Bringing helium to the playa

k_nebu · Post by **k_nebu** » Tue Jul 13, 2010 12:17 pm

I was wondering if anyone can enlighten me as to how I should bring helium to the playa? I don't need a whole lot -- just enough to add to our camp's mascot once in a while (the mascot is a large chloroprene balloon). I have virtually no knowledge on the subject -- safety concerns, where to get helium to begin with, in what types of containers it comes in, whether people are already bringing some this year.. So any information will be greatly appreciated :) Thanks!

some seeing eye · Post by **some seeing eye** » Tue Jul 13, 2010 12:46 pm

Welding supply places can supply and can rent you a tank or tell you where to get one.

Post by **Sham** » Tue Jul 13, 2010 1:02 pm

Party stores sell a small tank that will probably fill 50 standard balloons. The price for this tank, including a shitload of balloons is about $30! This may be perfect for your use, instead of renting a mumbo tank and having to deal with returning it.

Dustdevil · Post by **Dustdevil** » Tue Jul 13, 2010 1:28 pm

In the past, Praxair would supply compressed gasses to the Playa. They would deliver and pick up the cylinders for a flat fee. They no longer offer this service. A large helium cylinder holds approx 220 cubic feet. You need to calculate the amount you need. Welding supply shops will rent the cylinders. You will also need a regulator and some type of hose or nozzle. You are allowed to transport a up to nine of such cylinders without a hazmat driver and placards. You will find several welding supply houses in Sparks. These cylinders are really heavy. We had lots of them and they made great anchors for our shade structure.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Tue Jul 13, 2010 3:45 pm

Can't you just float it out there?

They keep it in a huge semi-trailer next to my friend's shop.
That's one way to move it.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Tue Jul 13, 2010 6:23 pm

Why would helium be flammable? I mean hazardous.

Oh it was a horrible accident, the car hit they the truck, the driver landed in the helium canisters and some spilled and he floated away...

I suppose I'm making a fool of myself. And the other canister landed on his wife and brained her...

Dustdevil · Post by **Dustdevil** » Tue Jul 13, 2010 6:29 pm

Because you are dealing with pressure vessels that are holding close to 3000 psi. Worst case scenario, bad accident, cap and valve knocked off the bottle, you will have a missle that will penetrate concrete and steel walls. That is why gas cylinders should be strapped so they can't fall over.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Tue Jul 13, 2010 6:38 pm

Can be a trifle hard to breathe with lots of everything but oxygen all over the place too.

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Tue Jul 13, 2010 6:40 pm

Dustdevil wrote:Because you are dealing with pressure vessels that are holding close to 3000 psi. Worst case scenario, bad accident, cap and valve knocked off the bottle, you will have a missle that will penetrate concrete and steel walls. That is why gas cylinders should be strapped so they can't fall over.

Okay, that works.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Tue Jul 13, 2010 6:44 pm

We had a propane truck damaged on a freeway ramp and it took off and took out a house or two from pressure alone.

Playa Foot · Post by **Playa Foot** » Sat Jul 17, 2010 6:21 pm

Helium is an inert gas. Helium does not burn. Helium does not explode. Helium is safe to breathe. A small container of helium can safely be carried in your car and should be enough for your purposes.[/b]

Dustdevil · Post by **Dustdevil** » Sat Jul 17, 2010 6:31 pm

If you wish to calculate how much helium you require, this might help. A full size helium bottle, (welding type, approx 4' tall & 10" in diameter) holds roughly 200 cubic feet. That will fill an 8' diameter weather balloon one time.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Sat Jul 17, 2010 6:36 pm

It's not safe to breathe without oxygen.

Post by **Sham** » Sat Jul 17, 2010 7:16 pm

gyre wrote:It's not safe to breathe without oxygen.

When oxygen is in short supply, I switch to nitrous oxide.

Isotopia · Post by **Isotopia** » Sat Jul 17, 2010 11:31 pm

I'm not an expert here but... if you're talking about a LARGE item to inflate then I suspect you are also talking about compressed cylinders of helium.

Industrial size.

US DOT (Dept of Transportation) regulates certain compressed gases and their transport. Info can usually be found under one of the various CFR's (Code of Federal Regulation).

As I said, I don't know the regulatory issues of transport of helium but you might start with 49 CFR (under section 173.115(b)). Division 2.2 (Non-Hazardous, non-liquid compressed gas) has their own placarding requirements.

Small amounts are OK. If you get snagged by the Nevada Highway Patrol or any other state cop you can get into BIG trouble if you don't have the correct paperwork and placarding while transporting on the highway.

However, don't take my word for it. I'd call the local DOT office and ask the appropriate questions just to make sure.

Post by **Sham** » Sun Jul 18, 2010 2:44 pm

k_nebu wrote:I don't need a whole lot -- just enough to add to our camp's mascot once in a while (the mascot is a large chloroprene balloon).

If you don't need a whole lot, why not consider the small retail tank?

Dr Helix · Post by **Dr Helix** » Sun Jul 18, 2010 6:24 pm

I'm going to agree with the sage advice of Shambala here, even though as an owner of a welding shop I'm not a big fan of those retail "party store" cylinders. They're not reusable (or so I've been told) and they strike me as being a bit fragile. A typical welding store cylinder is pretty bomb proof; with the cap on they can be dropped from tall buildings without incident. Add to the fact that helium is indeed an inert gas and they're pretty high on the safety spectrum. But you'd have to have a rapport with a welding supply store to rent one and they'd want big bucks on a deposit for the cylinder. So if you want a low maintenance way to bring helium to the playa, the retail would be my choice for you. And get extra. Everybody will want to have a chance to play "Mickey Mouse Voice" with it. Again safe as long as nobody abuses it. Have fun.

gyre · Post by **gyre** » Sun Jul 18, 2010 9:48 pm

Or someone might loan you a tank?

Post by **Sham** » Mon Jul 19, 2010 5:16 pm

I have a professional helium tank in my house (honest) and I recall having to buy the valve for it way back when. Those were not able to be rented. I "owned" the tank for over 10 years, but when I brought it in to be refilled, they told me I couldn't own one that size, so I switched it to one half the size.
I would check on having to purchase that valve, even though the tank is rented.

Dr Helix · Post by **Dr Helix** » Mon Jul 19, 2010 5:25 pm

I have the valve. It's what you attach to the tank to fill ballooons. It has a rubber nipple you kink slightly to let the helium out. I have several actually (too many years of kids parties) and will be bringing one with me if you'd like to borrow it. I was going to bring a small tank anyway for some balloons for a BD party we're having (not to worry; all will be contained in my hexayurt. no moop)

theCryptofishist · Post by **theCryptofishist** » Mon Jul 19, 2010 6:57 pm

Shambala wrote:I have a professional helium tank in my house...

Good choice. I hear those amateur helium tanks are pretty half-assed.

Bringing helium to the playa

Bringing helium to the playa

The Tank Exploded and Left A Crater Twenty Feet Deep!

Re: Bringing helium to the playa