ABS Air Bag Canister Refill ?

[insomniac62]

Debating on which avy bag to get. BCA offers a great bag, refills are considerably cheaper. Like the fit, and feel better of the ABS bags.

ABS uses nitrogen,correct?
Cans are filled to 4500 psi?
I thought I read that somewhere but it seems to be rather high.

Anyways, do these canisters HAVE to be refilled by an ABS dealer or can any place that refills nitrogen refil them?

Any information would be appreciated!!

Thanks!

 

[smoking_powerstroke]

You have to have ABS refill. ABS pierces the top of the canister unlike BCA that uses a valve.

If you like the fit and finish of the ABS GO WITH IT! The day you decide to leave your pack at home because its not comfortable or the fit just isn't right is the day you will regret it.

 

[insomniac62]

Thanks for the info!

I just read that in another thread, about the pierce trigger.

ABS it is then!

Thanks again.

 

[SnowBigDeal]

smoking_powerstroke is right on the money. You cannot refill your ABS canister on your own. We offer refilled canisters for $29.99 (+Hazmat shipping) if you can't pick it up at a snowshow or at our retail location.

 

[jgd]

Good info. How much for a filled ABS canister without a core exchange? Thanks

smoking_powerstroke is right on the money. You cannot refill your ABS canister on your own. We offer refilled canisters for $29.99 (+Hazmat shipping) if you can't pick it up at a snowshow or at our retail location.

 

[SnowBigDeal]

Good info. How much for a filled ABS canister without a core exchange? Thanks

A full ABS canister is $125 + Hazmat shipping of $35. If you buy more than one cansiter, the Hazmat shipping fee applies once instead of per canister.

 

[mikew5945]

Have you tried the Snowpulse?
Most local fire departments, paint ball stores, scuba stores can fill the can.

 

[Snowbird11]

Have you tried the Snowpulse?
Most local fire departments, paint ball stores, scuba stores can fill the can.

I've used both the ABS and Snowpulse and agree with you. The snowpulse is a better system for the average user. it holds up to abuse better and has fewer unintentional triggers.

no matter what system you use, check the tank charge weekly. they can bleed off!

btw, don't forget to use the leg strap.

 

[suitcase]

how long will the ABS stay filled? or do they all bleed off after time?

Snow, do I need to contact you before the snow show and pre order canisters?

Does anyone know the turn around time on refills?

 

[smoking_powerstroke]

how long will the ABS stay filled? or do they all bleed off after time?

Snow, do I need to contact you before the snow show and pre order canisters?

Does anyone know the turn around time on refills?

ABS is sealed and doesn't use a valve however that does not mean it can't bleed nitrogen out. The reason we all buy avalanche packs is to help us in the worst case scenario. I would either weight (ABS) the canister or check the pressure gauge (BCA) just for a peace of mind before every ride.

 

[SnowBigDeal]

how long will the ABS stay filled? or do they all bleed off after time?

Snow, do I need to contact you before the snow show and pre order canisters?

Does anyone know the turn around time on refills?

The ABS canisters don't bleed off after time....at least we haven't had any situations where they have. It is possible, although not probable. That is why the weight is written on each canister in grams (weight of the canister full, without the cap). You can weigh the canister and make sure the weight of the canister is very close to the weight written on it.

We exchange the ABS canisters within 1 day of receiving your empty canister. We then send them in to ABS in bulk to get refilled. This saves you time as you don't have to wait for your canister to get refilled.

 

[suitcase]

Big Deal are you going to be at the boise snow show? I have an empty black canister is it refillible?

 

[Snowbird11]

correction to previous post.

the canisters are refillable. on abs the weight is stamped in grams to be weighed to verify you have a full canister. they all operate off of a venturi system so, about 80% of the air that goes into your bags comes from the outside air. the initial nitrogen canister is to get that process started.

abs, newer snowpulse and a few others are now operating with a burst disc, so you can look into the top of the canister itself to see if it has been punctured. snowpulse has a gauge as well to see if your pressure is set properly.

i should clarify my previous post: i cannot be certain that they bleed off but i have personally pulled the handle on several air bags that did not fully inflate. i can only attribute it to a few reasons. 1. the venturi system failed. 2. the tank was improperly filled or operating in an environment that differed significantly from where it was filled (temps/altitude). 3. some external loss of pressure due to a failure of the metal gaskets.

--this has happened with the systems filled by air (bca, snowpulse, etc) not the nitrogen filled ABS.

i'd be curious to know if anyone here is well versed in charles and boyle's laws. maybe they could shed some light on how the pressures vary with temps and altitude. my recollection is that as temps drop the pressure inside the tank does as well and likewise with altitiude.

regardless, i will be checking my tanks frequently until i get a confirmation on the problem.