CO2 filling station for Passport

[MAC702]

Okay, I finally have a filling station, and I think my bulk tank has the siphon tube. I followed the half-as-detailed-as-they-should-be instructions, and filled a 12oz. tank. I used my scale, and can only get 7 oz. into in on the second try. I only got 5 oz. in there the first time. From what I understand, the chilling of letting some out before the second attempt put more in there.

I have a total of 6 tanks, so I'm going to try another one in a few minutes. This tank will come out of my freezer, so we'll see if that makes a difference.

When I installed the filled tank in the Passport, its gauge reads 1150. It's always run off an external supply before, so this is the first time trying this. Haven't welded with it yet with the inside tank.

Everything sound kosher so far?

[lars66]

The pressure seems pretty high for CO2.

[MAC702]

That's what I thought, but nowhere in the Passport's manual does it say what the units on that gauge are. It's only full of useless information, like how to say "electrocution" in French.

[Mike W]

You may find something helpful here Mac. http://www.teamonslaught.fsnet.co.uk/co2_info.htm

[MAC702]

Maybe I don't have a siphon tube? Maybe what I'm seeing coming out of the valve is just rapid condensation fog or something? I'll invert the tank and see what the difference is in what comes out the valve.

[woodygb]

Okay, I finally have a filling station, and I think my bulk tank has the siphon tube. I followed the half-as-detailed-as-they-should-be instructions, and filled a 12oz. tank. I used my scale, and can only get 7 oz. into in on the second try. I only got 5 oz. in there the first time. From what I understand, the chilling of letting some out before the second attempt put more in there.

I have a total of 6 tanks, so I'm going to try another one in a few minutes. This tank will come out of my freezer, so we'll see if that makes a difference.

When I installed the filled tank in the Passport, its gauge reads 1150. It's always run off an external supply before, so this is the first time trying this. Haven't welded with it yet with the inside tank.

Everything sound kosher so far?

Hi Mac .....Seems that you've already made a visit to my site and perhaps you've already gleaned enough info.

However I'll still post the info I think you need

The co2 bottles you use for welding are the " GAS " type ........NO dip tube.

The fill will get better if you chill or freeze the empty receiving bottle and invert your donor bottle.

The temp in Vegas is up in the 90's today ...so.....the pressure on your gauge is probably correct.. even with a fill of 60% the pressure inside your bottle will be around 1,100 psi.

http://www.teamonslaught.fsnet.co.uk/co2pv.gif

Best Regards Woody

[Mike W]

Hi Woody, welcome to the forum.

[woodygb]

Cheers Mike.

Didn't you post the link to my site years ago?

Woody

[Mike W]

I believe I did Woody, good info there.

[Gus_Mahn]

CO2 tanks that draw liquid in the upright position should have a white ring at the top of the tank along with warning stickers. In a pinch, I've flipped carbonation tanks and used them to fill paintaball tanks. I wouldn't want to try this with S or T tanks.

The tanks little do need to be cold to fill. You can shoot in 3-4 seconds on CO2 into the empty tank and vent it off to cool the tank. Mine get cold enough that they start to frost after doing this. If they don't feel cold after this, do it again.

Some people fill the little tanks by ear. You can hear a quiet swishing as the tank gets full. I have done some like this and it works ok for me, but it's not Nevada hot here most of the year. Given the heat in your area, I'd by a small scale to make sure you don't overfill the paintball tanks + the 12 oz tanks fill up very quickly. 20

BTW I'm buying a Passport next week. What are your impressions of this machine? How well will it work for rollbar fabrication?

[MAC702]

The Passport itself is an awesome machine. By far, the best machine for my type of maintenance and fabrication.

I've been putting my bottles in the freezer, and get 7 oz. of CO2 in on the first try before it won't take any more.

If I don't, then it'll only take 5 oz. If I do the venting thing first, then it'll take 7 oz.

So, I still haven't figured out how to get more than 7 oz. But I hope to improve with each fill, learning more, reading more.

With 6 tanks, I'm not going to run out of gas, but I'd like to keep each one in the machine longer, if it'll do it without compromising tank life.

[cluna]

Call a paintball store and maybe they can give you pointers.

[MAC702]

I do want to ask a paintball store and get some pointers. I'll have to look one up and see it if they wouldn't mind.

Here's what I discovered today while doing some more filling. If I pull an empty bottle out of my freezer (where I chill them now) I can get 8 oz. in there. If I refill one that comes out of the Passport when empty and at room temperature, it'll only take 4 oz. So freezing the bottle first makes a big difference.

But I'm still not getting more than 7 - 8 oz. per fill. Is that normal?

[pgk]

Mac,

Sorry if this question has already been asked, but have you verified the scales are reading correct that you are using?

Pete

[MAC702]

Good question. I've never considered the scale. It zeros fine. It's a 50kg-capable fishing scale, new. It weighs each cylinder at 1 lb., 3 oz. every time. I should find some other standards, though, just to make sure.