Cheap CO2 On-Board Air Solution

[Woods]

This isn't JK specific, but it works for my JK.

I have been looking at ways to do an on-board air solution. I had an old regulator and 10 lb. CO2 Bottle, from my kegorator. I don't need it any more, now that I'm married (or now I need it because I'm married... and I'm just not allowed to have a kegorator any more, which is one of the reasons that I need it... ). So I went to Lowes to figure out how I was going to connect my Keg Regulator to a tire inflator. As Lowes I came across a "portable compressed CO2 regulator". I purchased the CO2 system, as well as a tire inflator with gauge. The system comes with a free 9oz CO2 bottle, which is only enough to fill one tire. For my tires, I have calculated that I need half a lb. of CO2 per tire, to go from 15 to 30 psi. On ebay I found a new 3 lb. bottle shipped for $27. I happen to have a 20oz bottle from my paint ball gun. So I end up with over 4 lbs. of CO2. for $160. The whole systems (other than the 3lb. bottle) come in a nice compact case. The system uses a valve called a Pin Valve. I asked the guy at lowes, and he told me that it's similar but slightly different than a standard paintball valve. I didn't believe that it was different, so I tried both the bottle from the kit on my paintball gun, and my paint ball bottle on the CO2 system. Every combination seems to work fine, but caveat emptor. Re-fills at Lowes would be expensive, but I should be able to go to any paintball store. Now If I can only find a way to keep the keg cold on the trail.

Lowes link;
http://www.lowes.com/lowes/lkn?action=productDetail&productId=166441-61735-J-6901-100

Lowes Pic

http://img182.imageshack.us/img182/3767/lomi8.jpg (http://imageshack.us)


Picks of my system;

http://img223.imageshack.us/img223/2/minidsc3250pa7.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

http://img340.imageshack.us/img340/8114/minidsc3252qb2.jpg (http://imageshack.us)

[JackMac4]

Hey thats pretty cool..i have a whole stock of 20oz'ers for my Tippmann A5 that I could use. Kinda pricey though, don't you think?

[Woods]

Not cheap. Less $ than a power tank though;

http://www.4wd.com/productdetails.aspx?pid=PT10B

And Rubimon can use it to blow the water out of his mirrors.

[JackMac4]

True but a lot slower to fill as well I bet.

[Woods]

True but a lot slower to fill as well I bet.

This was definitly one of my concerns. The pin valve must restrict the flow a bit. I tested the flow pressure on the inflator. With the reg set at 115 psi, the pressure guage on the inflator was at 89 psi. Running off of my compressor at 100 psi, the inflator was running at at about 94 psi.

[IGOFSHN]

You can get a complete 10 or 20 lb co2 system for under $150 if you buy the parts yourself. I got my 20lb tank for $75 from a returant supply and bought a regulater for $60, the hose I already had. Filling the tank was $14 at a welding supply store. I can fill a lot more than 4 tires and got a much better price.

[bigwrm]

I dont think I have ever seen anyone mention anything like what I have on my work truck. I have no idea about the compressor, but its just a tiny electric one that was probably $50 at an auto store.

Anyways, Its an F450 regular cab, and the compressor is behind the seat, then the hose runs through small hole out back of cab onto the deck.

Then I just have a regular I think 10 gallon tank with a connector like on the Keg pump posted. The tank is just a cheap one like this.

http://images.canadiantire.ca/media/images/products/images/Assortments/PrimaryAssortments/Automotive/AutomotiveTools/AirPumpsCompressors/0095087_450_CC_45ef7.jpg

The compressor is slow, it takes 10 mins to fill the tank to 120 psi but I just keep it full. Then refill if I need to. I can usually fill 2 or 3 tire up on a tank depending on the size.

I have been thinking of something like that for my Rubi, I just dont know where I would fit the tank. I see the power plant has a smaller rounder tank you can buy extra with it. I need a tank like that and mount it under the hood or something.

