ARB solenoid alternatives

[Forceful Llama]

I'm considering running a CO2 canister for paintball guns instead of a compressor to activate my d44 arb. A friend has a few extra canisters I could refill easily. My question is had anyone here done this? I know I can find a manual switch from Mac valves, just need to find one with the correct fitting size. I'm trying to set up something cheap until I can afford the compressor to fill tires and activate the locker. From what I've read this will work fine for one locker for a season barring leaks. What parts should I need? All I have is the rear locker installed.

 

[whitexj98]

I believe the fitting on the Mac valve is 1/8 pipe thread. You would just need to figure fittings from the Mac valve to the tank. The solenoid Mac valves work on the Arb compressors so i would use those and wire it to a switch, then it will all work with the compressor later on if you add one.

 

[Steelman]

I did exactly that for a short time, big waste of time and money. The whole system is very prone to leaks and your little tank will be empty before you have time to react. Push to connect fittings and ARBs are not exactly air tight even if there are no noticable leaks. May be able to use a switch instead of a solenoid, but you are still going to need a regulator. Something like this:

http://palmer-pursuit.com/cart/inline-stabilizer-p-174.html?zenid=jpul60ccel7ukq77rr075ccgm2

I ended up getting a used ARB compressor off EBay and has worked flawlessly for years.

 

[XJEEPER]

Here's the link to my build thread, where you can see how I plumbed my ARB lockers, using manual pneumatic switches. Simple, eliminates a couple of points of failure and I've had zero issues with this setup in 6 years.

http://naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=913774&page=6

Should work well with a CO2 tank setup, with the proper regulation.

 

[OutkastBoss]

I used the same pnuematuc switches with the air brake line and PTC fittings.

I mounted my air tank on removable pins and the ptc fittings, It could be used as a portable air tank (never do that though). I also replaced the drain valve with a schrader valve so I can fill it with a tire chuck in case of compressor failure.
The tank has one regulated air source for the Arb's and an unregulated one for the air gun and tire chuck. I am about to add a filter for the Arb's after the tank other than that it has worked out great.

It pretty well only fills up once or twice a day wheeling, does Ok filling tires and sucks at filling air beds. I'd like to get a better pump one day.

Scroll down a bit:
http://www.naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=1080904&page=4

 

[AaronNW]

My stock solenoid went bad and I did the mac replacement. The mac solenoid leaked from the start and got worse and worse. I ended up switching to a manual air toggle and have been incredibly happy with it. Don't do c02. The regulator will cost as much as a small air compressor. Buy a cheap air compressor or just and arb one. Pressure shut offs are like 10 dollars as well as the solenoid. I haven't tried this one but it should work fine. http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/B00827FP26/ref=mp_s_a_1_1?qid=1399620724&sr=8-1&pi=SY200_QL40
I switched my whole arb system to quarter inch plastic line with push fittings.

 

[Ronbo]

Don't do c02. The regulator will cost as much as a small air compressor. Buy a cheap air compressor or just and arb one.

You can spend big bucks, but it's not a requirement. I've been running this regulator for years after switching my ARB setup over to CO2, without a problem. $56.

http://www.beveragefactory.com/draftbeer/regulator/double/primary_high_pressure_double_gauge_beer_co2_regulator.shtml

 

[XJEEPER]

Here's the link to my build thread, where you can see how I plumbed my ARB lockers, using manual pneumatic switches. Simple, eliminates a couple of points of failure and I've had zero issues with this setup in 6 years.

http://naxja.org/forum/showthread.php?t=913774&page=6

Should work well with a CO2 tank setup, with the proper regulation.

I have added one component since the build, an inline 100 psi regulator to the ARB's so I can benefit from 140psi in the system for airing up tires.

 

[Forceful Llama]

Thanks for the links, I'll hopefully be setting something up the next couple weeks.