supra_launch21v
New member
Powertank CO2 is a great solution to air up tires when off road and to use air tools. However, there are some problems. The biggest problem for us was running out during our week long trips. Airing up and down 1 or 2 times per day for a week just doesn't work with a 10lb Powertank system. My first system was a Smittybilt CO2 system. I went cheap. What could go wrong, right? It is just CO2. Well, save your money and invest in the right equipment. I knew better, I just had one of those moments. I did learn some interesting things about CO2 systems because of it.
Problem #1: Freezing. You need a regulator that is efficient to allow the flow of CO2 to pass without a lot of resistance. Powertank regulators are very good. Make sure your tank is setup to allow for gas to pass through the regulator and not the liquid. Keep it upright.
Problem #2: Fancy oil filled gauges. I take care of my gear, however, I broke both gauges in the first trip. They look good, however, what is our goal? Fill tires (99% of the time) and use air tools. I elected to purchase the next go around a Powertank fixed 180psi regulator. Why? All I have to do is open my valve up and fill up tires. Simple with no gauges to break and less resistance when the CO2 passes through the regulator. The interesting thing about CO2 and the tanks is that CO2 flows at a continuous high pressure until it is empty. That 1st gauge on the Powertank will tell you that you are out of CO2 only when you are out of CO2. I don't need a gauge to tell me that I am out of CO2 at the time it stops filling up my tires. The second gauge allows you to set and monitor your adjusted regulated pressure. When 99% of my time is filling up tires, I don't care about what pressure is coming out of the regulator. I want as much volume as I can get so long as it doesn't freeze up. Powertank claims to have engineered and built the fixed regulator specifically to fill tires. For tool usage, I built up an inexpensive variable regulator using some left over parts that I can plug inline with the air hose to regulate my pressure. By locating it away from the regulator there is less chance that it will impact flow at the primary regulator.
Problem #3: The pretty 10 or 15lb Powertank CO2 bottle. In Colorado, to my knowledge, there are only two locations to have a CO2 refilled. Denver and Colorado Springs. I elected to buy a steel EXCHANGE tank from a nationwide company called Airgas. I can go to most any city or town and exchange my empty CO2 steel tank for a full unit for $20.00.
I run 37" tires. The Powertank fill chart indicates that I can fill up a tire (from 12 lbs to 27lbs) about 31 times. It can be filled up in approx. 34 seconds using standard valves.
Here is the Bill of Materials I used to build my system. I am very happy with it. I don't work for Powertank, I just like things that work. You will also need to fabricate a method to secure the tank to the Jeep. I welded up a frame that secures the tank mounting bracket to the the floor, fender well and to the underside lip of the top edge of the tub. (right where the hardtop meets up with the body. I also have a lanyard securing the tank to the roll bar. It would not be fun to have that float around in the cabin area during an accident on the freeway.
I also have a Viair twin compressor and 2.5 gallon tank. Both solutions are good, however, CO2 is so fast I would only use the Viair if I run out of CO2.
www.powertank.com
Part Number: REG-7010
Product Name: RV Series SuperFlow Regulator Kit - Preset Regulator
I bought the fixed regulator after having a really bad time with freezing up with the adjustable regulator. The fixed one works awesome.
Part Number: BKT-2282
Product Name: Power Bracket (Fits 10, 15 lb. tanks)
The Power Bracket is our newest bracket. It combines the best features of all of our brackets into one. It features thick aluminum frame with a stout floor that is TIG welded into place. Two stainless steel straps and lockable latches hold the tank securely into the frame against seven (7) rubber bumper pads. Stainless steel rivets hold the straps and latches together giving it a maximum sheer strength. Made to fit tanks with tank boots, the bolt hole pattern is within the boot base void so the tank sits flat to the floor. And of course the bolt pattern in the frame matches our roll bar clamps (pictured) for a clean easy fit. This taller frame works great with the taller 15 lb.
