SCUBA tank as compressed air source?

[handfulz28]

I'm currently renting a 120 nitrogen tank and I own a smaller, 80 I think, nitrogen tank.
But I was wondering if anyone is succesfully using a SCUBA tank for their portable air source.
Thanks,
Michael

[Doc Bro]

I've thought of this as I am an avid diver. You would need a "first stage" on the tank to regulte the pressure down from the 3300-3500 lbs that scuba tanks are traditionally filled to. They do sell an adapter to fill a schraeder valve at dive shops (as if you got a flat in your car on the ride home from diving) but it would go "downstream" from the first stage. This is definitely cheaper than a compressor. I believe there is something in the GCR about compressed air tanks but it may only apply to the hot pits. ps a dive shop will only fill a scuba tank if you have a current dive license. Rob

[C. Ludwig]

Will a welding shop have the neccesary adapter to connect a scuba valve to fill the tank with nitrogen?

------------------
Chris Ludwig
08 ITS RX7 CenDiv

[jhooten]

A tank is a tank is a tank. You could change the tank head to a regular gas cylendar head and use a normal gage set. But a dive tank is now days is made of "exotic" materials to keep weight down and are normally more expensive than a common steel compressed gas tank. A dive tank does not have the threaded coller aroung the neck to screw the protective cap on while in transit. Most dive tanks have domed bottoms so thay can't stand up on their own. Ect.

Use a tank that was designed for the purpose it is being used for and don't risk your safety or that of those around you.

But that is just my opinion.

[Ron Earp]

I know tanks are cheap, but these compressors work very well, are cheap and light.

http://www.lowes.com/lkn?action=productDet...2051&lpage=none

I've got two, one mounted in the garage at home and one mounted in the trailer. I like them and they work well at the track.

------------------
Ron Earp
NC Region
Ford Lightning
RF GT40 Replica
Jensen-Healey ITS
1/2 a 260Z ITS

[handfulz28]

Thanks guys for responding.
jhooten, thanks for the safety heads up RE: the lack of threads for the protective cap. But like you said, a tank is a tank is a tank, and anything with that kind of pressure needs to treated with care, regardless of what's inside. Well, I'm a little more cautious with my oxy/acetylene than my argon or nitrogen, but anyways...

Since I've got a complete spare reg/gauge setup, I guess I need to figure out if the LP (low psi) threads are common enough to fit a quick-release hose adapter.
Thanks again,
Michael

[Edwin Robinson]

Originally posted by handfulz28:
Thanks guys for responding.
jhooten, thanks for the safety heads up RE: the lack of threads for the protective cap. But like you said, a tank is a tank is a tank, and anything with that kind of pressure needs to treated with care, regardless of what's inside. Well, I'm a little more cautious with my oxy/acetylene than my argon or nitrogen, but anyways...

Since I've got a complete spare reg/gauge setup, I guess I need to figure out if the LP (low psi) threads are common enough to fit a quick-release hose adapter.
Thanks again,
Michael

A full size nitrogen tank rental here is like $40/year- and gets filled for like $20.
If you buy a tank- you need to have it re-certified or some shi* every so often-
For less than 1/2 the price of one flat-spotted tire - I'll let them deal with the mumbo-jumbo. I'm sure someone like Airgas or similar is probably a similar price.

[JohnRW]

Originally posted by Edwin Robinson:
"....For less than 1/2 the price of one flat-spotted tire..."

Since WHEN did you ever flat-spot just ONE tire ???

[handfulz28]

Edwin, where is "here"? Because "here" for me is South Florida, rental is $8/month. Don't remember what the fill costs, but for a dive tank it's $4.
Every tank has to be inspected every 5 or 10 years, visually, and at some point it gets a more intense inspection.
Ron, thanks for that link. I've had a compressor before and it just didn't work out for me. You've either got to lug a generator around with it, or pay the track for electricity.
Thanks guys,
Michael

[EV]

Here is the answer.. http://www.saltypig.com/scuba/