MagicMtnDan
FRF Addict
Having a liquid CO2 tank with you on the trails is very helpful and convenient mostly for airing up your tires very quickly. You can air up your tires and your friends’ tires. In addition to airing up tires after offroading, CO2 systems have a multitude of other uses. A CO2 tank can be used on the trail to re-seat a tire bead back onto the rim, run air tools for any emergency field repairs, and are even used to run air lockers.
Picture below: 10 lb. Power Tank
These tanks use liquid CO2 gas which is an inert, non-toxic, non-corrosive, non-flammable gas. The two main suppliers use aluminum tanks which are D.O.T. (Dept. of Transportation) approved. CO2 goes through a phase change from liquid to vapor as it releases its energy. This evaporative process slows the pressure release rate meaning that a CO2 tank will not become a high speed rocket like a scuba tank would in the rare event of a valve decapitation. Power Tank claims that a tank is as safe as a CO2 fire extinguisher.
10 lb. and 15 lb. (capacity) tanks are most popular but there are larger sizes (and smaller ones too). A 10# tank will typically have the capacity to fill ~16 tires j(filled up 20 psi with each one filling in about 38 seconds/tire). The 10# tank weighs 28# full and is 24” tall. A 15# tank obviously has 50% more capacity than a 10# tank and typically has the capacity to fill ~24 tires (filled up 20 psi at about 38 seconds/tire).
The tanks use quick-disconnects on the hoses and you can get a one-piece tire filler/gauge with trigger for filling tires so you won’t need to go looking for a gauge when airing up your tires.
Tank fill-ups are about $15 and are done at soda fountain distributors and industrial gas companies. A fill will typically last for months and you can use it to top off all your tires at home and on trips.
Suppliers – there are two main suppliers: Power Tank and Outback
Power Tank: http://www.powertank.com/
Outback: http://www.outbackequipped.com/air.asp
Power Tank appears to be the most well known of the two and their prices are higher than Outback’s. Outback’s package is about $260. Power Tank’s similar 10# tank package is almost twice the price!
Picture below: Outback’s 10# tank
The tank can be mounted sideways or even up side down but the tank must be upright or at least at a 30-degree angle while being used. The reason it must be upright during use is because you want the liquid at the bottom of the tank and the vapor at the top coming through the valve and regulator. It’s highly recommended that the tank be mounted in a vertical to 45° minimum angle position so it does not need to be removed from its mounting bracket for each use and so it is never mistakenly used in a horizontal position.
“Can the Power Tank seat tire beads? “Hellyeah!” One of the advantages of the awesome power of the Power TankTM is its ability to quickly and easily seat tire beads without the need to remove the wheel from the vehicle or hassle with a tire tourniquet. All you have to do is lift the corner of your vehicle with the unbeaded tire. Get the tire straight and clean the rim bead. Remove the core of the wheel stem. Set the outlet pressure of the Power TankTM up to 200 psi. While pulling the tire out towards the bead of the rim push the end of the hose quick release coupler straight over the stem giving the tire a quick blast of air. The sudden rush of air into the tire will push the sides of the tire out and onto the sides of the rim. Hold it there until the tire has “popped” over the rim bead. Remove the hose from the stem and replace the stem core. Reset the tire pressure, lower the jack, and you’re on your way.” (from Power Tank’s website)
“If you do any serious off-roading you know the importance of on-board air. On board air can be used for re-inflating your tires due to leaks, reseating tires back on their rim, aiding in tire repairs, and for running air tools like impact wrenches. The more serious off-roader even relies on his on-board air to run his axle air lockers or provide a quick lift to his truck with an air jack. Of course, if you have a powerful on-board air system you might find yourself also blowing sand and water out of your air filter or inflating your crushed fuel cell back into shape.” (from Power Tank’s website)
Got questions? Here’s Power Tank’s FAQs: http://www.powertank.com/faqs
Picture below: 10 lb. Power Tank
These tanks use liquid CO2 gas which is an inert, non-toxic, non-corrosive, non-flammable gas. The two main suppliers use aluminum tanks which are D.O.T. (Dept. of Transportation) approved. CO2 goes through a phase change from liquid to vapor as it releases its energy. This evaporative process slows the pressure release rate meaning that a CO2 tank will not become a high speed rocket like a scuba tank would in the rare event of a valve decapitation. Power Tank claims that a tank is as safe as a CO2 fire extinguisher.
10 lb. and 15 lb. (capacity) tanks are most popular but there are larger sizes (and smaller ones too). A 10# tank will typically have the capacity to fill ~16 tires j(filled up 20 psi with each one filling in about 38 seconds/tire). The 10# tank weighs 28# full and is 24” tall. A 15# tank obviously has 50% more capacity than a 10# tank and typically has the capacity to fill ~24 tires (filled up 20 psi at about 38 seconds/tire).
The tanks use quick-disconnects on the hoses and you can get a one-piece tire filler/gauge with trigger for filling tires so you won’t need to go looking for a gauge when airing up your tires.
Tank fill-ups are about $15 and are done at soda fountain distributors and industrial gas companies. A fill will typically last for months and you can use it to top off all your tires at home and on trips.
Suppliers – there are two main suppliers: Power Tank and Outback
Power Tank: http://www.powertank.com/
Outback: http://www.outbackequipped.com/air.asp
Power Tank appears to be the most well known of the two and their prices are higher than Outback’s. Outback’s package is about $260. Power Tank’s similar 10# tank package is almost twice the price!
Picture below: Outback’s 10# tank
The tank can be mounted sideways or even up side down but the tank must be upright or at least at a 30-degree angle while being used. The reason it must be upright during use is because you want the liquid at the bottom of the tank and the vapor at the top coming through the valve and regulator. It’s highly recommended that the tank be mounted in a vertical to 45° minimum angle position so it does not need to be removed from its mounting bracket for each use and so it is never mistakenly used in a horizontal position.
“Can the Power Tank seat tire beads? “Hellyeah!” One of the advantages of the awesome power of the Power TankTM is its ability to quickly and easily seat tire beads without the need to remove the wheel from the vehicle or hassle with a tire tourniquet. All you have to do is lift the corner of your vehicle with the unbeaded tire. Get the tire straight and clean the rim bead. Remove the core of the wheel stem. Set the outlet pressure of the Power TankTM up to 200 psi. While pulling the tire out towards the bead of the rim push the end of the hose quick release coupler straight over the stem giving the tire a quick blast of air. The sudden rush of air into the tire will push the sides of the tire out and onto the sides of the rim. Hold it there until the tire has “popped” over the rim bead. Remove the hose from the stem and replace the stem core. Reset the tire pressure, lower the jack, and you’re on your way.” (from Power Tank’s website)
“If you do any serious off-roading you know the importance of on-board air. On board air can be used for re-inflating your tires due to leaks, reseating tires back on their rim, aiding in tire repairs, and for running air tools like impact wrenches. The more serious off-roader even relies on his on-board air to run his axle air lockers or provide a quick lift to his truck with an air jack. Of course, if you have a powerful on-board air system you might find yourself also blowing sand and water out of your air filter or inflating your crushed fuel cell back into shape.” (from Power Tank’s website)
Got questions? Here’s Power Tank’s FAQs: http://www.powertank.com/faqs
