Empty tank storage procedure?

[northernone]

I have 7 entirely empty tanks needing stored for the winter (various reasons: 2 were postal mailed, 3 handwheels got nudged open and slow drained to nothing, 2 purchased empty.).

No time for a proper visual without sacrificing other preparations. Quick peek inside, transfill a few hundred psi into each of them and call it a day? What about the ambient fall moisture in the air already contained in the tanks?

Or will I regret not making time for a proper visuals.

Thanks for the help.

Regards,
Cameron

 

[RainPilot]

I would throw in a couple of packets of silica gel, close em up and leave them.

But I'm an idiot.

 

[rhwestfall]

What about the ambient fall moisture in the air already contained in the tanks?

And how would that differ from doing a full visual?

While I like the idea of the silica gel packs, I'd be concerned with "point of contact" leading to a concentrated "wet spot" on the tank....

 

[sh1513]

IMO if there's any chance of moisture having got into the cylinders, you'd be better off making time for visual inspections before winter, doing it afterwards could be costly.

S.

 

[northernone]

And how would that differ from doing a full visual?

While I like the idea of the silica gel packs, I'd be concerned with "point of contact" leading to a concentrated "wet spot" on the tank....

The issue of damp air during a 'full visual' I'd bring them in, warm them up, dry them out. Let them acclimate and inspect after, making sure the condensation was gone too. The tanks are in an unheated building at a fairly humid 36° (°F) now... they'll see -45 or worse before spring, but at least that's a dry cold. ; )

About the silica, I like the idea too...I wonder if I could suspend it on a string, tape the necks to seal. Bag the valves separately.

I would throw in a couple of packets of silica gel, close em up and leave them.

But I'm an idiot.

I liked this. After hesitating considering which sentiment the like would communicate I was confirming. ; )

 

[tbone1004]

why not put them in front of the wood stove where it's dry as a desert before you fill them if you're concerned?

but yes, valve on, fill with 100-300psi, and let them chill out

 

[rhwestfall]

they'll see -45 or worse before spring

I have routinely had tanks empty when stored in temps not even nearing that level (-15F) due to thermal contraction resulting in the seats not sealing...

I store aluminum tanks in these conditions, but prefer to tuck my steel tanks some place more thermally stable/controlled. Yeah, owning 26 tanks makes for some logistical issues....

 

[northernone]

why not put them in front of the wood stove where it's dry as a desert before you fill them if you're concerned?

but yes, valve on, fill with 100-300psi, and let them chill out

I'm doing nothing for dispelling Canadian stereotypes.... I'm 3ft away from the aforementioned wood stove. Sounds good to me, it's just they can sweat inside when warming up and take days to cook properly dry. Air is hard enough to get I'd rather not have to LP blow dry them like after a tumbling.

Thinking on it.... I do have the time to leave them comfortably by the stove and let it work... and I'll store a little air in em. Thank you.

 

[northernone]

I have routinely had tanks empty when stored in temps not even nearing that level (-15F) due to thermal contraction resulting in the seats not sealing...

I store aluminum tanks in these conditions, but prefer to tuck my steel tanks some place more thermally stable/controlled. Yeah, owning 26 tanks makes for some logistical issues....

That's a good point too. Orings and some lubes don't like the cold... I'm planning to store myself some place more thermally regulated (Cozumel) this winter but my tanks stay behind.

...Sounds like we have a similar addiction... I've taken my steels to southern Canada and talked a buddy into keeping them in his basement. (What are friends for?)

 

[Schwob]

I'm 3ft away from the aforementioned wood stove.

3ft in October
....
What do you do in January?