/ramble off

[possumface]

you can also pick up co2 tanks from fire extinguisher companys they sometimes have co2 extinguishers but i prefer aluminum cyl. cause of the weight factors you would then need to convert the valve on the extinguisher to a turn handle type and then get a good regulator, hose etc. never use a co2 tank that has rust on it. these are not something to play with if your not well informed. a explosion from a co2 tank will blast you and your jeep off the face of the earth :yup:

[possumface]

i wanted to add that co2 bottles have safety discs installed if the co2 pressure gets to high " say on a hot day" it could pop the disc and release co2 , if this happens make sure u roll down your window or breathing will become difficult or impossible.

[Major Ho]

In my former life I worked for Pevs Paintball. (Dunno if you guys have heard of it)
Co2 is a far inferior propellant compared to the High Pressure Air Systems,HPA, on the market.
There are paintball markers out there that use HPA only and dont accept Co2 for fear of liquid Co2 entering the gun. On the otherside, there are paintball guns that do accept Co2 so it can be interchangable with HPA.

From a 20oz Co2 tank on a good warm day you get approx. ~600-700 shots out of a paintball gun. I would assume that logic on a warm day you can get more air to your tires but according to Woods math thats only ~2.5 tires.
The HPA systems out there for the paintball market deliver a constant regulated pressure of ~800 or ~400 depending on your choice of tank reg.
At 68 cubic inches and 4500 psi on average you can get ~1200+ depending on the effieciency of your paintball marker. So you get much more air for roughly the same size and weight of the container.

Im wondering if any of you jeepers out there already have some of this equipment and could use this particular regulator to further drop the pressure to a lower psi for the tires. The tank threads are interchangable and use the same pin valve technology. If you weighed the cost of the HPA tank alone plus this nifty regulator Woods informed us of it would be pretty much the same cost as the 10 lb bottles of portable air already on the market.

With the huge popularity surge paintball had a few years ago I would assume at least a few members on the board already have this equipment and I would venture to assume their tanks are enough to refill all 4 tires.

Sorry if I rambled. I have been immersed in the paintball culture longer than I can remember. LMK if I can clarify on anything

[possumface]

just went out and purchased a handy dandy slime air compressor for like 50 bucks , works real well and fast purchased at autozone

[Woods]

A lot of good info. and you guys have me thinking about this. Each of these different solutions have their own merrits. This is what I'm gathering;

Different onboard air options;
- Cigarette lighter compressor
- Continuous use rated compressor with reservoir air tank
- Reservoir Tank only
- Scuba Tank only
- DIY CO2 system
- Lowes/Pinvlave system
- Powertank
- High Pressure Air Paintball System

Here are the considerations;
- Cost (I'll define low as under $100, medium as 100 - 200, high as over 200)
- Speed for tire inflation (fast and slow)
- Durability/Reliability (subjective, low, medium and high)
- Versatility (will it run power tools)
- Size (does it take very much interior storage space, none, small, medium, large)
- Convenience (easy, medium, and difficult)
- Safety (danger presented by the solution – Safe, Safer, Safest) To carry Compressed Air On-board is to carry a bomb in your jeep. The higher the compression and volume, the larger the Bomb. Scuba Tanks and High Pressure Air can be up to 4500 PSI. CO2 gets up to about 1000 PSI. The “week link” is the valve and regulator. I would never transport a high pressure compressed air tank while having any sort of regulator attached, unless there is a regulator protection device attached to the tank. From where I sit, this is what you pay for, when buying a power tank. So except for the PowerTank option, I’m assuming that regulators will always be removed for transport.


Cigarette lighter compressor
- Cost Low
- Speed for tire inflation Slow
- Durability low
- Versatility (will it run power tools) No
- Size (Interior Space) Small
- Safety Safest
- Convenience Easy

Heavy duty compressor with reservoir air tank
- Cost High
- Speed (for tire inflation) Fast until tank is empty
- Durability/Reliability Medium to High depending on quality of components
- Versatility (will it run power tools) Yes until tank is empty
- Size (Interior Space) None
- Safety Safest (tank is at low pressure so in the case of puncture, this is not a very large bomb)
- Convenience Easy

