got some more tanks today and some more questions

[scubaops]

i just picked up 6 80cf alums today at what i think is a good price.
does air go bad and how long does it take to go bad?
what do the dive shops look for when they vip? is chipping or bubbling paint bad?

the date go like this
----born--hydro-hydro-----psi
#1 06-86 02-96 12-02-----0psi
#2 02-92 09-97----------1400psi
#3 06-92 09-97----------2000psi
#4 04-91 09-97----------3000psi
#5 06-92 05-00----------3000psi
#6 06-96 12-02 07-10 3000psi

 

[scubaops]

just drained the 1400psi tank and pulled the valve look brand new inside the 0psi tank seems to me to have some very light corrosion inside anyway to clean that?

 

[Scared Silly]

For cylinder #1 read the sticky on AL6351 cylinders. For the others strip the old stickers clean any loose paint and take them in for a hydro, then visit your dive shop for a VIP and fill.

BTW the air is probably fine.

 

[scubaops]

For cylinder #1 read the sticky on AL6351 cylinders. For the others strip the old stickers clean any loose paint and take them in for a hydro, then visit your dive shop for a VIP and fill.

BTW the air is probably fine.

tank one readsdot-3al3000 s80 m4002 sa2735 then the date 6-86
thanks for the info on the air

 

[scubaops]

the hydro guy wouldnt test the 86 tank. but 2 of the other 4 passed hydro, vip and are filled waiting for me to get a weekend off. ill drop the other 2 off some time soon.

 

[adelman]

tank one readsdot-3al3000 s80 m4002 sa2735 then the date 6-86
thanks for the info on the air

You didn't initially give enough information to determine if this cylinder was the 6351-T6 or 6061-T6 alloy. "M4002" is DOT-speak for Catalina. Catalina never made 6351-alloy cylinders, so although this is a 6061 cylinders not subject to the Sustained Load Cracking problems of the 6351 cylinders. Your hydrotester was wrong as well, there is nothing wrong with this cylinder. Find someone else to test it. If you can't, bring it to California, we love them!

 

[tadawson]

In my eyes, the hydro guy appears to be a boob . . . There is an accepted testing practice for the older tanks, and if it is done correctly, they are as safe as anything out there. I just had my 1979 Luxfer USD AL80 tested with no argument. And if it is a Catalina, as other have said, then there is even less to argue over . . .

Find a new hydro test station - that guys an idiot . . .

- Tim

 

[Shftrdog]

To clean the inside of the tank you will need to get it tumbled. As far a a VIP you need to get someone certified to do it. They look for corrosion and cracks in the tank as well the threads.