I think I want a bulk nitrogen setup

[Blue]

I used to think I wanted a compressor.  I want to be able to fill a small to medium tank to take with me so I don't have to hand pump away from home.

 I think what I really want right now is a 6000 psi bulk nitrogen setup.

I can rent the biggest (300) cylinder for $130 per, a reg should be able to be found for around $350 (Nuvair shows $360), and a 18 cubic foot 4500 psi omega tank with valve is around $375.

 With this setup I can refill plenty of times with a small tank and never have to worry about maintaining a compressor. I can't seem to rebuild a hand pump successfully so I don't have much hope for something even more expensive and complex.

Anyone done something similar? Am I missing something from my foggy figuring? I would LOVE to make a system like this work.

[Bicycleman]

Blue, that might be a less expensive way to go.  But, does the nitrogen perform the same as HPA?

[Blue]

Blue, that might be a less expensive way to go.  But, does the nitrogen perform the same as HPA?

You know, that's a great question. I have been operating under the impression that it does perform similarly to HPA but maybe someone who knows for sure will join in.

[mr007s]

Yes,Nitrogen works very well,probably better than air, since it has very little to no moister.I have been using it for many years.

[Blowpipe Sam]

I've never used nitrogen in an airgun but I've used it in airbrushes for years.  I use it because it has no moisture to condense in the nozzle.  I think its density is less than air so maybe it will move a little faster.

[Doug Wall]

Blue, that might be a less expensive way to go.  But, does the nitrogen perform the same as HPA?

Nitrogen is only 5% less dense than air. (Air is around 75% Nitrogen)

[Doug Wall]

I used to think I wanted a compressor.  I want to be able to fill a small to medium tank to take with me so I don't have to hand pump away from home.

 I think what I really want right now is a 6000 psi bulk nitrogen setup.

I can rent the biggest (300) cylinder for $130 per, a reg should be able to be found for around $350 (Nuvair shows $360), and a 18 cubic foot 4500 psi omega tank with valve is around $375.

 With this setup I can refill plenty of times with a small tank and never have to worry about maintaining a compressor. I can't seem to rebuild a hand pump successfully so I don't have much hope for something even more expensive and complex.

Anyone done something similar? Am I missing something from my foggy figuring? I would LOVE to make a system like this work.

Make sure that you run your numbers correctly. If I remember correctly, from other users, there is a monthly/annual tank rental fee, PLUS the refill cost. These things are too heavy to move yourself, so it will have to be delivered. Also keep in mind that you'll only be able to use about 1/2 the gas in the tank effectively. Once the pressure drops below 4500 psi, you won't be able to get full fills in a 4500 psi tank. Once it drops below 3000 psi, you won't even be able to get full fills in most guns.

[Blue]

Make sure that you run your numbers correctly. If I remember correctly, from other users, there is a monthly/annual tank rental fee, PLUS the refill cost. These things are too heavy to move yourself, so it will have to be delivered. Also keep in mind that you'll only be able to use about 1/2 the gas in the tank effectively. Once the pressure drops below 4500 psi, you won't be able to get full fills in a 4500 psi tank. Once it drops below 3000 psi, you won't even be able to get full fills in most guns.

Thanks Doug.  I’ll check into a separate rental fee.  I worked at a place that used medical oxygen and we used a big cylinder to fill our portable bottles, I think we paid an initial deposit on the big cylinder which just rolled over as we swapped for full ones and was ultimately refundable.

Even using it down to to the high 2000’s before swapping the cylinder would get me A TON of 3000 psi fills in my rifle and and a whole bunch more short fills so it would be worth it to me. Then there’s always the possibility of adding a booster pump down the road and squeezing more small tank fills from the big tank before swapping it out.

I’ll have to ask the suppliers here some questions but this looks like a lot less stressful way for me to fill tanks than maintaining and babysitting my own compressor.

[Bicycleman]

Blue, please post what you find out.  This sounds interesting.
My only uses of nitrogen was in two of my vehicles as tire inflation gas.  Because the nitrogen has not moisture and larger molecules, the tires held stable pressure for a longer period.  Example:  I bought a Tacoma.  About three months later, I went in for oil and filter service.  While there, I asked that my tire be checked.  All were still at 35 PSI.  IIRC, the shop used the nitrogen for their air powered tools.

[Louie_Munster]

I purchased a YH compressor before learning of nitrogen for my rifle. I went ahead and started an account with Air Gas to be able to lease a 6K nitrogen tank. The process for starting an account seemed like I was
Going to be purchasing plutonium, anyways, the yearly lease was $100 but the refill is expensive at 350 per fill. I purchased a fill station from Joe and will be filling CF SCBA tanks from the larger nitrogen tank. Once the tank pressure drops, planning on hooking it up to my YH compressor to boost the pressure back to 4K and get the most from the nitrogen tank when filling the SCBA tanks.
Haven’t had time to fill my SCBA tanks, or even sight in my AT44 yet.