More hydro hi-jinks

[halocline]

I picked up an AL80 from hydro the other day. It's a Catalina with the original hydro in 2007. There was a VE stamp on it, and the hydro guy said that it's a requirement now that all AL cylinders with breathing gas get the VE inspection at every hydro test. Is this true? I didn't mind paying the extra $3, just curious.

Then I told him I have 2 LP72s, PST, that are coming up for hydro, and I have the PST document listing the REE number. I asked about getting the plus rating. He replied "We can't do the plus rating, we don't have the equipment or the ability to do all the extra paperwork." When I pressed him on the extra equipment, (explaining that I understood it's not really any extra testing at all) he said, "well, we can't do all the paperwork, the government forces us to track the use of those tanks from when they were new until now and keep records of it" At that point I thanked him for the AL80 hydro and left.

 

[Luis H]

He may not have all the extra equipment he needs... he probably doesn't have the + stamp.
The + stamp is not always included in the basic set of number stamps... it normally has to be purchased by itself.


Unless something has changed in the last few weeks, there is no VE (eddy current testing) requirements on 6061 alloy aluminum tanks (the alloy on all Catalina and all newer aluminum tanks). Not all eddy current testing equipment can be used with 6061 aluminum tanks (some can be used, but it is not necessary).

The last I have heard, only the 6351 alloy tanks require the eddy current testing.



From what you have said, it seems as that hydro test person is fairly mis-informed (basically clueless). IMHO, if you don't want your tanks ruined, you have two options: either find a new facility, or educate this guy. The second option doesn't always work and can be frustrating and a waste of time, but when it works it can be the most convenient choice.

To educate someone like that it takes a bit of patience (if he not aware of his lack of knowledge, he will not always be receptive to learning the facts).

You can get copies of all the CFR's on line. When you go talk to him, you will need to bring printed copies of the applicable pages and it would help to highlight the applicable sentences or paragraphs. He is required to have printed copies of the CFR and the CGA publications, but that doesn't mean he has read them or understands them.


Good luck

 

[Scared Silly]

I will echo was Luis is stating. The guy is clueless and has not been properly trained.

6351 cylinders are the only cylinders that are required to have a VE test as part of the requal. Ask for the your $3 back.

There is zero extra equipment required for doing a REE + calculation. In fact, I got my LP72 post hydro plus stamped. The hydro shop did not have the paper work and I got it to them. They pulled up the test measurements did the calculations and plus stamped them a month after the original hydro.

Luis's suggestion is a good one - educate them. However, I would not bother to start with the hydro guy but with the owner.

 

[halocline]

Luis's suggestion is a good one - educate them. However, I would not bother to start with the hydro guy but with the owner.

This was the owner. The last hydro facility I used stamped the words "no plus" on my 72s because they weren't able to give the plus rating (didn't have the REE number) and were afraid I might stamp it myself, because I had requested it. I tried to "educate" them by suggesting to the owner that they were not supposed to deface a customer's tank with unauthorized markings. They weren't too receptive to being 'educated.'

Ignorance is, unfortunately, often exactly that and it seems rampant around here in the hydro world.

 

[Scared Silly]

Then send a formal complaint letter to DOT requesting an audit.

 

[Luis H]

Then send a formal complaint letter to DOT requesting an audit.

That is actually easier than it sounds. It is not hard to find the names of the DOT hydro inspectors for your local region and actually talk to them. You may be surprise how many reports they get. And it can make a difference... it may not make a difference, but it may be worth a try.


You just need to take a drive up here to go diving and bring your tanks with you. I know of a good hydro station.

 

[halocline]

Oh sure, it's only 4 days in the car....actually I have another idea I'll talk with you about sometime.

Nothing surprises anymore when it comes to hydro-jinks.