Restoring (medical) O2 tanks?

[Sea_Jay]

You may have the odd hydro shop that does O2 clean valves and found profit in it. If you have invoices in the tens of thousands for cleaning valves, they found that you are paying and they are making profit.

I'm also going to say that is not the norm in most places. What Tracy is saying really is the norm for most places.

Thanks for the additional input; I hope I didn't come off as condescending --- I am honestly trying to learn. Just seems odd to me that they would be charging us that amount, in writing, without actually doing anything.

FWIW the cost (to us) is between $40 - $80 for O2 cleaning, and that is exclusive of hydro. I guess for those prices, they could very well be O2 cleaning the cylinder, removing the old valve & spinning a new one on. I see the brand new CGA870 post valves online for less than $15/unit......if ordering bulk I would bet that price drops to $10 or even less. With the labor rates these days, it would seem beneficial for a hydro company to simply replace the post valve.

 

[OMyMyOHellYes]

Thanks for the additional input; I hope I didn't come off as condescending --- I am honestly trying to learn. Just seems odd to me that they would be charging us that amount, in writing, without actually doing anything.

FWIW the cost (to us) is between $40 - $80 for O2 cleaning, and that is exclusive of hydro. I guess for those prices, they could very well be O2 cleaning the cylinder, removing the old valve & spinning a new one on. I see the brand new CGA870 post valves online for less than $15/unit......if ordering bulk I would bet that price drops to $10 or even less. With the labor rates these days, it would seem beneficial for a hydro company to simply replace the post valve.

You can't clean/service a valve for $10-15. Parts alone. At least scuba valves.

 

[Sea_Jay]

 

[Still Kicking]

Thanks for the additional input; I hope I didn't come off as condescending --- I am honestly trying to learn. Just seems odd to me that they would be charging us that amount, in writing, without actually doing anything.

FWIW the cost (to us) is between $40 - $80 for O2 cleaning, and that is exclusive of hydro. I guess for those prices, they could very well be O2 cleaning the cylinder, removing the old valve & spinning a new one on. I see the brand new CGA870 post valves online for less than $15/unit......if ordering bulk I would bet that price drops to $10 or even less. With the labor rates these days, it would seem beneficial for a hydro company to simply replace the post valve.

They are either putting on a new valve and saying they cleaned it or (more likely) making the sign of the cross over it and calling it clean. Either way, they are making a killing.

Also, medical 02 bottles don't need VIP stickers.

 

[OMyMyOHellYes]

View attachment 839102

Cool. So what was the final process employed? And are you gonna replace those valves with scuba valves? What size bottles and service pressure?

 

[halocline]

Are you using these tanks for emergency O2? Or are you looking to transfill for home nitrox blending or deco gas.

You might want to check out Vance Harlow's Oxygen Hacker book. There is a lot of good info in there. It's an old book but still good. There's a section on medical O2 bottles and valves.

 

[Sea_Jay]

They are either putting on a new valve and saying they cleaned it or (more likely) making the sign of the cross over it and calling it clean. Either way, they are making a killing.

Also, medical 02 bottles don't need VIP stickers.

Who knows, like you said either way they are coming out on top.

Yes I am aware, but there are a couple shops in the area that want to see the VIP with "Oxygen Service" punched out -- in lieu of an O2 clean "certificate" that the hydro facility provides us. This is usually for the scuba tanks but if the sticker makes my life easier, or has the potential to, I'll run it. Since I work at the shop and do my own VIPs, I didn't come out of pocket.

 

[Sea_Jay]

Cool. So what was the final process employed? And are you gonna replace those valves with scuba valves? What size bottles and service pressure?

First just washed them with soap & water, then used Goo Gone to remove all of the old residue from old stickers. No polish applied or anything like that. I am going to leave the CGA 870 valves on there for now - as I acquired two medical O2 regulators for free, with masks & tubing and everything. These will be used when diving off of my own boat with friends, or taking people on guided shore dives.

They are size "MD" which hold 15 cu. ft. with a 2015psi service pressure.

 

[Sea_Jay]

Are you using these tanks for emergency O2? Or are you looking to transfill for home nitrox blending or deco gas.

You might want to check out Vance Harlow's Oxygen Hacker book. There is a lot of good info in there. It's an old book but still good. There's a section on medical O2 bottles and valves.

Strictly for emergency use. I have full access to O2/Nitrox/He/Trimix fill station at work. But would be interesting to read about using these cylinders for what you're talking about!

I have heard of that book & think I'll grab a copy for the bookshelf. I like stuff like that. Thanks!