Oxygen versus Scuba Tank Question

[mahjong]

Hi.

Are oxygen tanks (some, all?) convertible to scuba tanks? In other words, can one convert a small oxygen tank to a scuba pony tank (for example, by adding a scuba valve)? Are the valve threadings the same? Are scuba tanks specially treated for corrosion resistance?

Thanks,

Mahjong

 

[GDI]

The threads for the valves are different

Scuba cylinders are treated for corrosion

 

[ScubaFreak]

Plus, the working pressure on an oxygen cylinder would probably be substantially less than a modern Scuba cylinder, and therefore not really much use as a pony bottle...

SF

 

[akscubainst]

On top of that what shop is going to even consider filling it.
I wouldn't

Dave

 

[mahjong]

I get the picture--many thanks! I thought to ask because I noticed that Luxfer also makes small oxygen tanks and they "appear" to be identical to small pony bottles.

 

[Creed]

Plus, the working pressure on an oxygen cylinder would probably be substantially less than a modern Scuba cylinder, and therefore not really much use as a pony bottle...

SF

The standard pressure for medical tanks is 2015psi. Heck, I still see older steel doubles that are rated for 1800psi all the time.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=16057&item=7153314426&rd=1

I would think that there are several good uses for the smaller tanks. One might be for supplying a system like this one:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=1300&item=7154636335&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

It would also be handy to have a low profile tank around for testing purposes. Why keep a larger tank around when I can test my gear with a little oxy tank? It's much handier to find that leaky oring and replacing it in a clean, well lit garage, rather than doing the same on a beach. And given that I have little ones running around, eager to mess with dad's scuba stuff, a tank I can easily stow is very attractive.

 

[Creed]

On top of that what shop is going to even consider filling it.
I wouldn't

Dave

The question is, is this a knee jerk reaction, or do you have a valid reason not to? Assuming that the tank and valve passed hydro and vip and that you are not overfilling it, why is it any more dangerous than filling any other tank?

 

[Scottri]

Creed,

Because the valve would not be the valve that is made for the tank. An O2 valve is very different and would not fit the fill wip. You would have to modify a scuba tank valve to fit an O2 bottle. I had a guy bring one in like that and I refused to fill it. The valve had been machined to fit the O2 bottle.


Scott

 

[Creed]

Creed,

Because the valve would not be the valve that is made for the tank. An O2 valve is very different and would not fit the fill wip. You would have to modify a scuba tank valve to fit an O2 bottle. I had a guy bring one in like that and I refused to fill it. The valve had been machined to fit the O2 bottle.


Scott

I realize that the O2 valves are different. However, the older 1/2" scuba valves fit ok without machining. You can still pick those up on ebay with the older tanks:
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=16057&item=7154449658&rd=1&ssPageName=WDVW

The 1800 doubles I linked to in an earlier message are probably also 1/2".

 

[MSilvia]

Why not just keep it as an O2 bottle?