Overfilled AL tank

[kelpdiverguy]

It's been a while since I've posted on ScubaBoard, but I ran into an issue tonight and am looking for some guidance. My fiance bought a used AL67 from a dive shop about 16 months ago, with fresh hydro and good cosmetic condition, just in time to let it sit unused until now. She has time this weekend and wants to go diving, so it occurred to me to go check it and maybe get it filled with some fresh air. I went out to my cold garage and checked the pressure, and was astonished to see 3250psi. Service pressure stamped on the tank is 3000. Obviously if I was going to store the tank I should have lowered the pressure a while ago, but I sort of figured we might use it at any time, then all of a sudden it's been over a year.

Here's my question: Would storage for a year at 3250 caused any lasting effects to the tank? I know very well that AL tanks shouldn't be overfilled, but should I be concerned? I will take the tank in for a VIP before we use it, will that be sufficient to detect any issues this might have caused?

Thanks for the help in advance. I'd like to play it safe, especially with a used AL tank. Any ideas are greatly appreciated.

 

[Peter_C]

That is not an issue and nothing I would be worried about. Use it at the pressure in the tank for a longer dive. When empty get it VIP'ed. The 3,000 psi rating leaves room for error.

 

[tbone1004]

Stored at a static pressure it shouldn't cause any problem especially something as small as 250psi... VIP wouldn't show any tank problems other than cosmetic really. New hydro would tell you for sure if it did anything permanent, but I wouldn't worry about it. If it was filled for that long at 3500 or 4k then I'd just take it for a hydro. They are only about $10 more here and the fire extinguisher places will put a VIP sticker on there for you. Pay $25 for hydro vs $15 for VIP at least here.

 

[kelpdiverguy]

Thanks guys for the very quick responses! I figured it wasn't that big of a deal, but it helps a lot to have outside opinion from those in the know. I won't worry about it and just keep better tabs on the pressure before storage in the future.

 

[tfsails]

In Bonaire once, I found an AL80 that had 4250psi of EAN32 in it. Since I was diving with a female buddy who sipped air compared to me, I took it and threw it in the back of the pickup truck. Two hours later, after it had bounced 2/3 the way through Slagbaai Park (in the sun), I used it. Had a good, long dive! I'm really surprised the burst disc didn't rupture. God only knows when that tank had last been hydro'd or VIP'ed.

Your 3250 didn't hurt that tank. Dive with it and then get it VIP'ed--it'll be fine.

 

[AceszHigh]

My LDS fills and stores AL80 tanks at 3500 PSI, I love the longer BT I get from it

 

[Mopar]

That tank is no good now. But since I am a nice guy I will take it off your hands. No seriously it did not hurt a thing.

 

[Gilldiver]

God only knows when that tank had last been hydro'd or VIP'ed.
QUOTE]

You are assuming that it:

1) Had a bust disk
2) That if it had a burst disk that it wasn’t doubled disked
3) That it had been visualed in the last 5 years
4) That it was in hydro

Next time your down in the islands take a look at the tanks, not many hydro places down there or out in the Pacific and many tanks are used 2 or 3 times a day and never seem to get taken out of service long enough for a visual inspection. As for burst disks, you don’t find them outside of North America much at all.