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Power Tank™ Frequently Asked Questions |
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*What does the Basic Power Tank™ System come with?
* Where do I get my tanks and bottles refilled?
*How much does it cost to refill?
*Isn’t this just a Scuba tank? Can I use my Scuba tank with your Reg Kit?
*Why can’t I just make my own Power Tank™ CO2 system? What’s the difference?
*What if I already have my own CO2 tank?
*Is the CO2 gas safe for tires?
*Why CO2 instead of Nitrogen?
*Will CO2 leak out of my tires faster than air?
*How safe is a tank of compressed CO2 in a vehicle?
*What if the tank is caught in a vehicle fire? Will it explode?
* Can I use a Power Tank if I use Equal balancing beads in my tires? I heard CO2 might condense moisture in low temperatures and make the beads clump.
* How can there be no moisture in the CO2 in my tires if CO2 is called a liquid gas?
*Isn’t a CO2 bottle like a bomb if heated or dropped?
*Does the SuperFlow™ regulator gauge tell me how much CO2 I have left?
*What is a SuperFlex™ HP-1100 coiled hose?
*How big is it? and How much does it weigh?
*Why Would I want a Power Tank when I already have a nice compressor?
*Can it be mounted sideways?
* Can I run air tools off of a Power Tank™? Is CO2 safe for my tools?
*Is this system safe for my air tools like my nail guns and impact wrenches?
*Do I have to worry about the moisture of CO2 in my air tools?
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What does the Basic Power Tank™ System come with?
The basic Power Tank™ systems come complete with everything you need to start airing up tires except the
gas. This includes the aluminum Luxfer tank, the trademark aluminum Power Grip™ guard/handle, a
SuperFlex™ HP-1100 high pressure low temp. inner braided coiled hose with fittings and air chuck,
and one of our three different proprietary SuperFlow C02 regulators. Our aluminum tanks are the lightest
on the market for compressed gas, half the weight of steel tanks and aluminum scuba tanks. Our proprietary
SuperFlow HPX™ regulators are designed specifically for heavy duty high flow use. The stout Power
Grip™ guard doubles as a carrying handle although its primary function is to protect the regulator
and valve assembly during use and transport. The SuperFlex™ coiled hose will not leak, kink, freeze,
or crack under the harshest conditions.
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Where do I get my tanks and bottles refilled?
The tanks (5 lb. on up) are filled at fire extinguisher service shops, welding gas suppliers, or beverage
carbonics. The small bottles can be filled at a paintball supply shop, some fire extinguisher shops, or
by yourself. We sell simple equipment that would allow you to refill your small bottles off of a 10-35
lb. tank at the job site, at the company, or in your garage. There is a wide range of prices for CO2 so
shop around.
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How much does it cost to refill?
Average cost is $12 to$18 (in the US). The cost is similar for all sizes because you are paying more
for a service fee than for the gas. The places that fill are fire extinguisher service shops, welding
gas supply, beverage carbonics, and paint ball supply (for smaller tanks). Some of our 4x4 dealers also
can fill CO2.
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Isn’t this just a Scuba tank? Can I use my Scuba tank with your Reg Kit?
We get this question a lot. Unfortunately the answer is no. We use only top-of-the-line CO2 certified
equipment. Scuba tanks are completely different in cylinder and valve design and scuba tanks cannot be
used in place of a CO2 tank. Our SuperFlow Regulator Kits will not work on scuba tanks.
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Why can’t I just make my own Power Tank™ CO2 system? What’s the difference?
Although you can find CO2 tanks around you will be hard pressed to find or make a CO2 regulator that does
what our SuperFlow regulators do. This is because common gas regulators that you would find at a welding
or restaurant supply store are not designed to provide a high-pressure output AND, MORE IMPORTANTLY, A
HIGH FLOW RATE. They are designed for low pressures and low flow rates. At the most they are used to
operate pneumatic switches and valves – higher pressure but again low flow rate requirements. The
high flow rate is the key to our SuperFlow HPX™ regulators. Our regulators use a proprietary design to
provide a very high constant flow rate which is what enables it to run large air tools and inflate multiple
tires at a high rate of speed. Normal regulators will quickly freeze clog and often destroy internal
parts even at moderate flow rates due to CO2's freezing temperatures. Our SuperFlow regulators are
compact, well built, and guaranteed to perform to our claims. We back every SuperFlow regulator with a
limited lifetime warranty. This is unheard of in the regulator industry. Finally, we protect the
regulator assembly against damage with our stout powder coated aluminum Power Grip™ guard/handle.
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What if I already have my own CO2 tank?
If you already have a certified CO2 tank or would rather swap tanks at your local CO2 shop we offer
SuperFlow™ Regulator Kits which include a SuperFlow™ regulator (RV, HPX or XP300), our newest
powder coated aluminum Power Grip guard/handle, and our SuperFlex™ HP-1100 inner braided coiled hose.
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Is the CO2 gas safe for tires?
Yes. CO2 vapor is inert (non-toxic, non-corrosive). CO2 vapor is perfectly safe for your tires and
wheels. In fact, your body exhales CO2 and you ingest CO2 when you drink a soda or beer.
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Why CO2 instead of Nitrogen?
"Volume". CO2 will give you three times the energy of Nitrogen in a given tank size. Having one tank
of CO2 is like carrying three tanks of nitrogen. This makes it more economical and means that you’ll
have the power when you need it all in one small tank.
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Will CO2 leak out of my tires faster than air?
No. The CO2 molecule is larger than a nitrogen molecule which is 78% of air.
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How safe is a tank of compressed CO2 in a vehicle?
