Beware of over pressure tanks

[Jim Lapenta]

I like to keep a min of 3200 in my LP (85's and 95's) tanks, except for the 72's that are rated to 2420. Those I like at around 2800. And considering they just passed hydro again does not seem to hurt a bit. Both are from the early 70's BTW. We call em wreck fills up here.

 

[halocline]

Halocline, a LP tank has a test pressure of 4,000? Thought they were tested for around 3,000? There is a sticker on the face of the valve that has 2400 psi on it. Will have to double check it again tonight.

Isn't the pressure rating for that certain tank required to be stamped on the collar along with the DOT numbers? (I know newbie question)

The test pressure (meaning what they use for hydrotest) on 3AA tanks is 5/3 of the stamped fill pressure. 2400 x 5/3 = 4000. In addition, 3AA tanks can be filled to 10% over the stamped pressure if they meet an additional test requirement, specifically that the tank does not expand more than the REE# during the hydrotest. That number is probably also stamped on your tank, maybe it's somewhere around 100cc.

The sticker on your valve probably has no meaning other than (maybe) a reminder that the tank its on is a 2400 PSI tank. If its a DIN/yoke convertible valve (is it?) then it's one of the "200 bar" valves, which as someone already pointed out, is there to keep certain regulators off of high pressure tanks. The "200" bar means nothing about the pressure capacity of the valve. The valves can doubtlessly take FAR more pressure than the tanks.

 

[Leadking]

The 2400 psi sticker only means the valve was manufactured with a safety that would blow at 4000 psi (+0/-10%)

To be rated for a 10% overfill it would have to meet the all the requirements and have a "+" after the most current hydro date.

The sticker on your valve probably has no meaning other than (maybe) a reminder that the tank its on is a 2400 PSI tank. If its a DIN/yoke convertible valve (is it?) then it's one of the "200 bar" valves, which as someone already pointed out, is there to keep certain regulators off of high pressure tanks. The "200" bar means nothing about the pressure capacity of the valve. The valves can doubtlessly take FAR more pressure than the tanks.

 

[knowone]

If it came down to it, I would far prefer to store my pressure vessel
in bed between us.

Does your shop deliver?


Valve composite or design, was is identical then with 1800psi or 2250 psi

({[##**''LOW PRESSURE''**##]})

as it is today with whomever is confused about lp and hp pressure today

 

[FWADIVER]

After reading these replies, I still wonder why we have LP and HP tanks if we fill LP tanks to HP capacity. Which in my eyes might be a dangerous situation. Would you fill your car tire over the recommended pressure?? Then why do it with something that you wear on your back?

What do you think is going to happen? The tank isint going to explode, worst case the burst disc lets go. You may be shortening the life of the tank (ie it will fail hydro sooner) But I have yet to hear of anyone who has LP steels where the tanks haven't outlasted their owner.

 

[Randy43068]

RELAX, you were in no danger.

I purchased a LP 121 5 years ago, and allowed a LDS keep/store it for me during that time (since I didn't have room at my place for it). When I moved and got room for the tank, I went to the LDS to retrieve my tank. I then stored it this past winter. It was not used from the time I got the tank from the LDS until this past weekend. It sat full of 32% EAN for 8 months. I hooked my computer to the tank this past weekend, and noticed that the LDS had filled this tank to 3350 PSI. Which is WAY over it's rated pressure. It also has a 2400 PSI DIN valve on it. This could have been a very dangerous situation from being filled way too much. I currently have only 860 PSI left in it. I am taking it to get it's VIP done on Friday and refilled. But I will not be taking it back to the other LDS. I can not believe that they filled a LP tank to HP standards. Needless to say I will never set foot back in that shop. Who knows how many times he has filled it to that kind of pressure. If it fails it's hydro when it comes due, I will do everything I can to have that LDS owner buy me a new tank. So, watch what your LDS are filling your tanks to. A LP tanks filled to a HP tank psi can be a very dangerous tank.

 

[elan]

It was not used from the time I got the tank from the LDS until this past weekend. It sat full of 32% EAN for 8 months. I hooked my computer to the tank this past weekend, and noticed that the LDS had filled this tank to 3350 PSI. Which is WAY over it's rated pressure. It also has a 2400 PSI DIN valve on it. This could have been a very dangerous situation from being filled way too much. I currently have only 860 PSI left in it..

You see your LDS was actually smart because if they filled it to the rated pressure of 2400 it would contain 950 less PSI that it has right now. So essentially it would have no gas left and as you know having no gas in the tank is bad. I see no reason to blame the LDS as they have actually saved the tank