Part Number: PCHK-4006
European Clip-on Chuck - CLOSED
Our Price: $14.95
(Selected options may carry additional charges)
You know these clip-on chucks as the superior ones in the whole industry. They feature a full brass body, a steel lever, positive seal, and a secure grip to the stem. This is the one that is "closed" or holds back air until it is clipped onto a stem....
Total: $314.85
Problem #1: Freezing. You need a regulator that is efficient to allow the flow of CO2 to pass without a lot of resistance. Powertank regulators are very good. Make sure your tank is setup to allow for gas to pass through the regulator and not the liquid. Keep it upright.
Problem #2: Fancy oil filled gauges. I take care of my gear, however, I broke both gauges in the first trip. They look good, however, what is our goal? Fill tires (99% of the time) and use air tools. I elected to purchase the next go around a Powertank fixed 180psi regulator. Why? All I have to do is open my valve up and fill up tires. Simple with no gauges to break and less resistance when the CO2 passes through the regulator. The interesting thing about CO2 and the tanks is that CO2 flows at a continuous high pressure until it is empty. That 1st gauge on the Powertank will tell you that you are out of CO2 only when you are out of CO2. I don't need a gauge to tell me that I am out of CO2 at the time it stops filling up my tires. The second gauge allows you to set and monitor your adjusted regulated pressure. When 99% of my time is filling up tires, I don't care about what pressure is coming out of the regulator. I want as much volume as I can get so long as it doesn't freeze up. Powertank claims to have engineered and built the fixed regulator specifically to fill tires. For tool usage, I built up an inexpensive variable regulator using some left over parts that I can plug inline with the air hose to regulate my pressure. By locating it away from the regulator there is less chance that it will impact flow at the primary regulator.
Problem #3: The pretty 10 or 15lb Powertank CO2 bottle. In Colorado, to my knowledge, there are only two locations to have a CO2 refilled. Denver and Colorado Springs. I elected to buy a steel EXCHANGE tank from a nationwide company called Airgas. I can go to most any city or town and exchange my empty CO2 steel tank for a full unit for $20.00.
I run 37" tires. The Powertank fill chart indicates that I can fill up a tire (from 12 lbs to 27lbs) about 31 times. It can be filled up in approx. 34 seconds using standard valves.
Here is the Bill of Materials I used to build my system. I am very happy with it. I don't work for Powertank, I just like things that work. You will also need to fabricate a method to secure the tank to the Jeep. I welded up a frame that secures the tank mounting bracket to the the floor, fender well and to the underside lip of the top edge of the tub. (right where the hardtop meets up with the body. I also have a lanyard securing the tank to the roll bar. It would not be fun to have that float around in the cabin area during an accident on the freeway.
I also have a Viair twin compressor and 2.5 gallon tank. Both solutions are good, however, CO2 is so fast I would only use the Viair if I run out of CO2.
www.powertank.com
Part Number: REG-7010
Product Name: RV Series SuperFlow Regulator Kit - Preset Regulator
I bought the fixed regulator after having a really bad time with freezing up with the adjustable regulator. The fixed one works awesome.
Part Number: BKT-2282
Product Name: Power Bracket (Fits 10, 15 lb. tanks)
The Power Bracket is our newest bracket. It combines the best features of all of our brackets into one. It features thick aluminum frame with a stout floor that is TIG welded into place. Two stainless steel straps and lockable latches hold the tank securely into the frame against seven (7) rubber bumper pads. Stainless steel rivets hold the straps and latches together giving it a maximum sheer strength. Made to fit tanks with tank boots, the bolt hole pattern is within the boot base void so the tank sits flat to the floor. And of course the bolt pattern in the frame matches our roll bar clamps (pictured) for a clean easy fit. This taller frame works great with the taller 15 lb.
Part Number: PCHK-4006
European Clip-on Chuck - CLOSED
Our Price: $14.95
(Selected options may carry additional charges)
You know these clip-on chucks as the superior ones in the whole industry. They feature a full brass body, a steel lever, positive seal, and a secure grip to the stem. This is the one that is "closed" or holds back air until it is clipped onto a stem....
Total: $314.85