Reservoir Tank only (Pig tank, sealed tubular bumpers etc.)
- Cost Low
- Speed (for tire inflation) Fast, but only good for about one tire.
- Durability/Reliability High
- Versatility (will it run power tools) Yes for a very short time.
- Size Interior Space large if carried inside your jeep
- Safety Safest
- Convenience Easy

Scuba Tank only
- Cost Medium
- Speed (for tire inflation) Fast
- Durability/Reliability High
- Versatility (will it run power tools) Yes
- Size Interior Space Large
- Safety Safe
- Convenience Easy

DIY CO2 system
- Cost Medium
- Speed (for tire inflation) Fast
- Durability/Reliability High
- Versatility (will it run power tools) Yes
- Size Interior Space Medium to high depending on tank sizes.
- Safety Safer
- Convenience Medium (regulator must be attached and detached with tools for use)

- Lowes/Pinvlave system
- Cost Medium
- Speed (for tire inflation) Fast
- Durability/Reliability High
- Versatility (will it run power tools) Yes for a limited time.
- Size Interior Space Small to Medium depending on tank sizes.
- Safety Safer
- Convenience Easy

- Powertank
- Cost High
- Speed (for tire inflation) Fast
- Durability/Reliability High
- Versatility (will it run power tools) Yes for a limited time.
- Size Interior Space Small to Medium depending on model/tank size.
- Safety Safer
- Convenience Easy

High Pressure Air Paintball System
- Cost Medium
- Speed (for tire inflation) Fast
- Durability/Reliability High
- Versatility (will it run power tools) Yes for a limited time
- Size Interior Space Small
- Safety Safe
- Convenience Easy

[IGOFSHN]

A lot of good info. and you guys have me thinking about this. Each of these different solutions have their own merrits. This is what I'm gathering;

Different onboard air options;
- Cigarette lighter compressor
- Continuous use rated compressor with reservoir air tank
- Reservoir Tank only
- Scuba Tank only
- DIY CO2 system
- Lowes/Pinvlave system
- Powertank
- High Pressure Air Paintball System

Here are the considerations;
- Cost (I'll define low as under $100, medium as 100 - 200, high as over 200)
- Speed for tire inflation (fast and slow)
- Durability/Reliability (subjective, low, medium and high)
- Versatility (will it run power tools)
- Size (does it take very much interior storage space, none, small, medium, large)
- Convenience (easy, medium, and difficult)
- Safety (danger presented by the solution – Safe, Safer, Safest) To carry Compressed Air On-board is to carry a bomb in your jeep. The higher the compression and volume, the larger the Bomb. Scuba Tanks and High Pressure Air can be up to 4500 PSI. CO2 gets up to about 1000 PSI. The “week link” is the valve and regulator. I would never transport a high pressure compressed air tank while having any sort of regulator attached, unless there is a regulator protection device attached to the tank. From where I sit, this is what you pay for, when buying a power tank. So except for the PowerTank option, I’m assuming that regulators will always be removed for transport.


Cigarette lighter compressor
- Cost Low
- Speed for tire inflation Slow
- Durability low
- Versatility (will it run power tools) No
- Size (Interior Space) Small
- Safety Safest
- Convenience Easy

Heavy duty compressor with reservoir air tank
- Cost High
- Speed (for tire inflation) Fast until tank is empty
- Durability/Reliability Medium to High depending on quality of components
- Versatility (will it run power tools) Yes until tank is empty
- Size (Interior Space) None
- Safety Safest (tank is at low pressure so in the case of puncture, this is not a very large bomb)
- Convenience Easy

Reservoir Tank only (Pig tank, sealed tubular bumpers etc.)
- Cost Low
- Speed (for tire inflation) Fast, but only good for about one tire.
- Durability/Reliability High
- Versatility (will it run power tools) Yes for a very short time.
- Size Interior Space large if carried inside your jeep
- Safety Safest
- Convenience Easy

Scuba Tank only
- Cost Medium
- Speed (for tire inflation) Fast
- Durability/Reliability High
- Versatility (will it run power tools) Yes
- Size Interior Space Large
- Safety Safe
- Convenience Easy

