CO2 instead of air compressors

[jerry clements]

I had decided to go with CO2 instead of on board air. Airgas and Praxair no longer sell tanks to the public. They are still for sale on Amazon for now. I bought 2 new tanks but had to exchange them for filled tanks at airgas. CO2 refills tires faster than on board air and I wanted to be able to run an air impact wrench. The downside is $45 refill charges.

 

[Jadman]

I prefer Co2, super fast and quiet. I work at Airgas so it is also cheap to refill.
Make sure they are not charging you a hazmat fee. $45 is a little steep.

 

[jerry clements]

They are only doing tank exchanges and charge $45 per tank. Kind of steep imo.

 

[22hemi13]

Find a place that refills tanks. I get my 15lb filled for $25. I use a fire supply store.

 

[jerry clements]

Thanks!

 

[Trailmaker]

I went with ARB a 2 tanks. My build out was $700 but it was a one time cost. And I too can run pneumatic tools. But if I went your route I would refill my large bottle at the welding supply and refill smaller bottles from that.

https://www.ramforum.com/threads/trailmaker’s-pw-build-thread.161909/page-3

Post 26

 

[pacofortacos]

With today's battery operated impacts is there a reason that you want to run pneumatic?

 

[jerry clements]

I read the pros and cons of each option and went with CO2.

 

[Mister Luck]

If you have a tank and a compressor you can fill it yourself with compressed air.
pneumatic tools are operable in adverse conditions inclement weather or flammable vapors

I don’t understand why Co2 instead of air.

 

[22hemi13]

Cause fast! 40s aired up in 30-45 seconds.

 

[Trailmaker]

Cause fast! 40s aired up in 30-45 seconds.

I agree when you have a tank it does air up fast, that’s why I set mine up the way I did. I also have a battery operated tire inflator to caring around in my wife’s car and it does the job, just takes a lot longer.

 

[pacofortacos]

If you have a tank and a compressor you can fill it yourself with compressed air.
pneumatic tools are operable in adverse conditions inclement weather or flammable vapors

I don’t understand why Co2 instead of air.

I don't think I would be using any impact wrench if the flammable vapors are at ignition point or higher.
Bad weather, I could have the lug nuts off before the air line is out and hooked up.

Granted there are other pneumatic tools that could be used, most have a battery powered brother at this point.
I was just curious at to why select pneumatic.
As far as airing up the tires (or airing up anything for that matter), that's a no brainer - compressed air, CO2, etc is significantly faster.

 

[Mister Luck]

I don't think I would be using any impact wrench if the flammable vapors are at ignition point or higher.
Bad weather, I could have the lug nuts off before the air line is out and hooked up.

Granted there are other pneumatic tools that could be used, most have a battery powered brother at this point.
I was just curious at to why select pneumatic.
As far as airing up the tires (or airing up anything for that matter), that's a no brainer - compressed air, CO2, etc is significantly faster.

Not all pneumatics are certified for use around flammable vapors they are called “cold tools” in general this is one of the reasons pneumatic tools were favored in repair shops and service stations.
I had a chance in the (olden-days) to work for a retired fire capt. that owned a service station lof’s , propane, tire repair, new tires, battery service, new batteries the full gamut everything. fire safety was obviously an issue and I learned a lot, of what and what not to do, Co2 is going to be a fire suppressant, regular air, not so much.

You sound like you have great wrenching skills .. yeah no brainer.

 

[pacofortacos]

Never knew that there were certified pneumatics, we used air tools at the dealer because air was available and well, that's was really the only option back then. Hahaha

I could see where having CO2 in the backwoods could come in really handy.

I can say do NOT use windshield washer fluid to put out an engine fire. LOL

 

[Mister Luck]

Non-Sparking Tools - Safety Tools | TFT Pneumatic

We are suppliers of the only non-sparking tools and spark-free grinders certified by DNV for use in potentially explosive and hazardous atmospheres.

tft-pneumatic.com

So I read the difference between air and Co2 is
Co2 is denser and you get more charges but, because Co2 is temperature sensitive if you are in a colder climate you may get the same as atmospheric air some articles suggest you may get less that lambda

​

 

[jerry clements]

When you gear up to use CO2 to air up the tires, it kind of makes sense to throw in a cheap 1/2 drive impact wrench for the lug nuts. That's my thinking anyway.

 

[bigred2211]

I've wanted to add a twin ARB compressor, but am now looking at a Power Tank kit. Anyone using this set-up?

 

[pacofortacos]

Non-Sparking Tools - Safety Tools | TFT Pneumatic

We are suppliers of the only non-sparking tools and spark-free grinders certified by DNV for use in potentially explosive and hazardous atmospheres.

tft-pneumatic.com

So I read the difference between air and Co2 is
Co2 is denser and you get more charges but, because Co2 is temperature sensitive if you are in a colder climate you may get the same as atmospheric air some articles suggest you may get less that lambda

​

Thanks for the link, I can see where those tools might come in handy

 

[jerry clements]

I've wanted to add a twin ARB compressor, but am now looking at a Power Tank kit. Anyone using this set-up?

Power Tank is a great set up. My set up is kind of a cheap copy of it.

 

[bigred2211]

Power Tank is a great set up. My set up is kind of a cheap copy of it.

Jerry, nothing, I mean NOTHING is cheap anymore...especially for our trucks