Where to buy high purity nitrogen?

[White Shadow]

I'm currently gathering the necessary tools to work on factory air suspension systems like you'd find in a Land Rover or a Jeep. These systems call for Class 5 nitrogen, which I believe is like 99.999% pure.

My question is this: how should I get this nitrogen? I don't want to "rent" a large cylinder from AirGas. I'd rather have a smaller cylinder that I own and can hold on to as long as I want. Any suggestions? Does anyone sell smaller filled cylinders? Or do I have to buy my own empty cylinder and then find someplace that can fill it with Class 5 nitrogen?

 

[engineer2]

This company can provide smaller bottles, They offer "lecture bottles" for lab use.

https://www.mathesongas.com/pdfs/puregas/nitrogen.pdf

 

[fitter30]

Welding supply companies like air gas. They handle hi purity nitrogen.

 

[purplezr2]

You can buy a smaller cylinder, will cost a few 100 dollars. I have a smaller one on my MIG welder that is no taller then the welder.

 

[jonshonda]

Might as well buy a large cylinder if you plan on working on LR or Jeep! Ba-dum-chi!

 

[Nick Danger]

Can someone explain to me why a car need would 5-nines purity of nitrogen? It's not as if the suspension system has oxygen-sensitive chemicals in it. My dad used nitrogen when handling explosive chemicals. I used nitrogen manufacturing drugs that would degrade in oxygen. But a car suspension?

 

[Grant F]

Not sure about the super high purity nitrogen but as the others have said, you can get nitrogen from most suppliers of compressed gasses. I purchased a small bottle of nitrogen from a local supplier to pressure test a mini split unit. I don't remember the letter designations of the different sized cylinders but mine was $80 or $90 with the gas. Probably depends where you are, there were at least three suppliers within 20 minutes of my house. But I did get prices as high as $120 for the same thing.

 

[bbbarracuda]

Get the big cylinder, you can also fill tires.

 

[Metallitubby]

Get the big cylinder, you can also fill tires.

Not without green valve stem caps! Don't want to break any rules!!!

@White Shadow, check around and see if you have any motorcycle suspension shops around too. They will recharge/adjust most shocks for a minimal fee without you having to pay for the whole she-bang.

 

[White Shadow]

Can someone explain to me why a car need would 5-nines purity of nitrogen? It's not as if the suspension system has oxygen-sensitive chemicals in it. My dad used nitrogen when handling explosive chemicals. I used nitrogen manufacturing drugs that would degrade in oxygen. But a car suspension?

I believe it's because moisture is the enemy in these sealed air systems. The FSM calls for the high purity nitrogen, so I'd like to do the job right. But in all honesty, I doubt that using a standard nitrogen cylinder to fill them would cause any real issues. From what I've seen, these air suspension systems have the ability to draw in outside air in the event of a small leak that would otherwise depressurize the system. Some guys have said that the system will do that occasionally and it eventually causes issues with the onboard compressor because of the moisture present in the outside air. Some have even noticed that the inline filter can get saturated with moisture. So even though it's a sealed system, I guess it isn't truly sealed in all situations.

 

[ScaldedDog]

I just get a tank of nitrogen from the welding supply store, then use the PowerTank system to actually fill my Fox coilovers. I have no idea how pure it is, other than pure enough.

Mark

 

[FredWanaker]

The welding store here will sell a cylinder, then swap it when it needs filling. Really it is a deposit if you think about it. That way also the hydrostat date on the tank is always valid - let them screw with the testing and recertifications. I keep a small one, about 24" tall, around of CO2 for some special projects. When empty it is walk in to their store, exchange, pay and back out the door in a couple minutes.

 

[rayra]

Yep most straightforward and economic solution is a large tank from a welding gas supply house.

/Atmosphere is already 78% Nitrogen. You want it dry, compress it and run the output thru a moisture filter. And if that's not dry enough, well I have to laugh at your requirements. And yes, I know race motorsports went 'pure nitrogen' some time ago.

 

[NakeDiesel]

I've rebuilt and recharged my race trucks bilsteen fronts and large rear 2.5" fox shocks. Also adjusting charges on kids sxs shocks.

I bought a small bottle from air gas. Guages and a fancy Schrader pressure tester/charger to connect them. Have maybe 300 total in it.

 

[nadogail]

Take your question to your Nitrogen Supplier.