Nflor001
Contributor
I had my tank VIPd recently. I took the valve off of my tank to get it replaced. It's going on 3 weeks with my tank having no valve. Just wondering if I need the tank VIP again?
Do I need another VIP?
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Garth
Contributor
Does the shop know you are without the valve? Because a ViP is only for scuba shops that are filling your tanks. They require one to fill your tanks. If you take your tank in to a shop to get a new valve placed they will probably charge you with a VIP.
Bubbletrubble
Contributor
@Garth: Really? I'd argue against getting charged for an unnecessary VIP if I just wanted to swap out tank valves on one of my tanks...unless there's reason to suspect that there's some sort of damage (corrosion?) to the inside of the tank.
@Nflor001: If you understand what the tank inspector is looking for in a VIP, you'll have your answer.
As long as you make sure that nothing gets inside the tank while the valve is not installed (water, corrosive liquids, insects, dead animals, etc.) and there's no reason to suspect damage inside, you should be OK without another "official" VIP.
You may want to inform the dive shop the reason your tank is completely empty is that you wanted to install a new tank valve. It's really up to you, though.
flots am
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It doesn't need an "official" VIP, although you'll want someone to take a look inside to make sure it's still clean and empty.
You'll be breathing this air, so it's pretty important to make sure that it's not home to bugs, a dead mouse, mysterious liquids or anything else you don't want to breathe.
flots
You'll be breathing this air, so it's pretty important to make sure that it's not home to bugs, a dead mouse, mysterious liquids or anything else you don't want to breathe.
flots
Dr Wu
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Take a peek inside with a flashlight. Assuming no visible signs of infestation or decay, screw the valve back on and go about your business.
Garth
Contributor
My local shop would charge a VIP to put on a new valve. I know because I asked. They also went further to state that if the valve is off for any reason I'd be charged $15 for a VIP.
According to the Luxfer cylinder inspection guide, removal and replacement of the valve is not an indication for another visual inspection.
However, any fill station can impose any additional requirements that they want for a visual inspection.
However, any fill station can impose any additional requirements that they want for a visual inspection.
captain
Contributor
If you have or know someone with a transfill whip, screw the new valve in and put a few hundred pounds in it from another tank. A shop will then not question why the tank is empty or want to charge for another VIP. Anyone who owns tanks should have a transfill whip if for no other reason than to get pass silly shops rules when doing a simple job like changing a valve.
Is moisture from ambient air a factor? If so, how long would it need to be exposed to atmospheric air before this was a consideration?
R
redacted
Guest
If your shop insists you need another VIP, then what you really need is another shop.
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