SCUBA tanks for filling RV tires?

[Popsie]

I have a vague memory of some folks getting a SCUBA air tank pumped up to very high pressures, then carrying the tank (with a pressure regulator) to quickly and accurately fill RV tires.

Do any of you have experience and/or opinions about this settup?

[agesilaus]

It seems to me that a likely tire mode of failure would be the bead blowing off the rim before the tire material itself failed. No evidence one way or the other tho.

[centerline]

there are some silly answers in this thread concerning the original question.....

SCUBA cylinder for inflating tires....... NO Problem.
SCBA cylinder for inflating tires.........No Problem.
Nitrogen cylinder for inflating tires.....No Problem.
Helium cylinder for inflating tires.......No Problem.

these sources also work well for operating an air tool such as an impact wrench for loosening the lug nuts. but unless the cylinder is big, it will empty quickly running an impact gun..

we use a scuba cylinder all the time when using the brad/staple driver for trim and paneling install work...

all one needs is a single stage regulator that fits the respective cylinder, because there are few air hoses that are safe to be used at pressures over 200psi.
all the cylinders mentioned here run a minimum of 3000psi....

a two stage regulator set up, like used with SCUBA and SCBA, takes tank pressure thru the first stage down to an intermediate pressure of around 150psi... the second stage of the regulator setup is what delivers the breathing air to the user AS NEEDED by VOLUME, rather than pressure.. the pressure is only there to push the volume as needed.

so any single stage regulator that can reduce tank pressure to 150psi is completely safe to use as an inflation regulator.

its a fact that tire shops run between 150 and 170 in their lines, and then reduce it to 120psi at the tire machine or tire bay.

in addition, when inflating a tire, one should never connect a locking chuck to the stem and walk away... but properly put some air in, and then check the pressure and add a bit more as necessary.

but I will agree that if someone who is wandering thru life trying to win a darwin award were to connect a hose to a tank without a regulator, there would be a a high degree of danger, but doubtful it would be a tire explosion because the line carrying the air from the cylinder would rupture before the tire.. an automotive, truck or trailer tire in good condition will take well in excess of 200psi without exploding. BUT it can cause damage by over stressing the belts and tearing the rubber loose from them.

[fj12ryder]

joebedford wrote:

abom2 wrote:
I have a small horizontal air compressor in my storage area. It will produce up to 150 psi. It is 120V. Small Kipor 2K watt generator will run it without any problems on side of road. (Glad I had it then)

Tank is large enough to fill four tires to 110psi without any problems.

Which compressor is that? My current sausage compressor struggles to get to 80 psi.

I was wondering the same thing. My Porter Cable gets up to 150 psi, and it's a fair size compressor. I have a 120 psi 30 gallon compressor at home and I know I couldn't fill 4 trailer tires to 110 psi without running the compressor. Maybe if I started at 100 psi. 🙂

[C_Schomer]

I used to maintain a high press. BA compressor for a large fire department and several other BA purifiers for grade D osha BA. They have a fine particulate filter, coalescing filter, catalyst filter to convert any CO into CO2, and finally an activated carbon element. They compress the same air we all breathe but up to 6000 psi. It's not pure O2. Craig

[stevenal]

Chum lee wrote:
In addition, to use a SCUBA tank you'll need some type of VERY reliable pressure regulator which limits the fill pressure to about 150 psi. The standard SCUBA regulator won't work because it's based on the ambient pressure plus what is needed to compensate for breathing at any given depth.

Chum lee

Every regulator I know of works with relative pressure (absolute-ambient). The 1st stage of a SCUBA regulator limits it to 120-150 psig. The second stage drops it to zero relative pressure, which won't help much with a tire. Even 150 might make a tire go boom, but you will have much more control than trying to use tank pressure.

[joebedford]

abom2 wrote:
I have a small horizontal air compressor in my storage area. It will produce up to 150 psi. It is 120V. Small Kipor 2K watt generator will run it without any problems on side of road. (Glad I had it then)

Tank is large enough to fill four tires to 110psi without any problems.

Which compressor is that? My current sausage compressor struggles to get to 80 psi.

