Converting a SCUBA tank to onboard air or co2?
 

Does anyone know of any sites other than these?http://www.saltypig.com/scuba/
http://www.showmesome.info/hilux/wor...r_cylinder.htm I have 2 old tanks here and am looking for more information to do this.... :think:

The first site you linked goes way too far in setting up the tank. all you need is the regulator, BC hose and adaptor, no need for the rest. a SSCUBA cylinder doesn't have the volume of a CO2 power tank and they do weight more. For offroading I don't like carrying the extra weight or the fact that the cylinder has 3000 psi compared to the CO2 at 850 psi.

Are you wanting to use compressed air or CO2? To convert to CO2 I was told a new regulator would be needed. If you stay with air I was told it would run out much faster than the liquid CO2. Here is a pic of my CO2 set-up: http://community.webshots.com/photo/...63081887CFnVVk

I agree with Bruce, I don't want any extra weight. I was able to find a used aluminum CO2 tank for about $70.

I was thinking about co2... the extra weight really doesn't bother me too much.... I already have the tank, so I figured why not go with it....

http://www.beveragefactory.com/draft...anks/co2.shtml

if you already have the tank though, i would just have a new valve put in and have it filled.

I was told the CO2 would ruin a regulator not made for CO2.

That is why I am looking for more information.... I don't want to do it then ruin something....

you need to have the valve changed or nobody will fill it with co2. you have to have the proper valve.

if you have the co2 valve, the only thing that will fit on it is a co2 regulator (unless you have an adapter). so just get a co2 regulator made for filling tires.

regulator: http://www.okieweb.com/outbackequipped/products.htm#reg $55

CO2 tanks require DOT certification for refilling after a period of time. I'm not sure how that would apply to a SCUBA tank...

You might want to read:

http://www.dtsc.ca.gov/HazardousWast...-Guidances.pdf

Re-cert is not a problem if you "buy" your own tank(s) like I did. Refilling them is done via a tank exchange at my local welding supply shop. All I pay is the cost of the refill - about 17 bucks - and swap an empty tank for a full one.

If you were to charge the SCUBA tank to it's max capacity w/ compressed air, you would only be able to fill about 6 to 8 tires. They are similar in capacity to using nitrogen, exept the pressure is slightly higher. I initially had a nitrogen tank setup, and was very disapointed at the cost per tire to air up. It averaged amost $1.80 a tire...

Later

That's right, I guess you can get a lot more CO2 gas into a tank because it changes into a liquid state at some point below the tank pressure, where the air or nitrogen stays as a gas.

The downside to CO2 (speaking from experience) is that without weighing the tank periodically, you don't really know how much you've got left. The pressure gauge will read constant pressure as the liquid CO2 tank boils off to replace what was removed. On the plus side, its alot safer in terms of a valve breaking off as mentioned above because of the pressure, relative to an air tank.

SCUBA tanks also require a hydrostatic test every 5 years.

Mine finally ran out after getting some really good use out of it. When it was about empty, you could hear it bubbling away inside the tank. Sure enough just as I feared, ran out on the next trip :laugh: So next time I hear that bubbling, it'll go get topped off again.

If you use a scuba tank, be sure to drain and refill with air before your next dive trip. :hillbill:

I don't use them for diving... They were my dads....