CO2 versus York OBA?

[jolleyman]

How about some friendly critical analysis of the CO2 bottle system versus having a engine driven OBA system? What are the pros/cons of each? I never considered the CO2 and I'm curious as to why it seems many folks prefer this setup since overall cost seems to be negligible between the two.

Personally, I went with the York OBA. I liked the idea of having an engine driven system that puts out unlimited air and a good volume at that since all I really use it for is airing up tires. The only PITA part is finding a convenient place to mount an air tank.

[satan]

Yeah - whatever -- the CO2 systems are fine, but in most cases you end-up owning and filling the bottle -- that'll require that YOU pay for the recert (hydrostatic pressure testing) on YOUR bottle every whatever interval (4-years sticks in my head, but...)

The bottles are kinda cool, but they do hold CO2 - it's a heavy gas and compressing it to 1K+psi adds more weight - also, unless you're refilling with beverage grade CO2, you'll be getting oiled CO2 - good and bad -- Good, because CO2 is a not to good atmosphere stuff that causes oxidation, bad because that oil will stay around and stick to stuff - the oxidation will hose-up air tools and tires and stuff, but probably NOT for the amount of use that typicaly happens for weekend wheelin' -- but...

For a tank solution - I'd recommend SCBA (Scotty bottles) for dry air or accept the loss of capacity and go for Dry Nitrogen -- both are sillier than CO2 (cost factor and capacity), but in a perfect world...

Belt driven air rocks - unless your motor won't run and you really need an impact wrench to get at something -- and sometimes it's DAMNED difficult to get to someplace way down a cliff where someone is sitting on their roof and you wanna cut em out with an air chisel (bottles work well for that - or a half-mile hose...).

IMHO, I believe that the belt driven solution with a moderate storage capacity (6 gallons minimum @ 150psi) - is a better solution than owning a CO2 tank...

Leasing the tank to free yourself from the retesting burder adds a little weight, but... about evens the field for me...

[Paulwpetrea]

Personally, I have been looking into on-board welders. You can take an on-board welder like the Ready Welder (http://www.readywelder.com), add the gas from a CO2 tank, and have a perfect combination.

1. It will allow you to weld with a 100% duty cycle.
2. It will allow you to have a portable on-board air and welder system.
3. It will allow you to dispatch with the idea of:
a. Having to mount another alternator (for on-board welding).
b. Having to mount other brackets for on-board air.
c. Having to mount a tank, hoses, etc., for on-board air.
4. It will allow you to have complete portability.

Just my opinion here. I hope this helps you though.

[ontherocks]

I just looked at a PowerTank last week and I think it is great! From the instructions I read you can:
Fill a 35" tire in 70 seconds
Seat a bead on a tire with a single blast
Run an impact wrench for 30 minutes
Get full pressure discharge from beginning of bottle to end

The 10 lb'er runs about $300 and a refill from Airgas in Colo. Spgs. runs about $15. Another nicety is the fact that it is portable to wherever you want it to be. I may just get one in a few weeks and give it a run against my brother's ARB compressor. :P

[Paulwpetrea]

Before you go buying that. I would see if this deal is still good.

Click on this thread: It was started by someone else, some time ago. However, look at what Rockbug (Blaine) (http://www.quadratec.com/ubb/Forum1/HTML/002217.html) posted to it.

However, I heard not too long ago, the deal was still good.

Scroll to the bottom of the first page, for the information. I would check there, before doing anything else. Just tryin' to help ya out.

BTW, check on my Jeep links page, for other links for on-board air, welders, C02, etc. Click here: Paul's Links Page 1 (http://www.angelfire.com/ga/bigjeeplover/favorites3.html)

You'll have to forgive the progress. I'm in the middle (right this minute, actually) working on this page.

[99XJGuy]

Whatever you decide to go with, make sure you're taking a blow gun with you, great for blasting mud off your valve stems and drying out those distributor caps in a hurry! ;)

[I-4]

and drying out those distributor caps in a hurry!
i keep a can of wd-40 for that.i've got an airtank from craftsman that is good for 125psi. just good for airups.it will be a component in my oba system later.

