reaches all 4 just fine.

 

As far as the Power Tank and Power Shot systems, the PowerTank has the adjustable regulator (0-150) while the Powershot has a 150psi fixed regulator. The adjustable regulator is perfect for airing up your tires (150psi) as well as run air tools (100psi). The fixed regulator is suitable for airing up tires only. You could always get another regulator to use for air tools as they are only like $40. As far as the tank blowing, it takes over 3500psi to pop the bursting disc, while the tank only has a max of 900 psi. The only danger would be if there was a fire in your vehicle. If it did burst the disc, you would asphyxiate really quick with 640 gallons of CO2 vapor filling your ride. So you would probably not even notice as you lose consciousness. That is why I am glad that mine is outside in the truck bed! BTW I paid $11.94 to fill mine at the Central Welding Supply in Lynnwood. I tried at the one in Burlington and they only do exchanges there. I friend bought his own tank and regulator on the internet for $130 for both. He still needs a bracket and fittings though. But the tank is the same exact one as the PT one, just that I paid TOO much for the PT one.