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When you own a Co2 tank, filling one up for the first time with a scary-sounding machine like an air compressor can be, well, scary. The last thing anyone wants is some big metal canister blowing up or exploding in their faces because they didn’t know what they were doing.
First, let me put your mind at ease. That’s only going to happen in very rare circumstances. If you use your brain and a bit of common sense and follow the rules, you’ll never even get close to that happening. The fact you’re reading this means you’re already on the right track, so don’t worry.
Now, let’s go through how you can refill a Co2 tank. You’ll no longer have to keep taking it out and getting it filled up elsewhere. You won’t have to worry about all the transport and transfer issues when you can easily do it in your own house or workshop.
Is It Worth Refilling Your Tank Yourself?
If you’re using a Co2 canister a lot, then yes, it’s incredibly worth learning how to do it yourself. Think about much time, energy, effort, and money you spend already on filling up your gas canisters. Now consider a world where you can plug your Co2 canister into an air compressor, and it’s done.
You just need to know what you’re doing, so keep reading!
Drain Your Canister Fully
The absolute first step you’ll want to take is making sure your gas canister is empty. This point might sound obvious, but you’ll be amazed at how much gas they can squeeze into a canister. Even if your tank doesn’t have enough pressure to complete whatever task you’re putting it into, that doesn’t mean it’s completely empty.
The best way to check this is to fix up your canister to your air compressor hose. Ensure everything is screwed on tight both ends because you don’t want it flying off and around you when you’re putting compressed air through the hose line.
Once you’re sure everything is secure, unscrew the bleed-off valve at the top of your hose fitting. This will drain whatever gas is left in the canister. Keep this open until you hear or feel no more air coming out at all. You can also use the pressure gauges on your air compressor to see how much is left, but this will depend on the air compressor you’re using.
Once you’re finished, make sure you close the bleed-off valve as tight as you can. Double-check it again to make sure it’s closed properly. You don’t want any air or pressure escaping while you’re refilling it.
Refilling Your Co2 Tank with an Air Compressor
Now you’re ready to refill. Almost. First, check the size of your Co2 tank. Times whatever number this is by two. This result will give you the amount of time you need to keep your air compressor on for.
For example, if you’re filling up a 12-ounce tank, you’ll need to let your air compressor run for 24 seconds to fill it. Thankfully, this is nice and simple math. Try to get your timing as accurate and as close to the mark as possible for the best results. Try using an alarm on your watch or a stopwatch on your smartphone.
On some more modern devices, you’ll be able to set your air compressor for how much air you want to use, so it’s always worth checking to see if this setting is available.
Now you really are ready to go.
The moment you turn your air compressor on, you’ll want to start counting the seconds. If you can do this with two people – one turning the air compressor on and the other timing it, or both of you doing these simultaneously – that’s even better. If not, you can still do it yourself, but try to get the movements in sync.
Remember, you don’t need to turn your stopwatch off to finish the process. When you hit your refill time, just focus on turning the compressor off once you hit the time. Again, remember, refilling the tank in this way can be dangerous if not done properly, so always try to be as safe as you can. You don’t want to injure yourself or anyone around you.
Finalizing Your Refilling Process
Using the example above, if you’re filling up a 12-ounce tank for 24 seconds, as soon as you hit that 24 seconds mark, turn the air compressor off fully. When doing this, open the valve for five seconds to release any excess pressure and any air still inside the hose lines. If there’s any dirt or obstructions, this is when they’re cleared out. When you’re sure everything is cleared out, you can separate your air compressor from your tank by disconnecting the hose in the opposite way you connected them.
That’s pretty much it. As you can see, the process isn’t complicated or hard; it’s just a case of being mindful of how it all works, taking your time to set it up properly and safely, and then carrying the whole process out as accurately as you can.
Finally, you can now fill up your tanks easily and with no external effort. This will save an absolute ton of money and make your life easier in so many ways. Whether you’ve already got an air compressor yourself, using one from a friend, or thinking of getting on, there’s no reason you need to be afraid of the refilling process.
Key Safety Notes to Remember
Here are a few pointers that will help ensure your refill process is as safe as possible.
Firstly, never operate an air compressor under the influence of drugs, alcohol, or medication. Always be mindful of what you’re doing and minimize distractions. For example, don’t be on a phone call or talking to other people.
Be sure never to drop your Co2 tank at any point in the process, and make sure you remove any flammable materials or source of fire or ignition from the workspace where you’re refilling the tank. Follow this guide, and you’ll have a perfect refilling experience every single time.
