CO2 Cartridge Guide
Every Helite airbag deploys using a CO2 cartridge. Once it has fired, you fit a new one and the airbag is ready to protect you again. This page covers which cartridge your product takes, how to check, and how to swap it.
- Under 2 min
- To fit a new cartridge and be ready to ride again
- 10 years
- Warranty on Helite cartridges from Helite France
- Genuine only
- Third-party cartridges can affect how the airbag inflates
Mechanical or electronic
Mechanical airbags use a standard CO2 cartridge. Electronic airbags use an e-cartridge, which carries a small electronic trigger the sensor unit fires.
The two are not interchangeable. Always match the cartridge to the system your product uses, and to the size you own, because larger sizes hold more air and need a larger cartridge.
The Hip'Guard belt and the Off Road vest each run two cartridges, so those are sold in pairs.
Only ever use genuine Helite cartridges. A third-party cartridge can change the inflation pressure and deployment speed, and can damage the airbag.
Check your connector: V1 or V2
Helite e-cartridges come with one of two connectors. The original V1 ends in a jack plug, a single round pin like a headphone plug. The current V2 uses a Molex-style plug, a small black rectangle with two flat contacts inside.
They're not interchangeable, so the cartridge has to match your airbag. V1 is no longer made, but we still hold limited New Zealand stock for older systems.
Which cartridge does your product take?
Pick your system, then find your product and size.
Mechanical cartridges
| Size | 60cc | 100cc |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 182g | 300g |
| Airbag volume | 17 litres | 28 litres |
| Vests | Turtle 2 (XS-XL) / GP Air | Turtle 2 (L-L and XL-L) / Double Turtle |
| Jackets | Touring (S-4XL) / Vented / Roadster (S-2XL) | Touring (5XL-6XL) / Roadster (5XL-6XL) |
| Backpack | H-Moov | - |
| Sold as | Single cartridge | Single cartridge |
Roadster 3XL and 4XL take either a 60cc or a 100cc, so check the label on the jacket. L-L and XL-L are the wide fits on the Turtle 2. See Find your fit for the full size charts.
Electronic e-cartridges
| Size | e-27cc | e-50cc | e-60cc | e-100cc |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Weight | 108g | 181g | 218g | 328g |
| Airbag volume | - | 14 litres | 17 litres | 28 litres |
| Fits | Hip'Guard Belt | Off Road / Race Suit (child) | e-Turtle (XS-XL) / e-GP Air / H-Moov | e-Turtle (L-L and XL-L) / Double Turtle |
| Sold as | 2-pack | 2-pack | Single cartridge | Single cartridge |
The Hip'Guard belt and the Off Road vest each run two cartridges, so one pack recharges one product. E-cartridges also come with either a V1 or a V2 connector, so check which one your airbag uses.
How to check which one you need
- Check the user manual for your product. The correct cartridge is listed in the specifications.
- Look at the cartridge already fitted. The capacity is printed on the label.
- Still unsure? Send us your model and size and we will confirm it before you order.
Cartridges do not expire, but they do need checking. A Helite cartridge does not have an expiry date, and it carries a 10-year warranty. It can still lose gas over time with no outward sign, which is why Helite recommends weighing it once a year against the filled weight printed on its label.
Fitting a new mechanical cartridge
Once the airbag has deflated, open the cartridge compartment, unscrew the empty cartridge and screw in a new one of the same capacity. Fold the airbag back in, close the garment and you are ready to ride. No tools, no service centre, under two minutes.
Fitting a new e-cartridge
An electronic airbag is recharged the same way, using an e-cartridge rather than a standard one. Fit it, repack the airbag and switch the unit back on.
Need a replacement cartridge?
Cartridges are held in stock in Auckland and ship within 48 hours. If you are not sure which one you need, ask us first.