Where To Buy Helium
Where to Buy Helium
Fill your balloon with helium available from your local party store or using a party helium tank from your local retail store or online.
Pure (99%+) helium will provide the longest float time and is therefore recommended for elevations up to 6000 ft. The ZEP-AIR RC Blimp generally will not float above 6000 ft. Beware that some party helium tanks and places that fill balloons use a helium-air mixture which reduces lift ability and float time. Helium-air mixtures may be priced lower but can only provide the necessary lift at lower elevations. 85% helium provides adequate lift below 3000 ft while 80% helium should only be used below 1000 ft.
Filling At Your Local Party Store
Call your local party store before arriving to be sure they fill balloons with pure helium and the charge for a large size foil balloon. Generally you can get your ZEP-AIR balloon filled with pure helium for less than $10. We recommend bringing an extra large 45+ gallon trash bag to both protect the balloon and shield against potential blinding reflections during transportation.
Here is a list of national brand party stores offering helium inflation:
Party City Stores USA Locator
Party City Stores Canada Locator
Party Tank Helium Requirements
Party helium tanks available from your local retail store or online, often contain a mixture of air. It is important to purchase a tank with the helium content required to lift the ZEP-AIR RC blimp. The elevation or altitude where the ZEP-AIR RC blimp will be used is most important. Higher helium content provides lift at higher altitudes and longer float times.
Party helium tanks are sold in sizes from 5 -15 cubic feet (cuft). You will need about 3 cuft to fill and maintain a full balloon for a week of use.
CHOOSING THE RIGHT PARTY HELIUM TANK
Party Tank Helium Requirements and Trusted Brands
Party helium tanks available from your local big box store, party stores or online, often contain a mixture of air. It is important to purchase a tank with the helium content required to lift the ZEP-AIR RC blimp. The elevation or altitude where the ZEP-AIR RC blimp will be used is most important. Higher helium content provides lift at higher altitudes and longer float times.
How can I check the altitude at the address of expected ZEP-AIR RC blimp use?
Enter the address where the RC blimp will be used here and click on GET ELEVATION.
How will I know the helium content of a party tank brand?
A trustworthy brand will disclose the helium content on the packaging and on the tank. Brands we have found to have trustworthy helium content are provided below.
How about buying a tank online?
When possible, we recommend purchasing a helium tank locally where you can return or exchange if defective or unsatisfactory. Be aware that tanks ordered online are usually not returnable or prohibitively expensive to return ship. When ordering tanks online, always make sure the photos of the tank packaging or the tank show the helium content before purchasing.
Pure 99%+ Helium
Pure (99%+) helium will provide the longest float time and is therefore recommended for all elevations up to 6000 ft. The ZEP-AIR RC Blimp generally will not float above 6000 ft. Party tanks with a helium-air mixture may be priced lower but can only provide the necessary lift at lower elevations.
Trusted 99%+ helium brands are:
PARTY FACTORY-Amazon
PARTY FACTORY-Walmart
85% Helium- 15% Air Mix
85% helium provides adequate lift of the ZEP-AIR RC Blimp below 3000 ft.
This restriction does not apply to the tethered versions of the blimp balloon.
Trusted 85% helium brands are:
UNIQUE - Walmart
80% Helium- 20% Air Mix
80% helium provides adequate lift of the ZEP-AIR RC Blimp below 1000 ft.
This restriction does not apply to the tethered versions of the blimp balloon.
The most widely available 80% helium trusted brand is the USA brand:
BALLOONTIME - Where to buy - USA & International
Party helium tanks are sold in sizes from 5 -26 cubic feet (cuft). You will need about 3 cuft to fill and maintain a full balloon for a week of use.