Anyone using high pressure nitrogen instead of buying compressor to fill their PCPs? I'm interested in advantages, disadvantages, what is needed and approximate cost of using nitrogen. Thanks.
High pressure nitrogen vs buying a compressor
- Thread starter Crutcherro1
- Start date
I really wanted to go the nitrogen route when I got into PCP guns, Clean dry air, Where I am at the cost was crazy, I found one place that would rent me a tank 6000 psi I think, and I would have to have it filled once a month weather I need it or not, I think the total cost was going to be about 95 dollars a month.
I started filling my great white at a safety company, 35 bucks a fill. When I noticed no moisture traps they said this is compressed air not breathing air..
I bought me a Sheldon compressor, end of story
I started filling my great white at a safety company, 35 bucks a fill. When I noticed no moisture traps they said this is compressed air not breathing air..
I bought me a Sheldon compressor, end of story
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Too bad it costs so much. I was hoping for a good alternative to the cost and maintenance of a compressor. Thanks.
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Is $35 normal for you guys getting tanks filled in the USA? In my local diving shop in the UK I only pay £5-8 depending on tank size
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Yes, $35 sounds pretty high for a tank fill. My local dive shop charges $4 per charge to 4500 psi. The local Gas facility leases out the 6000 psi N2 bottles ($95/year) and charges about $45 per refill/exchange. The down side of this is that you have to take the bottle back for the exchange and that bottle is HEAVY!
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No access to 6000psi nitrogen in my area. Our only dive shop can only fill to 3000psi. There is a fire equipment company that fills but it's $25. I was lucky to get my local volunteer fire dept to fill my tanks for free. I donated money and helped at their fund raisers. Was a good deal, but couldn't always get fills when needed. Like at 12am when tuning a gun and run out of air. I went with a Shelden compressor and it's the best money I have spent on this hobby.
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My dive shop charges $7 for a 4500 fill, that includes letting it cool and topping it off at a proper 4500 psi.
I'm lucky enough to work close to a shop that does this.
I'm lucky enough to work close to a shop that does this.
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I use a paintball center and a scuba shop. Both charge me $5.00. I would pay more if I could find a place closer!
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I leased a 6000 psi cylinder from Roberts Oxygen when I lived in Virginia. Here is the breakdown:
One Time Costs:
6000 psi Nitrogen Cylinder - $65 refundable deposit to lease a 444 cf Nitrogen tank at 6000 psi and $65 for a fresh filled tank swap out. The process is they would drop off a fresh filled nitrogen cylinder and take my old one. It's was as simple as calling or emailing my rep and telling him I need a tank and the next morning they come to my house to do the swap.
6000 psi Fill Assembly - $195 from Air Hog. This is the assembly that screws onto the Nitrogen cylinder using a CGA-647 interface.The assembly has a pressure gauge, bleed valve, and male foster fitting to hook your carbon fiber tank's hose to.
Fill Process:
I filled my 75cf carbon fiber tank directly from the nitrogen cylinder. Filling from 3000psi to 4500psi took about 90 seconds. I simply connected the end of my tanks hp hose to the male foster on the Nitrogen cylinder fill assembly . I opened my carbon fiber tank valve first and then the nitrogen cylinder which starts the fill process. There is no need to worry about too much nitrogen coming out as the fill assembly has flow control built in. One 6000 psi nitrogen cylinder would top up my 75 cf carbon fiber tank approximately 15-17 times from 3500 psi to 4500 psi.
Recurring Cost:
I always had my nitrogen cylinder swapped out once it got down to 3300 psi. I would go through a cylinder every 4-6 weeks on average during the summer when I did most of my shooting. Cost for a fresh nitrogen cylinder was $65 for the cylinder and $10 for delivery. They would drop off and pick up the tank and placed it in my garage for me.
One Time Costs:
6000 psi Nitrogen Cylinder - $65 refundable deposit to lease a 444 cf Nitrogen tank at 6000 psi and $65 for a fresh filled tank swap out. The process is they would drop off a fresh filled nitrogen cylinder and take my old one. It's was as simple as calling or emailing my rep and telling him I need a tank and the next morning they come to my house to do the swap.
