CO2 regulators

RatLabGuy

RatLabGuy

You look like a monkey and smell like one too
Joined
May 18, 2005
Location
Churchville, MD
I'm piecing together a CO2 system for tire refilling and emergency tool use.
I like the idea of a variable pressure, guaged regulator.
Any sources for a decent one at a good rate? Is a $35 HF unit usable?
I see the fixed-rate regs at 150 psi, this seems really high, does it really need to be so high, or is that just for teh sake of quick tire fills?
 
For fixed

The Original SOURCE HyperFLO Fixed Regulator
SKU: OA-REG150
The Original HyperFLO Regulator, Constructed with all brass parts for durability, Just hook it up to any CO2 tank and turn on the valve! Fast 150PSI Flow, No Freeze Clogging Action, Simple to Use. Add this regulator to any old beverage tank and come up with your custom "SOURCE" system!
Custom flow settings such as 80, 100, 200 and 300PSI available. Call customer service for details.
http://www.offroadairstore.com/servlet/Detail?no=11
I`ve got a cheap adjustable one that is used on beer systems but it freezes up when I air up the tires.
 
96tacolx said:
I`ve got a cheap adjustable one that is used on beer systems but it freezes up when I air up the tires.
Click to expand...

That's kind of what I wanted to know about, will cheap ones work at that high flow rate. Sounds like in your case, no.
I would I know when browsing etc if it will do the job OK?
Honestly I'm a fairly patient guy (esp when it saves me $$ lol), if running lower rate (< 150) changes what you can gte away with....
 
The cheap units won't put out enough psi to power any air tools or even fill trailer tires most of the time. They don't put out anywhere near enough flow to power anything either. The cheap fixed 150 psi regs won't usually flow enough for a decent impact either.
Even without it freezing up, your typical beverage tap reg doesn't flow much at all and doesn't go high enough to fill high load range tires.
 
braxton357 said:
The cheap units won't put out enough psi to power any air tools or even fill trailer tires most of the time. They don't put out anywhere near enough flow to power anything either. The cheap fixed 150 psi regs won't usually flow enough for a decent impact either.
Even without it freezing up, your typical beverage tap reg doesn't flow much at all and doesn't go high enough to fill high load range tires.
Click to expand...

So, are you suggesting that the only ones that are reasonably usable are the $100+ units from like UltimateAir and such?
I'm just wondering how their regulators are really any different from what you'd get elsehwere, besides the logo and sales pitch of "this is for offroad uses"

It would be alot more helpful if seelers would actually state the rated CFM and max pressure ranges of the units. But then, that would give away the secret, too. Damn capitolism.
 
the source regs rock, I have ordered several for guys around here, and haven't heard any complaints, can be had for about 45- 50 shipped if you shop around.
 
I've got a 150 PSI fixed regulator from the Source with my co2 setup. It works great. Lets me air up the tires quickly and run my impact when I need to. Expect to loose about 20% through the line, so at the end you're looking at around 125 PSI. Part of the "draw" to CO2 systems is the quick air up time. If you take that feature away, It'd be better to get a HD air compressor that has an unlimited capacity.
 
You can get a variable rate regulator kit for around $50-$100. Here is the Lowes version. My local hardware store sells the "Jac-Pac", oem version, for $49 lat I looked. I have use two for different applications and they are perfect. Only draw back is they top out at 120 according to the gauge.
 
Just get the 150psi fixed regulator. It works great. Also check your welding supply store they should be able to make you one too fixed or adjustable for a good price.
 
I have aired up 5 rigs with 35" tires nonstop with Source adj reg 20lb tank and run air grinder on the trail and it frosts up but never stops flowing.
 
Well, I ended up just buying a complete Ultimate Air system w/ variable reg etc.
I preferred to just build my own setup for less $$, but I had a nice gift certificate I won in a charity raffle... just realized it was only good for a "complete" system, so with that it was cheaper to just go all-in than peicing it together.
Curious to see just how high/fast their "multiFlow" regulator can handle.
 
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