First Fill Whip

[kidspot]

Well I finally finished assembling my first fill whip based on Vance Harlow's Oxygen Hackers companion ( http://www.airspeedpress.com ) and would appreciate any comments/critiques etc..

I used Quick Disconnects (Parker open bore style) on nearly all fittings, so they are easily interchangeable and I can convert from a Nitrox fill whip to a DIN/Yoke transfiller. Or just combine one of the gauges with one of the DIN converters for a tank pressure checker. It uses a Swagelock needle valve for control, and has multiple gauges for precision in specific ranges.

I was hoping to start blending my first tank of nitrox tonight, but looks like I'll have to wait till tomorrow - I don't want to be rushed or tired... both of which would be true tonight

I've put up a parts list at http://www.kidspot.org/personal/scuba/fillwhip.html that is pretty close to what I used.

I'm fortunate in that our local Gas supplier has ABO cheaper than welding O2 and it "only" comes in "T" cylinders of 337cf at 2200 psi... though the cylinder I got is at 2500 psi sitting in an air conditioned room (so I got 375 cf!!!) Frequently I've been told they deliver them at 2800 psi ... the downside is that it costs $75/fill after tax etc.. and they have a $90/year lease (or .25 cents per day - which I'll probably make use of)

Aloha, Tim

P.S. Thanks to OxyHacker (Vance Harlow) for such a great book and getting me started in this - it's been a "blast" so far

 

[Slipstrm]

Very nice, what was the total cost?

 

[tx.lakerats]

How did the first fill go? And I too would be interested in the total cost!

 

[kidspot]

Wont do the first fill till I wake up later today - been working all night total cost was $209. Half of the cost was the 2 DIN to NPT adapters...

 

[tx.lakerats]

Thanks... now I might start working on this!!

 

[kidspot]

Well I put it all to work for the first time today - the only problem was my one gauge leaked, so I swapped it out for another, resealed it and all was fine, but I probably lost 300-500psi from my supply tank before I fixed it

I started by filling my newly cleaned emergency O2 bottle (an old steel 65 filled to 2000psi) which took about 2 hours. I then filled 3 AL80's and topped them off with enough air to bring them up to 2000psi @38%. I dropped them off at the LDS with instructions to top them off to 3000psi (which should bring them to 31-32% depending on how much air they add) so tomorrow I'll see how it all ended up.

I also wasted about 4 hours earlier this morning building a tank tumbler - if anyone else is interested, a ceiling fan motor spins at the right speed, but not near enough power ... oh well it was worth a try. Instead a friend and I rolled the tank back and forth to each other on the floor for about 30 minutes with about 1 gallon of crushed lava cinders inside - they cleaned up the inside very nicely and washed out with a garden hose easily.

Aloha, Tim

 

[kidspot]

Final report is in... I just picked up the tanks from the LDS - 1 had a leaking Burst disk, which after tightening was fine. It was the lowest at 30%, the others were 31.4% & 31.9% all at 3500 psi. Not bad considering I was planning on a 3000psi fill

Aloha, Tim

 

[Uncle Pug]

Good job Tim.

$75? Yikes!!!

 

[kidspot]

Good job Tim.

$75? Yikes!!!

Thanks U.P.

Don't tell me you're in an area where it's only $40???

I think I'll stick to diving air most of the time, but at least now when the need is there I can fill my own tanks and have some fun, plus it's been a great learning experience

Aloha, Tim

P.S. Tomorrow morning I get to dive my first batch of nitrox - kinda exciting ...

 

[Uncle Pug]

Umm... no. It doesn't cost me half $40.
I don't think I better say anymore.
I'll just go count my blessings.