DIY CO2 system
- Cost Medium
- Speed (for tire inflation) Fast
- Durability/Reliability High
- Versatility (will it run power tools) Yes
- Size Interior Space Medium to high depending on tank sizes.
- Safety Safer
- Convenience Medium (regulator must be attached and detached with tools for use)

- Lowes/Pinvlave system
- Cost Medium
- Speed (for tire inflation) Fast
- Durability/Reliability High
- Versatility (will it run power tools) Yes for a limited time.
- Size Interior Space Small to Medium depending on tank sizes.
- Safety Safer
- Convenience Easy

- Powertank
- Cost High
- Speed (for tire inflation) Fast
- Durability/Reliability High
- Versatility (will it run power tools) Yes for a limited time.
- Size Interior Space Small to Medium depending on model/tank size.
- Safety Safer
- Convenience Easy

High Pressure Air Paintball System
- Cost Medium
- Speed (for tire inflation) Fast
- Durability/Reliability High
- Versatility (will it run power tools) Yes for a limited time
- Size Interior Space Small
- Safety Safe
- Convenience Easy
A home made co2 system is the same as a power tank. You do not need to put on the regulater every time. Just leave it on. The paintball sytem would not be a good buy because the limited amount of co2.

[possumface]

you can leave a regulator attached if you have the proper screw on cap that has cut outs for the regulator, or something that prevents the valve from breaking off . i would secure the bottle real good you know what happens if in a accident, you might be wearing a co2 bottle for a hat.
heat also effects pressure in tank so on a hot august day inside a closed jeep if the tank is say overfilled you could pop the safety disc. which brings on a sense of emergency if you've never had a co2 tank go off inside a jeep before :yup: you can also get compressed nitrogen tanks

[Woods]

Been thinking about this and I wouldn't attach the Lowes reg to an HPA bottle. The lowes systems runs at 1000 PSI, and HPA at up to 4500 PSI. It might be okay, I just wouldn't take the chance.

And in case anybody missed what I wrote earlier. I would NEVER transport a high pressure cylinder with an unprotected regulator attached. What Possumface said, can not be stressed enough.

[Rubimon]

To me the $50 Magna-Flow (Tsunami) compressor make the most sense. It's small, compact, cheap$50, and safe. It's only draw back seems to be the 2-3 minutes per tire it takes to fill. Shoot for $50 you could buy 2 and fill everything in half the time and also have double the reliability. The 8-12 minutes it takes to fill, big deal, everyone usually stands around shooting the bull for a half an hour anyway.

[possumface]

ya, im not sure why speed of the filling process is a big issue anyway some things shouldn't be rushed, you can watch the little gauge go up slowly and stop at the exact time required to get a exact pressure reading. " jeeps shouldn't be rushed" < should be a bumper sticker

[Major Ho]

Paintballers often run around and take dives on rocks top of those fiber wrapped 4500 psi tanks. They dont explode like bombs like some may think.
When they do fail (rarely) the just make a lot of noise and blow air all over the place. Not all that different from Co2 tank burst disk fail safes.
Never in my 8+ years of paintball have I seen a failed fiber wrapped tank. They are quite robust.

Look what I found stumbling around the internets:
@4x4 Rockshop

http://www.4x4rockshop.com/ProdImages/powertank/ptm-0124.jpg
$155

[IGOFSHN]

you can leave a regulator attached if you have the proper screw on cap that has cut outs for the regulator, or something that prevents the valve from breaking off . i would secure the bottle real good you know what happens if in a accident, you might be wearing a co2 bottle for a hat.
heat also effects pressure in tank so on a hot august day inside a closed jeep if the tank is say overfilled you could pop the safety disc. which brings on a sense of emergency if you've never had a co2 tank go off inside a jeep before :yup: you can also get compressed nitrogen tanks
Common sense says you need to have it secured so it doesn't flop around. Wait, I forgot some people don't have common sense.

[possumface]

4500 psi fiber wrap tanks don't explode please help me understand this im not trying to be a smart guy cause i really don't understand this. co2 tanks blow up like bombs, so it would be my logic same would happen to fiber wrap tanks :confused:

[Major Ho]

It actually depends on the type of fiber-wrap tank and what happened to it, typically the resin would crack and the fibers would just expand catching what remains of the inner pressure vessel and dumping the air.

http://www.paintballstar.com/pn/modules/PagEd/pictures/blownhpa.jpg

So basically, the fiber wrap will just crack, and all of the gas will escape.
I stumbled accross a video ages ago of someone who happened to be recording at the same time a tank blew in the parking lot.

