Can anbody tell me if the 20lb co2 tanks used for our fill stations are the same as fast food places use for the pop system? Called a million places up here in the Valley today and mght have hit paydirt with B&C Brewing Supplies. All other places only had 50lb tanks or bigger however B&C brewing has 20lb tanks for sale at $45.00.The fill station valves are available at BruceOnline Paintball in New Minas for $79.00.
Also I would assume steel tanks and aluminum tanks are both ok,just one would be lighter to carry around.
Scott, I've been told that brewer's use the same CO2 tanks as we do and they're the 20 lb. type. John Coffill would know for certain. He has a line on the small tanks used in hospitals for O2. Apparently they can be certified for either type of gas and are only 10 lb. The ones we use in ECT clinic have a 2 wheel dolly for easier transport. Bob
You need to find out if the tank has a syphon tube or not. If it doesn't have a syphon tube you have to turn the tank upside down to get liquid CO2 into your bottle(which isnt a probably with smaller tanks but with a 20lbs or bigger it starts getting heavy quick). Other than that Im pretty sure they are the same, atleast the one my buddy has for his beer tap is.
Well I'm going to pop out tomorrow and see what they have,the lady on the phone said they have various sizes from 250g up to the 20lb,she said they do have 10lb but they have hoses etc... attached for hooking up to a keg.I remember your post about Simplex saying nothing smaller then a 20lb was to be used for a fill station so was just concentrating on the 20lb.She just kept referring to the 20lb as "the type fast food use for their pop system" An online search revealed it's probably an aluminum tank,instead of steel, however it seems they have a 3000psi rating and several sources said they are the same,just lighter then a steel tank. Although if it's just used for gas to push the pop through the system I doubt it will have the s tube. Most I found online said if going to be used for paintball will have to have siphon tube installed.
Steel Tanks are rated to 2200 psi, while the Alumimun are 3000 psi. And with CO2 if I remember right they are only filled to around 1800 psi max. Also on E-bay you can get brand new fill stations for around $30. Here is one with a pressure gage for $30. Visit this site
CO2 unlike compressed air is filled by weight. A 10 lb tank holds, you guessed it, 10 lbs of CO2. The pressure in the tank is a function of temperature, at room temp its around 850psi. If you really want to know look up a chart of CO2's vapor pressure. You can use tanks smaller than 20lbs for a fill station, I do it pretty often with my 5 lb tank, I just hold the tank upside down while I fill the little one.
The 79 bucks is a bit steep, but this is a one man show Computer/Paintball shop up here in the Valley,so I'm sure he marks them up. I would bet the city would have them even cheaper, or like you said ebay. Have to try and find a canadian seller though, as sometimes when you add shipping,exchange and duty the deal is not quite the deal it was.
Watch it, that computor and paintball place is ify. I know the guy and i'd go to Tyco in the city if i were you. They are on windmill road just before the car dearler(ford) they have some there and are good to us.
It was a bit odd cause when I called I was asking about 20lb tanks and fill station attachment, and he swore to the lord almighty that there was no such thing as a 20lb tank(even after I explained there was), however he could 'lease' me a 50lb tank for x amount of dollars per year and I could buy the fill station attachment new from his shop for the 79 bucks. He also told me if I had a fill station that I shouldn't be operating it in public without insurance????
The tank does indeed have a siphon tube.The lady quoted me the wrong price on the phone,it was for a smaller tank, then want 130 bucks(Canadian) for the aluminum tank.Which is pricey even if you compare ebay(shipping,exchange etc) anybody else got any leads?
