CO2 in tyres

You run CO2! Wow, I didn't realise people did that on the street. In my racing days some of the die hards used to run gas (cant recall if it was CO2 or Argon - whatever) to control pressure variation. I have seen some use compressed air tanks, but it didn't work well. Sounds like this set up works well though.

Goran, Why would you go to the trouble of using CO2? Air is free and I have absolutely no problems with tyres inflated by air in any conditions! I'd be most interested in hearing your reasons - you said "it helps to be on your way on the really hot day". I don't understand what you mean by that. I know that CO2 doesn't support combustion but I've never had or seen a tyre catch fire. I also know it's heavier than air but I can't for the life of me see how that could be an advantage. Is the plus simply that you can pump 26 tyres in 10 seconds each? My compressor takes about 2 minutes each so I guess there's some advantage if you're in a hurry! How much does a 3.5kg CO2 bottle cost as a matter of interest?

What's it cost to rent a bottle??
How tall are they?
Sounds interesting, posibly cheaper than buying a $300 - $400 air compresor.
Thanks

Bill, am running 265-75-R16 tubeles Grandtrack AT1
I do a lot of desert driving and don't have many flats at all.
Here it is guys.Forget about renting the bottle.Mine is fire extinquisher bottle 3.5kg liquid CO2.Rigged with oxy gauge and regulator(wich is a must due to hi pressure)and short hose.
Nothing to it.Try it,you will not beleive

Goran
Sounds like Bill could do with a Trackcare course if he has done so much travel without dropping tyre pressures.

Interesting, I often carry a scuba tank which contains enough air to inflate types in a few seconds. If you are a diving type person then this is very easy thing to build. Get a cheap first stage and hose connector. Plug it to a length of hose and gauge/inflator and you are away. Goran you device sounds very similiar however you use co2 instead of air. I may write a feature on air compressors/inflation systems soon and will keep it in mind.Regards David.

check out www.expeditionexchange.com/powertank/FAQ.htm

Goran
Here are a few things to be careful of when designing or using pressure tanks (CO2, SCUBA etc.): 1)By law, all presure tanks must be inspected periodically eg SCUBA tanks annually, I don't know how often fire extinguisher tanks must be tested, 2)By law, all pressure tanks must be fitted with a pressure relief device - usually a rupture disk. I had a nasty experience when my SCUBA tank burst its rupture disk at 1.00AM one night - gave me a hell of a scare!! The cause was very hot ambient conditions (Adelaide summer) which heated the tank and increased the pressure. This is something to think about if you're in hot outback conditions - it pays to have another way of inflating tyres. Even though I have an ARB compressor under the bonnet I always carry a hand pump as well because you can't get far on a flat tyre and getting somewhere could be a matter of life or death. 4)A man was killed in the US when a wheel-barrow tyre he was inflating blew apart and he was hit in the chest by part of the rim. There were a number of contributing factors that caused the accident (i)The compressor he was using was not fitted with a pressure regulator (ii)The rate of air deilvery was very fast relative to the size of the tyre. (iii)The tyre was of the split rim design with bolts holding the rim together, (iv)the bolts were rusty. The dangers of 4WD split rims are well documented - they can be fatal also. I use split rims but always take precautions when inflating for the first time after a repair. A fast inflation rate is not recommended for split rims. Cheers.

Goran,I have been looking at a similar system to yours using a standard Co2 bottle but have been unable to source a Co2 regulator that will let more than 4cfm out at best how much in cfm does your oxy regulator do? and at what pressure?
Alan.

Goran
Just found the regulator I bought when i got my Co2 bottle having had a look at it its an oxy regulator with a fitting to fit a Co2 bottle which i bought to do home brew but havent started yet I will get some fittings and connect an air line and gauge to it and see how it goes ,this has to be much cheaper than any good quality compressor from memory the secod hand regulator cost $50 and the 9 kg co2 was $37 9kg is probably too big I may have to down size if ever I empty it will let every one know how it goes.
Alan