Electric & CO2 Pumps

Nak · Wed Apr 08, 09 5:09 pm **Electric & CO2 Pumps**

I've had a few requests for info on a DIY CO2 pump, so here goes.

The biggest negative is that CO2 leaks through the bladder due to the size of the CO2 molecule. If you fill with straight CO2, you lose about 1 PSI per hour. Works great for short sessions. For longer sessions, you can pre-fill the volume with an electric pump--$20 from Walmart. This reduces the partial pressure of the CO2 to a point where leakage is negligible.

It seems like the Volo pump addresses this buy using a venturi to draw in ambient air. http://www.pumpkiteup.com/

Picture 1. The nice thing about the electric pump is that you can use it in tandem with a manual pump too. Not a big deal with little kites, but really nice when you're dealing with big kites. This pump will fill the volume of a 15m kite in about 35 seconds. That's 2/3 of the work. Then just pressurize the kite with a manual pump or CO2. I shorten the nozzle so it looks like this one, then use the deflate valve to inflate the kite. Flows a lot faster...

OK, for those of you who want a cheap CO2 inflator. Will fill two 7m kites or one 15m kite. Used with the electric pump, you can fill a 7m, an 11m and a 15m.

Picture 2. You need one of these do-hickeys. Pick it up on ebay under paintball supplies. It's an adapter for a CO2 tank.

Pictures 3 & 4. This is what the inflator looks like when done.

Take the adapter, get some fittings at any good hardware stare & screw the thing together. I use a valve to isolate the gauge, because you can break the gauge with the pressure of filling the kite. Once I'm close, I open the valve and top off the kite with only low filling pressure. (About 15 -20 psi to fill, stopping to check kite pressure.)

I just used a hose off a kite pump, you can use anything you want... I get the gauges off of ebay for about $3. Filling a 20 oz CO2 tank costs $3, a lot cheaper if you use your own fill station. Keep the tank upright while filling the kite so you don't get liquid CO2 in the kite. Not really sure what problems that might cause. Liquid CO2 on your skin could cause a serious injury.

Be careful. You're dealing with liquid CO2 which can be very dangerous. If you're not comfortable/knowledgeable with that then don't try this.

Have fun!

EdG · Since 19 Dec 2005 425 Posts Just a Kook that's Obsessed

I don't understand. My kites came with pumps Wink

forrest · Wed Apr 08, 09 6:16 pm

Nak, you're such a tech junkie, glad you're not an evil villain.

pdxmonkeyboy · Thu Apr 09, 09 9:00 am

http://cgi.ebay.com/Ryobi-18V-Tire-Inflator-150-PSI-High-and-Low-Pressure_W0QQitemZ270357891399QQcmdZViewItem

Has both high pressure and volume but probably not worth it unless you have the 18volt batteries already.