Big Blue's Transformation

[Nothing Special]

Gary Lewis wrote

Steve - A CO2 bottle?  How big are they?  How heavy?....

Powertank is the best known brand offering CO2 tanks specifically for airing up tires.  They are are incredibly high pressure (by air system standards) and have high-flow regulators that will air up huge tires fast.  There are also different sizes available.  I mostly hear about getting them refilled at welding shops.  Not sure if dive shops could as well or not.

But that doesn't replace an air tank.  It could be used in place of a compressor, but with the downside of not working once the tank is empty.  Or it can be a second system, to use as primary (since it's faster) but with an onboard air system for when it runs out.

I've considered getting one, but ultimately just default to using my onboard air (which I have primarily for my "toad" brakes, so something that could run out really didn't seem like the right way to go as an only option).

[Gary Lewis]

I'm concerned about the one-shot aspect as well.  I think I want to continue down the on-board air system idea and fine tune that.

Having said that, some of you know Scott, aka WelderScott here on the forum.  He's been at the show the last two years with his '78 as well as his try-your-hand-at-welding stand, and runs a welding shop in Tulsa.  In fact, he's planning to come over when it is time to weld the patch into Big Blue's crossmember.

Anyway, I'll check with him about tanks and filling them with CO2.

And, for grins, here's a pic from his intro thread.  That's him in the truck, with Ben on the left and Chuck on the right - all friends from church.  Ben's the one that runs the metal fab shop and is going to do the rear bumper/spare tire carrier for Big Blue.  So I also need to talk to him about a purpose-built tank, one designed to bolt into these trucks.

[ArdWrknTrk]

Air is fine.
Even the paintball guys use it now.

And it's much cheaper than CO2.

[Steve83]

This & the NEXT several show the OBA system on my Bronco:



It's expandable with more 12V compressors (placed anywhere on the truck) if I ever thought I needed more flow.  And I intentionally put the lines on the tanks so that water/oil/sedimentation was the first thing to get blown out every time the air is used, so no draining necessary.  It can also be filled by a quick-connector from any shop air system, or through a tire chuck.

I wouldn't use a bumper for compressed air because of the condensation inside causing rust, and the stresses on the corners, and the danger when the bumper actually bumps...  But you can prevent rust in any common steel tank with primer/sealer - no need for $tainle$$.

[Gary Lewis]

Interesting approach, Steve.  Thanks for sharing.

But a few questions or comments:

Why go with multiple compressors?  It looks like that would be more work to install, plumb, wire.
 But I'm sure you had a good reason.

I love the idea of running the air intake to the compressors from the engine air filter.  But did you do that in the end?

Do your compressors use oil?  If so, do you have a catch can, oil filter, etc?

And, I like the tie-down hooks.  Those would be so handy on a vehicle that is frequently trailered.  

[grumpin]

Measurements at HFT!

62441 30” L
          10 1/2” Depth and Width

McGraw 64294 and Central Pneumatic 68740
          23 1/2
          10

97080
          14 1/2
          8

Twin tank 62763
          15 3/4
          6 1/2

Portable tank 65595
          22
          11

HTH!

[Gary Lewis]

Thanks, Dane!

Here's what I get from that.  It doesn't look like a match made in heaven.  But I sure appreciate you getting the measurements.  

[grumpin]

Well, that rules those out.

[ArdWrknTrk]

Well, it was worth a shot.

Somebody buy Dane a cigar, would ya?

[Gary Lewis]

He deserves more than a cigar, that's for sure.  I certainly appreciate it.

Our WelderScott is probably coming over Saturday to put bushings in his 78's front end, and I'll talk to him about the possibilities.  Like using an existing welding or some such bottle.  Or even making one from an existing bottle.

[ArdWrknTrk]

Like I said an out of cert scuba tank is easily up to the task (and made of aluminum, with an epoxy coating)

There are a few sizes.
And obviously they are scrap cost.
Maybe their diameter is to much too.

But they are hell for strong, and can easily be tapped for a fitting and hold 125-150 psi.

