Mighty Dodge
Gold Member
I made a 20lb propane tank to an air tank/cheetah tire inflater a couple of years ago. The only thing I did was after removing the original tank valve I cleaned it out with some super clean. It works great.
Propane tank converted to air bladder... any comments?
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patrick_g
Elite Member
Wil, No harm, no foul. I'm usually way too tired to carry a grudge!wil3404 said:My appoligies if I hit a bad memory
Pat
Bedlam
Veteran Member
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- Feb 28, 2005
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Dodge could you elaborate some on the cheater conversion? I have seen thes and they are expensive.
So self built would be gooood.
thnks
Allan
So self built would be gooood.
thnks
Allan
Highbeam
Super Member
I have been using an old BBQ propane tank as an air tank for quite some time. Great for quick air nail jobs like trim work where you don't want to drag the big dog to the job.
I removed the old valve assembly with a big wrench. The threads were glued with some type of excellent sealant. I then filled the tank with water and dumped the water out. VERY stinky water. Then threaded in new brass fittings, a ball valve, and QD. Good to go.
I removed the old valve assembly with a big wrench. The threads were glued with some type of excellent sealant. I then filled the tank with water and dumped the water out. VERY stinky water. Then threaded in new brass fittings, a ball valve, and QD. Good to go.
patrick_g
Elite Member
Typically propane bottles are not painted on the inside and when you use them for air you can often end up with condensation inside the NEW air tank which promotes rust. This is bad for a couple reasons: 1. can cause tank failure and 2. can put rust into whatever uses the air.
If you clean and coat the inside of the tank with a rust proofer you will eliminate the problem. You don't hear much about exploding air tanks made from propane bottles for several reasons among which are: 1. the builder user was not in shape to talk about it, 2. it doesn't happen very often (once is one time too many if anyone gets hurt)
If you clean and etch the inside of the tank and use epoxy paint or the Rustoleum brand "hammertone" rust proof paint or "Kreme" (sold at motorcycle shops for leak/rust proofing gas tanks) The inside of the tank will not rust.
Some folks have surplus tanks avail with the old style fill or whatever and have no particular use for them. If you have means to cut the tank: 1. plasma, O-A torch, saw, or whatever they make good sturdy fairly long lived BBQ grills and smokers (skip the above listed coatings for the inside and consider no coating or a super high temp paint for the part next to the fire.
Observe proper safety practices when cutting a tank. filling with water except for a small "bubble" of air and rotating the tank so you are torching where the bubble rests is one method that is used. Another is putting some dry ice in the tank and putting the valve back in slightly opened and oriented to be on top. The dry ice (frozen CO2) sublimates (goes directly from solid to gas without passing through liquid stage) and is heavier than air and fills the tank forcing out all the air and its oxygen. If the tank has been well aired out it may stink like propane (due to the mercaptan or other odorant added to make leaks obvious) but not have any propane in it so the above safety precautions are not absolutely mandatory in all cases but do be careful.
Anyway the tanks, especially in 20# and larger sizes make good grills and smokers. You can use the smaller bottles (20#) mo' betta by using one for a fire box and plumb the smoke to another that holds the meat. Get inventive!
P.S. Sorry HIGHBEAM I didn't get notified of your post mentioning BBQ till after I posted about that.
Pat
If you clean and coat the inside of the tank with a rust proofer you will eliminate the problem. You don't hear much about exploding air tanks made from propane bottles for several reasons among which are: 1. the builder user was not in shape to talk about it, 2. it doesn't happen very often (once is one time too many if anyone gets hurt)
If you clean and etch the inside of the tank and use epoxy paint or the Rustoleum brand "hammertone" rust proof paint or "Kreme" (sold at motorcycle shops for leak/rust proofing gas tanks) The inside of the tank will not rust.
Some folks have surplus tanks avail with the old style fill or whatever and have no particular use for them. If you have means to cut the tank: 1. plasma, O-A torch, saw, or whatever they make good sturdy fairly long lived BBQ grills and smokers (skip the above listed coatings for the inside and consider no coating or a super high temp paint for the part next to the fire.
Observe proper safety practices when cutting a tank. filling with water except for a small "bubble" of air and rotating the tank so you are torching where the bubble rests is one method that is used. Another is putting some dry ice in the tank and putting the valve back in slightly opened and oriented to be on top. The dry ice (frozen CO2) sublimates (goes directly from solid to gas without passing through liquid stage) and is heavier than air and fills the tank forcing out all the air and its oxygen. If the tank has been well aired out it may stink like propane (due to the mercaptan or other odorant added to make leaks obvious) but not have any propane in it so the above safety precautions are not absolutely mandatory in all cases but do be careful.
Anyway the tanks, especially in 20# and larger sizes make good grills and smokers. You can use the smaller bottles (20#) mo' betta by using one for a fire box and plumb the smoke to another that holds the meat. Get inventive!
P.S. Sorry HIGHBEAM I didn't get notified of your post mentioning BBQ till after I posted about that.
Pat
Mighty Dodge
Gold Member
I removed the propane valve and replaced it with a nipple, tee, and ball valve. I also added a gauge and hose fitting. I just put a piece of copper on the ball valve and squeezed the end a bit. If you make one of these make sure you hang on to it when you open the valve.
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kenmac
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Are you guys using some type of safety pop off valve on these home made tanks ? I think the air tank that I bought was only 25 bucks & comes with a safety pop off valve. It pops off at around 125 psi
Mighty Dodge
Gold Member
I bought the fitting with the safety valve from Tractor Supply....I think.
M.D.
M.D.
patrick_g
Elite Member
MD, I guess I missed the part about what you use the tank for. It could be a bubble blower on steroids but it would probably seat tire beads on loose fitting new tires instead of having to use the explosive fuel air bomb approach.
You ruined an other wise decent start on a 'tater gun but the bent/deformed exit "nozzle" is NOT an improvement for that use.
Pat
You ruined an other wise decent start on a 'tater gun but the bent/deformed exit "nozzle" is NOT an improvement for that use.
Pat