BajaNomad

Your opinions of the common $20. steel air tank.

vgabndo - 1-20-2008 at 02:19 AM

I'm talking about the very common big box style air tanks with a guage and maybe some inflator hose attached.

Will one of those things hold enough air to run my big BFG's from 25 pounds to 55 a couple of times on a fill up??

Any idea how long it might run a little 3/8" butterfly air wrench? If at all.

Have they proven safe and dependable?

Bob and Susan - 1-20-2008 at 07:42 AM

it wont keep up with the gun...

you will not have enough air to get a bolt off

you NEED a GOOD compressor to run air guns and pump your tires

[Edited on 1-20-2008 by Bob and Susan]

dean miller - 1-20-2008 at 07:56 AM

I have one --it was given to me...If that tells you anything.

Value? to blow dust off work bench, to ?????

sdm

805gregg - 1-20-2008 at 08:11 AM

I know a guy that uses a diving tank, holds more air. Why 55 lbs kind of hard?

[Edited on 1-20-2008 by 805gregg]

bajalou - 1-20-2008 at 08:12 AM

Have to go to CO2 system if you want to run tools or pump up tires fast.

Phil C - 1-20-2008 at 08:18 AM

I use a 15lb co2 tank. I've aired my 33" bfgs from 18lbs or so to 45lbs 14 times, all four, and still had air.

Bwana_John - 1-20-2008 at 10:24 AM

I use a 3000 psi, 50 cubic foot aluminum SCUBA tank with a 1st stage regulator, low pressure hose, and Schrader valve attachment.
Using this set up on my 265-75-R16 tires each 100 psi from the tank = 10 psi in the tires.

Double-Sawbuck Tank

MrBillM - 1-20-2008 at 11:00 AM

I've got a couple. No problems with the valve or guage. I've had the one in Baja (from Walmart) for about Ten years but all I use it for is airing up the tires on the Samurais, boat and utility trailers, inflatable boats, etc. More convenient than rolling out the hose on the compressor as I have to do when airing up the truck tires or using an impact wrench.

[Edited on 1-20-2008 by MrBillM]

mtgoat666 - 1-20-2008 at 11:06 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by vgabndo


Have they proven safe and dependable?


you thinking about keeping this tank inside your vehicle? have you ever seen a high pressure tank when it breaks? i would not want to share a car with a tank during a crash. get a pump, skip the tank.

bajaguy - 1-20-2008 at 11:14 AM

I would suggest a CO2 system over a SCUBA type tank, compressor or a standard air fill tank. CO2 can fill tires and run air tools. CO2 fills are about $11.00 at any fire extinguisher service place.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Source-CO2-on-board-air-kit-H...

dean miller - 1-20-2008 at 05:36 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bwana_John
I use a 3000 psi, 50 cubic foot aluminum SCUBA tank with a 1st stage regulator, low pressure hose, and Schrader valve attachment.
Using this set up on my 265-75-R16 tires each 100 psi from the tank = 10 psi in the tires.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This set up is ideal for home useage but is not as adapatable as a low presure tank for infield usage in Baja.

A 3000 psi Scuba tank & associated equipment weighs in at about 25 pounds or more, requires careful storage, special filling station and equipment and when empty is about as welcome as a dead pelican.

The small fully portable 150 PSI - 5 gallon unit weighs in at under 15 pounds and can be refilled at most Baja gas stations and is just slightly larger than a SCUBA unit.

sdm

Phil C - 1-20-2008 at 07:05 PM

I have my co2 tank,about 18" long and 8" in diameter hard mounted with a clamp on the roof rack. Have a coiled quick connect hose stored in the tool box. Only problem, after refilling, it will be frosty or frozen at the connection.

dean miller - 1-21-2008 at 07:22 AM

Phil C

Where do you obtain fills/refills in Baja?

And how do you fill the roof mounted tank? With a hose? or remove?

The frosting and or frozen valve is from rapid loss of gas... slow down the filling process.

sdem

Bwana_John - 1-21-2008 at 09:09 AM

Quote:

A 3000 psi Scuba tank & associated equipment weighs in at about 25 pounds or more, requires careful storage, special filling station and equipment and when empty is about as welcome as a dead pelican.