[Gary Lewis]

We don't have many SCUBA tanks around here as many of our lakes aren't very clear.  There are a few people that dive, but not that many.  But I might could order one.

However, I'm going to guess that Scott will have a good idea what his/our friend Ben can do.  They are pretty close so I think he'll have some thoughts about that.

[ArdWrknTrk]

I just thought it would be easier/cheaper to upcycle some scrap than have something bespoke fabricated for you.

I guess I never think about how far from any coast or large clear lake.
(Though I do note your boating trip last year)

Stuff like that is not too hard to find around here.

[Steve83]

Gary Lewis wrote

Why go with multiple compressors?

Because it's cheaper & easier to keep adding them as-needed than to try to find a place for one huge one.  The wiring & plumbing are really easy, considering how small each compressor is.  They don't need monster wires, or big pipes.

Gary Lewis wrote

...intake to the compressors from the engine air filter.  But did you do that in the end?

Yes, but I used the wrong tubing, and it melted at the compressor end, where the head gets hot.

Gary Lewis wrote

Do your compressors use oil?

No, they're used Land Rover air suspension compressors (because I can get them free almost forever).

Gary Lewis wrote

Those would be so handy on a vehicle that is frequently trailered.

I haven't used them yet - when the t-case grenaded on a long trip, the tow-truck driver used the axle anyway.

[grumpin]

ArdWrknTrk wrote

Well, it was worth a shot.

Somebody buy Dane a cigar, would ya?

Woohoo! Sounds good! Where’s that smokin cigar emoji?

[grumpin]

Gary Lewis wrote

He deserves more than a cigar, that's for sure.  I certainly appreciate it.

Our WelderScott is probably coming over Saturday to put bushings in his 78's front end, and I'll talk to him about the possibilities.  Like using an existing welding or some such bottle.  Or even making one from an existing bottle.

No problem, glad I could help.

[FoxFord33]

Scott would certainly be up on the bottle sizes. They are very tough, too; but I fear the weight of the steel ones may be more than you want (but come on, it's a Heavy-And-A-Half Duty, right?). And, I'm not sure about getting an empty or two: they are probably valuable to the refillers. I've never seen a worn-out one... It might be a big expense. Or, it might be like the beer keg that came with the house I bought, and people can't seem to get rid of them once they have them but don't want to use them anymore. Want to try to fit a beer keg on your truck for air? I think it's stainless...

[ArdWrknTrk]

Another stupid idea.

I got to thinking about a stainless pressure vessel and remembered when soda syrup came in Corny kegs.
https://www.cornykeg.com/product-category/clearance-items/
Homebrewers use them a lot.

They're 5 gallon, already come with a 130 psi pressure release.
And (as I remembered) about 2' tall --25", actually--
So, what does that make their diameter???

Doesn't have to be new or pretty if it's under a truck.
If they won't rot out full of sugar and phosphoric acid for decades, they won't rot from condensation
$30-40 doesn't seem a lot for how close it is to your described 'ideal'

[Gary Lewis]

Jim - That isn't a stupid idea.  It may be a sweet one.  

My calc's say that 25" in length and 8" in diameter gives 5.4 gallons.  So two of them should fit nicely side-by-side 'tween the bed and the frame.  And the length would be essentially perfect for fitting under the leading edge of the bed and not hit the spring hanger.

Ding, ding, ding!!!  We may have a winner!  Plus Steve and I know a guy who used to run a beverage and snack distribution business.  And while what I know of their business was in stocking the machines that vend cans, perhaps they also do the ones that mix the soda?  Worth checking out.  Thanks!


Steve - Big Blue is certainly "heavy duty".  In fact, except for the frame being maybe not being quite as big, everything else on the "transformed" BB will be F350-sized.  But that doesn't mean I want to needlessly put heavy things on him.  So, I'm intrigued by the beer keg.

Given that, the question is which one you have.  Here's a table showing some of the sizes.  Perhaps you can determine what it is?

[ArdWrknTrk]

The ones I linked are Corney kegs (Cornelius)

Which puts them at 9".  

But I see you have other options.