Acquired old voit steel tanks, any thoughts?

[madisonrose05]

hello all
i am not a diver but i happened to find a set of tanks for free and picked them up.
i am almost sure they couldnt be used agian but i wanted to ask the professionals if they are worth anything in the diving world or if i can cut them up to make something.

so i did a little research here on your forums and found a bit of info for myself but still thought i might post all the numbers i found

Icc-3AA2250 i think this is the tank rating
HM 12215(the other tank ends in 7) this is what i belive to be the manufacture
1 65+ not sure what this is
8(sideways s) 73 i think this is the hydro stamp

the tanks are connected with a manifold and what i believe to be a j valve
i havent opened them up to look inside yet,
so any info would be great
thanks for your help
kevin

 

[tregrrr]

ok what you you have here are a couple of interesting tanks with negligible value for diving:

from the stamp:
Icc - Manufacturer
3AA - DOT exemption type
2250 - Working pressure
HM 12215 - unique tank serial number
1 65 - birthday (tank made Jan1965)
+ - Qualifies for a 10% overfill as of THAT hydro testing
8(sideways s) 73 - last hydro test date

Oh I am sure someone is going to raise Cain over this, but I would really think those would make a nice pair of wind-chime bells

hello all
i am not a diver but i happened to find a set of tanks for free and picked them up.
i am almost sure they couldnt be used agian but i wanted to ask the professionals if they are worth anything in the diving world or if i can cut them up to make something.

so i did a little research here on your forums and found a bit of info for myself but still thought i might post all the numbers i found

Icc-3AA2250 i think this is the tank rating
HM 12215(the other tank ends in 7) this is what i belive to be the manufacture
1 65+ not sure what this is
8(sideways s) 73 i think this is the hydro stamp

the tanks are connected with a manifold and what i believe to be a j valve
i havent opened them up to look inside yet,
so any info would be great
thanks for your help
kevin

 

[james croft]

I disagree with Tregrrr. If they were good enough for Lloyd Bridges, they are good enough for me. Those are a nice set of vintage doubles and trim out very nicely when diving. I suppose if they have been stored with air in them they should be in good shape, These doubles are sought out by vintage divers and I am sure you will get someone interested in them shortly. I would take them off your hands but I haver over 40 tanks right now I don't really need.....

Post them on the vintage section of the forum and see what happens!

 

[Gilldiver]

If you give us the diameter and length of the tanks we can tell you the size.

They should be fine and if they are 65 cubic feet each, which I think they are, are very sweet diving and sought after on the vintage market. Modern divers, as above, don't know what they are looking at or talking about on tanks like these.

If you put them on Ebay, I would think 150 plus shipping would be the bottom value, and they could head north of 250.

Go over to Vintage Double Hose, Vintage Double Hose log on to the fourm and post what you have here, and you will get all the info you need and most likely a few offers.

Pete Johnson

 

[DaleC]

I agree with James and Gill. If we lived closer I would drive over and make you a reasonable offer myself.

 

[Luis H]

from the stamp:
Icc - Manufacturer
3AA - DOT exemption type

A couple of corrections:

ICC = Interstate Commerce Commission (this federal agency is the predecessor of the DOT, Department of Transportation, which is what is now stamped on cylinders in the US). This is not the manufacturer.

3AA is the federal DOT code and it is covered under the Code of Federal Regulations (CFR49, paragraph: 178.37, Specification 3AA and 3AAX seamless steel cylinders).
This are not exempt type tanks, this tanks were manufactured under standard DOT codes.

I realize this is the internet where everyone can share there opinion, but IMHO, it would probably be helpful if you get the basics straight before you try to offer an expert opinions.


BTW, to the OP: Those are very desirable vintage cylinders. They are one of my favorite sets of double… With one exception: the neck is tapered ½” pipe thread, versus the more common now a days (and easier to service), ¾” straight pipe thread with sealing O-ring.

I am just up the road in Maine… if the tanks had the ¾” NPS neck threads I would be knocking on your door this weekend to make you an offer. Many vintage equipment divers will value the fact that they are Voit far over the slight inconvenience of the neck threads.

The outside do look in decent shape. I do see a small spot were there is a bit of rust, but that is easily fixed. If the insides are good they are a great set.

I believe those are 45 or 50 cu ft each. The probably are 50’s cu ft each at the normally used pressure of 2475 psi (2250 psi + 10%). I have a very similar pair, but mine are only 1800 psi (1980 psi with the + 10%).

If the insides are good, which they probably are, converting them into wind-chimes is the last thing you want to do.

 

[Walter]

Those are beautiful tanks.

 

[madisonrose05]

i guess everybody knows about the wind chimes
that rust spot in the pic is just on the surface i scraped most of it off with my fingure nail.
the dimensions are approx just under 7" wide x just under 19"tall(sorry not exact)
i attempted to take the valves out of the tanks to look inside but i didnt want to put wrenches on them with the thought i would mark up the manifold or worse break it off
inside the tank.
thanks agian for the info

 

[Luis H]

Take them to one of your local dive shops and they can open them for a visual inspection. You can also have them hydro or let the buyer do the hydro. If you have the hydro done, you will probably recover the investment (if you pay a reasonable price).

I would recommend taking them to United Divers:
59 Washington Street
Somerville, MA. 02143
617.666.0410 (P)
United Divers - Scuba Diving Instruction, Courses,Lessons, Training, Boston, equipment, rental, Snorkel, Skindiving

They can do the visual and the hydro. They have their own hydro testing equipment. Many dive shops have to send thanks out for hydro testing.

If you go to United Divers, tell Margaret I said hi.
She may even help you find a buyer for them, but if you don’t mind shipping them you may get more by advertising at VDH.com

Good luck

 

[Deputy821]

I think the best solution is to buy a double hose regulator, like the one that went on your tanks, and you will own a piece of diving history!

Visit: vintagedoublehose.com

Good Luck, Steve