CO2 is a good alternative when an air compressor is not available such as in remote locations out in the field for hay rides or with untethered costumes.  At 70 degrees F, CO2 obtains a gas pressure of 852 psi when confined in a tank.  Most pneumatic props only require less than 80 psi to operate (and usually any higher than 100 psi will damage the prop)  So special regulators are required to bring the CO2 pressure down to a usable range.

Proper eyewear, gloves, and clothing and safety procedures should be followed when working with CO2 due to the extreme pressure and sub-zero temperatures.  It is beyond the scope of this document to spell out these procedures and so your local supplier of CO2 should be consulted before working with it.

USING LARGE CO2 TANKS

Large CO2 tanks can be rented from local welding and gas supply stores.  You can attach one of our "CO2 Tank to pneumatic prop regulators" directly to the tank to bring the psi down to the 0 to 160 psi range.  You can also use these large tanks to fill small tanks (explained further down).

Large CO2 Tank to Pneumatic Props

 

USING SMALL PAINTBALL CO2 TANKS

Small CO2 tanks designed for paintball are great for powering single props and for use in costumes.  Just like the large tanks, these require a special regulator ("Paintball Tank to pneumatic prop regulator") to bring the pressure down to an acceptable level.

A small 20 ounce paintball tank can potentially power a small pneumatic prop for up to 12 hours off of one fill.  You can fill the small tanks from large ones using our "CO2 Fill Station".

Small CO2 Tank to Pneumatic Props

 

FILLING SMALL CO2 TANKS FROM LARGE ONES

The small paintball tanks can be filled from the large ones by using our "CO2 Fill Station"

CO2 Fill Station