Hybrid CO2 12 Volt Compressor System

[RockMonkey]

I have a CO2 tank and regulator. It's a 5 pound bottle, I think. It works great for filling tires and running air tools, but once it's out of gas, I have no backup. I have an ARB 12-Volt compressor, but no tank to hook it to. I want to use the ARB compressor as a backup for when I run out of CO2. I don't think the ARB compressor is reliable enough to use as the primary air source, but it could be great as a backup. My thought is to connect the ARB compressor to the CO2 tank and use it as the reservoir for the compressor after the C02 is exhausted.

My CO2 regulator has 4 ports. 2 high pressure, and 2 regulated (low pressure). If I connect the ARB compressor to one of the low pressure ports, will it fill the tank through the regulator? Will the regulator allow air flow in the reverse direction, if the pressure is higher on that side? My thought is to only connect the compressor when the tank is empty. I don't want to connect it to the high-pressure side of the regulator, because I don't know if there are any quick-connect type fittings that will handle the 750-950 PSI they will see when disconnected. Also, if I somehow manage to connect the compressor to a full bottle, the result could be shrapnel-inducing.

 

[jeep-N-montero]

I wouldn't try it, there are plenty of places to fill your tank to even worry, plus I would imagine most of the guys you wheel with have compressors if you need it.

 

[I Lean]

Just run a separate air tank. That also keeps your C02 bottle as portable as it is now, for filling other people's tires.

Or, don't worry about a tank at all, and just use the compressor for tire-filling only. You won't be running air tools off it anyway...

 

[BCGPER]

What I Lean said..

Big problem is, you'll be puting water into your Co2 tank whenever that compressor runs. You'll have to tie into the high pressue side, so you'll need to valve the compressor so it never sees the high pressure.

I wouldn't bother. Tie into the low pressure side, and tanks can be had for free. A dented 10# fire extinguisher (they can't fill a dented tank) works fine.

 

[RockMonkey]

Anyone have any dented 10# fire extinuisher tanks?