nitrogen inflation

astra · 05 August 2009, 18:31

We have just had installed a nitrogen tyre inflation machine,does any one think this would be a good gas/air to put in a rib or sib seems to have a lot of advantages,anyone use this allready it seems like a good ideal???

Jizm · 05 August 2009, 19:02

what are the reasons for using nitrogen in car tyres? out of interest.

astra · 05 August 2009, 19:12

not sure at the mo,will find out more tomorrow and let you know.I just wondered if anyone used this allready google may give some answers though.

chewy · 05 August 2009, 19:15

Meant to be less moisture and it doesn't expand as much in heat so more constant pressures when the tyres are up to temp.

I'm sticking with air though.

Jizm · 05 August 2009, 19:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy

Meant to be less moisture and it doesn't expand as much in heat so more constant pressures when the tyres are up to temp.

I'm sticking with air though.

may be more useful in warmer countries then...

chewy · 05 August 2009, 19:28

Its surpising how warm tyres get...

m chappelow · 05 August 2009, 21:27

most gas inflation systems for inflatables and liferafts use a combination of gas ,nitrogen /co2 for various reasons .eg helps stop ice pellets forming which can shoot through the sponsons,though a diffuser nozzle can help eliminate this , also with certain gases a smaller gas cylinder can be used ,and volume expansion rates can be erratic in certain tempratures . r.n.li. had a few problems with the development of the self righting bags on the atlantic class ribs.

The Garfish · 05 August 2009, 22:04

Quote:

Originally Posted by astra

anyone use this allready i

yus. i yewse a mikstewer ov gassiz comprizin ov 79% nitrojen, 20% oksyjen an 1% ov inirt gassiz.

mucch sooperier too nawmal ayr

garF

m chappelow · 05 August 2009, 22:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by chewy

Its surpising how warm tyres get...

good news for the local car twokers, means they can go a bit faster and longer now before they get a blow out, lol

Rogue Wave · 06 August 2009, 11:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by The Garfish

yus. i yewse a mikstewer ov gassiz comprizin ov 79% nitrojen, 20% oksyjen an 1% ov inirt gassiz.

mucch sooperier too nawmal ayr

garF

Is that what is known as 'emergency air'

Pablo · 06 August 2009, 12:10

In France it's been offered for a few years by tyre fitters. The marketing arguments behind it is that your tyres hold the same pressure for longer thus reducing tyre wear and fuel bills caused by soft tyres because you don't check the pressure regularly. Plus the fact that you won't have a difference between cold evenings and midday sun. It convinced me because i'm a lazy bugger and I find that petrol stations that offer free, working tyre pumps are becoming rare.

Seems like a good idea for ribs because for a week or two during the summer I keep my boat in a garden on the coast. I go out in the mornings before the day has heated up but in the afternoon I let the tubes down before they explode. I then have to pump them up before going out next morning, and so on, and so on, ...

Rogue Wave · 06 August 2009, 15:18

I use the same special gas as Garfie which has nearly a 80% nitrogen content. and my toobs still expand and contract with the temperature.

Would it really make much difference to that thermal expansion and contraction by removing the 20% Oxygen and going onto 100% Nitro

DGR · 06 August 2009, 15:27

It wouldn't make any difference. Most gases behave as ideal gases at the sort of temperatures and pressures we use them at - so oxygen and nitrogen expand the same for a given temperature difference - so if the tube overpressures with air (78% Nitrogen anyway), it will also overpressure with Nitrogen.

The advantage of Nitrogen is that it is dry (from a bottle) and oxygen is needed to oxidise stuff - so the water vapour and oxygen can't react and corrode inside the wheel/tyre. Supposedly, the oxygen molecules are smaller, so are more likely to escape through the tyre walls etc - so it needs topping up less often - but that sounds a bit tenuous to me - marketing spin anyone?!?

And on the basis that the only advantage is that it's dry - I can't see how it makes your tyres last 25% longer either.

It's yet another way for garages to charge a few extra quid for not a lot.

However, Nitrogen is just a teeny bit lighter than Oxygen - so it might effect your mpg - but to put it into context, if you made sure that you went to the loo before each journey - the difference would be much greater!!

Pablo · 06 August 2009, 15:34

I've been had then ... again !

Jizm · 06 August 2009, 17:29

Can't some one try helium and let us know how they get on, surely it would 'lighten' the boat!!!!!

Dry_Doc · 07 August 2009, 10:14

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jizm

Can't some one try helium and let us know how they get on, surely it would 'lighten' the boat!!!!!

Hydrogen's quite light too...............Just don't smoke!

m chappelow · 07 August 2009, 10:28

you would find that with helium it would leak out more than with other gasses as its molecules are really fine ,in the diving industry they had a lot of problems with it penetrating through certain seals ,apparently it would get into the watches of divers working in deep sea diving bells ,then shatter the glass on the return to surface pressure ,,,,,back to car tyres,, ,i suppose its just another sales product to sell on to someone who are willing to pay.

Rogue Wave · 07 August 2009, 10:30

does the man that sells nitrogen sell methane by anychance or is that thrown in with the deal?