The Power Tank™ uses liquid CO2 gas which is an inert, non-toxic, non-corrosive, non-flammable gas. Our
aluminum tanks are D.O.T. (Dept. of Transportation) approved. CO2 goes through a phase change from liquid
to vapor as it releases its energy. This evaporative process slows the pressure release rate meaning that
a CO2 tank will not become a high speed rocket like a scuba tank would in the rare event of a valve
decapitation. A Power Tank is as safe as a CO2 fire extinguisher.
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What if the tank is caught in a vehicle fire? Will it explode?
No. There is a built in pressure release cap on all of our main tank valves which releases the pressure
well below the burst pressure of the tank if it got too hot.
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Can I use a Power Tank if I use Equal balancing beads in my tires? I heard CO2
might condense moisture
in low temperatures and make the beads clump.
CO2 vapor does not condense moisture as CO2 vapor is dry. Some people assume CO2 is full of moisture
because it is called a "liquid" gas when under pressure. Once released from the tank to low pressure
like tire pressures, however, CO2 exists in two states: solid (dry ice) or vapor. Unlike water, CO2 has
no liquid moisture state. CO2 is so dry, in fact, that it is used straight from the tank to push enamel
and lacquer paints through paint guns. You will have no problems with clumping of Equal balancing beads
from using CO2 in your tires.
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How can there be no moisture in the CO2 in my tires if CO2 is called a liquid gas?
CO2 has the unique characteristic of being able to be stored in a dense amorphous liquid state under
pressure (~800 PSI). When CO2 is at atmospheric pressure it goes from a solid (dry ice, -100F) straight
to a gas (smoke on top of the Halloween punch bowl) and skips the liquid state. Don’t get CO2
confused with a more familiar chemical called H2O which goes from a solid (+32F) to a liquid and then to
a gas. Does H2O condense into moisture with temperature changes? Yes. Does CO2? No. Does CO2 cause H2O
to condense more with temperature changes and cause Equal to clump? No and no.
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Isn’t a CO2 bottle like a bomb if heated or dropped?
No. We use DOT (dept. of transportation) and CGA (Compressed Gas Association) approved bottles and valves.
Pressure relief valves are installed on every one of our bottles in case of over charges or exposure to
heat. The bottles are rated for pressures well above the pressure relief valve failure pressures. And
CO2 releases its contents in a much slower rate than other types of gases that are stored as compressed
vapors (nitrogen, scuba, HPA).
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Does the SuperFlow™ regulator gauge tell me how much CO2 I have left?
No. It will only give you a rough indication of when you are nearing
the end of the CO2. The only way to get an accurate read on how much
CO2 you have left is to weight your tank. What we recommend is that
you weigh your Power Tank™ assembly on an accurate scale while it is empty. Record this empty weight
(write it down with a permanent marker on the tank weight box on the lower label). Once the tank is filled
check to make sure you got an accurate fill (i.e.. a PT-10 should
weigh exactly 10 lb. more than empty). Before you go on a job you
will now be able to weigh your Power Tank™ and get a good idea of how much
CO2 is left in the tank. We offer a very accurate handheld digital Super Scale (P/N CO2-2050) so you can
weigh your tank anywhere, anytime.
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What is a SuperFlex™ HP-1100 coiled hose?
Our SuperFlex™ HP-1100 hoses feature a high strength polymer inner braid similar to the material
used in synthetic winch ropes. This hose boasts a burst pressure of 1100 psi (@ 72°F). Why have such
a high burst pressure rating? Safety. At maximum flow rates our hose temperature may drop to sub-zero
temperatures. Other hoses would crack or burst at this temperature while the SuperFlex hose stays flexible
and maintains a high burst pressure. The RV Series gets a 10' length.
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How big is it? and How much does it weigh?
P/N Height Wt. Empty Wt. Full
PT-5 21 12 17 lb.
PT-10 24 17 lb. 27 lb.
PT-15 30 21 lb. 36 lb.
(See also the CHARTS AND SPECS page of the website.)
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Why Would I want a Power Tank when I already have a nice compressor?
There will be jobs where a compressor will still be better like in using air tools. However, for RVers,
the ability to top off your tires in the morning without using a compressor will be greatly appreciated
by your neighbors in the campground.
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Can it be mounted sideways?
Yes. It can be mounted sideways or even up side down but the tank must be upright or at least at a
30-degree angle while being used. The reason it must be upright during use is because you want the
liquid at the bottom of the tank and the vapor at the top coming through the valve and regulator. We
highly recommend that your Power Tank™ be mounted in a vertical to 45° minimum angle position so it does
not need to be removed from its mounting bracket for each use and so it is never mistakenly used in a
horizontal position. In an RV, storage sideways in the cargo hold is fine.
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Can I run air tools off of a Power Tank™? Is CO2 safe for my tools?
Yes and yes. A Power Tank can run any air tool that a shop compressor can run up to a 1/2" drive impact
wrench. I's perfect for impact wrenches and nail guns. CO2 vapor is dry, so dry that you can spray paints
and varnishes with it straight out of the tank. You’ll want a good quality QR coupler for your hose
like our Air Lock Autos or our Tomco Super Couplers. And don’t skimp on the quality of your air
tools. Cheap air tools use up more air and do less work.
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Is this system safe for my air tools like my nail guns and impact wrenches?
Yes. CO2 vapor is an inert and dry gas and is cleaner and drier than air from most compressors. Power Tank™
regulators are limited to a safe maximum pressure for air tools and all have built-in pressure release mechanisms
in case of pressure seat malfunction.
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Do I have to worry about the moisture of CO2 in my air tools?
No. Even though many think of CO2 as a gas full of moisture because it is called
a liquid gas it is only
in this dense liquid state under pressure. Once it is in low pressure it can only be in either solid state,
dry ice, or vapor state. CO2 introduces no moisture into your air tools. In fact, CO2 vapor is used to push
all types of paint out of sprayers with no in-line drier required.
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