CO2 Refill?

[Kodiak Spirit]

stupid question... what about the 12 gram units that the bike riders use? I am looking to get something even cheaper and smaller than the power tank stuff, and a box of 12 grams is pretty small and cheap...

[Gwjvw]

I will just wheel with someone that has air,then i dont care what they have :-)

[Deamer]

Folks who've run their CO2 dry? Let me take my shoes off....

I guess that shows you who does not do a pre-trip inspection before they hit the trail. There are pros and cons to both setups. Just a couple I can think of off the top of my head.
York OBA

Pros: unlimited air as long as your engine is running.
reliable if well maintained.

Cons: expensive
Can only be used on one vehicle at a time. I just met a guy that has 5 Jeeps. That would be an expensive endeavor to put a york in all 5.

CO2

Pros: moved from vehicle to vehicle easily.
reliable and safe
If you have an onboard welder you can use the CO2 as a shielding gas.

Cons: limited amount of pressure, run out on trail you are screwed
availability of refill locations/hours of said location. decide to go wheeling sunday morning you won't find a refill location open.

I have the Powertank 10lb right now but when finances allow it I will be putting on a York system.

[Mr. Orange]

That's the key...
You have to weigh it before you go. For a 10#'er aluminum,it's 14.5 (without the regulator, don't forget that, it will throw off your measurement unless you know that weight).

And, another little factoid....they always 'under fill' the tanks. Remember, these have about 1500 psi inside, so to account for expansion without explosion, <---kinda poetic, isn't it? :geek:
they don't fill it all the way.
With a 10# AL tank, it's about 22-23 full.

The tare weight should be stamped right on the tank near the top. If not, just weigh it when you've completely run it out, without the reg.

As far as the 12 gr units? I'm not sure about those...do you think it would have the volume to do anything? It's good for bike tires, I think, in part that the tires only use 10 or 15 pounds normally. Right?

Oh, and about the 'running out of CO2'.....just bring the 'ol portable pump that's sits behind my seat all the time anyway...

[Kodiak Spirit]

I dunno about the 12 grams, thats why I asked... I was hoping somebody had already tried it for me. I know you can get a box of 12 grams at walmart for cheep, so I am gonna air one of my 35mtr's down to 10 psi and see how many 12 grams it takes to bring it back up to 30psi... and if its a pain in the rear or not, and how long it takes... and then maybe I will try one of the 20 oz paintball tanks... I just dont have alot of room for that big air tank in my jeep!

[dirtman13]

I dunno about the 12 grams, thats why I asked... I was hoping somebody had already tried it for me. I know you can get a box of 12 grams at walmart for cheep, so I am gonna air one of my 35mtr's down to 10 psi and see how many 12 grams it takes to bring it back up to 30psi... and if its a pain in the rear or not, and how long it takes... and then maybe I will try one of the 20 oz paintball tanks... I just dont have alot of room for that big air tank in my jeep!

One of my buddies uses the small paint ball tanks for filling up. I think he has to carry four. One for each tire. But it works.

[SAR Jeeper]

Used my tank for the first time this weekend. I'm in love! I have it strapped behind my seat. From there I can reach all 4 tires. It took just less than a minute to take my 35's from 12 to 30 psi. I filled mine, Geebo's (33's) and Phoenix's (33's) in the amount of time it took me to fill just mine with an air compressor.

[dirtman13]

I used mine this weekend also and it is fast. I highly recommend CO2. As for the comments about running out on the trail. Keep track of the weight and it shouldn’t be a problem. CO2 level should be part of your pre run checklist. I also still have my compressor as a back up that I’m mounting under the hood.

[bruce p]

I have just picked up a second co2 tank. That eliminates the guessing game on how much is left in my tank. I know that I can safely get 4 fills out of my 10lb tank- when I have done 4 fills, I load up the other tank and refill the first.

I also gave a guy a fill who had OBA recently. He complained that his system was too slow.

[Old Fart]

What did he have for an OBA system - an ARB compressor?

[dirtman13]

I have just picked up a second co2 tank. That eliminates the guessing game on how much is left in my tank. I know that I can safely get 4 fills out of my 10lb tank- when I have done 4 fills, I load up the other tank and refill the first.

I also gave a guy a fill who had OBA recently. He complained that his system was too slow.

When you say 4 fills I hope you mean all 4 tires 4x's. You should get a few more then that unless your running 42" tires and airing up from 3lbs.

[Kodiak Spirit]

ok the 12 gram sys is not gonna work, the super 16 sys doent do it for the right amount of cash, too expensive. the 20's paintball tanks work, but as was said, it takes at least 3 and they cost too much to fill, so back to the power tank, or other comparable systems... gosh that seems like a waste of time and money... but somebody had to do it I guess. i have bike rider friends that carry such small stuff for their tires, but of course the volume is apple to oranges...

[Old Fart]

....more like apples to orange orchards..

[dirtman13]

ok the 12 gram sys is not gonna work, the super 16 sys doent do it for the right amount of cash, too expensive. the 20's paintball tanks work, but as was said, it takes at least 3 and they cost too much to fill, so back to the power tank, or other comparable systems... gosh that seems like a waste of time and money... but somebody had to do it I guess. i have bike rider friends that carry such small stuff for their tires, but of course the volume is apple to oranges...

I carry the small CO2 cartridges when I ride my bike and they work great. That’s one of the reasons I went with the CO2 in my Jeep. Doesn’t quite fit in a fanny tool bag but it works just as well. The selection of an air system is a personal preference and everyone’s an expert on each type and will tell you why yours was a waste of money or won’t work. Sounds like your doing the right research. Good luck.:thumbs_up

[bruce p]

When you say 4 fills I hope you mean all 4 tires 4x's. You should get a few more then that unless your running 42" tires and airing up from 3lbs.

That is what I mean- thanks for the clarification.