SCBA Tank

[DA Aquamaster]

A couple thoughts/corrections.

1. Aluminum SCBA tanks just like aluminum scuba tanks are not life limited. In contrast hoop wrapped composite SCBA tanks (and scuba tanks) are life limited with a 15 year life span. Luxfer makes a 4000 psi hoop wrapped scuba tank - in essence an AL 80 with a carbon fiber over wrap to increase service pressure and volume. But like SCBA tanks, any damage to the outer wrap and resin that protects the wrap will let water into the wrap and will result in the tank being condemned. So at best, they are a bit fragile by scuba tank standards and less than ideal for use underwater. The same limits apply to SCBA tanks that while they may get wet, are not used under water.

2. Another issue with SCBA tanks is that light weight matter, buoyancy traits do not, so they are often too floaty for efficient use as scuba tanks. This is especially the case with hoop wrapped composite tanks.

3. And, in practice SCBA tanks tend to be slam filled going from empty to full in maybe 30-45 seconds in some fire departments. They basically refill the tank on the firemans back out of an air bank on the truck rather than swapping tanks and filling the tank slower and/or later. I have not been around the hydro business for about 5 years now, but I noted a high number of aluminum SCBA tanks with neck cracks and the general opinion was this had a lot to do with the slam fill practices used in the departments these tanks came from. So buyer beware.

4. Finally, there is the valve issue. SCBA and scuba tanks use different threads and DOT regs allow no modification of the threads, even chasing them with a tap to "fix" damaged threads. So at best you have to use an adapter and that is a less than elegant solution and just adds additional points for a leak could occur and may create some discomfort with the reg hitting you in the head.

 

[txapacheguy]

^^^ Thanks for the info guys!!! Since this is indeed a LP tank and about 12 years old already, I think it is going to get sold, scrapped, given away. I might use it as a 100PSI resevoir for the compressor on my jeep.

I have nothing invested in it but a few miles on the road to pick it up and a few minutes of research to figure out exactly what it was. (Based on the initial description of the rig, I thought the guy had part of a semi-closed circuit rebreather with one of the bottles when I went to get it)

Now I just have one more piece of junk in my garage to deal with. That's just part of the fun I suppose...

 

[knowone]

That or a NOS bottle on your JEEP.

 

[elmer fudd]

They probably would work great as a snuba rig for hull cleaning or real shallow water diving. You could probably just let the tank float on the surface without a raft or anything.

 

[Gil57usa]

If I were just a scuba diver, I'd be very hesitant about buying SCBA bottles. First off, they only have a 15 year lifespan. Second, there's the valves and third there's the buoyancy characteristics. Keep in mind though, that high pressure SCBA bottles are the absolute best thing out there for airgunners and paintballers. A 4500 psi, 88 cf bottle only weighs something like 25 lbs full and it gives them more good charges than considerably larger steel bottles. Brand new, with a din fitting they can cost over $600, (Airhog: Carbon Fiber Tanks). So if you find a good HP SCBA tank, chances are you can sell it and use the money to buy whatever scuba tank you want. Remember the 15 year lifespan though. A 14 year old carbon fiber SCBA tank is almost worthless.

I am a certified Air cylinder inspector, scuba diver and fire dept. chief. The statement above is only partially true. It is only the fiber wrapped tanks that have a 15 year life span. Aluminum scba tanks are good as long as they pass visual and hydro tests. The question I am going to ask you is one you should not take lightly. What is your life worth to you? scuba tanks are for diving and scba tanks are for land based operations. Use the proper tank for the operation. There is enough kinetic energy in a compressed air tank to put a fire truck on top of a ten story building if it explodes. If you mess with the threads in the tank, you will probably have a fairly short life expectancy. BUY A SCUBA TANK! and ditch the scba tank.