Current situation with PST tanks

[TheHuth]

I have an HP 100 PST tank, and am potentially trading a Faber 119 this weekend for another HP 100 PST. I'm reading online that the DOT hydro certification expires in 2018. Does anyone have any updated information on this? It would seem silly that every one of these tanks turns in to a door stop at the end of this certification period. If there is no plans to renew this certification, I may pass up the trade.

 

[swimlikethefish]

This happens every few years. And it usually comes down to the last few days. But it is always renewed. If for some reason pst doesn't renew it, anyone can file for the exemption and keep them going.

 

[tbone1004]

like he said, happens every year. PST gets harassed every time the thing gets close to expiring by the DOT and then they renew it. Worst case if they fail to renew it, you can request the exemption, but the DOT really doesn't want that to happen, so they hound them pretty good

 

[TheHuth]

Thanks for the info. Sounds like its a non issue. And even in a worst case scenario, I still have 4 more years on these tanks.

 

[swimlikethefish]

I use it to my benefit when buying used tanks. The last set of pst 100's I bought I got for $125 for the pair.

Thank God for craigslist. Just make sure the valves are good as replacements, especially manifolds are expensive.

 

[2airishuman]

Watch where you take them for hydro. Some otherwise good shops won't follow PST's procedures and end up condemning perfectly good cylinders.

Otherwise, yes, the special permit expiration is a sideshow of no consequence.

To @swimlikethefish 's point, if you have an older PST cylinder with a 7/8" neck thread, valves are expensive and good manifolds are difficult to find, so include that in your figuring. Later PSTs have the standard threads. I have some of each.

 

[TheHuth]

I have a few steel 72's, and one of them has a thinner neck. I'm assuming this is the special manifold you're both talking about. Maybe I'll make sure to hang on to that one so I have one as a spare.

If/when the time comes for hydro, I'll make sure the places follow the PST standard for testing. Theres a few pretty knowledgeable dive shops nearby that do in house hydro's.

 

[swimlikethefish]

Some older 72's had 1/2 valves.

 

[TheHuth]

The one I'm talking about is from the 60's. I've never measured it. But half inch sounds about right.

 

[tbone1004]

The one I'm talking about is from the 60's. I've never measured it. But half inch sounds about right.

completely different than the PST neck threads for the HP tanks. That one is likely a tapered pipe thread, the 7/8" skinny necks use a straight-thread with o-ring, same as any other modern tank