Power Tank Review

Feb. 01, 2006 By Chris Geiger

PT-10 Power Tank Air Storage System

Compressed Air to Go! I have always wanted a better way to air my tires up after a trail run. I hated waiting an hour to air up my tires with my little 12V compressor after a trail run. I had thought of getting a larger ($500) air compressor and storage tank. But the costs of the compressor and tank (add another $150) were a bit much and I was worried I would damage the compressor in deep water crossings. So along comes the Power Tank. It can air tires up faster than any compressor you can carry, is only 27 pounds (full), and costs about 1/2 the price of a quality air compressor and tank.

Testing

I removed the valve core from a tire and it takes about 40 seconds to go down to 15 psi. Airing back up takes less time than letting the air out when using the PT-10 tank. With the core installed the time to air back up is only 35 seconds. It's faster then a gas station air hose! The Power Tank's output is controllable from 0 up to 150 pounds so it can be turned down for use with air tools or welder and then back up for airing tires up fast.
This unit stores an incredible amount of compressed gas. Enough to air up all four tires on 9 trucks at the end of a trail run (assuming 33 X 12.50 tires). It took about 15 minutes per tire with my Truck Air unit or about a hour to do all four tires.

Air Tools

The air tank comes with a coil hose with one quick disconnect (1/4" type "T") and an air chuck. I chose not to use the air chuck and instead installed a second quick disconnect on the other end of the hose. This way I could easily switch from one air tool to the next very quickly. I also purchased a gas station type filler as pictured above. The PT-10 is rated to provide 20 minutes of continues air tool use. Most of the time when you use air tools it's just a few quick shots and the bolt is off, so 20 minutes is a lot of time. It's a good idea to put a drop or two of oil into your air tools as there is no lubrication coming from the Power Tank. If you ever find your self needing to do major repairs on the trail like a clutch job or replacing a transfer case, having power tools along can make the job much faster and easier. This type of tank is used by some racing teams as a race truck mounted air supply for air tool and air jacks. This allows for the quickest tire changes possible.

Reseating tires

I enjoy rock crawling and as such I see a fair amount of tire damage/abuse on the trail. Often it's a sliced open sidewall and a plug or two is all that is needed to fix it. Some times a patch is needed. By using a hilift jack the tire can be dismounted and a tube and/or inside patch can be installed. Using the Power Tank to air it back is quick and easy. To remount a tire after a repair is made, I removed the valve core from the wheel. Then turned the air pressure up to 150 psi. Next I put a little water around the bead of the tire on both sides. I put the air chuck onto the tire and aired up. At the same time I bumped the tire a little. Instantly the tire seated and in less than a minute the tire was fully inflated.

Welding with the Power Tank

I recently purchased a welder for making bumpers and skid plates. It is set up to use flux wire or standard wire and CO2. Flux wire welding is good for big stuff but when doing fine finish work I found that using the CO2 with standard wire gives a cleaner weld without the slag build up. I put a type "T" fitting onto welder and connected the Power Tank. For welding use 10-20 psi. No need to buy a separate welding tank.

Filling the Power Tank

Filling the tank is easy. I found a fire extinguisher company a few blocks from my house that would fill it for $10. It takes about a minute to remove the handle and regulator from the tank before filling. Due to limitations in the refilling process the tank can not be topped off. The tank must be emptied before it can be filled. It's is easy to see how much is left in the tank by placing it on a bathroom scale. The tank and C02 weighs 27 lbs when full. 10 lbs is the weight of the C02. So when it gets down to 22 lbs it is 1/2 full. At 17 lbs it is empty.

Tank operation

Tank operation is simple. There are two knobs and two gauges. One knob controls air from the tank to the regulator. The internal tank pressure runs anywhere from 900 to 1800 psi (as read on the first gauge) depending on the temperature of the tank. The second knob and gauge are on the regulator. By adjusting this knob you will see a corresponding change in the output pressure on the gauge. Tank pressure stays about the same during use. As you use the Power Tank it cools from the expanding vapor. This causes a small decrease in pressure as read on the first gauge. As the tank warms up the pressure again rises slightly. The storage capacity is amazing. With a 5 gallon air tank at 125 PSI you can air up about one tire and then your pressure in the tank is gone and you are waiting on a compressor to fill it up again. Even a good electric compressor takes about 5 minutes to fill a tire up. In 5 minutes you can air up all 4 tires using the Power Tank.

Mounting Bracket

Available for an additional $50 is a well-built bracket for mounting most anywhere. There are six holes in the back and five holes on the bottom of the bracket that can be used to mount the tank to most any fixed object. I was very impressed with the large rubber pads on the front and back of the bracket. These hold the tank very well and prevent any squeaking. I have the tank bolted to a large tool box inside my truck and it is absolutely quiet on the trail. I would consider the bracket a "must buy" with this product. You don't want to have a 30 pound tank moving around inside your truck when on the trail.

The PT10 tank is 24" tall and 6.5" in diameter (with handle and regulator). It holds 10 lbs of C02. It costs $299 and $50 for the bracket. The PT-5 is a little shorter at 21" and 5.25" in diameter. It holds 5 lbs of C02. Costs $279 and $50 for the bracket.

FOR MORE INFORMATION:
E-mail steves@powertank.com Advanced Air Systems
2214 Babson Drive
Elk Grove, CA 95758
Info. line (916) 691-6806
Fax line (916) 691-6809
Ordering (800) 641-3206 Review By: Chris Geiger November 1998

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