LP 85 cu-ft tanks versus HP 100 steels

[dumpsterDiver]

It has been a while since I have purchased any new tanks, but I was recently comparing the Faber LP (2400 psi) 85 cu-ft tanks to the HP (3500) tanks.

I figure that most shops will give me a fill of 3000 psi on the LP steels (if I ask nice) and this will provide about 96.6 cu-ft. the LP tanks are less expensive, seem to hold almost the same amount of air, have similar size , they weigh less and the bouyancy issue is not a big deal to me. I hadn't though much about 85's until recently.

Seems like the 85's are a nice choice and my regulator might like the lower pressure better?


HP 100

• DIAMETER: 7.24 inches

• LENGTH: 25.39 inches

• WEIGHT EMPTY: 34.3 lbs.

• BUOYANCY FULL: - 8.41 lbs.

• BUOYANCY EMPTY: - 0.59 lbs.

LP 85

• DIAMETER: 7.0 inches

• LENGTH: 25.98 inches

• WEIGHT EMPTY: 31.2 lbs

• BUOYANCY FULL: -3.80 lbs

• BUOYANCY EMPTY: 2.32 lbs

 

[bamafan]

The true hp 100's don't get as floaty as Fabers do. Now finding 7/8" left and right valves for them can be a hassle. The Faber lp 85's with cave fills hold a little more gas than an hp100 but the butts start rising at 2,000 psi. This is especially exaggerated with high helium mixes. Now the 85's use standard 3/4" valves. If you have the valves I would personally prefer the true hp 100's.

 

[tbone1004]

your regs won't care about the pressure difference. I assume you aren't talking about real HP tanks because the skinny valves as mentioned above are a bitch to find.

If we are talking about Faber LP85 vs Faber FX100's, thn they are basically the same tank. They have nominally identical water capacities *the FX100 is technically 99% of the capacity of the LP85* which means they will hold the same amount of air at the same pressure.

You can always underfill a HP tank, but you can't always overfill LP's. I will always choose HP tanks over LP's at the same price unless I am chasing a buoyancy characteristic of the LP tanks.

For salt water use, I would buy used PST's or Worthingtons over new Fabers any day of the week unless you want to spend the extra money on their new galvanized tanks which are $$$. They are worth the money over the white painted tanks though from a maintenance stand point

 

[tursiops]

The true hp 100's don't get as floaty as Fabers do. Now finding 7/8" left and right valves for them can be a hassle. The Faber lp 85's with cave fills hold a little more gas than an hp100 but the butts start rising at 2,000 psi. This is especially exaggerated with high helium mixes. Now the 85's use standard 3/4" valves. If you have the valves I would personally prefer the true hp 100's.

Yeah, but I don't think he is talking about the old "true" 3500 psi HP100s. The new 3442 tanks have standard valves, so L/R is not a problem. Buoyancy v's LP85s is the only issue. For SM, the LP85s are a winner, especially with a cave fill.

 

[dumpsterDiver]

Yeah I just bought two of the new hot dipped galvanized tanks LP 85's... Pretty silver in the morning and a lot uglier by the end of the day. I won't know if the corrosion hype is true for a few years, i suppose. My son seemed to like them, he had been using the LP 8" fat and heavy tanks... These are smaller, but should still give him enough air. They are SO much nicer to throw around than my 149 cuft tank..

Under $270 shipped and no tax... seemed like a good deal, especially since I had extra valves

 

[KevinNM]

Where did you get hot dipped LP85s? I just ordered some and they were silver painted as part of the Faber anniversary edition.

 

[dumpsterDiver]

Hot Dip Galvanized Tanks

 

[KevinNM]

Oh well.

 

[NAM001]

dumpster... I Use lp 85's, well my wofew does any way. they arte about the same as an al80 overall. the buoyancy is 0> -6 at least the oms tank is with valve. the normal overfill gives great air and with 2400 gives the same cu ft as a al80 at 3k. The more neg buoyancy is great for those that need lead. 3# is 3#.

 

[guruboy]

So the LP85 are preferred because they give same or more air as AL80 with similar buoyancy but HP100 are too negative?

(Ignoring price for this comparison)