Tanks for CO2 engines.

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Tanks for CO2 engines.

This topic has 19 replies, 11 voices, and was last updated 18 February 2020 at 00:09 by Michael Gilligan.

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15 February 2020 at 15:39 #452338
Andrew Tinsley
Participant
@andrewtinsley63637
I am working on my collection of model aircraft CO2 engines, bringing them up to a good working standard. Some of the older and rarer models have lost their tanks along the way and I need to do something about it if they are ever to fly again.

The tanks are smaller versions of a Sparklets capsules (used for making fizzy drinks). I need tank sizes from 1 to 10 cc capacity. The originals appear to be extruded or maybe swaged aluminium and are only a few thou thick. Making such lightweight tanks seems to be a difficult operation without sophisticated kit.

Does anyone have any constructional suggestions or maybe some commercial equivalent used in another application?

Thanks.

Andrew.

P.S. The tanks contain liquid carbon dioxide, in case anyone is unfamiliar with these things.
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15 February 2020 at 15:39 #27148
Andrew Tinsley
Participant
@andrewtinsley63637
15 February 2020 at 15:53 #452342
John Haine
Participant
@johnhaine32865
Similar tanks are used for cycle tyre inflators and you can buy both the tanks and nifty screw-on valve assemblies from bike shops, or occasionally at Aldi.
15 February 2020 at 15:58 #452343
Ex contributor
Participant
@mgnbuk
Might 12 gramme CO2 air gun cartridges be suitable ? They look like this

These are steel, approx.16.5mm diameter x 83.25mm overall length. The neck is approx. 7.3mm diameter x 9.3mm long. An empty one I have here weighs 28 grammes.

Happy to send you a couple of empties to play with if you think they may be of use.

Nigel B.
15 February 2020 at 18:51 #452381
Andrew Tinsley
Participant
@andrewtinsley63637
Hello John, that sounds interesting, must google them and see what is available Nigel that is the sort of shape I am talking of, unfortunately they are too big for most of the engines and the weight is way too high. Pity they don't come in smaller sizes!

Thank you both for the suggestions,

Andrew.
15 February 2020 at 18:58 #452383
Andrew Tinsley
Participant
@andrewtinsley63637
Hello John,

Not sure if I am looking for the right thing, but the stuff I am turning up has a capacity of about a liter! Ideally I would like to go down to 2 cc or less for the smaller engines.

Thanks again,

Andrew.
15 February 2020 at 19:08 #452386
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
The cycle tyre inflators usually come in 12 and 16g so probably too big. Put "CO2 Bike Canister" into e-bay to see loads of them.
15 February 2020 at 19:09 #452387
Jeff Dayman
Participant
@jeffdayman43397
Gas or liquid filled thermostat bulbs have a test-tube shape made of thin copper and a small thin copper tube leading back to the switch box for the stat. You might ask a heating contractor for some scrap ones where the stat is bad. Usually the bulbs and tube are fine, just the switch in the box goes bad. Link below to the kind of stat I mean.

**LINK**

Years ago there was a premium cigar that came in a test tube shaped aluminum tube. Two of these, if they are still made, could be cut to desired length and aluminum-soldered back to back to form a nice light tank of a few cc's. A tobacco or cigar shop (if there are still any about) may know where to get some of the empty tubes. Just a thought.

https://www.jamesbondlifestyle.com/product/romeo-y-julieta-churchill

Edited By Jeff Dayman on 15/02/2020 19:29:37

Edited By Jeff Dayman on 15/02/2020 19:32:52
15 February 2020 at 19:37 #452391
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
Looks like some of the Nitrous Oxide capsules come in 8g which is getting closer in size. Look for whipped cream or hippy crack
16 February 2020 at 09:33 #452469
Ady1
Participant
@ady1
There must be a few enthusiast sites out there who have solutions

I do know that pressurised bottles can be quite sophisticated seamless construction and have rolled threads for strength

Edited By Ady1 on 16/02/2020 09:34:11
16 February 2020 at 19:28 #452558
old mart
Participant
@oldmart
Making your own to be also lightweight is not really viable as CO2 in liquid form is at a pressure depending on temperature of just below 1000 psi.
16 February 2020 at 20:53 #452564
Neil Wyatt
Moderator
@neilwyatt
Gasparin CO2 power motors have small, lightweight aluminium tanks that hold liquid CO2.

They appear to have lids possibly screwed and bonded on with a screwed fitting for the pipes.

They are very light so they can't be too thick. Bear in mind they are small (I read 3cc somewhere).
16 February 2020 at 21:37 #452571
DrDave
Participant
@drdave
Have you tried to contact Gasparin to see if they do spares? They still have a website (gasparin.cz), but it is not clear if they are still a going concern.

Dave
16 February 2020 at 22:17 #452578
DrDave
Participant
@drdave
Or try here
17 February 2020 at 00:25 #452586
Steviegtr
Participant
@steviegtr
According to my bitdefender it just blocked a Trojan virus in your posting.

Steve.

We blocked this dangerous page for your protection: https://thumbs.worthpoint.com/zoom/images1/1/0411/10/gasparin-air-tanks-co2-engines-pcs_1_618756a20836c88d22f138e9b90a3f4e.jpg Threat name: Trojan.GenericKD.33016580 Dangerous pages attempt to install software that can harm the device, gather personal information or operate without your consent.

Be careful.
17 February 2020 at 19:10 #452739
DrDave
Participant
@drdave
Posted by Steviegtr on 17/02/2020 00:25:44:

According to my bitdefender it just blocked a Trojan virus in your posting.

Steve.

We blocked this dangerous page for your protection: https://thumbs.worthpoint.com/zoom/images1/1/0411/10/gasparin-air-tanks-co2-engines-pcs_1_618756a20836c88d22f138e9b90a3f4e.jpg Threat name: Trojan.GenericKD.33016580 Dangerous pages attempt to install software that can harm the device, gather personal information or operate without your consent.

Be careful.

Thanks for the heads-up, Steviegtr. I did the browsing & posted the link from my ipad, so didn’t have a warning. You never can be too careful nowadays.

Dave
17 February 2020 at 19:21 #452743
Andrew Tinsley
Participant
@andrewtinsley63637
Unfortunately Ing Stefan Gasparin died couple of years ago, otherwise I would have got the tanks from him. I believe that one of the Prague based dealers / model shop may have some of his stock, but for the life of me, I cannot remember his name.

Liquid CO2 doesn't need a massive container for a few cc size. The tanks are amazingly thin aluminium and I have made the screw in lids with a filler vent and supply tube to the motor without any drama. The real problem is the aluminium tank!

Andrew.
17 February 2020 at 19:26 #452746
JasonB
Moderator
@jasonb
I just put "Gasparin tank" into google and first hit seems to have a good range

Edit, same source as Dr Dave. (It's safe, the photo Neil posted is what threw up a warning)

Edited By JasonB on 17/02/2020 19:28:55
17 February 2020 at 20:05 #452754
Andrew Tinsley
Participant
@andrewtinsley63637
Hello Jason,

Jiri Linka is indeed the man I was trying to remember! Thank you everyone source of tank now found. That will enable me to get the older CO2 motors back into the air!

Andrew.
18 February 2020 at 00:09 #452799
Michael Gilligan
Participant
@michaelgilligan61133
Don’t know much about CO2 motors, but; being intrigued by this thread … I found this: **LINK**

http://www.gasparin.cz/page.php?page=co2/motors/motors&lng=en#history

The Fritz Mueller download is a gem.

MichaelG.
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