In
a previous article,
we discussed the benefits of having a Power Tank. Our 10 pound Power
Tank has been one of the most useful accessories we've ever had.
We carry it on trail rides for quick airing up, both after the trailing
is over, and for fixing blown tire beads and flat tires. Around
the house, our Power Tank has also become indispensable as a quiet
and instant air source for running power tools, blowing dirt and
dust from projects, and for quick air-drying of wet parts. It's
uses are just too many to list here.
We loved our
original Power Tank so much that when the newer black tanks came
out, we decided to keep our old tank and use the new one as our
primary tank. Having two tanks, of course, is better than one. We
can either rotate them into the Jeep when one gets low or we can
run them both down and get fill-ups at the same time. Our CO2 dealer
fills each tank for a mere $5.
Our main tank
(PT10B) is fitted with the standard Power Tank SuperFlow regulator
(SFRK-150), which uses a knob to adjust the variable output pressure
of the tank. This setup retails for $329.99. Though we typically
run our tank in the 120-150psi range, running it at lower pressures
can be useful for more subtle jobs that do not require as high pressure.
This can help you save CO2 for
other jobs that do require more.
This year, Advanced
Air Systems released a new Power Shot SuperFlow regulator (PSFK-150),
which is a stripped-down version of the Power Tank SuperFlow. This
model does not have the tank volume and pressure gauges, nor does
it have the adjustment knob. The PSFK-150 is preset to 150psi outlet
pressure with 130psi flow pressure, so there is no fiddling with
an adjuster knob and no gauges to worry about. The Power Shot SuperFlow
can also be ordered with a ten pound Power Tank (PS-10B) for $289.99.
New Power
Shot SuperFlow regulator PSRK-150 |
Regulator
installed. Use plenty of Teflon tape |
We decided that
we'd use our Power Tank SuperFlow regulator on our new black tank
and install the Power Shot SuperFlow regulator on our older, spare
tank. Installation is a snap. Simply attach it to the tank and tighten
the nut and your done. Though the main nut attachment to the tank
itself does not require any Teflon tape, we do recommend using quite
a bit of tape in all coupler fittings to ensure leak-proof seals.
New tank
with Power Tank SuperFlow (left) |
Older tank
with new Power Shot SuperFlow regulator (right) |
If you feel
that the extras of the SFRK-01 are not needed and that you plan
to run your tank wide open, then the Power Shot SuperFlow regulator
is the ticket for you. Its simplicity and lower price make it a
good alternative to the Power Tank SuperFlow. The Power Tank SuperFlow
retails for $199.99 and the Power Shot Superflow retails for $159.99.
Keeping
it Oiled
If you're like me, you're always too busy or just plain lazy to
get around to oiling your air tools. Like it would kill us to actually
put a little oil in them to ensure a long life. Well, once again,
Advanced Air Systems have come to the rescue with the Auto Tool
Oiler (ATO-150).
The Auto Tool Oiler |
The reservoir
hold 5cc of lubricating oil |
The Auto Tool
Oiler is used in-line between your air hose and your tools. You
simply fill it's 5cc reservoir and you're done. We attached ours
to our Power Tank's air hose with a quick-release coupler at the
tool end. If we had another coupler handy, we would have also attached
one to the hose itself. But for now, we have attached the air tank
end directly. Like the regulator above, we used plenty of Teflon
tape to ensure a good seal.
Fill the
reservioir and tighten the lid |
Use plenty
of Teflon tape to ensure a tight seal |
Once hooked
up, the Auto Tool Oiler allows air to flow from the tank, through
a filter and then into your air tools. The filtered air passes through
an anodized aluminum body, where it picks up a small amount of oil
before exiting through a 4" Durathane hose. The oiled air then
goes into your tools, keeping them nicely lubricated.
Every time
you use your tool, the ATO will lubricate it |
Bubbles
in the tube show that there is still oil in the reservoir |
That's all there
is to it. You'll never have to expend all that extra effort it takes
to oil your tools. Better yet, you'll never forget and neglect them.
The ATO-150 retails for $44.99 and is money very well spent if you
have expensive air tools.
RESOURCE
|
Advanced
Air Systems
2214 Babson Drive
Elk Grove, CA 95758
www.powertank.com
Phone: (916) 691-6806 |
|