Air Tanks

Post by **StarkRavingSimmo** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 1:10 pm

Hey Dudes,

Any tips on good places to source air tanks cheaply? I've tried ebay and a few places. A mate has suggested truck wreckers - some of their tanks would be idea but I don't know of any.

Was thinking about 2x 15L tanks.

I'm in the Sydney area.

Cheers

Post by **thehanko** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 1:15 pm

ive heard of people buying cheap tanks from bunnings and changing fittings etc to make them suit use as an air tank.

Post by **StarkRavingSimmo** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 1:20 pm

What sorta tank?

Post by **thehanko** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 1:29 pm

some are home fabbed, some have used old co2 fire extinguishers, some have used ola gas bottles, some have used new ones.

do a search in 4x4 tech for bunnings.

here is one link i found http://www.outerlimits4x4.com/ftopic138 ... t=bunnings

basically can use any tank which is pressure tested to above your needs and you can adapt plugs/fittings for.

Post by **StarkRavingSimmo** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 2:02 pm

not a bad suggestion that link, cheers.

A few blokes in there are using truck tanks. Thats generally what i was thinking. Don't really know of any truck wreckers tho

Post by **mkpatrol** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 2:07 pm

K mart used to have auxillary air tanks for about 40 bucks. Have not had a look for a while so I am not sure they still have them, worth a look though.

Post by **mrw82** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 2:08 pm

I found hobzees 4H to be pretty good for new tanks. all alloy, variety of sizes and more then enough ports. prices are pretty good too.

http://www.4h.com.au/category6_1.htm

the problem with the bunnings ones is they usually only have 1 or 2 ports in them and usually in the wrong spot.

Post by **StarkRavingSimmo** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 2:10 pm

yeah i saw his, the prices aren't too bad.

The link that thehanko suggested mentioned 15L truck tanks for like $20. So i'm thinking that would be the best bit. had a look at a few on trucks and they've got ports to kingdom come

Post by **NCpaj** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 2:46 pm

StarkRavingSimmo wrote:yeah i saw his, the prices aren't too bad.

The link that thehanko suggested mentioned 15L truck tanks for like $20. So i'm thinking that would be the best bit. had a look at a few on trucks and they've got ports to kingdom come

yeah truck ones are the go, try truck wreckers.
Also a while ago super cheap had those wheeled air compressor on those big tanks and the compressors were cheapish for the size of air tank and the fittings that came with it (nitto, pressure guage etc)

Post by **StarkRavingSimmo** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 3:39 pm

any suggestions for truck wreckers in the syd area? Its something i'm not familiar with and google hasn't been that helpful

Post by **mkpatrol** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 4:13 pm

There used to be a big yard that Royans Towing were associated with in Chipping Norton but that was a few years ago now.

Sorry but that is all I can remember.

Post by **nzdarin** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 6:08 pm

Old 10kg fire ex. work really well and have standard thread so easy to work with. Cheap as well.

Post by **bigbluemav** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 6:42 pm

Find a truck wreckers and go a get a (or a couple/few) air (brake?) tanks. There's HEAPS of different sizes for placement in any spot. They all have standard air fittings, its dead easy.

I had 2 tanks in the Mav', 1 under the car and 1 behind the back seat. Only cost $50 for 2 with a total capacity of 60 litres!!

Post by **fester2au** » Thu Apr 30, 2009 9:05 pm

No offence but have to tried the phone book or yellow pages. Heaps of truck wreckers in SE Qld. Must be heaps down that way.

Post by **TRobbo** » Fri May 01, 2009 10:00 am

where do people get their air tank fittings from.

Bunnings are about $5 - $7 each. Whilst it not stacks they have to be available cheaper than this.

Post by **NCpaj** » Fri May 01, 2009 10:23 am

TRobbo wrote:where do people get their air tank fittings from.

Bunnings are about $5 - $7 each. Whilst it not stacks they have to be available cheaper than this.

pirteck, enzed some times have bits- they were helpful when i was chasing a couple of bits so i could run a smaller nozzle on a different thread.

Also super cheap have little packs with air fittings in them.

Post by **phippsy** » Fri May 01, 2009 10:29 am

We use Bearing Service for fittings, but if you're getting a tank from a truck, spend a little time and you'll be able to source everything you'd need off the wrecks.

Post by **mkpatrol** » Fri May 01, 2009 12:34 pm

http://cgi.ebay.com.au/BOSS-Air-Tank-1- ... 7C294%3A50

Says its been tested but not tow what standard. Alloy = light at least. Mind you steel ones are not that heavy.

Post by **StarkRavingSimmo** » Fri May 01, 2009 12:57 pm

just spend my lunch break calling truck wreckers in my area.

Very few that are open on a Saturday, thats my main issue. Found one or two that are promising. One guy is open tomorrow and has 'em for $25 off trucks. Pick it yaself he said.

Post by **hobzees4wdshop** » Fri May 01, 2009 2:39 pm

mkpatrol wrote:http://cgi.ebay.com.au/BOSS-Air-Tank-1- ... 7C294%3A50

Says its been tested but not tow what standard. Alloy = light at least. Mind you steel ones are not that heavy.

