Author Topic: Build power tank on the cheap? (Read 6910 times)

studentwheeler · « **on:** Aug 23, 2009, 10:32:29 PM »

Just wondering if anyone has been able to build something that functions like a powertank for a fraction of the powertank price....

WHITE_TRASH · « **Reply #1 on:** Aug 23, 2009, 11:12:07 PM »

I picked up a filled 20# co2 bottle with brand new regulator off of a local board for $100. Works great, the only downfall is it is not a "high flow" regulator like the power tank so it will frost up if you try running power tools for an extended period of time.

4RunnerChevy · « **Reply #2 on:** Aug 24, 2009, 04:47:16 AM »

Quote from: WHITE_TRASH on Aug 23, 2009, 11:12:07 PM

I picked up a filled 20# co2 bottle with brand new regulator off of a local board for $100. Works great, the only downfall is it is not a "high flow" regulator like the power tank so it will frost up if you try running power tools for an extended period of time.

You can wrap heater wire (12v), found in heated seats, around the reg. Hook it up to a 12 volt outlet. Worked for me with my #20 (who is now living life charging homebrew kegs).

88_Pathy · « **Reply #3 on:** Aug 24, 2009, 11:42:50 AM »

The "high flow" powertank reg freezes up too.

WHITE_TRASH · « **Reply #4 on:** Aug 24, 2009, 11:48:00 AM »

The only time I have had any issue with mine really freezing wasn't using tools, although my impact has frozen up on me once.

I use my tank to fill my double thick queen size air mattress we take camping.. I feed the 3/8" line unrestricted directly into the mattress. If I uncork it wide open it'll freeze the regulator by the time the mattress is almost full.

Steve_925 · « **Reply #5 on:** Aug 24, 2009, 02:13:50 PM »

i have a nitrogen tank with my welder regulator. cost me $25
i had a old o2 tank and had it exchanged for the nitro tank. only cost me $25 pplus the cost to fill it

88_Pathy · « **Reply #6 on:** Aug 24, 2009, 02:48:32 PM »

I have a 10lb powertank, will the regulator work with nitrogen? Co2 sucks in the snow, and the pressure in the tires changes drastically with the elevation changes.

Steve_925 · « **Reply #7 on:** Aug 24, 2009, 03:32:46 PM »

Quote from: 88_Pathy on Aug 24, 2009, 02:48:32 PM

I have a 10lb powertank, will the regulator work with nitrogen? Co2 sucks in the snow, and the pressure in the tires changes drastically with the elevation changes.

i dont think so. if your reg is fine thread then no.
it takes an inert gas regulator, wich is for argon, nitrogen, i think CO2 also but the power tanks use a different thread design.

4RunnerChevy · « **Reply #8 on:** Aug 24, 2009, 04:20:54 PM »

Quote from: 88_Pathy on Aug 24, 2009, 02:48:32 PM

I have a 10lb powertank, will the regulator work with nitrogen? Co2 sucks in the snow, and the pressure in the tires changes drastically with the elevation changes.

Argon and CO2 use the same reg, just a different tank adapter. Nitrogen uses its own type of reg.

Snowtoy · « **Reply #9 on:** Aug 24, 2009, 04:42:56 PM »

Yes it can be done. A buddy and I were running CO2 tanks long before Power Tank came into existence. It works great, but having a oba compressor makes life a lot easier.
Parts needed:
20lb tank
dual gauge regulator
mounting bracket
air fittings and air hose.
Your local welding supply shop should be able to get you a tank(rental/exchange tank when refilling) for about $20, about $70 for regulator. I am not sure if they sell a vehicle mount or not, then air fittings and hoses.
If you want a nice shinny chrome tank and nice mounting bracket/harness, it will set you back about $150, then you will still need a regulator, and hoses.
CO2 tanks have to be re-certified every 10yrs(here in CA anyways) so you might want to take that into account if wanting to buy your own tank.

Steve_925 · « **Reply #10 on:** Aug 24, 2009, 04:58:12 PM »

Quote from: 4runnerchevy on Aug 24, 2009, 04:20:54 PM

Argon and CO2 use the same reg, just a different tank adapter. Nitrogen uses its own type of reg.

its the same reg i use for my argon/co2 bottle for my welder.
only problem is i cant air my air shocks higher than 80psi.

for a mount i found an old BIG fire extinguisher mount and used that

studentwheeler · « **Reply #11 on:** Aug 24, 2009, 06:32:54 PM »

Thanks guys for all the replys. I don't have oba and when I'm out on the trail I never air down to where I should since I have to find a gas station somewhere afterwards. I figured building my own powertank set up would be my best option.

Quote from: Snowtoy on Aug 24, 2009, 04:42:56 PM

Yes it can be done. A buddy and I were running CO2 tanks long before Power Tank came into existence. It works great, but having a oba compressor makes life a lot easier.
Parts needed:
20lb tank
dual gauge regulator
mounting bracket
air fittings and air hose.
Your local welding supply shop should be able to get you a tank(rental/exchange tank when refilling) for about $20, about $70 for regulator. I am not sure if they sell a vehicle mount or not, then air fittings and hoses.
If you want a nice shinny chrome tank and nice mounting bracket/harness, it will set you back about $150, then you will still need a regulator, and hoses.
CO2 tanks have to be re-certified every 10yrs(here in CA anyways) so you might want to take that into account if wanting to buy your own tank.

