AL80 or Steel 72? Which one and why?

[Mitchell Teeters]

I already have an AL80 and would like a second tank. I have found another AL80 or Steel 72 for $50 local. I would have to Vis/hydro either of them. And the steel would need a new valve.

Which should I get and why? TIA

Mitch

 

[Scared Silly]

First question on the AL is what is date of mfg? If pre 1990 I would skip it as although it can be requalified some shops will not fill them as they are made from AL 6351 (see the first post in this forum for more information).

If the date on the AL is past 1990 and is only $50 I would buy it and the LP72. Steel cylinders last a very long time if taken care of. With the steel cylinder pop the valve off and shine a light in it. If you see rust or pits might think twice and take to a shop for more evaluation. Otherwise buy it.

Why does the steel need a new valve? If an old J - valve I would not worry about it. Just put it in the down position and dive it.

 

[Mitchell Teeters]

Hey thanks for that info. I'll make sure I ask the seller.

They are Luxfer as is mine, we should be good back to 88. Based on the valves I bet I'll be ok. I'm tempted to buy both of them (AL80's) because I'm trimmed to the AL80 and won't have to change anything.

 

[tbone1004]

I'll always choose a 72 over an 80 for a main bottle, but for $50 I'd grab both. Make sure you go straight to the hydro shop and bypass the dive shop. Will save you a bunch of money

 

[Mitchell Teeters]

I'll always choose a 72 over an 80 for a main bottle, but for $50 I'd grab both. Make sure you go straight to the hydro shop and bypass the dive shop. Will save you a bunch of money

I'm trading emails with the owner of the AL80, he has two of them. One from '88 and one from post '90. Both are Luxfer so we should be ok with the hydro/vis fill people (provided they are knowledgeable about the Luxfer) I haven't received a response from the seller of the steel 72. I don't know why I'm doing this. I have to put the DS deal to bed.

 

[Scared Silly]

While the last Luxfer S80 that was made with AL6351 was in Jan 1988, most shops that refuse to fill them have an arbitrary date of 1990. Which encompasses almost but not all of the AL6351 cylinders. As such, check with your local shops that may be doing your fills.

 

[Mitchell Teeters]

Roger that, I may just buy the one and be done with it. Still haven't heard from the steel seller.

 

[halocline]

I'd be cautious about both AL80s due to the date. There is no reason for a shop to not fill them, but unfortunately many shops will simply refuse to fill an old AL tank, even if it's clearly made out of the 6061 alloy. 88-90, to some shops its all the same, they're just 'old.' You could check with your shop before buying, I suppose.

The LP72 is a great tank, believe me you'll have zero problems adjusting and you might not want to go back to AL80s. Because they have such a low test pressure, they very rarely fail hydro but if they're corroded inside from a wet fill, or they're lined with plastic, they sometimes fail visual.

 

[Rich Keller]

I still dive a steel 72 made in 1965 with the original valve. The aluminum Luxfers made before 7/88 may be a problem if they have not been properly maintained. If the older Luxfer passes the eddy test and hydro but your LDS will not fill them get another shop.

 

[Tom Winters]

Instead of being driven by price, buy the tank that's right for you. It's most likely made of steel, and it might be an LP66, it might be an HP120 - figure out just what you need.
You're going to use these tanks for years and years so the price per year of ownership is pretty low.
You buy the wrong tank, at whatever bargain price, and you're going to eat the cost of that deal.