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Rechargeable Canisters


Moose's picture

By Moose - Posted on 21 February 2013

NB: Originally posted elsewhere on the Global Riders Network and appears via syndication.

Just a thought I had the other day, but does anyone know of a rechargeable CO2 canister out there on the market? All the ones I've seen are single-use, throw away jobs.

I'm thinking it wouldn't be that hard to make something about the size of a 40g cartridge that can be re-charged (to say 100-150 PSI) by using a floor pump just using regular air. That way you don't have to keep buying cylinders (and adding them to landfill), and you'd always have a free source of compressed air for either home or track use.

I'd have a go at making something myself, but I'm not game to go fiddling around when we're talking about pressures of that magnitude.

Reason I ask is I burped my tubeless tyres the other week, and used 2 borrowed cylinders to get it re-seated and inflated, which is an expensive way to do it if you ask me.

MrMez's picture

No, and no.

Im not going to work out volumes or look up specs, but based on what I think I remember, and what I can guess, you MAY get unto 5psi from a 40g cartridge and a small MTB tire. Conservative estimates put it at 2-3 psi.
A normal CO2 runs into the thousands of psi if i remember.

Just get a decent pocket pump, or even better, find a tire that doesn't burp air.

Commercial success would also be unlikely as it would be a MTB only product. Most road bikes need ~100 psi, and a 16g is usually just enough to get decent pressure.

Magnum9's picture

The CO2 is stored as a liquid, not a gas. When it is released it converts to a gas which increases in volume massively. That is also the reason it gets so cold, it is basically acting as a refrigerant.

Zoom's picture

According to Boyles Law I reckon you need about 3000 PSI in your canister. I'd suggest wearing ear and eye protection while you pump it up.

Tobi Wan's picture

what about a pocket sized air compressor? something about the size of a bike tool or 2

Discodan's picture

yes, a portable compressor would be ideal. In lieu of a separate power source maybe it could be powered by hand, some sort of reciprocating motion perhaps?

MrMez's picture

Hahaha.

As Zoom said, ~3,000psi. I thought I remember mine having ~2,300 but didn't wan't to shoot my mouth off.

Tobi Wan's picture

Better yet Discodan, something that can be linked onto your bike chain... pedal backwards (or when bike upside down, to reduce pressure on tyre being pumped), turn power source, fill tyre.. more power/leverage from pedals than a smaller dynamo/spindle type thingo (technical speak)..

might not be pocket sized now though, ha!

hathill's picture

You could connect a hose from your rear shock to the valve on the wheel and bounce up and down on the bike Eye-wink

Moose's picture

It was just a thought.
That explains why CO2 is used and not just regular air, and also why a CO2 canister is so small compared to a scuba tank.

Thanks for all the responses. I won't be filing that patent anytime soon Smiling

pharmaboy's picture

"yes, a portable compressor would be ideal. In lieu of a separate power source maybe it could be powered by hand, some sort of reciprocating motion perhaps? "

I reckon youre onto something discodan - maybe even make it long and thin so it can attahc to the bidon bolts with some kind of quick release mechanism? If it doesnt need power, it could be plastic and light with unlimited uses you could be onto a fortune maker......

Mamil's picture

You're all missing the obvious solution - you're already carring a compressed air storage device around with you in the form of the good tyre. Just fill up the flat one from the other one - done!

Tobi Wan's picture

I was actually kinda serious..

looking at something like this (for mopeds/scooters):
https://www.tomcatdistribution.com.au/tire-infla...

someone with a bit of technical know-how could possibly combine a chain-driven dynamo to power/charge that puppy..
miniaturise it more if possible and you've gotta a pretty small chain driven air compressor..

arm-chair science at its best - not sure if the required voltage could be achieved from pedals and a bike chain...

pharmaboy's picture

SO given the rear wheel is the one with the chain attached, all you'd have to do is if a dynamo that puts out an amp at 12v on the rear, bring a bike stand to keep the wheel off the ground while you pedal, and whammo, you have a solution for the non rotating front wheel to be pumped up by a rear wheel driven compressor in the event of a flat.

Or, YOU COULD BUY A $7-00 FREAKING PUMP THAT WEIGHS NOTHING AT ALL AND USE YOUR USELESS ARMS TO PUMP UP THE TYRE!

;D

MrMez's picture

Rly??

Wouldn't it be better in the long run to just get decent tires???
I mean, in the last 13 months running good UST's with NO goo, I've never had a flat or burped air, despite some idiotic riding.
If I do ever have a flat, I have 2 types of patches/boots, one tube, a top multi tool and a tiny but excellent hand pump. That plus more live permanently in my camel bak which comes on every ride.

Tobi Wan's picture

Sorry Pharma, i was more talking about cranking it, even with bike upside down..

was all theorycraft, but i like the idea of taking a bike stand on the trails, especially when you want to have a rest

trail_guevara's picture

Check this out, invented in 2012 - http://www.gizmag.com/adaptrac-mountain-bike-tir...

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