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| Everyone states that they want to set beads & run air tools...My main concern, was that I was tired of having to wait to use the air machine at the gas station to air up my tires. Airing down was originally done with a key, and was made easier by Oasis Tire Deflators. I needed to make putting the air back in easier too. I was going with the compressor 1st (I dont have AC), but I couldn't find one that was inexpensive; I also like that the CO2 is somewhat portable. I then saw the PowerTank & figured I could make my own....even though their literature stated that I couldn't |
| CO2 |
| Pictured here is a used 10lb. CO2 tank. When I bought it, it was your typical nasty, beat up tank. Wow, the wonders of paint. I bought it, full, from a fire extinguisher co. for $40. |
| Next was the regulator. The guy at the fire ext. service knew a guy who collected old regulatores & tanks...(and we think our hobby is weird). He didn't have a high-flow CO2 regulator, but had a Nitrogen regulator which he put a CO2 connection on and told me that it would work. Since I'm cluless on the whole topic, I figured I would trust him. ( If you're honest & tell people why you're trying to build the system, most will be interested & are very willing to help. Stay away from those who start hounding you!) Oh, that cost me $30 |
| Then there was the 10lb. fire extinguisher mount. The top bolt uses the pre-existing seat belt mount, & a grade 8 bolt. The bottom was drilled through the bar, and uses a grade 8 bolt w/ washer & nut on the back. For safety, I strap the tank in w/ a small rachet strap. The mount holds the tank on the road...but Im not taking the chance of getting smacked in the head with a flying tank on the trail. |
| Now the hose...I was told by others that have tried, that you need a polyurethane hose, or that it will freeze & crack. This was the toughest thing to find. Not sure if its an eastcoast thing or what...but I couldn't find anyone who's heard of the stuff, besides selling it. Since I was hitting the trail that week, I bought the hose from PowerTank for approx. $30. I also bought a $20 air chuck w/ air gaue & numerous brass fittings. |
| I have used it on the trail & am very happy with it. No problems at all & is quicker than a compressor. Sure, you have to get it refilled...but from a chart on PowerTanks page, its estimated that, w/ a 10lb. tank, you can refill about 49 33x12.50 tires. |
| If I weren't such an impatient kid, I could've probably found cheaper, I also may change the regulator in the future. But, considering what I payed as compared to buying one, and the fact that it works as well as it does...Im as happy as can be! |