Question Can this tank still be Used? Been a long time since last hydro and heard it may not be able to be certified. Guess it's been a while.

[Boarderguy]

I was under the impression that SP 6688 was never renewed making the tanks basically illegal and not valid for hydro.

Mine were just recert 9/21. So long as they pass they're good. I have a shop 10 minutes and another 45 minutes from me that will fill them.

 

[Jack Hammer]

VE prices vary, some shops may not fill them regardless. Once you weigh the long term cost of VE testing + the cost of hydro and vis to get it up to date it may make more financial sense to just buy a new tank and avoid the hassle.

 

[grf88]

Page 5.

http://people.uncw.edu/bullockw/index_files/ppts/CylinderTraining.pdf

 

[Boarderguy]

Page 5.

http://people.uncw.edu/bullockw/index_files/ppts/CylinderTraining.pdf

That is some BS list put together to dumb down the dot regulations. Likely it is used by the same folks who don't fill anything more than 20 years old for no good reason.

 

[Boarderguy]

Get them tested and filled by qualified people and don't rely on the tank monkey to give you all info

 

[tridacna]

That is some BS list put together to dumb down the dot regulations. Likely it is used by the same folks who don't fill anything more than 20 years old for no good reason.

PSI dumbs down DOT regulations? Interesting viewpoint.

You’d have a tough time with your insurance company if you were trained by them and willfully filled a SP6688 that caused an accident.

 

[Boarderguy]

Then explain how that is for scuba specific and not DOT. If the tank passes DOT inspection and testing then it is a certified safe tank. Just because some companies CHOOSE to follow more stringent rules that doesn't make them the end all as we have found out today. My 2 tanks have 2021 VE stamps which is well after the 2014 date on the binder formatted paper you provided. Yes, I believe it is a dumbed down set of standards to prevent tank monkeys from filing a bad cylinder.

 

[runsongas]

spending extra for the VE every year is penny wise and pound foolish when 6061 al80s and vintage lp72s can be found cheap (or even free sometimes)

 

[Boarderguy]

spending extra for the VE every year is penny wise and pound foolish when 6061 al80s and vintage lp72s can be found cheap (or even free sometimes)

10-15 more per year. In 10-12 years that would be the cost of a used AL tank. If he already has then then it is not a bad idea to keep them and get them certified IF there is someone close by to fill them. If the nearest shop won't do it then it likely isn't worthwhile. This is a very individual decision. For me, I've had my tanks since I started diving in 01. They were my parents from when they started in 73/74. My lp72 and a non dot tank are the only 2 I have out of service right now.

 

[bakodiver391]

They look the same as some Walter Kidde tanks that were given to me. They all developed tank neck leaks that could not be cured, so I scrapped them. Even if serviceable, they are going to be disproportionally heavy at the top. Just scrap them.