Propane tank converted to air bladder... any comments?

pat32rf · Jul 9, 2007

I have a coupla 30lb tanks fitted with QD fittings so I can gang them up while using my little portable compressor for bigger spray jobs BUT you don't have condensation to contend with when the tank is used for propane. Most 20lb tanks that I have cut open (they make good ash buckets if you add a handle) aren't even painted on the inside so rust can be a factor after a while.

whodat90 · Jul 9, 2007

Freon I wouldn't worry about. Propane, however, I wouldn't use. Propane (so I've read on welding forums) has a tendency to kind of seep into the metal of it's tank. Makes cutting and welding on them supposed to be difficult, as even when empty and purged they have a tendency to explode. I'd worry that for some time following the conversion it'd be leaching propane from the tank to the compressed air, and running that through whatever you have the tank connected to, be it tires or air tools.

schmism · Jul 9, 2007

i picked up an old 30lb tank that someone bashed the filler valve on... converted it to an air tank and have been useing it with my little HF pancake compressor for like 3 years now....

bucmeister · Jul 9, 2007

I would wonder if it was leaching out actual propane or just the scent agent they put in it. When I am around propane much at all that stench lingers in my clothing and gloves for awhile, long after the propane itself is long gone.

slowrev · Jul 9, 2007

I have been using 30LB propane tanks for air tanks for years.
And yes it is the scent additive that hangs around forever. Once the propane is out it is out, but the stink of the additive hangs around a long time.
I have a friend that uses a couple of 100LB Propane tanks for air tanks.

George2615 · Jul 9, 2007

I have 2 old freon tanks that I piped together for an air tank that I built 10 years ago. It's still working fine. Can't help you on using old propane tanks but I don't see why they wouldn't work as long as they are purged of any residual gas before any welding may need to be done. I do have a few of them around with the old style valve and can't get them refilled. I don't have a need for more air tanks so I'll probably have to cut them up to get rid of them.

patrick_g · Jul 9, 2007

Last guy who tried a stupid stunt like that with me when I was working on a 1000+ volt power supply fused over an amp lived to regret his decision several times.

Pat

BillyP · Jul 9, 2007

patrick_g said:
Last guy who tried a stupid stunt like that with me when I was working on a 1000+ volt power supply fused over an amp lived to regret his decision several times.

Pat

Like what

patrick_g · Jul 9, 2007

BillyP said:
Like what

Sorry, I messed up. My reply was not properly connected to the post that engendered it.

Story follows.

Someone suggested shouting boom!!!! while using a propane converted to air tank to frighten some ignorant neighbor.

That triggered a flashback where I recalled working on a transmitter with over 1000 VDC at over an amp which would be easily lethal, especially if you took it hand to hand so it went through your heart. I had test leads draped over my shoulders and hooked to various places on the bare chassis. Along comes a Bozo who sneaks up behind me and claps his hands and shouts in my ear. I jumped and the leads draped over my shoulder pulled the tall narrow chassis toward me and it began to topple over. I reached out with both hands to stop its fall rather than let it fall in my lap but had to be very careful where to grab it as there was lots of exposed circuitry.

I didn't get shocked but very easily could have been killed. I didn't do anything to get locked up over but when I offered to forgive and forget if the Bozo would promise to go straight and not do anything like that again he refused and so he started a war that he regretted being involved with (over and over) but he never new how or why things just got weird for him. He suspected but never actually knew.

If you like the fun of frightening some ignorant neighbor over a propane tank conversion you might really get your jollies shouting fire in a crowded theater.

Pat