drummond
01-20-2008, 11:49 AM
A couple of months ago, I decided that it was time that I had an OBA system in my Jeep. This was necessary to fill up tires, run air tools, and even re-seat beads if needed. I started researching the possible options, and was initially going to go with a York type OBA system. I then began to research CO2 systems a little bit more, and decided that a system like that would fit my use the best. I had several reasons for this. It was simple, (could be cheaper), had plenty of power to fill up tires, and had enough power to run air tools. I wasnt going to have to run another belt setup, switches, or check-valves etc. IMO that was just another thing that could possibly go wrong, and I didnt like that. I try to build everything as simple and basic as possible, that works well, because I did not want something giving out on the trail.
Many of the CO2 systems on the market are quite expensive, such as www.powertank.com Being on a college budget....and not really thinking I needed to spend that much I began researching some alternatives. I found a local beverage/party store that sold used 20# CO2 tanks for kegs and such. I picked one up REALLY cheap(already full), and it was an aluminum tank(~$20). Best part was, is that they dont require a deposit on the tanks, and I can get this filled at any welding supply store for around $15:woot: So that was the simple base for my project, all I did was sand it down, and painted it black.
Next I began researching what I could use for a regulator setup. I had heard of people using air regulators, but they ran into problems because of the cold temperature of the CO2. The CO2 in the tank is stored in a liquid form, and when you open the regulator, the pressure difference emits the CO2 into a gaseous form. That allows you to hold SO much more than just a compressed air tank. However, when the CO2 turns to a gas, it is very cold, and you need a regulator that handle that without freezing. To do this, I talked to my buddy Brian who owns www.ultimate-air.com, and I picked up an express regulator like this for around $40
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/drummond/Regulator.jpg
I then picked up some basic air lines and fittings at the local hardware store (~$20), and it connected right into the regulator Brian sent me. That was it, I now had OBA:woot: I then needed to design something to attach the tank inside my Jeep, so I just went down to the hardware store and picked up some angled steel, and used a couple hose clamps. I built a bracket out of the angle that holds the tank "snug" behind my seat, and the hose clamps hold it extremely tight against the bracket. The bracket was built in a rectangular pattern so that the tank fit nicely in-between the brackets. This was quite simple, and works very well. The tank is held extremely well, is in a place that does not have much risk for damage, and is protected from the rollbar right above it. I am still planning to made a valve protector sometime. The tank in sweating in the pictures because the garage was warm.....and it was -3 F out.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/drummond/100_1076.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/drummond/100_1077.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/drummond/100_1079.jpg
I have used this to run my impact numerous times, and it works very well. Fills up tires quite fast as well. I have figured from www.powertank.com 's calculations and several others, that I can fill up roughly 26 37" tires from 5-25 psi (20 psi increase). So for around $75 I have an OBA system that is portable, simple, and powerful.
Many of the CO2 systems on the market are quite expensive, such as www.powertank.com Being on a college budget....and not really thinking I needed to spend that much I began researching some alternatives. I found a local beverage/party store that sold used 20# CO2 tanks for kegs and such. I picked one up REALLY cheap(already full), and it was an aluminum tank(~$20). Best part was, is that they dont require a deposit on the tanks, and I can get this filled at any welding supply store for around $15:woot: So that was the simple base for my project, all I did was sand it down, and painted it black.
Next I began researching what I could use for a regulator setup. I had heard of people using air regulators, but they ran into problems because of the cold temperature of the CO2. The CO2 in the tank is stored in a liquid form, and when you open the regulator, the pressure difference emits the CO2 into a gaseous form. That allows you to hold SO much more than just a compressed air tank. However, when the CO2 turns to a gas, it is very cold, and you need a regulator that handle that without freezing. To do this, I talked to my buddy Brian who owns www.ultimate-air.com, and I picked up an express regulator like this for around $40
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/drummond/Regulator.jpg
I then picked up some basic air lines and fittings at the local hardware store (~$20), and it connected right into the regulator Brian sent me. That was it, I now had OBA:woot: I then needed to design something to attach the tank inside my Jeep, so I just went down to the hardware store and picked up some angled steel, and used a couple hose clamps. I built a bracket out of the angle that holds the tank "snug" behind my seat, and the hose clamps hold it extremely tight against the bracket. The bracket was built in a rectangular pattern so that the tank fit nicely in-between the brackets. This was quite simple, and works very well. The tank is held extremely well, is in a place that does not have much risk for damage, and is protected from the rollbar right above it. I am still planning to made a valve protector sometime. The tank in sweating in the pictures because the garage was warm.....and it was -3 F out.
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/drummond/100_1076.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/drummond/100_1077.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v602/drummond/100_1079.jpg
I have used this to run my impact numerous times, and it works very well. Fills up tires quite fast as well. I have figured from www.powertank.com 's calculations and several others, that I can fill up roughly 26 37" tires from 5-25 psi (20 psi increase). So for around $75 I have an OBA system that is portable, simple, and powerful.