CO2 Shifter Bottle Position Clarification

Rusty Davenport · 03-01-2021, 10:29 AM

Shifter CO2 bottle has been mounted horizontal for years.....but I have read many times that the bottle must be mounted vertical........is this something that has been "lucked up" on and needs to be corrected ??? Any help on this monumental inquiry ???

FireSale · 03-01-2021, 02:08 PM

I went through the General section of the '20 book and found no restrictions as to orientation. General 9 8 says CO2 and other listed inert gasses only and no hose clamps. Sounds like one of those local tech things. You know "I don't like that. Fix it"

Rusty Davenport · 03-01-2021, 03:53 PM

This probably needs the question clarified.....not the safety issue but the operational issue.......the bottle is to be mounted vertical only to work properly not horizontal, is that correct ???

Hacksaw · 03-01-2021, 04:55 PM

A CO2 bottle contains a gas. Will work properly mounted in any position.

Hacksaw · 03-01-2021, 06:00 PM

Just spoke to my Welding supply Depo and they say that there is liquid and gas in a CO2 bottle, so the valve must be the highest point when mounting the bottle.

Dragsinger · 03-01-2021, 07:23 PM

It is correct that the common small aluminum bottles we use in racing do contain approximately 10 oz of liquid co2 when properly charged. So, in theory, an upright position is the correct orientation. However, I also see them mounted horizontally without problems.

Dragsinger · 03-01-2021, 07:39 PM

https://www.co2masters.com/siphon-ga...on-siphon-tank

Keith 944 · 03-01-2021, 09:49 PM

Bottle is not a dip tube type so orientation doesn’t matter

Dragsinger · 03-01-2021, 10:32 PM

All cylinder should be stored in their upright position to ensure it is used appropriately. For example, if a CO2 cylinder is laid down it could dispel liquid CO2 in a non liquid CO2 application, which could cause severe problems. Please refer to the article linked for Cylinder Safety.

63corvette · 03-01-2021, 10:38 PM

Orientation does matter.
When a CO2 bottle is filled is mostly full in a liquid state and boils off to a gas as it is used.
If you carry a bigger bottle to fill your small bottles used on the race car the bottle needs a dip tube to the bottom or turn the larger bottle upside down to get the liquid out into the smaller bottle in its regular upright position.
We use CO2 in the place of air in a bottle so we do not need to fill nearly as often.
I carry a 30lb bottle to fill out of if needed.
I fill my 2.5lb bottle once a year and unless I have a leak it last all year long.
Shifter and throttle stop both use out of the bottle.
With a air filled bottle it would not last a full race of 6 to 8 rounds.
With a horizontal mounted CO2 bottle you could get liquid into the regulator and could cause issues.
I have seen people mount them in a horizontal position however, in most cases they are tipped up a little and the valve faces the front of the car and the regulator connection facing up.
Rick Cates
Canyon, TX

03-01-2021, 10:29 AM	#1
Rusty Davenport Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Nashville N.C. Posts: 505 Likes: 4 Liked 100 Times in 26 Posts	CO2 Shifter Bottle Position Clarification Shifter CO2 bottle has been mounted horizontal for years.....but I have read many times that the bottle must be mounted vertical........is this something that has been "lucked up" on and needs to be corrected ??? Any help on this monumental inquiry ??? __________________ NHRA AND IHRA STOCK ELIMINATOR 2772

03-01-2021, 02:08 PM	#2
FireSale VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Location: Lakewood Washington Posts: 1,407 Likes: 29 Liked 236 Times in 127 Posts	Re: CO2 Shifter Bottle Position Clarification I went through the General section of the '20 book and found no restrictions as to orientation. General 9 8 says CO2 and other listed inert gasses only and no hose clamps. Sounds like one of those local tech things. You know "I don't like that. Fix it" __________________ Dale Shearon 68 Mustang 6394

03-01-2021, 03:53 PM	#3
Rusty Davenport Senior Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Nashville N.C. Posts: 505 Likes: 4 Liked 100 Times in 26 Posts	Re: CO2 Shifter Bottle Position Clarification This probably needs the question clarified.....not the safety issue but the operational issue.......the bottle is to be mounted vertical only to work properly not horizontal, is that correct ??? __________________ NHRA AND IHRA STOCK ELIMINATOR 2772

03-01-2021, 04:55 PM	#4
Hacksaw Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 838 Likes: 148 Liked 276 Times in 151 Posts	Re: CO2 Shifter Bottle Position Clarification A CO2 bottle contains a gas. Will work properly mounted in any position.

03-01-2021, 06:00 PM	#5
Hacksaw Senior Member Join Date: Sep 2016 Posts: 838 Likes: 148 Liked 276 Times in 151 Posts	Re: CO2 Shifter Bottle Position Clarification Just spoke to my Welding supply Depo and they say that there is liquid and gas in a CO2 bottle, so the valve must be the highest point when mounting the bottle.

03-01-2021, 07:23 PM	#6
Dragsinger VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Liberty City [East Texas] Posts: 1,759 Likes: 5 Liked 99 Times in 60 Posts	Re: CO2 Shifter Bottle Position Clarification It is correct that the common small aluminum bottles we use in racing do contain approximately 10 oz of liquid co2 when properly charged. So, in theory, an upright position is the correct orientation. However, I also see them mounted horizontally without problems. __________________ Larry Woodfin 471W

03-01-2021, 07:39 PM	#7
Dragsinger VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Liberty City [East Texas] Posts: 1,759 Likes: 5 Liked 99 Times in 60 Posts	Re: CO2 Shifter Bottle Position Clarification https://www.co2masters.com/siphon-ga...on-siphon-tank __________________ Larry Woodfin 471W

03-01-2021, 09:49 PM	#8
Keith 944 VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: Dela-where? Posts: 2,116 Likes: 1,004 Liked 1,648 Times in 521 Posts	Re: CO2 Shifter Bottle Position Clarification Bottle is not a dip tube type so orientation doesn’t matter __________________ KEITH MAYERS 2 X somebody many X nobody

03-01-2021, 10:32 PM	#9
Dragsinger VIP Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Liberty City [East Texas] Posts: 1,759 Likes: 5 Liked 99 Times in 60 Posts	Re: CO2 Shifter Bottle Position Clarification All cylinder should be stored in their upright position to ensure it is used appropriately. For example, if a CO2 cylinder is laid down it could dispel liquid CO2 in a non liquid CO2 application, which could cause severe problems. Please refer to the article linked for Cylinder Safety. __________________ Larry Woodfin 471W

03-01-2021, 10:38 PM	#10
63corvette Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Canyon, Tx Posts: 535 Likes: 117 Liked 281 Times in 88 Posts	Re: CO2 Shifter Bottle Position Clarification Orientation does matter. When a CO2 bottle is filled is mostly full in a liquid state and boils off to a gas as it is used. If you carry a bigger bottle to fill your small bottles used on the race car the bottle needs a dip tube to the bottom or turn the larger bottle upside down to get the liquid out into the smaller bottle in its regular upright position. We use CO2 in the place of air in a bottle so we do not need to fill nearly as often. I carry a 30lb bottle to fill out of if needed. I fill my 2.5lb bottle once a year and unless I have a leak it last all year long. Shifter and throttle stop both use out of the bottle. With a air filled bottle it would not last a full race of 6 to 8 rounds. With a horizontal mounted CO2 bottle you could get liquid into the regulator and could cause issues. I have seen people mount them in a horizontal position however, in most cases they are tipped up a little and the valve faces the front of the car and the regulator connection facing up. Rick Cates Canyon, TX Last edited by 63corvette; 03-01-2021 at 11:12 PM.