Just for your info guys this 1 ltr tank is no longer available from today. Our supplier has informed us.

cheers Dan

Post by **mkpatrol** » Fri May 01, 2009 2:56 pm

hobzees4wdshop wrote:
mkpatrol wrote:http://cgi.ebay.com.au/BOSS-Air-Tank-1- ... 7C294%3A50

Says its been tested but not tow what standard. Alloy = light at least. Mind you steel ones are not that heavy.
Just for your info guys this 1 ltr tank is no longer available from today. Our supplier has informed us.

cheers Dan

OK, what standard was it tested to?

Post by **hobzees4wdshop** » Fri May 01, 2009 3:09 pm

That'll be a question for the supplier mk. Boss hasn't supplier me with that information.

Here's a blurb from our suppllier.

"BOSS manufactures lightweight T6 heat treated aluminium air tanks, with a range of tank sizes, port configurations and port sizes. Our tanks are rust free, providing clean air for valves. All tanks can be mounted in 3 angles - on end, upright, or upside down and still keep drain port at bottom with our unique design. Mounting legs included. Shot blasted anodized or chrome finish. Recommended working pressure 0-170psi. Maximum pressure 400psi. Sizes range from 2 litres through to 15 litres with extruded centre section and stamped ends."

Post by **mkpatrol** » Fri May 01, 2009 3:18 pm

Cool, just curious thats all.

Post by **lump_a_charcoal** » Fri May 01, 2009 4:11 pm

StarkRavingSimmo wrote:just spend my lunch break calling truck wreckers in my area.

Very few that are open on a Saturday, thats my main issue. Found one or two that are promising. One guy is open tomorrow and has 'em for $25 off trucks. Pick it yaself he said.

Share your info, I'm also after cheap tanks...

Post by **fester2au** » Fri May 01, 2009 5:54 pm

TRobbo wrote:where do people get their air tank fittings from.

Bunnings are about $5 - $7 each. Whilst it not stacks they have to be available cheaper than this.

Jump on the yellow pages and look up hydraulic services or business's. I got a couple of bits off our local hydraulic supply for a good bit cheaper than even a couple of the online 4wd shops.

ARB's price for the pressure switch was pretty good and the one way/non return valve I got from my local hydraulic place for nearly half the price of the ebay one.

If you needed a heap more sockets and were goign the truck tank route it may be just as cheap to get an extra tank with heaps of fittings and cut them out (assuming you have the access to have them welded in).

I got a stainless tank off ebay but can get my stainless sockets at cost through work. Then I got my airline fittings from Norgren as I want to use that nylon clip lock hose to run front to back from tank. Festo ones would probably be cheaper but I wanted the swivel 90 degree ones for a few places.

Bunnings would have to be one of the worst palces to get stuff liek that based on other prices of stuff I have seen there.

If you just want the quick connect airline fittings then probably somewhere like Supercheap.

Post by **nastytroll** » Fri May 01, 2009 7:00 pm

fester2au wrote:
TRobbo wrote:where do people get their air tank fittings from.

Bunnings are about $5 - $7 each. Whilst it not stacks they have to be available cheaper than this.
Jump on the yellow pages and look up hydraulic services or business's. I got a couple of bits off our local hydraulic supply for a good bit cheaper than even a couple of the online 4wd shops.

ARB's price for the pressure switch was pretty good and the one way/non return valve I got from my local hydraulic place for nearly half the price of the ebay one.

If you needed a heap more sockets and were goign the truck tank route it may be just as cheap to get an extra tank with heaps of fittings and cut them out (assuming you have the access to have them welded in).

I got a stainless tank off ebay but can get my stainless sockets at cost through work. Then I got my airline fittings from Norgren as I want to use that nylon clip lock hose to run front to back from tank. Festo ones would probably be cheaper but I wanted the swivel 90 degree ones for a few places.

Bunnings would have to be one of the worst palces to get stuff liek that based on other prices of stuff I have seen there.

If you just want the quick connect airline fittings then probably somewhere like Supercheap.

Get the softer hose, polyethalene? The normal harder nylon type hose cracks from vibration.

Post by **PJ.zook** » Fri May 01, 2009 7:41 pm

You could make one yourself to fit a custom space from RHS. I would test it properly though to make sure it can take the pressure.
I made my rear bar from 100x100RHS and built my swingaway tyre carrier into it, and deliberately made the RHS airtight with the intention of using it as a tank.

I charged it to around 140psi to make sure it can take a max pressure of 100psi under normal conditions. Then i soaped up my welds to check for leaks, and bobs youre aunty.

Post by **bigbluemav** » Fri May 01, 2009 8:39 pm

Pressure wise, if air lockers are going to be part of the system, they'll only cop about 110psi, so why charge to more than that? It also loads up the compressor/s too much.

I got all my fittings from Enzed, which was probably more expnsive than I needed to go, but at least I got a bloke who knew what he was talking about, 'cos I didn't!! What a previous post said about the fittings being available at the wrieckers is good advice.

I got the non-return valve, pressure switch and relief valve from a compressor place, surprisingly cheaply. If I remember correctly, it was $50 for everything including some line.

The tanks (from the wreckers) come in an AMAZING array of sizes and dimensions.

(Why would you buy a 1 litre tank?)

Post by **lump_a_charcoal** » Fri May 01, 2009 8:44 pm

Hey, when an airlocker is operating, does the compressor operate continuously, or just occasionally to maintain pressure if it drops?

Post by **PJ.zook** » Fri May 01, 2009 8:51 pm

lump_a_charcoal wrote:Hey, when an airlocker is operating, does the compressor operate continuously, or just occasionally to maintain pressure if it drops?

Compressor only operates if the air drops.

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