Yep, air is a PITA to get in Baja, and if you think the 50 cf Al tank is heavy you should try the 92 cf Fe tank.
The lead weights are no fun either.

But I usually bring dive gear, so Ive got it anyway.:cool:

I wouldnt go down without dive gear, its the diving, fishing, kayaking, and beach camping that I like most.

dean miller - 1-21-2008 at 09:38 AM

Quote:
Originally posted by Bwana_John
Quote:

A 3000 psi Scuba tank & associated equipment weighs in at about 25 pounds or more, requires careful storage, special filling station and equipment and when empty is about as welcome as a dead pelican.

Yep, air is a PITA to get in Baja, and if you think the 50 cf Al tank is heavy you should try the 92 cf Fe tank.
The lead weights are no fun either.

But I usually bring dive gear, so Ive got it anyway.:cool:

I wouldnt go down without dive gear, its the diving, fishing, kayaking, and beach camping that I like most.

dean miller - 1-21-2008 at 09:41 AM

confused???

92 cf FE? tank?

Fishing?

Recently visited Kingman Arizona--are you near there???

sdm

Bwana_John - 1-21-2008 at 02:00 PM

"the 92 cf Fe tank?"
A steel tank which will hold 92 cubic feet of air at one atmosphere when the air inside is compressed to 2400 pounds per square inch.

I was just agreeing that SCUBA gear is heavy. Some gear heavyer than others.

The little 50 cubic foot aluminum tanks are not so bad and a lot of fun for BC-less kayak dives.

Usually we mostly freedive, but bringing SCUBA is fun, and airing the tires up and down for sand/dirt/pavement quickly is a added bonus.

We are about 2 hours east of Kingman (and 13 hours north-east of Gonzaga Bay!)

[Edited on 1-21-2008 by Bwana_John]

[Edited on 1-21-2008 by Bwana_John]

Al G - 1-21-2008 at 03:23 PM

I have used 5-20 lb co2 tanks since early 70's...in fact I had 16 of them that were used on a daily basis to install cabinets and many general uses. They are totally safe and despite what others have said are of little concern in a vehicle if valve is mounted inward. They are super impact resistant. If the valve is knock off (Not very likely) in a major impact, the worst danger it it becoming a missile. In 40 years of using these tanks this, or any accident has never happened.
At least twice guys have dropped them off my 1 1/2 ton stack side and nothing happened. I heard stories about one guy wetting his pants...but that's all. These tanks were beat-up for near forty years and some are still in production today. The only reason I went with an air compressor is I did not know the availability gas.
This leads to why I am posting here...what is the availability of co2 in Baja???:?::biggrin:

bajalou - 1-21-2008 at 03:48 PM

Fill them at welding supply stores, which aren't on every corner but in most of the larger cities. The amount of CO2 they hold is such that you shouldn't have to fill very often.

Al G - 1-21-2008 at 03:52 PM

Quote:
Originally posted by bajalou
Fill them at welding supply stores, which aren't on every corner but in most of the larger cities. The amount of CO2 they hold is such that you shouldn't have to fill very often.

Lou...When I was filling them regular a guy would pick them up and the cost was, I think was $4 for 5# and $6 for 15-20#...what do you pay in Baja?

bajaguy - 1-21-2008 at 04:33 PM

Beer distributors should also be able to fill if they supply beer on-tap.......

$11 for a fill on a 10lb here in Carson City

vgabndo - 1-21-2008 at 09:06 PM

Thanks to all for the info. Let me sharpen my question. I have a nice heavy duty 12 volt pump which could exceed the rating of the $20. tank, but it would take some time, just as it does when I have to refill my BFG's for some heavier hauling or longer highway miles.

I'd like to get the airing-up on the side of the road part done more quickly. Is there enough air in one of those things to get it done ONCE.?

I can re-fill the tank back at the casita.

Al G - 1-21-2008 at 09:21 PM

Vagbundo...I don't have a lot of experience with those tanks, but my crew chief would not use co2 in my race tires so when we had a dismount at the track for new rubber, he had to go to the rubber truck for the air...what I am saying is they don't hold a lot. I did not buy rubber at the Goodyear truck often, as they were crazy with their pricing. I now realize $20 is what you are talking about, so co2 is out of the question...$70+ for tank...$100+- for gauges...plus line and fitting...that's old school so maybe more. China maybe cheapo less.