How to refill co2 tank with air compressor

The air compressor is one of the most important tools in any home garage or shop. With portable air compressor you can fill hpa tanks, inflate car tires and easily handle nailing works.

Many people ask can we refill the CO2 tank with an air compressor. So the simple answer is yes. Refilling the co2 tank with an air compressor is a fairly simple process and can be done in under a few minutes. You can do it by yourself.

Keep in mind that different air compressors will produce different results. If you want the best results for this project, you should look at what kind of flow rate your compressor produces. The higher the flow rate, the better your compressor will be at filling a CO2 tank.

This article will show you how to refill the co2 tank with air compressor at home without going through all the hassle of finding a store nearby or waiting in line at the local welding shop. If you have a limited budget, this process will save you money and still give you good results.

So let’s start:

How to refill co2 tank with an air compressor

Here are the step by step guide about refilling the co2 tank with air compressor.

Step 1: Safety guide during refilling co2 tank with air compressor

Before you get started, there are a few things that you need to keep in mind. 

• Work in a well-ventilated area. Since you are dealing with carbon dioxide gas, it can cause suffocation if you aren’t careful. 
• Obsessed with your filling procedure. Overfilling can cause a lot of problems, including damaged capsules.
• Follow all safety precautions and wear protective equipment, such as eyewear, rubber gloves, boots, and even an air tank suit. 
• Keep flammable objects away from the area to avoid fire or explosion, and remove all sharp objects that can accidentally pop a hole in your tank. Otherwise, you could have a disaster on your hands.

DO NOT use a pressure reducer on your regulator. This will cause the tank to fill very slowly, and you will have a tough time filling your co2 tank within a reasonable amount of time.

Step 2: Check the Integrity

Before filling your co2 tank with an air compressor, first, you should take a hydro-test. On the body of every tank, it is written “hydro-testing number.”

Some smaller units do not require a hydro test if you conduct an initial test. If the tank has not been hydro-tested for more than five years, we recommend taking it for a hydro-test as soon as possible.

What is Hydro-Testing?

The hydro test is performed on pressure vessels to look for leaks. A pressure vessel is filled with water and then pressurized. If there are any leaks in the tank, they will be detected. Hydro testing can determine if a pressure vessel has the correct mechanical properties.

This test also ensures the safety of the user. It ensures that the pressure inside the tank is kept under control and released to the environment. If you conduct a hydro test on your CO2 tank, it will be labeled “tested to current standard” and the date.

Step 3: Determine the PSI of your tank.

Second, understand that different types of tanks use different PSI ratings. To ensure that your air compressor can properly fill up your tank to the correct rating, you must know the tank’s rating.

If it is an 1800 PSI tank, it uses 1800 pounds per square inch. If you have a 3000 psi tank, it uses 3000 pounds per square inch.

The tank’s PSI rating can be found on the side of its bottom. For example, “3AL1800″ or E3000.” The number shows how much psi it offers, and two letters after this indicate what type of regulator authority each cylinder adheres to.

Therefore, if your tank is rated for 3000 pounds per square inch of pressure (PSI), then you must ensure that the air compressor can reach at least 3000 PSI for it to work.

Never overfill the CO2 tank. If you do, then it becomes very dangerous. As this process is not regulated, pressure can build up in your tank and lead to extreme damage.

To avoid overfilling your CO2 tank, ensure that you NEVER fill it more than what is rated for. But this is not the case with dry and oil-free air.

So if you’re using dry and oil-free air, there is no need to worry about it. You can fill up to the capacity. But, if you’re still not confident that you’re filling dry and oil-free contents, it is preferable to underfill.

Step 4: Use the Correct Fill Adapter

Different CO2 tanks come with different fill adapters. Before starting the process, you need to understand what kind of fill adapter your CO2 tank has.

CO2 tanks are available in various thread sizes, but mostly co2 tanks have to range from GGA-320 to CGA 347. You will need to use one that is compatible with its threading. 

Because threaded adaptors can make or break your CO2 system. Without correct size, it will probably fail, and there’s no way of knowing how much CO2 was put into your tank during the process.

So always make sure to check before starting this way of filling your air tank. So always double-check that you have the right size fitting.

What’s the difference between a threaded adapter and hose fitting?

A fitting is a useful piece of equipment that easily connects pipes, hoses, and tubes. Hydraulic fluid can safely flow through these connections without fear of leaking or pressure fluctuations- making hydraulic fittings an essential part of any hydraulic system.

On the other hand, Threaded adapters connect two thread sizes or forms together. Adapters might also be used as fittings in a hydraulic system, but they have their own variances

Step 4: Completely empty the tank

Because we all know that the CO2 tank refilling process is not regulated and there’s no way of telling how much pressure the tank might release before you can find a suitable to fill it, it would be better just to empty the tank before you even start.

You don’t want to deal with the hassle of filling it up to a dangerous level, just in case you might have an accident when using it. There’s no way of knowing how much pressure was stored in the tank. So it’s better to empty the tank first before filling it with air.

To release air from the CO2 tank, simply connect your adapter to the tank and allow the air to pass through a hose and an air regulator. Once all the gas has been released from the tank, you can fill the CO2 tank with air.

If there is more air left in the tank, you need to open the valve so that the air can escape. Before you begin filling the tank, close the valve carefully.

Step 5: Use a High-Pressure Air Compressor

You will need a high-pressure air compressor to refill your CO2 tank. It is the most important part of the process. If you have a hand air compressor, you might not be able to reach the pressure required for this process.

A full tank can hold as high as 3000 PSI, so you need to ensure that your compressor can reach very high pressure.

Some air compressors like Orion high-tech pressure air compressor pump with pressure gauge are made specifically for CO2 tanks. They will offer you the right built-in psi and a high flow rate. 

Step 6: Now start filling

Now that you have your high-pressure compressor, it’s time to start filling your CO2 tank. Read the manual carefully to understand the pressure required for the filling process.

To find out how long you should run your air compressor, multiply the size of the CO2 tank by two. The result will give you the time to run your air compressor. For example, If you have an 8-ounce tank, it will need 16 seconds of air time. This is the maximum time you need to fill your tank.

According to that, start running your high-pressure compressor. Keep the tank’s valve closed and fill it until you reach the target PSI for your Co2 tank. 

Please be careful in this process, the time is very important, so make sure you don’t miss a second. Stay alert and keep checking your watch because mistakes in calculation can cause you to lose everything.

Step 7: Disconnect your Compressor

Once the target has been reached, you can disconnect your compressor. To do this, simply turn the compressor off and remove all connections from it. This will also avoid any accidents that might happen.

Co2 tank vs. Compressed air

CO2 and compressed air are the two most important ingredients used in paintball guns. 

CO2 tanks are used in the beer draft system, and they’re usually made from aluminum. They’re available in a range of steel tanks, with different capacities. The most serious issue with CO2 is the transition from liquid to gas.

A compressed air tank is a handy workshop or garage tool that allows you to store, transport, and use portable compressed gas in any type of home compressor. You can fill up your carry tanks with whatever quantity you need for different projects without having the inconvenience of finding a compatible air source.

The major drawback of compressed air is that it becomes extremely hot. In comparison to other compressors, it is significantly hotter.

Final Words

Now that you know how to refill the CO2 tank with an air compressor. You can start using the gas and make sure your Co2 tank never runs out of gas again.

If you are confused by the pressure or time, you can always check your manual to cross-check what you are doing. It is all simple, yet it requires some attention to detail, but it’s all worth it if you are careful enough.

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