Driving with Nitrox Tanks

[hypertech]

There is such a thing as a nitrox tank. Tanks labeled with green/yellow stickers are nitrox tanks so non nitrox divers know it isnt air and they shouldn't use it. The tanks are different because of the labeling.

 

[Captain12Pk]

Don't carry more than 8 tanks either, as i have been told if you get pulld over and they fing more than 8 it can be a huge fine.

Really? Hell I've had in excess of 20 tanks in my truck at times. Gonna have to look that up.

 

[Hatul]

Really? Hell I've had in excess of 20 tanks in my truck at times. Gonna have to look that up.

You should be locked up.

 

[halocline]

There is such a thing as a nitrox tank. Tanks labeled with green/yellow stickers are nitrox tanks so non nitrox divers know it isnt air and they shouldn't use it. The tanks are different because of the labeling.

Good one!

 

[Thalassamania]

I believe what the OP is getting at is the requirement by some operators that you keep 500 psi in the tank or lose the cylinders' oxygen clean rating. While we know that this is BS, it is amazing what some operators will do for a extra buck. The operator needs to understand that unless the tank is being filled by partial pressure mixing, which is becoming more and more rare, there is no need for a cylinder that will be filled with an EAN mix that is 40% or less oxygen be "oxygen clean."

 

[Jim Baldwin]

For years I have driven across five states, Texas, Louisiana, Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama and Florida with up to 30 scuba tanks in our dive shop trailer. But emblems and letters all over the thing and have never been stopped. And for the OP we carry tanks of various mixes from air to 100 percent. You should not have a problem with a few tanks in your vehicle.

 

[Superlyte27]

So the only time you need an O2 clean tank for nitrox use is when the tank is being filled with the partial pressure method, in which the tank temporarily has higher concentrations of O2 and/or the valve is exposed to 100% oxygen during the filling process. Banked mixes and continuous mixing systems are fine with regular old tanks.

It never fails to amaze me how much confusion and mis-information there is about this relatively simple topic.

You mean mis-information like this?
We've been partial pressure blending to 40% for more than 20 years. The standards I read say O2 clean for use over 40%.
As for your last line... "Banked mixes are fine with regular old tanks" isn't accurate either. If we banked 50/50 would that be fine in "regular old tanks"? Nope, because it's over 40%.

So much mis-information here. You are right.

 

[Superlyte27]

Could you cite the source of your information? Can anyone provide anything that backs this statement? I would like to know who issues the fine.

Willem

I'll try to find this. It actually is true or close to the truth, but I think it's only a problem if your business is with those tanks, don't think it applies to Joe Schmoe diving for fun on the weekend. It does however apply to me transporting tanks for a class I'm teaching. I'll see if I can find the document Tuesday.