How old is too old

[Walter]

Force E won't fill old tanks, I don't know of other shops with that policy. I did have trouble filling one of my 1955 tanks at a shop in Fort Myers. They told me the valve originally had a burst disk designed to accomodate 1800 PSI while the tank is rated at 2100 PSI. It is the original valve that came on the tank. For 48 years (happened a year ago), this tank has been filled with no problems. The burst disk has been changed many times. I suspect the 20 year old kid filling tanks was afraid to admit he didn't know how to open the valve (wing nut on the top). I said "OK" and took it to a nearby shop where it is filled with no problem.

 

[Scottri]

They should be just fine. I've picked up several used AL80's over the years and never had a problem getting them through Hydro and VIP. Since they are so new I really doubt there will be any problems. Any AL tanks older than 1989 and I eddy current test them as well.

Scott

 

[ChrisA]

I see that you are located in Ft Lauderdale. I have been running in to problems getting my tanks filled down there if the are older than an original hydro of 87.
Brian

I'll bet your tanks are aluminum. The tanks in question here are steel. There were some problems with some of the older AL tanks. Looks like it is cheaper to simply not fil these old AL tanks then to train the operators to recogise the bad tanks. But steel is a completely different story.

I have a tank made in 1968 that just passed it's 8th hydro.

 

[down4fun]

I'll bet your tanks are aluminum. The tanks in question here are steel. There were some problems with some of the older AL tanks. Looks like it is cheaper to simply not fil these old AL tanks then to train the operators to recogise the bad tanks. But steel is a completely different story.

I have a tank made in 1968 that just passed it's 8th hydro.

The tanks are aluminum. And one was made in 1975 so nobody local will fill it. The other is actually is current with its hydro just needs a visual. I had the DM at the boat today look at them to help me figure ot the dates.

Again thaks to all for helping to educate me here.

 

[scubatoys]

I'll bet your tanks are aluminum. The tanks in question here are steel. There were some problems with some of the older AL tanks. Looks like it is cheaper to simply not fil these old AL tanks then to train the operators to recogise the bad tanks. But steel is a completely different story.

I have a tank made in 1968 that just passed it's 8th hydro.

Yea, filling the Pre 88 Luxfer Aluminum tanks is a trickey question. Not many do it in Dallas anymore either. I got talking to a friend of mine that owns a shop here in town, and he is a trainer for PSI... And he quoted me a statistic that he throws out in his classes.... There have only been 7 tanks from that vintage that have blown up... and there were millions of them made. Intersting stat... but then I asked, of those Millions made, how many are still being used? I'd bet that millions of them have long since been thrown away, or are in a basement somewhere and haven't been filled in 20 years. And the other way to look at it, is there are about 2000 dive shops and fill stations in the US. 7 tanks blew up, which means for any shop filling them, there is about a 1 in 300 chance you won't have a dive shop after you fill a tank.

Just a different way to look at the stats. A lot of risk to make 3 bucks...

 

[down4fun]

What do you do with old tanks that they won't refill anymore, besides hang my hat on it?

 

[ZenDiver]

What do you do with old tanks that they won't refill anymore, besides hang my hat on it?

In orlando you can recycle them. Might look into it down there.


Brian

 

[scubatoys]

Cut in half, the make very nice hanging lamps, planters, wind chimes... Or else try recycling with the bud cans.

 

[Gwyl]

Yes, have the tanks inspected. If they pass the inspection, then you should be good to go. Visual inspection is annual. Hydro is done every five years. Well maintained, the tanks should last a very very long time.

 

[FredT]

Why don't you post the roll mark, or PM me with it. We can then translate that into who made the tank, when, and of what material. That info gives you a much better feeling for what the actual issues are, and what "issues" are LDS urban legends.

I personally have steel tanks in service dating from 1951. I have seen industrial bottles made to similar specs datng from the early 1920s period. Tanks don't go bad over time unless something specific MAKES them bad.

FT