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Old 04-03-2013, 01:01 AM   #1
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Power Tank

I've discussed Power Tank as an option for on-board air in a couple of threads. After some more experimentation and time of ownership, a few thoughts specific to SMB.

1. Power Tank will fill your tires significantly faster than anything else. By far. Period.

2. That being said, because of the higher pressures required on the SMB, a 10 pound tank doesn't last long. In fact, my experiments have shown that you are lucky to air back up to SMB recommended pressures twice with one 10 pound tank. The 20 pound tank should be considered a minimum. Better yet, two 10 pound tanks so you know one is full...

3. The tanks need to be re-certified every 5 years. That's not on the website. At least not that I saw. My tank is out being re-certified now. When I get it back I will post the expense.

4. Re-filling the tank isn't hard or expensive, but it isn't easy or cheap either. You need to find a welding supply shop. Their most common response is, "We swap out the tanks." Your most common response is, "Yea, but I paid a BUNCH of money for this shiny powder coated one. I'd like to keep it."

Bottom line: It works fantastic for my Jeep with 35" tires only filling to 32-35 psi. It doesn't have the capacity we need to go to 80 psi.

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Old 04-03-2013, 09:41 AM   #2
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Re: Power Tank

How much do people charge to refill a 20lb tank? I'm guessing a good quality compressor is cheaper over the long run. Still very happy with my ARB twin compressor.

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Old 04-03-2013, 10:08 AM   #3
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Re: Power Tank

Other option is diving tank, but it also needs to be filled up...
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Old 04-03-2013, 11:25 AM   #4
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Re: Power Tank

Don't fill at a welding shop. I fill mine at the local soda fountain distributor from their huge CO2 tank for about $15.
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Old 04-03-2013, 11:37 AM   #5
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Re: Power Tank

According to Power Tank when I talked with them several months back, A 10 lb tank will take 4-315/75-r16 tires from 25 lbs to 75lbs with some left over. So that should fill a set of 285's to 80 lbs w/o a problem. Not saying I'd never drop below 25 ibs per tire on a 12,000 pound vehicle, but I've never had to go that low and I think the 315's are a 65lb max pressure anyway. I'd like to have a emergency backup to my extreme air. Besides, they look great and are beautiful tanks worth keeping them pollished and waxed. Now where is the real estate to mount it? I still have to find a place for the Maxtrax
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Old 04-03-2013, 02:04 PM   #6
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Re: Power Tank

Quote:
Originally Posted by Jeffrey
Don't fill at a welding shop. I fill mine at the local soda fountain distributor from their huge CO2 tank for about $15.
Dunno 'bout that. I fill mine for about $17 here in the Bay Area. Swapping tanks is much less of a hassle than having to get it filled; an ugly one works as well as a shiny one, and no waiting. And any welding place will do it (you can also check fire extinguisher places). Some shops just don't wanna hassle with taking time to fill an itty bitty one off tank, so again you may be better off in a welding shop. Or if you're lucky, your home brew shop. Make sure the tank has a recent hydro test.

The price for the Power Tanks seems rather high. A 20 Lb tank new is gonna be about $150, a regulator maybe up to $125, and some miscellaneous fittings and whatnot is still gonna be cheaper, and not hard to build with some air fittings from the hardware store or Harbor Freight. But even then it's gonna cost more in the long run than an air compressor, although there might be other benefits; for example, use as an on-board fire extinguisher, soda water maker, beer carbonator, MIG welding. But I just carry a bike CO2 inflator for some of that.
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Old 04-03-2013, 08:40 PM   #7
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Re: Power Tank

Quote:
Originally Posted by daveb
According to Power Tank when I talked with them several months back, A 10 lb tank will take 4-315/75-r16 tires from 25 lbs to 75lbs with some left over. So that should fill a set of 285's to 80 lbs w/o a problem.
That is what I have found. AND is exactly my point why it doesn't work for me for the SMB. I want to be able to air up and down several times without support. The 10 lb tank handles this task just fine at Jeep pressures. But, with the SMB pressures it is a one shot deal.

As much as I love the speed of the Power Tank and its ability to put a tire on the bead, I want multiple runs. Luckily, it is a sunk cost for me and I have a mount on my trailer, so space is not an issue. But, if I was starting from scratch (or if some money falls in my lap), these considerations would push me to an on-board air compressor for the SMB application.
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Old 04-03-2013, 08:53 PM   #8
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Re: Power Tank

I agree but for me (provided I want to add more weight to an already heavy van ) a backup would be nice. I might just get a 2nd small electric but there are times where I want to air up fast and a one shot power tank would give me that option. Sometimes I avoid airing down just because of the time to fill up!
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Old 04-04-2013, 11:49 AM   #9
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Re: Power Tank

I dunno how heavy your van is, but you might be able to go to tires that don't require 80 lbs. Going to 60 is gonna take less time to fill. But if you're already too heavy that won't help, bummer.

Although the CO2 is gonna be twice as fast as the best 12v compressors we're still talking a matter of minutes probably. And more stuff to futz with, since we seem to be concluding you'd still need a compressor (as with repeated fillings of a tire going down).

Perhaps the best way to justify it is if it's multiuse. CO2 is nice for air tools if you don't have a really powerful compressor and/or tank since it's got real oomph. And if you like beer, build a keezer and you've got a reason to use it at home.
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Old 04-04-2013, 12:14 PM   #10
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Re: Power Tank

I've just finished putting together a DIY Power Tank system.

Here's the parts...



The costs were....
$105... 10lb Tank (from Beveragefactory.com) inc. tax & shipping
$54..... Fixed 125lb regulator from local welding supply
$7....... Quick connect fitting
$26..... ARB inflator
$13..... 45lb scale
$0...... Air hose (had one on hand)
====
$205

I also got an ARB deflator tool. In a quick test on 2 tires, it only takes about 1 min to drop a 315/75-16 tire from 60 to 40lbs.
Inflation is almost as fast. Airing back up used 1lb of CO2 which would give me about 4 cycles with a little safety margin.

The only part I might have wanted to go to Power Tank for would be a high capacity regulator. Mine was getting pretty frosty after 2 tires, not sure how fast it will do all 4. I'll leave that for a field experiment.

The tank cost $21 to fill at the local fire extinguisher service company. No problem getting the same tank back.
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