Im not saying HPA tanks are perfectly safe, but a lot safer then the CO2 horror stories Ive heard. Co2 tanks are often horrendously mistreated

Hope that helps:yup:

- Major Ho
Resident paintball "expert":toung:

[IGOFSHN]

4500 psi fiber wrap tanks don't explode please help me understand this im not trying to be a smart guy cause i really don't understand this. co2 tanks blow up like bombs, so it would be my logic same would happen to fiber wrap tanks :confused:
They don't blow up like bombs, they act like missles. Myth busters did a thing on this and compressed air. All they did was shoot out like a missle.

[Aquadoc]

I use a 63cf SCUBA tank and it works great to fill my 32's I am sure it will fill the 35's when I get my JK set up. It was dirt cheap FREE for me and the REG and hoses were free the only thing I payed for was the tire filler tip. Oh did I metion I am an Army Diver. LOL BUT all that one could pick up for under $200 on Ebay or Amazon. OH wait my REG a used US DIVERs CONSHELF XIV was $50 and $12 for the Tip. I rebuilt and inspected all and am GTG. :yup: So I just looked at all New to buy at Amazon.com and it came to
63-80 SCUBA TANK $124.95 regulator IST $125 (but again buy used at a swap meet or garage sale for like $50) WOW I found a tank to tire complete hose no down regulation hmmm not so sure I want to put 2000psi strait to a tire though hehe. $89 BUT anyway Y'all get the point My set up was cheap and it works well and air fills are free for me BUT even at a dive shop they are only like $2-$5 so for what it's worth.....

[spencenaz]

This isn't JK specific, but it works for my JK.

I have been looking at ways to do an on-board air solution. I had an old regulator and 10 lb. CO2 Bottle, from my kegorator. I don't need it any more, now that I'm married (or now I need it because I'm married... and I'm just not allowed to have a kegorator any more, which is one of the reasons that I need it... ). So I went to Lowes to figure out how I was going to connect my Keg Regulator to a tire inflator. As Lowes I came across a "portable compressed CO2 regulator". I purchased the CO2 system, as well as a tire inflator with gauge. The system comes with a free 9oz CO2 bottle, which is only enough to fill one tire. For my tires, I have calculated that I need half a lb. of CO2 per tire, to go from 15 to 30 psi. On ebay I found a new 3 lb. bottle shipped for $27. I happen to have a 20oz bottle from my paint ball gun. So I end up with over 4 lbs. of CO2. for $160. The whole systems (other than the 3lb. bottle) come in a nice compact case. The system uses a valve called a Pin Valve. I asked the guy at lowes, and he told me that it's similar but slightly different than a standard paintball valve. I didn't believe that it was different, so I tried both the bottle from the kit on my paintball gun, and my paint ball bottle on the CO2 system. Every combination seems to work fine, but caveat emptor. Re-fills at Lowes would be expensive, but I should be able to go to any paintball store. Now If I can only find a way to keep the keg cold on the trail.

Thanks for the tip. I picked up one of these and a 20oz bottle from Lowes.

[spencenaz]

Hey, for anyone looking for larger CO2 tanks check out kegkits.com. It's a homebrewer site, but they have great pricing on their new aluminum CO2 tanks. 5 lbs for under $60, and a 20 lbs tanks for under $100.

[mizedog]

I'm using an old 20# CO2 tank and a basic (no guage) regulator from The Source. It's 1/3 the price of Power Tank's products and works well. The only thing I don't like about the set up is the weight of the full 20# tank. With the fat tires on the CJ (plus all the moochers at the end of a Jeep run), I needed the 20 pounder. I think I might look for a smaller tank for the Jk since I'm sticking with 33's. I have to admit, I don't like the super high prices some of the brand names charge, however, their valves flow much better than many off- the-shelf regs.