Dive tank permanent expiration?
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Not really, there are some 2400psi 72's iirc.
At any rate, I've seen tank monkeys assume that all steel tanks are created equal and have pumped 72's to 3600 on several occasions.
At any rate, I've seen tank monkeys assume that all steel tanks are created equal and have pumped 72's to 3600 on several occasions.
chrpai
Contributor
And some tank monkeys assume that all AL tanks are created equal and disqualify any that are older then 1988.
Bob DBF
Contributor
Don't forget the Faber 3000psi 72's.
When one local tank monkey hit about 3000#, I was glad I was there to say WTF. I guess he hadn't seen an old '72 before. Now I try to stay with my tanks as I can come in with four tanks with four different working pressures.
Bob
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I may be old, but I’m not dead yet.
chrpai
Contributor
So much needless snarkiness and rancor about tanks. If you have an antique, don't expect your local LDS to fully understand it. Many of these employees are younger than the gear you want them to service or fill. I was in automotive from 1969 to 1999. I saw a lot of changes over those years and it amazes me how little a modern technician understands about the old days. Asking a mechanic to install a set of points and condenser with a setting of 32o dwell will elicit any number of responses today... and mostly a puzzled "what-the-hail-you-talkin'-'bout-Willis?" look. They don't get it, because they didn't live it. Consequently, I have a bold 2250 in sharpie written on my 72s because I don't want them to overfill them by mistake. Heck, when I had surgery on my right ankle, I had the kids write "NO! NOT THIS ONE!" on the good ankle. Why? Because I am my own best advocate. I know what I want and I gently communicate what I want with all candor and good humor. When I get something different than what I expected, I don't merely assume that the other guy is incompetent. My first thoughts are always about how I might have failed at communicating my needs and desires and rather than point fingers, scream or cry foul, I try to discern how I could have communicated better so I can get what I need/want.
We live in an ever changing world with very conflicting messages being sent to our dive shops. Do it fast. Don't do it fast. Give me a really "good" fill. Don't overfill. Do you really expect the LDS employee to remember your preferences? You should be your own best advocate and realize communication is a two way street. Tell the LDS what you expect when you drop off your ancient tanks. If you have a good alloy tank, keep a printout of the Good, the Bad and the Ugly in your glove box so you can enlighten them if needed. It's just not that hard and it's the nice thing to do. You're going to catch a lot more flies with honey than with vinegar. In fact, I simply don't like dealing with mean people. I actively found ways for them to choose another shop when I was a mechanic. Life's just way too short for me to want to deal with mean people. I am not unique in that respect. So, if dive shops are consistently pissing you off, it might not be on accident. I am reminded of that scene from Ghost Town, where the fellow dentist asks the protagonist:
I get that we live in the "let no good deed go unpunished" society where everyone should be treated like an idiot because they don't agree with you or don't have your mindset. Shenanigans. Communicate clearly what you expect and what you see as a failure right up front. Be nice about it and watch as most people go out of their way to accommodate you. Most shops are ready and willing to do things your way, within reason. Be sure to let them know your needs and desires or be prepared to be disappointed.
We live in an ever changing world with very conflicting messages being sent to our dive shops. Do it fast. Don't do it fast. Give me a really "good" fill. Don't overfill. Do you really expect the LDS employee to remember your preferences? You should be your own best advocate and realize communication is a two way street. Tell the LDS what you expect when you drop off your ancient tanks. If you have a good alloy tank, keep a printout of the Good, the Bad and the Ugly in your glove box so you can enlighten them if needed. It's just not that hard and it's the nice thing to do. You're going to catch a lot more flies with honey than with vinegar. In fact, I simply don't like dealing with mean people. I actively found ways for them to choose another shop when I was a mechanic. Life's just way too short for me to want to deal with mean people. I am not unique in that respect. So, if dive shops are consistently pissing you off, it might not be on accident. I am reminded of that scene from Ghost Town, where the fellow dentist asks the protagonist:
Dr Prashar:
I get that we live in the "let no good deed go unpunished" society where everyone should be treated like an idiot because they don't agree with you or don't have your mindset. Shenanigans. Communicate clearly what you expect and what you see as a failure right up front. Be nice about it and watch as most people go out of their way to accommodate you. Most shops are ready and willing to do things your way, within reason. Be sure to let them know your needs and desires or be prepared to be disappointed.
Avonthediver
Contributor
I have two of the 6351 Al tank's and are still going strong and have been doing so since 1985.
chrpai
Contributor
This is how all the scuba snopes happen. The training is dumbed down to make it easy and then people get promoted. Before you know it you have idiots in charge and they say "we know what we're doing because we've been in business since 19xx"...
Myself and everyone I know could tell horror stories about one particular LDS employee. Sometimes I wish this forum was anonymous so I could tell you what I *REALLY* think about some of the "PROs" I've met over the years.
Myself and everyone I know could tell horror stories about one particular LDS employee. Sometimes I wish this forum was anonymous so I could tell you what I *REALLY* think about some of the "PROs" I've met over the years.
You guys can say whatever you want about me, anonymously or otherwise. Again, we sleep perfectly at night. It doesn't bother us one iota that you have to fill your pre-90 tanks somewhere else. You can't please 100% of the people 100% of the time. We get close, and we're okay with that.
The greatest lesson I ever learned when working toward my business degree was that sometimes the best thing you can possibly do for your business is to give that problem customer to your competition.
The greatest lesson I ever learned when working toward my business degree was that sometimes the best thing you can possibly do for your business is to give that problem customer to your competition.
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