Thinking out loud once again....

How well would it work for me to run air horns and/or air ride with a pressure regulator and a CO2 tank? Air horns would be occasional use, air ride would typically stay at same pressure, adding air occasionally... Cost of filling the tank is minimal. I already have tanks and regulators. This compared to the price of installing a compressor and air tank. Air delivery from something like this? it would seem to me that it would be.... how much pressure to run? 90 psi? 120 psi?


--Trey

 

I think Hoot runs off C02 system, tank is a bit larger than what I run in my setup... but I bet with a regulated tank you could let the horn rip for a lot longer than I could. As for pressure to run on the horn it depends on the horn, My train horn will sound at 40 psi, but it really rocks at 150 psi. Also depends on airline size too, comes a point at which you will flow more air with a bigger line and make more sound that way too. As for not having to worry about an electricl need for the C02 setup that makes the project easier but self sufficient. would really stink to run out of air and then have the perfect time to use it slip by.

 

I think Hoot runs of off nitrogen...

Does that ring any bells? The word "nitrogen" came to my mind when you mentioned Hoot's horn setup...

 

Nitrogen would work fine too... Any non-flamable gas will work about the same. I can get that too.... Just a matter of what sticker is on the tank... Regulators will work for either.


Wonder what that train horn would sound like at 400 PSI?
Think that would wake up an idiot that cut you off?

-Trey

 

I have a 20# tank in the back of my camper to run my air horn. It last me about 6 months per tank depending on how many people cut me off.
I am using an industrial regulator set at 175 psi, the only problem is if you are on it pull too long it will start to ice up. I am looking for a heated regulator for that problem. I also have a hose and chuck to fill my tires if I need to.
The nice thing about using Co2 is it has a high expansion rate although if you were in a climate where it was around 0* it would not work very well unless you had a tank warmer.
Co2 is around 750- 800 psi tank pressure depending on ambient temperature and nitrogen is around 2800 psi and has no expansion but is more dangerous if you broke a valve.
This is my supply until I can find a way to either belt drive an air compressor or build one with a big 2 hp DC motor.
It cost me $8.00 to fill a 20# bottle.
Jim

 

Has your tank recently been hydro tested? Sometimes they dont get all the water out before they fill them. That is the only time I have ever had an ice problem with CO2. I have had the tank look like an ice cube and the regulator still working fine... Has to do with how much water is in the tank with the liquid CO2.

-Trey

 

OK, now any good sources for air horns without spending a huge ammount of $$$?

 

Just to throw a different opinion into this...

The CO2 would be fine for minimal or occasional usage, but once you have air available, you will begin to find many more uses for it. Having a true compressor is great because you will never run out. Some things you might use air for: air horns, inflating tires, running air tools (think about that the next time you need to change a tire on the side of the road), even an air nozzle that would help with cleaning the truck and camper and inflating an air mattress or water floats. There are many other things that can be run off air.

Jim

 

very likely I will go to a compressor and tank system.... no money to spend on that now... I have regulators and CO2 tanks sittin around collecting dust.... I can get them filled for next to nothing.

 

im also thinkin of running air horns but i dont think a compressor will give me enough power, i have a 5 chime from a train laying around that loves to eat air up. the line goin in is about an inch line. u guys think co2 is the way to go

 

for that train horn, you may need a belt drive compressor and a 15+ gallon tank.... depends on how long you are on it....

 

It's been about 2 years into this hydro test, I have about 10 bottles that are 20# and I have 4 alloy bottles that I am using.
I took one of the alloy ones and wet sanded it and then I polished it to a mirror finish.
Usually what freezes on my system is the line from the regulator, even the nyflex tubing gets brittle when it is frozen.
I had a rupture diaphragm burst once and the tank turned into a solid block of ice.
I was just making my own dry ice.
Jim