OBA CO2

[JeepinCoastie]

I've been debating on my local forum about this... i wasnt sure what route to go... originally i was thinking of converting the AC compressor to run OBA ... the i was thining something along the lines of a VIAIR kit ... now I think I'm gonna go with a CO2 system ...
multiple reasons ...
I don't air down to often usually only when I go to RC. I live in Jersey and wheel maybe once a month in the Pine Barrens and go to RC like 3 times a year
It will better suit the occasional use of air tools i live in condos so this could be nice for doin some quick work on the rig
Mobility ... both on and off the trail ... I can take it out my truck for Day to Day stuff and not have it take up space...
My truck doesn't have to running to use it...
and I get to Keep my AC not a necessity but its there so I'll take it
Plus its pretty F'in sweet lol i think...

so whats everyone take?

[lobsterdmb]

I've been debating on my local forum about this... i wasnt sure what route to go... originally i was thinking of converting the AC compressor to run OBA ... the i was thining something along the lines of a VIAIR kit ... now I think I'm gonna go with a CO2 system ...
multiple reasons ...
I don't air down to often usually only when I go to RC. I live in Jersey and wheel maybe once a month in the Pine Barrens and go to RC like 3 times a year
It will better suit the occasional use of air tools i live in condos so this could be nice for doin some quick work on the rig
Mobility ... both on and off the trail ... I can take it out my truck for Day to Day stuff and not have it take up space...
My truck doesn't have to running to use it...
and I get to Keep my AC not a necessity but its there so I'll take it
Plus its pretty F'in sweet lol i think...

so whats everyone take?

I have been using CO2 for a few years and while it is nice for portability, I have had it run out at inopportune times twice. I plan on adding OBA using a belt driven compressor hopefully sometime over the summer. I will probably retain my CO2 for use in the other jeep and still leave in the jeep for wheeling due to its ease of portability away from the jeep.

[ktm racer 419]

i love my co2, costs me 20 bucks to fill a 10lb tank locally, but still worth it. nothing to break, i can bring it anywhere i need it. move it from jeep to jeep.

just when using it with an impact for loosening bolts under your jeep, make sure the exhaust isnt pointed at your face

[Andy in Pa.]

I really don't have any experience with using a CO2 system, I have always had some sort of OBA for the past 9 years though, ever since I started using ARB's. I originally used a small Quick Air compressor, with a small storage tank. I used it to break lugs/bolts loose and set beads a few times, and it did the trick. It would pressurize up to 115psi and shut off, so that provided enough pressure for that "quick shot" when needed. It did take a long time to air up tires though, it just didn't keep up when it was used in a "steady-state" mode. I switched over to a belt-driven York a few years ago, and LOVE IT!!! I can run air tools, air all my tires up in a few minutes and basically anything else where air is needed. AND if you need a bit more volume of air from the York, just bump the idle up a little bit...

The little Quick Air compressor got swapped to my wifes MJ, it is still running strong.

[JeepinCoastie]

i love my co2, costs me 20 bucks to fill a 10lb tank locally, but still worth it. nothing to break, i can bring it anywhere i need it. move it from jeep to jeep.

just when using it with an impact for loosening bolts under your jeep, make sure the exhaust isnt pointed at your face

not even gonna ask ...

[ktm racer 419]

lol

yeaaa

didnt realize it until it hit me and had the sudden urge to vomit and forgot how to do math

[mjma]

I've got CO2...it's easier than setting up OBA!! And since a bunch of people in my club have OBA, if the CO2 runs out, I'm all set. I may do OBA too in the future...no refilling! Either way, it's nice to have air!

[Hackmeister]

i've got OBA with nitrogen now, as of a couple weeks ago and it's awesome. fills up the tires stupid fast, and I can run air tools no problem with it. I used it just last weekend to impact off my hub nut to change ujoints and it was a cake walk.

benefits to nitrogen over CO2
-about the same to fill the tank (~$25-30 for a 15lb tank like mine)
-no affected by temperature as much as CO2 so no worries about it overpressurizing in the trunk in the heat of summer
-i actually know the pressure in the tank so I know when it's getting low, CO2 just lets go and its hard to tell besides weighing the tank
-nitrogen is less moist than CO2 so it is better for the air tools
-supposedly nitrogen leaks less than just compressed air, which is why tire shops upcharge to fill tires with nitrogen

downsides
-regulator was $150
-i think the valve on my tank leaks a bit, so i get a lovely blast of the smell of concentrated nitrogen when i get in my jeep

[XJLI]

any more info on the nitro? sounds interesting. i was gonna use a 20lb fire extinguisher for C02.. will it work with nitro?

[Hackmeister]

i got the tank from marty (mjma) actually, and it used to be a coca cola tank for CO2. you'll just need to take it to a welding supply place or somewhere to switch the valve from CO2 to nitrogen. apparently the tanks are exactly the same, just basically pressure vessels rated to ~3200psi, which i belive is standard. the nitrogen does make it less of a convenience to fill since i can't just go to a liquor store and swap for a full tank, but i also don't get a tank that's all sticky and smells like beer

[XJLI]

awesome i'll definitely look into that. any issue with destructive depressurization? ...lol... the C02 just leaks out slow all liquid like if the valve get hit, will nitro do the same?

[Hackmeister]

im not sure, i havent had it long enough to really tell.