On Board Air System - Help With What to Buy

[tom4bren]

Sounds to me like you need a quality CTIS. The military use a Central Tire Inflation System on many of their vehicles. There are probably even commercial available kits out there too.

It's a major modification though so I'm sure it's just a pipe dream.

Think about it though: Approach the trail head & just set the desired psi on the dash. The system automatically airs down all tires to the desired pressure ... AND ... maintains that pressure under all wheeling conditions. Approach the trail end & just readjust the psi for road use & the system has you aired back up as soon as rubber meets asphalt.

[vt_maverick]

I'll start working on the loan application now Tom lol...

Sue - the door cargo box has a maximum interior height of about 15-16 inches. The minimum height dimension for a 10 lb. tank seems to be about 23 inches so that won't work. A fatter shorter tank wouldn't fit either.

Horizontal storage / vertical inflation seems like a viable option. Only thing that sucks is that a full tank weighs about 37 lbs., so taking it out each time would be painful.

[BigSwede]

A fancy carry handle can help with that...
http://www.powertank.com/products/sf...2/productID/47

[Marlin]

I keep mine standing up, never tried horizontal. I will say that it does vent off in the summer, and it smells like cigarette smoke, so no storing inside long term in the heat

[vt_maverick]

A fancy carry handle can help with that...
http://www.powertank.com/products/sf...2/productID/47

$70 for a handle?

[vt_maverick]

Ummm, this isn't a question of PSI, but rather volume. Think about how much space is inside your tire. The bottle would have to be just as large as the tire in order to fill the tire. I would guess that the little tank shown, at 200 psi, MIGHT do one tire from 15-20psi back up to 40psi...maybe. If I use my 30 gallon tank, I can do one 34" tire from 15lbs up to 45lbs. The compressor will kick back on at 65-70lbs. That little tiny tank ain't gonna cut it. CO2 or nitrogen, for your goal of small space, fast inflation.

Yeah you learn that on like day 2 of physics class. I remembered that this morning on the way to work but didn't have time to delete it before you replied.

[vt_maverick]

Note the 4th pic down on the right. Horizontal storage appears to be acceptable, provided you stand it upright for use.

http://www.powertank.com/mounting.ideas

This quote from the web page combined with Marlin's observation worries me though:

The light aluminum Floor Brkt. holds the CO2 tank at the perfect angle to expel vapor yet provide a super low center of gravity for maximum stability.

I keep mine standing up, never tried horizontal. I will say that it does vent off in the summer, and it smells like cigarette smoke, so no storing inside long term in the heat.

I don't plan on keeping the tank in there all the time anyway, but it will be HOT when we're out on the beach. Not trying to have everyone pass out while driving...

[BigSwede]

I have done a fair amount of reading on CO2 systems, very few folks have experienced overpressure venting of the CO2 tank. In fact, my understanding is that the overpressure safety valve consists of a disc that ruptures at a certain pressure, releasing all of the contents...which sounds different than what Marlin is experiencing. Maybe something to do with his regulator?

[tom4bren]

Yeah you learn that on like day 2 of physics class. I remembered that this morning on the way to work but didn't have time to delete it before you replied.

PV=mRT

[BigSwede]

$70 for a handle?

Like I said, fancy.

[Marlin]

I have done a fair amount of reading on CO2 systems, very few folks have experienced overpressure venting of the CO2 tank. In fact, my understanding is that the overpressure safety valve consists of a disc that ruptures at a certain pressure, releasing all of the contents...which sounds different than what Marlin is experiencing. Maybe something to do with his regulator?

Mine doesn't have a rupture disc, it is a standard CO2 bottle from a pop machine...I paid about 125ish IRRC for the bottle, regulator, hose and chuck on Ebay. The 20lb bottle, I bought off of Smiley on the Planet for 20 bucks, but it needs a hydro.

[Triathlete]

Only thing that sucks is that a full tank weighs about 37 lbs., so taking it out each time would be painful.

Sounds like its time to start hitting the gym before beach season!

[vt_maverick]

You sound like my wife!

It's not that I can't move it, I'm just too lazy to do it if it can be avoided.

[Triathlete]

You sound like my wife!

Never met her...but, I like her already!