Thanks for spelling it out. That's exactly what I needed.

Quote from: steve_925 on Aug 24, 2009, 02:13:50 PM

i have a nitrogen tank with my welder regulator. cost me $25
i had a old o2 tank and had it exchanged for the nitro tank. only cost me $25 pplus the cost to fill it

Would it be better to get a nitrogen tank? School me on what the best gas is to run....

Steve_925 · « **Reply #12 on:** Aug 24, 2009, 06:41:27 PM »

im really not sure. i use nitrogen because i have air shocks, so i can air my tires if i blow a bead and adjust my shocks

studentwheeler · « **Reply #13 on:** Aug 24, 2009, 08:58:26 PM »

I know this would be a rough estimate, but in any of your guys experiences how many tires can you fill with a 10lb or 20lb bottle? I'm running 32's, I'm sure most of you guys are 35's and up....but I'd still like to get a rough ball park number.

Snowtoy · « **Reply #14 on:** Aug 25, 2009, 12:50:15 AM »

^^IME it depended on the season. Late spring, Summer and early fall when the weather was warmer I always got a few extra tires as compared to the colder months. On average when I was running 31's, I would get about 28 tires from 15-35psi, and about 16 tires 5-35psi. With 32's it was about the same, but with 33's it was a lot less, about 20 and 12 IIRC. When I was running CO2 we used to wheel about 3-4 times a month, so I averaged about 4 20lb fill-ups a year.

You might consider running two set-ups, the CO2 for re-seating beads/airing up, as well as running one of the MV50 12vlt electric compressors. They are slow, but work well enough, and would help stretch the CO2, or fill in if you happened to get caught running out of CO2 on a run.

snowrun · « **Reply #15 on:** Aug 25, 2009, 06:56:38 AM »

I use a Victor 450 oxygen regulator often used on oxy/acetylene set ups. This regulator is large enough to not freeze up while airing up 41" tires, even in the winter. You simply go to a welding shop & buy the brass CO2 inlet & swap it out with the oxygen inlet. Put a quick connect on the outlet side & you are ready to go.
You can get these regulators for around $25 on ebay & they flow way more than any "high flow" regs these guys charge an arm & leg for.
A Victor 350 will also work, but will freeze up if you run the pressure to high for too long.

88_Pathy · « **Reply #16 on:** Aug 25, 2009, 07:44:58 AM »

On a 10lb tank on Co2 I get around 16 37's filled from 8 to 30psi

jrock · « **Reply #17 on:** Aug 25, 2009, 08:34:28 AM »

My 5lb with a regular CO2 regulator has done me very well. It doesn't take long at all to fill my 33's and I've never had an issue with it freezing up. All hardware was from Home Depot, minus the bottle and regulator (Craigslist).

studentwheeler · « **Reply #18 on:** Aug 25, 2009, 05:21:02 PM »

Ok, been calling around to the different gas and welding shops, seems like the going rate for a 20lb co2 bottle is $150-$180. Anyone know where to pick one up cheaper/ have one for sale? I'm in Merced/San Jose.

Steve_925 · « **Reply #19 on:** Aug 25, 2009, 06:25:31 PM »

search swap meets, garage sales etc.
they wont take an old one but they only charge like $25 to exchange it for a new one

snowshoebrue · « **Reply #20 on:** Aug 25, 2009, 07:06:04 PM »

i use the fixed one. i have actually been using mine with my brad nailer to do baseboards in the house
http://www.offroadtuff.com/CO2Regulators.htm

yota_krawler · « **Reply #21 on:** Aug 25, 2009, 08:21:59 PM »

i was wondering this to, good topic!

studentwheeler · « **Reply #22 on:** Aug 29, 2009, 01:40:51 PM »

Link to ultimate air's website that has a table that shows how many tires a 10 and 15 lb co2 tank can fill up and how fast:

https://ultimate-air.3dcartstores.com/Specs_ep_35-1.html

Joey88RUNR · « **Reply #23 on:** Aug 31, 2009, 05:34:00 PM »

Ok seeing this thread got me building one, This is where im at, Where can i get this adapter?

Came up on this! off my buddy old air bagged truck! got it for nothing!

Steve_925 · « **Reply #24 on:** Aug 31, 2009, 05:42:45 PM »

thats a nitrogen regulator. and a oxy tank?

i have an oxy regulator if you wanna trade

jrock · « **Reply #25 on:** Aug 31, 2009, 06:15:55 PM »

Welding store might have your adapters.

Joey88RUNR · « **Reply #26 on:** Aug 31, 2009, 07:15:05 PM »

Is it possible to run a nitrogen reg on co2?

studentwheeler · « **Reply #27 on:** Aug 31, 2009, 09:23:41 PM »

From what I remember talking to the guy at the welding store you can but you need an adapter. Joey, got any extra tanks lying around??? I got cash.

jrock · « **Reply #28 on:** Aug 31, 2009, 09:26:39 PM »

I got one but it's so old you will have a b*tch of a time getting it filled. Free, if you want it.

Joey88RUNR · « **Reply #29 on:** Aug 31, 2009, 09:40:35 PM »

im looking myself, this 5lb one is gonna be tom small i think, if i fiind anything ill get back to you

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