[abom2]

I have a small horizontal air compressor in my storage area. It will produce up to 150 psi. It is 120V. Small Kipor 2K watt generator will run it without any problems on side of road. (Glad I had it then)

Tank is large enough to fill four tires to 110psi without any problems.

Tank pressure and output pressure are both regulated.

If one did not have a generator to run it while traveling, one could run compressor until tank was a the desired pressure and then use it when needed.

Wife picked my up at a yard sale for $25. Thing looked brand new. I have carried it in my 5th wheel for 8 years now. With my air tools and this compressor replacing bearings, changing tires from road hazards is less strenuous.

The compressor probably weighs 35lbs. It is convenient.

[Chum_lee]

In addition, to use a SCUBA tank you'll need some type of VERY reliable pressure regulator which limits the fill pressure to about 150 psi. The standard SCUBA regulator won't work because it's based on the ambient pressure plus what is needed to compensate for breathing at any given depth.

Filling an RV tire with a SCUBA tank containing +3000 psi dry air (unregulated) would potentially over pressurize the tire very quickly. BOOM, and you are standing right there. (well, . . . at least for a few seconds)

Now here's a good question. At what pressure will a 19.5" Goodyear G670 RV tire explode? Who wants to find out?

Chum lee

[babock]

CO2 leaks out of tires faster than plain ole air. AS a cyclist, I use the CO2 cartridges all the time to inflate my tires when I get flats instead of using a pump. The tire I inflate with CO2 is always flat the next morning because the CO2 leaked out. Pump it back up normally and it is fine forever.

Interesting read:
http://www.exploringoverland.com/overland-tech-travel/2016/3/25/3izopxom72k7p3vxpvjtfuhk7ouscc

To me, carrying around a scuba tank is way too risky to do all the time. One bad whack to the valve and its going flying. I used to dive all the time and saw a burst disc let loose. Good thing nobody was around that spinning tank.

[joebedford]

stevenal wrote:
if you plan on diving while traveling, why would you want to reduce your time underwater in favor of filling tires

When you get to the water, just suck the O2 out of the tires back into the tank for your dive.

[stevenal]

Back when I had access to free air, I used my spare tank for filling tires and everything else I use a compressor for now. Too spendy now, and dive shops will require a visual inspection yearly and a hydro test every five.

I noticed one of the items in the Amazon link above has no regulator and applies tank pressure straight to the tire valve. Really bad idea. If you're going to do it, use a first stage regulator and BCD hose.

Overall, I can't see this. Too dangerous, and too bulky. And if you plan on diving while traveling, why would you want to reduce your time underwater in favor of filling tires. Get a good compressor instead.

[fj12ryder]

SusanDallas wrote:
Why don't you buy a 5 gallon air tank at any discount store? They cost under $30. You can fill the tank at any gas station and I have never been charged for filling it. They come with the tire filler hose and a handle on top to carry it. It is a lot less hassle than an air compressor. I carry it in my travel trailer. If you need to air up a tire, you can do so with virtually no noise to disturb others in the RV park and lot more convenient than hooking up an air compressor and all the noise it makes.

A five gallon air tank isn't going to hold enough air to do much with a large trailer tire. Maybe add a couple psi, especially if the tire is inflated to around 100 psi. Very limited usefulness.

That being said, I do carry an aluminum air tank to fill the air bags on the truck. Works very well.

[5thwheeleroldma]

Popsi, a small CO2 bottle will do it much quicker, much less hassle, probably cheaper.

Amazes me how little known this is.

[Popsie]

OK, when I posted the question, it was out of ignorance.

Now I have reached a state of confusion 😮

Can anyone recommend a compact 120v powered compressor to carry in my RV that can readily inflate my tires to 125 psi?????

[SusanDallas]

Why don't you buy a 5 gallon air tank at any discount store? They cost under $30. You can fill the tank at any gas station and I have never been charged for filling it. They come with the tire filler hose and a handle on top to carry it. It is a lot less hassle than an air compressor. I carry it in my travel trailer. If you need to air up a tire, you can do so with virtually no noise to disturb others in the RV park and lot more convenient than hooking up an air compressor and all the noise it makes.