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This is for the guys who want quick remote fillings instead of having to be near a power source for a compressor, or spend time pumping it up with a bike pump. When you want air, you got air. When filling the air cannon with about 100 psi for the first shot, I guess it will drop about 10 to 15 psi. But the first shot is solid.

This device consists of a 20 lb propane bottle as the tank to hold the compressed air. I would highly recommend using an empty bottle that's been cleaned with a cleaner to keep the odor down. You might be able to use a bigger bottle (from a forklift, refilled home bottles, or how about a sub?) to put in the back of your vehicle. Here's the list of parts you need (for the 20, I don't know about others):

Note: I used cast iron parts, it might be possible to make the whole assembly out of PVC, but use cast iron for safety.

• 1 20 Pound Propane Bottle (best if new, used will work, clean first)
• 1 3/4" Male-Female 90 Degree Threaded Elbow
• 1 3/4" Nipple 2" long
• 1 3/4" x 1/2" Bell Reducer
• 1 1/2" Nipple 4" long
• 1 1/2" Threaded Gate Valve (not needed, but recommended, if not using, buy 1/2" coupler)
• 1 1/2" x 3/8" Reducer
• 1 3/8" x 1/4" Reducer
• Teflon Tape

That's the parts for the main assembly. If you want to put a tire chuck on the end (it can fill tires instead of guns too for emergencies), buy one 1/4" male threaded barbed connector, another 1/4" barbed connector (either male or female, whichever fits into a tire chuck), some 1/4" airline (4 feet shoud do), and two hose clamps to fit over the hose and barbed part of connector. Then you need to buy a 3/4" threaded tee, two 3/4" nipples 1-1/2" long, a 3/4" threaded endcap, and a tire valve stem. (If you do this kind, you can put high pressures into it at gas station pumps).

Now if you want to put a quick connect on the end (what's used on most air compressors), buy a 1/4" female quick connect with 1/4" male threads. Put this in the 3/8" x 1/4" reducer off the valve. If the air hose the compressor uses a quick connect setup, you will be able to use the air hose. Otherwise, I would use those plastic self-coiling kind (so you don't need to coil the hose). To fill the tank, you need two male quick connectors with a 1/4" threaded coupler holding the two together.

Now that you have picked out a filling and hose setup, here are the assembly instructions:

Note: use common sense when around propane. Don't smoke and keep open flames away when working with the bottle, even if it is clean or new.

1. Use a monkey wrench to take the valve off. Fit it around it somehow. If looking down at tank, turn counterclockwise. Clean the threads with a rag. Make sure there is nothing in the tank (parts, rust, propane) by shaking it upside down.
2. Take the male end of the elbow, wrap the threads in teflon tape (all threads must be wrapped in teflon tape). Screw in the elbow into the tank. Bring it around to the opening between the handles (if you can't turn it with your hand, use a screwdriver in the elbow).
3. Screw the 3/4" 2" nipple into the elbow. Use a monkey wrench to tighten it.
4. Put the bell reducer on the nipple that's on the tank (using the 3/4" side, obviously). Tighten the reducer with the wrench.
5. Screw the 1/2" 4" nipple into the bell reducer. Tighten it real well.
6. Now's the time to put the gate valve on it. To spin it on, you might have to disassemble it, screw the bottom part onto the nipple, tighten it, and reassemble it.
7. Screw the 1/2" x 3/8" reducer into the valve (if it won't go in because it hits the gate inside the valve, buy a short nipple and a coupler, and then put the reducer into the coupler). Put the 3/8" x 1/4" reducer inside the 1/2" x 3/8" reducer. Tighten well.

To fill with tire valve stem setup: Put a tire chuck from a gas station compressor or a air compressor at home, or even a bike pump. I haven't filled it with a tire valve stem setup, so fill until the ringing stops when filling.

To fill with quick connector: put the male-male adapter you made into the female on the tank and on the air hose. If using a regulator, set the regulator to about 100 to 125 psi. If plugged straight into air tank on compressor, connect the hose to the tank, and open valve. If compressor tank is small, it should come on early. Keep hooked up to compressor until it shuts off (while running, its filling your tank along with the compressor's tank).

Now you have a portable source for compressed air wherever you need it (how about a backpack to carry it?!)

Pictures

Sorry, haven't taken any, they're on the way

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Created 1997-98, Mike Gagnon "Spud Man"

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