6000 psi Fill Assembly - $195 from Air Hog. This is the assembly that screws onto the Nitrogen cylinder using a CGA-647 interface.The assembly has a pressure gauge, bleed valve, and male foster fitting to hook your carbon fiber tank's hose to.
Fill Process:
I filled my 75cf carbon fiber tank directly from the nitrogen cylinder. Filling from 3000psi to 4500psi took about 90 seconds. I simply connected the end of my tanks hp hose to the male foster on the Nitrogen cylinder fill assembly . I opened my carbon fiber tank valve first and then the nitrogen cylinder which starts the fill process. There is no need to worry about too much nitrogen coming out as the fill assembly has flow control built in. One 6000 psi nitrogen cylinder would top up my 75 cf carbon fiber tank approximately 15-17 times from 3500 psi to 4500 psi.
Recurring Cost:
I always had my nitrogen cylinder swapped out once it got down to 3300 psi. I would go through a cylinder every 4-6 weeks on average during the summer when I did most of my shooting. Cost for a fresh nitrogen cylinder was $65 for the cylinder and $10 for delivery. They would drop off and pick up the tank and placed it in my garage for me.
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Travels4fun,
Sounds like this is a very good alternative to the initial cost and maintenance of a compressor. Thank you for the post.
Sounds like this is a very good alternative to the initial cost and maintenance of a compressor. Thank you for the post.
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I think nitro might be a good option if you hunt in extreme weather,
1. It is completely inert so no oxidation
2. It doesn't react to temp changes as bad as other gasses so you will not lose pressure filling in a warm room then going out in 10 deg weather
3 it is a dry gas so less worries of water freezing
the trade off however is that you have to be extremely careful!
A 3000 psi tank being filled with a 6000 tank could spell a trip to the hospital if not the morgue
1. It is completely inert so no oxidation
2. It doesn't react to temp changes as bad as other gasses so you will not lose pressure filling in a warm room then going out in 10 deg weather
3 it is a dry gas so less worries of water freezing
the trade off however is that you have to be extremely careful!
A 3000 psi tank being filled with a 6000 tank could spell a trip to the hospital if not the morgue
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Oh, almost forgot a big one some companies will void your warranty if they find you are doing so
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The reason I leased a nitrogen cylinder was I got fed up with the constant 55 mile round trip drive to get my carbon fiber tank filled. I was living in the worst area for traffic (Rt 7/Rt 66/I 495 Northern Virginia) so it could take me 4 hours to get my tank topped off.
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Which company would void a warranty for filling with Nitrogen? Also, are you speaking for owners in the United States or a different country?
Also, 4500 psi carbon fiber tanks get hydro tested at a minimum of 150% of the typical operating pressure. That means a 4500 tank would get filled to 6750 psi during routine testing. The risk damage or harm from negligently overfilling a 4500 psi carbon fiber tank to 6000 psi from a nitrogen cylinder is highly unlikely to be eventful.
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Willie,
Thanks for the links. I couldn't find any mention of a specific manufacturer that would void a warranty if the user fills with nitrogen. The author states: "The problem is if that manufacturer has specifically said no nitrogen or no gas other than air, then you’ve just voided your warranty. So, if your gun has a problem, don’t come crying to me when they won’t fix it!." However, the author doesn't elaborate any further which is essentially tells me he doesn't know of any manufacturers that have a policy against filling with nitrogen.
Scott
Thanks for the links. I couldn't find any mention of a specific manufacturer that would void a warranty if the user fills with nitrogen. The author states: "The problem is if that manufacturer has specifically said no nitrogen or no gas other than air, then you’ve just voided your warranty. So, if your gun has a problem, don’t come crying to me when they won’t fix it!." However, the author doesn't elaborate any further which is essentially tells me he doesn't know of any manufacturers that have a policy against filling with nitrogen.
Scott
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