Air

[ErieJeep]

Looking for opinions on OBA. Compressor or power tank?

[jdogg4]

I was looking at getting OBA via compressor but am now thinking about a power tank.

[deadpedal]

Oh, there are so many things that you can do with a Powertank, versus a mere compressor. Run air tools? how would you like to be able to do that on the trail? Filling tires takes only a minute, for ALL of my tires. I run a VIAIR compressor, which I love dearly. But, every chance that I get, I use my pals' Powertank. It is nothing short of truly amazing, whoever thought that you'd have a reason to get excited over CO2? Take it from me, there's plenty to get excited over.

[jdogg4]

I like them yet to use one but I've never heard anything bad about them. They are a bit pricy.

[ErieJeep]

How much typicly does it cost to refill a power tank?

[jdogg4]

I think thats the cheeper part it's the tank that isn't cheep. I think

[ErieJeep]

Yeah I've seen some prices in the $350 range for tanks.

[LWB]

Oh, there are so many things that you can do with a Powertank, versus a mere compressor. Run air tools? how would you like to be able to do that on the trail? Filling tires takes only a minute, for ALL of my tires. If you use a modified air compressor, you could run air tools with no problem. Also, no worries about the tank being empty when you need it.

[ErieJeep]

[/quote] If you use a modified air compressor, you could run air tools with no problem. Also, no worries about the tank being empty when you need it.[/quote]

Where could a guy get one?

[ErieJeep]

So whens the next gift giving holiday anyway???? :D

[TJMagoo]

So whens the next gift giving holiday anyway???? :D

That depends. Valentines Day is next week. But after that, if it's not your birthday, you would have to wait until either an anniversary or Christmas. That sucks! :*

[ErieJeep]

:drop: You know my birthday?? Yeah it sucks, I need air!! :D

[TJMagoo]

:drop: You know my birthday??

Nope. I don't know a thing :no:

[ErieJeep]

Hey why doesn't my avatar work?
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[ErieJeep]

:drop: You know my birthday??

Nope. I don't know a thing :no:

about what??,,nevermind the av works now.

[LWB]

If you use a modified air compressor, you could run air tools with no problem. Also, no worries about the tank being empty when you need it.[/quote]

Where could a guy get one?[/quote]Ask and ye shall receive-Kilby Enterprises http://www.onboardair.com/ He also makes the best TJ gas tank skid I've seen!! (have one on my TJ and love it!)kilbyenterprises.com

[ErieJeep]

Hey thanks. I've seen those Kilby units before. I'm not sure if I'd want a belt driven one though. I agree about the gas skids, its on my "list".

[ErieJeep]

Do you have any pics of your TJ? I don't recall seeing it in the rides section.

[LWB]

The only electronic pic of it I have is the one of the Bogger in the What size tires? thread, and I hate to keep bugging my neighbor to use his scanner. It's also in the Wrangler Forum under Tires. I'd post it here, too, but I think TJMagoo is probably getting tired of it!! :roll: :roll: Anyway, I'm going out to the Badlands this Sunday, and am bringing the digital camera!!! (should post mon. or tue.)

[TJMagoo]

I think TJMagoo is probably getting tired of it!!

Never :no: It's a jeep. Can't get enough of seeing those! :*

[jdogg4]

Hey LWB thanks for the links.

[LWB]

I couldn't remember where I said I'd post the pix, thanks for thanking me :lol: The Badlands rocked yesterday! (but I didn't roll)

[deadpedal]

Refills for a tank costs about $10 each and can be had from a welding supply shop, a fire safety outlet (they refill your fire extinguishers too) and sometimes you can even find one of those specialized AirGas places.

The biggest reasons I can find for running a Powertank is convenience.

You can bolt the holder for it pretter much anywhere you want, I have a pal who runs a PT-5 inside of a waterproof case with all of the accessories. It's pretty well packaged. He's got an oiler for his wrench and a simple blower fitting. Keeps everything neat and clean.

You don't have to worry about oiling another piece of equipment under the hood. You don't have to worry about loss of horsepower. You don't have to worry about fittings leaking. You don't have to worry about mounting an oiler, or a water/ oil trap or check valves, or pop-off valves...
Most of this is pretty well inclusive or not needed with a PowerTank system. The regulator and pressure gauge are mounted on the top of the tank and are repairable and replaceable. The most continual maintenance I can see with one of these things is remembering to oil your air tools before you use them. You should do this with any air tool system anyway.
I just like to keep things simpler. The VIAIR that I have right now is running my (new) lockers and I'm planning on buying a PT-10 in the near future. At that point the compressor will be running the lockers and backing up the CO2 tank.
I can see using a compressor if you're using it all the time, like at a worksite. Any other reason that I can see is just not cost or maintenance effective.

[ErieJeep]

Thanks guys. So are you saying a fire extinguisher could be used as a tank? What about a tank from a SCUBA shop?

[deadpedal]

Thanks guys. So are you saying a fire extinguisher could be used as a tank? What about a tank from a SCUBA shop?

SCUBA tanks are anything but cheap. That's a really expensive sport to start with and the more you get into it, the less money you have for simple things (eating, for instance).

If you are gonna go with a tank and you're dead set on making one from a fire extinguisher, all you're gonna do is spend the same amount of money in parts as the outright price of a PowerTank. And you'll probably end up with a lower quality product. Not bashing anybody's skill out there, but these guys do this stuff for a living.
The most expensive thing about the PowerTank is the regulator, the tank itself is just marginally less. The majority of the money is spent on safety and operating features in the regulator.

If you're gonna use a fire extiguisher or similar tank make sure you get it hydro-tested first, for safety's sake. A welding shop that sells tanks would know where to have this done, as would a SCUBA pro shop.

[ErieJeep]

FWIW I got a price of $160 for a SCUBA tank friday. Like you said though it would probably be better and safer to just buy the power tank.

[ErieJeep]

Well I've decided to make my own system. So far I have the following.
1) 5 # tank
2) regulator with pop off valve
I got the tank and regulator from a friend who owns a beer distibutorship for $123. The regulator only goes to 60 psi so air tools are probably out of the question but I don't have any anyway. I got the tank filled today for $8. All thats left to get is a mounting bracket and a hose.

[jdogg4]

I was talking to my dad this weekend about OBA when working on the back end of the lift and told him about OBA and finding a tank. He said he might be able to find me a good tank that would work for that. He is a site manager for preventive maintenance for H.V.A.C he has all kinds of access to stuff like that or can order stuff like that for cost. So I will keep you all updated on what he can find out.

[ErieJeep]

I got a bracket today from Gainger $35. Hose kit with all kind of adapters, chucks and nozzles last night from Walmart $30. Yeah man if your dad can get the parts go for it. It's alot less expensive than the brand name powertank.