Compressed air tank for topping off tires

STX4Runner

STX4Runner

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Was wondering if you could use a 10 gallon compressed air tank for airing up after off roading. Specifically going from about 20 to 35-38 psi on four 265/70 R17 tires. The prices fro CO2 tanks are kinda high and I don't off road all that often to need an expensive CO2 tank or portable air compressor. I just don't know if a tank this size would hold enough air to do 4 tires.
 
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STX4Runner said:
Was wondering if you could use a 10 gallon compressed air tank for airing up after off roading. Specifically going from about 20 to 35-38 psi on four 265/70 R17 tires. The prices fro CO2 tanks are kinda high and I don't off road all that often to need an expensive CO2 tank or portable air compressor. I just don't know if a tank this size would hold enough air to do 4 tires.
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How much does the air tank cost? You can buy a decent air compressor that'll work just fine for well less than 100 bucks.
 
STX4Runner said:
Was wondering if you could use a 10 gallon compressed air tank for airing up after off roading. Specifically going from about 20 to 35-38 psi on four 265/70 R17 tires. The prices fro CO2 tanks are kinda high and I don't off road all that often to need an expensive CO2 tank or portable air compressor. I just don't know if a tank this size would hold enough air to do 4 tires.
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I'm not near any of my reference materials but I would think you would have to charge a 10 gallon tank to several hundred psi in order to have the capacity for 4 tires. Your would then be too thick thick to be portable. That's why people run CO2 or have compressors lol.
 
A 10 gal tank can be had for less than $50. What compressors at that price are decent? If a good one can be bought for $100 to $150 or less, would probably go that direction. This was just an idea of mine.
 
OK 1engineer, that's what I was wondering. Most tanks go to about 135 psi max, so it doesn't sound like it would hold enough air.
 
I use a 40 CF Scuba tank to air up my tires, but I dive and already have the gear. To buy a used set-up it would run you about $250 so, as said before, it would definately be cheeper to buy a small compresor.

In order to answer the question that you posed about the 10 gallon tank, I'd need to know the max fill pressure (in PSI) of the tank you intend to use. That way you can calculate the volume of air in the tank and see if it's greater than the volume difference in the 4 tires.
 
I have Makita 2.6 gal compressor at home, the full tank at 120psi is good to top pressure from about 35 to 37 psi on 4 tires. then pressure falls under 37psi and I have to turn compressor on again. But tires pressure/tank gallons dependency is not linear, so it hard to say how big tank you'll need to have. I'd rather buy a Viair portable compressor and I'll buy it when there are available in Canada or I visit my relatives in US - whichiever comes first. I'm looking at Viair 300P but it looks like viair88P can fit the bill:
VIAIR 88P Portable Compressor (Up To 33" Tire) No Sales Tax Free / Shipping : Amazon.com : Automotive . Anyway whatever solution you'll chose please let us know how it works.
 
I have an 88P, reliable and it works fine if your not looking to do anything fast. In no way is it a cheapo walmart compressor. Great for airing up at end of a trail, emergency air, or filling the toys.
I use a CO2 tank in my crawler for airing up big tires, engaging the ARB, air tools, or popping beads. And carry the 88p for backup. 10lb tank is enough for a week of wheeling
 
STX4Runner said:
OK 1engineer, that's what I was wondering. Most tanks go to about 135 psi max, so it doesn't sound like it would hold enough air.
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I just did a quick calculation using Boyle's Law and, making a LOT of assumptions such as: Type of gas, dimensions, temperature and using volumes of simple shapes (I am NOT going to calculate the volume of a torus for this exercise lol) I calculate you need a 25 gal tank pre-charged to 125 psi to take the tires up from 15 psi to 32 psi and that depends a lot on the temperature of the day.
 
Thanks everyone, especially 1engineer. I started this thread hoping you would be able to add some input. I guess there is a reason everyone uses CO2 or small compressors and not just a tank. I will probably get a Viair 88P or 300P depending on what I can dig up on the fourm on both.
 
I like the compressor idea because with a charged tank - that's all you have. Should you have a problem and need more air you're screwed. With a compressor you have an unlimited supply if it doesn't break!
 
The Vair compressor is probably good due to being small and with an unlimited air supply. I went the CO2 route but did not want to pay the price for a Powertank.

I bought a 10 lb tank from Beverage Factory for $85 and a fixed regulator for $55 from Wheeler's Off Road. It cost me $21 to have it filled at a welding shop and fills from 15 to 32 in under a minute.
 
1engineer said:
I just did a quick calculation using Boyle's Law and, making a LOT of assumptions such as: Type of gas, dimensions, temperature and using volumes of simple shapes (I am NOT going to calculate the volume of a torus for this exercise lol) I calculate you need a 25 gal tank pre-charged to 125 psi to take the tires up from 15 psi to 32 psi and that depends a lot on the temperature of the day.
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What if it's a full moon on a Saturday and I ate spaghetti for dinner?

Geeez!
 
scanny said:
How do you expect an answer if you didn't provide full information? You didn't even say how much spaghetti have you eaten : )
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[MENTION=56372]scanny[/MENTION] tell [MENTION=65614]Antman[/MENTION] he can figure his own stuff out. He's done pissed me off lol.
 
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