[jolleyman]

I suppose I can see and agree with the benefit of greater portability of the CO2 tank. But really, the only scenario I can picture that really being a decisive factor is for helping fellow Jeepers that you cannot drive up to or otherwise reach with your hose. Or, if you can't run your engine at a particular moment that you need air which is probably less of a factor for a fuel injected rig. Neither of which have I ever encountered myself when off road but I suppose it could happen.

Personally, I went with the York OBA system already so this isn't a decision factor for me, I was just wondering why so many choose to go CO2 instead as it seemed to me that the cost difference was fairly negligible. Portability is a good and valid point but I still like/prefer to idea of having all the air I can stand on demand. I just couldn't picture myself liking the idea of having to pay for fill-ups, or worrying about how much CO2 was left in the tank and if I had enough prior to hitting the trail, etc.., besides the hearsay I've seen floating around about some folks having problems with the regulators malfunctioning and/or valves coming loose though I've no firsthand experience with any of that.

Anyhow, keep the comments coming as its always nice to hear other opinions that may help others decide which system is best for them.

[99XJGuy]

CO2 will run beer, try that with a york! :bncgrin:

Seriously, mine pulls double duty for the keg fridge and the Jeep.

[Paulwpetrea]

I knew there was an 'alternative' reason for going CO2 !! :D :D :D

[coynster]

Does anyone know if that deal that is talked about from Rockbug Blaine is still good?

[Paulwpetrea]

Well, I just tried the number that was posted on the CO2 (on-board air alternative) thread of my Jeep links site. The number is disconnected.

So, I would suggest e-mailing Blaine directly, to see.

Sorry I don't have any further information on it.

[coynster]

Well, I just tried the number that was posted on the CO2 (on-board air alternative) thread of my Jeep links site. The number is disconnected.

So, I would suggest e-mailing Blaine directly, to see.

Sorry I don't have any further information on it.

For anyone that's still interested, this deal is still good. I just placed my order today. Same price, a year later... great deal. Its amazing that they can offer the deal at 50% the cost of Powertank...

[Paulwpetrea]

Do you have a current number to call for it?

Thanks man,

[coynster]

Do you have a current number to call for it?

Thanks man,

The number in the original post is still good, 949-646-2435, ask for Bradley, tell em Blaine sent ya... he knows what to do. I think I'm going to post this over at Qtech and re-vive it there as well, after a lot of searching, thats a damn good deal...

[Paulwpetrea]

I appreciate it. I would have sworn the number came up disconnected when I originally posted that above. OKay .. so I'm going nutz! :D :D

Either way, thanks!

[jeepbob]

I have less than $25 invested in my York OBA by getting the tank, check valve, and pop off valve off a semi at the junkyard. The comp to tank hose is a/c line off a full sized GM product and the pressure switch came off an old refrigeration unit. The F/L/R unit came off an old machine and has a quick dump/lockout valve on it. With just a little minor machine work and a screw in breather cap you no longer have the oiling problem with the York and you have a system that will run 120 psi all day. I even changed a rear axle asm in the field with it, lets see you do that with CO2.

[Clutch]

...since all I really use it for is airing up tires. The only PITA part is finding a convenient place to mount an air tank.
Just wondering (needing to get some sort of OBA soon), why you thought it was necessary to get a tank, if all you really use it for is airing up tires?
BTW, good thread. I've been going over this one in my head for a while now. Leaning (obviously) towards York. Much harder to set up, and that's whay i think alot of people go with a CO2 system. However, once set up, i think the York becomes the air supply of choice. :)
matt

[jolleyman]

I think there are numerous benefits to adding a tank to this system and like I said, it will mostly be used to air up tires but I like to option of being able to run air tools and accessories off of it as well. By having a reservoir, you maintain better control over the entire system (no chance of overpressurizing) and you have greater plumbing options available. I designed my system to give me a quick disconnect on each side of the vehicle.

I think using a tank and proper components will also aid in longevity of the system over time. The compressor doesn't have to startup or run under heavy load nor carry the pressure of the entire system. Makes for a more efficient operation overall.