Chip N' Dale
Austin, TX
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Joined: 10/29/2006
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Is anyone using a tank of CO2 to refill their RV tires? I have been told that the Off Roader's use it because it will fill a tire fast.
What are the pros and cons of using it? Is it dangerous? Thanks for any info.
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fordsooperdootydieselsmoker
OrangeCountyCalifornia
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Joined: 08/13/2004
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CO2 is safe and inert, so will not damage tires. Nitrogen molecules are bigger than oxygen, helium and CO2 molecules, so is less likely to escape thru the tiny pores in rubber tires, so the tires inflated with nitrogen stay at the required pressure longer.
Cost wise, inflating tires with the same air you breath with a compressor is much less money than CO2, nitrogen or helium. 
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Shearwater
NE Ohio
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Joined: 12/23/2004
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Nitrogen molecular weight (N2) = 28
Oxygen molecular weight (O2) = 32
CO2 molecular weight (CO2) = 44
Nitrogen molecules are NOT bigger than oxygen or CO2.
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davemittan
North central Arkansas
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Joined: 01/05/2007
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Switching from regular air wouldn't be of any benefit to me - all six of the rig's tires maintained pressure over the winter. No measurable decrease. Maybe metal valve stems are the reason?
Dave
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derekf
Phoenix, Az
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I'd suggest you spend the money on a good electric compressor. A decent CO2 setup will cost ~$150. A 1/2 decent high flow-non-freeze regulator can cost $100-150 easy. Plus tank, hose air chuck etc. I paid ~$15-20 to swap a 15lb bottle. on filling 37X12.5R15 swampers from ~10-12PSI to ~25-28PSI could get about 4-5 sets of tires. without a high flow regulator, time to fill is as long as a good small compressor.
Look at MF-1040 or 1050. Costco had a nice one for $50.
Nitrogen is stored as gas so you will not be able to use last bit in tank. Unlike
CO2 stored as gas.
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Chemgoddess1
Suburbs of Cleveland, Ohio
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Shearwater wrote:Nitrogen molecular weight (N2) = 28
Oxygen molecular weight (O2) = 32
CO2 molecular weight (CO2) = 44
Nitrogen molecules are NOT bigger than oxygen or CO2.
Ummmm....molecular weight has nothing to do with molecular size. Size of O2 is ~ 2.96 A, N2 ~ 3.16 A. It has to do with the electron energy an the size of its cloud.
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tdelorme
Texas
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CO2 is a real handy way to carry compressed gas to use for the same purposes as you use compressed air for. Fill tires, run air tools, ect. I carry a 30# CO2 tank for those purposes. It will last a long time (for my uses) and is a cheap $6.50 refill. If you want to go first class, see the link below. Cheaper options on eBay. Once you use a CO2 tank, you won't go back.
Power Tank
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RamTX
Cypress, Tx.
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I don't believe CO2 is considered an inert gas by definition.
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Kajtek1
CA
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Joined: 12/04/2002
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The only advantage of CO2 is easy availability and low cost.
Having scuba tank, I could carry it for the inflation purpose, but most of my wheels hold the air for 2 years and I don't do offroading that require lowering the tire pressure.
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tatest
Oklahoma
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Chemgoddess1 wrote:Shearwater wrote:Nitrogen molecular weight (N2) = 28
Oxygen molecular weight (O2) = 32
CO2 molecular weight (CO2) = 44
Nitrogen molecules are NOT bigger than oxygen or CO2.
Ummmm....molecular weight has nothing to do with molecular size. Size of O2 is ~ 2.96 A, N2 ~ 3.16 A. It has to do with the electron energy an the size of its cloud.
So I guess all tires have been carefully designed to be 3.05 Angstrom osmosis membranes, so as to separate the molecules, and leak out only the oxygen?
Tom Test
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