Running a CO2 in tires?

People hinted at it but the reason CO2 is a better choice is because it liquifies under pressure, where air and nitrogen do not. You can get away with a much smaller, lighter tank, and the slight extra weight of the gas in your tires is definitely a non issue for offroad types.

Unless CO2 reacts poorly with the rubber then it makes much more sense to use. Also, it's really cheap.

 

No. I've literally tried it. A 3k psi air scuba bottle was not enough to fill up 4 33" tires from 10 to 30psi. a 5lb C02 tank will fill up a dozen 33's with the smaller volume

 

Its not really snake oil, many racing teams use it. Nitrogen is far more stable, Ie you tire pressure will not change as the tires warm up. But the value vs cost for a road vehicle is simply not their.

 

I'll remind everyone that the reason they use nitrogen is that it's a dry inert gas that doesnt change states under normal pressure.

Shop air is full of moisture which causes rot on the tire and alloys. 2nd gen TRD sport rims were famous for this.

I don't use nitro personally even though I have access to it, but its not quite snake oil.

co2 is fine for refills on the trail but I personally don't like carrying around compressed gases.

 

I’m confused. (Maybe I’m using the wrong terminology). Scuba tanks and CO2 tanks are the same thing, they simply have a different fitting. Scuba tanks are usually larger than the 5lbs co2 tanks, usually ~20lbs. So 5lbs CO2 tank holds less then a 20lbs scuba tank at the same PSI. (I’m assuming you’re putting CO2 in both). The only difference is the fitting for the regular. Well that’s my understanding I’m no scuba tank expert.

 

No no no, we were talking about air in a scuba tank vs C02 in (whatever tank). Somebody was stating that air was as effective as C02.

If you put C02 in any pressurized vessel, your useful output is like a factor of 20 or something like that vs air. I don't remember the exact figure off the top of my head.

 

oh sorry. Not even close, can’t fill shit from compressed air in a scuba tank.

 

Glad I don't have to furrow my brow at you as well lol

 

You really want to insult my mental capacity?
Do me a favor... go work out the Ideal Gas Law and let me know which one works best.. air or CO2.

 

Since you're apparently the volume expert, run the numbers for a 20lb CO2 tank and a 20lb air tank and let us know how I'm wrong. Mathematically prove how a 20lb tank filled with compressed air is going to give out more volume.

I'll wait.

 

Yup, I use CO2 for my air ups on my Tundra and Samurai. Power tank for the tank and regulator. Nothing wrong with it and will also seat a bead while you’re little air compressor is begging for help.

A lot of people in here who have no idea what they are talking about unfortunately.

 

I prefer hydrogen... #WeightSavings

 

I think you are missing the PSI part. Compressed air in a tank is 120psi usually, you can get to 200psi with the right compressors. CO2 is usually around 2700~3000psi. So the same size tank can hold 15times more CO2 than compressed air. So if you are simply filling up tires, you can do a lot more with CO2 than compressed air using the same size tank.

 

I made a 20lb system, worked great when airing up after a weekend on the beach.

 

Will it offest the extra weight of my 285/75R17 E rated tires? Will it help make sure they don't rub?

 

Fuck me! This thread is whacked!

I like CO2. With a towel over the valve discharge with no regulator, you can make dry ice.

Can cool my beer uber fasts.

Does waste a lot of compressed CO2, tho...

 

I didnt know power tanks were full of co2 , thought it was just compressed air

 

It won't, but it will do just fine if at the same pressure. Again, marketing hype
P1 V1=P2V2 always. However CO2 is 25% denser. Big whoop.

 

Don't. Helium has a nasty habit of finding leaks. On top of that, it's a vital resource that is running out. Hydrogen would be more fun anyway.